From ALBATROSS to MOONSTONE
A Yacht Reborn
To redesign, refit, and relaunch a superyacht is no small undertaking. When that refit includes a significant extension of the hull, the challenge is even greater. When experienced Amels Owners acquired the 72-metre Delta Marine-built ALBATROSS in 2022, there was only one team they’d entrust with such a task.
Vision for a Transformational Refit
The Owners’ vision for the refit centred around enhancing the wellness facilities, and whilst the yacht’s potential had enormous appeal to the Owners, the existing interior design was too classical for their taste.
MOONSTONE completed and redelivered to her Owners
Michel Coens, Head of Refit & Services
“Initial discussions and design explorations made it clear that everything they hoped to add by way of lifestyle and wellness amenities, could not be established in one part of the boat,” explains Michel Coens, Head of Refit & Services at Damen Yachting, who worked closely with the Owners, and their representatives Damon Smallwood and David McQueen as well as the designers Harrison Eidsgaard throughout the project.
“They would have been left with a scenario where the sauna would be in the beach club, for example, and the Hammam would be on the bridge deck. The gym would be elsewhere, as would a suite for massage therapies.”
Damon Smallwood, Owner’s Representative
As is often the case with Refit commissions, time was a deciding factor, but not the only one. “Damen Yachting were able to react fast,” explains Damon Smallwood, Owner’s Representative. “But I think the main reason Damen Yachting was chosen, was due to the existing relationship between the Owner and the shipyard. The Owners trusted that Damen Yachting would have their best interests in mind, and had the ability to take on a project of this size.”
Extensive Refit is Nothing Short of Extraordinary
The decision was taken to extend the boat by seven-and-a-half metres, allowing the desired wellness amenities to be centralised in the lower deck transom, and also the addition of a swimming pool on the main deck aft. “The idea was to create a wellness hub, complemented by an outdoor area for guests,” says Coens.
The UK-based design studio Harrison Eidsgaard was commissioned for the project, and their expertise was extended to other areas of the yacht: “With elimination of the existing wellness facilities on the Bridge Deck, there was opportunity to transform this space too,” comments Peder Eidsgaard, Partner at Harrison Eidsgaard. “We created a summer/winter garden with sliding glass panels and louvres in the ceiling – it’s now a massive indoor/outdoor dining area. The VIP cabin became an office for the Owner, and the old gym was converted into a lounge specially for the children.”
The aft of the Owner’s deck also got a makeover, with a Jacuzzi that was personalised to the previous Owner undergoing a redesign and modernisation. “The exterior, originally by Espen Øino, was already attractive” comments Eidsgaard. “But the additional transom length improved the yacht’s elegance further. White paint was added to the sheer line to enhance the length and make her look like a true gentleman’s yacht.”
Creating a Homely Atmosphere
The team worked in collaboration, with interior renderings reviewed and discussed by all parties. Ideas for the interior look, which began as changes to soft furnishings, quickly became all-new wall panels and in total, about 80% of the yacht underwent some aspect of change.
“Much of the built-in furniture was replaced and re-designed, bringing in woven leathers and textured materials. Patterned carpets were swapped for more neutral tones with a tempting softness of touch,” explains Carla Bertola, Senior Interior Designer at Harrison Eidsgaard. “The existing, classical design elements were replaced with contemporary styles that create a more homely atmosphere for the Owners.”
MOONSTONE outside the shipyard in Vlissingen, ahead of redelivery
Damen Yachting and Harrison Eidsgaard collaborated with interior suppliers and artisans from around the world, visiting Slovenia, Germany, Dubai, Italy, and Austria to supervise the build of the interior architecture, furniture, stonework, and unique features.
Outstanding Cooperation
“Any successful refit requires meticulous attention to detail and dedication from all involved,” says Coens. “And for the Owners, the priorities were timescale and budget,” adds Smallwood. “This scale of refit is a complex undertaking that can only be brought to fruition with the right mix of skill, experience, and ambition,” says Coens, who explains that the greatest challenge the team faced was the timeline: “Now, that’s not to say we weren’t spot on with our schedule and planning," he laughs, “but we came to the project without prior engineering knowledge of the boat, essentially we were working on a yacht that we hadn’t built.”
Whilst Delta Marine supported the works and were extremely helpful, Coens advises that Damen Yachting simply wouldn’t have been doing their due diligence if every aspect of the engineering was not double checked. “The cooperation between the Owner's team and Delta Marine was outstanding,” says Coens. The Owner’s team extended to include David McQueen, who was on site, together with the yacht's senior management; the Captain, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, and Chief Stew with a team of around 10 people enlisted for the project’s full duration.
Yacht transport on a superyacht scale
Refit of the Full Technical Platform
In addition to the refit works that would deliver the desired onboard lifestyle, Damen Yachting also refit the full technical platform, taking engines apart, refurbishing pumps, generators, and exhausts, and replacing technical systems. “Everything had to be checked and given certification as being in full working order,” explains Coens. “And, if upgrades were possible, upgrades were made. You don't want to leave a shipyard after a two-year refit and be let down by something simple that was overlooked.”
This was a substantial refit and for Coens, what made the process easier, was that Damen Yachting is fundamentally a new build shipyard: “We applied the full extent of our new build expertise and knowledge to the refit of ALBATROSS, which was necessary when making such substantial structural changes. There's lot of naval architecture in those changes too; you need to know if the strength is okay, the speed, noise, and vibration. We put a project team in place just as we would do with a new build,” adds Coens.
MOONSTONE sets sail
One Team Working on one Goal
“This project faced a lot of challenges,” comments Smallwood, “the full scope of the project was not fully realised until the shipyard commenced work, but a good partnership and good collaboration meant we could solve problems together and get the yacht back in service. The Owners now have a beautiful yacht to cruise the world on for many years to come.”
Coens is keen to reiterate how this refit simply would not have been possible without the expertise and collaboration of the Owner’s team and all involved, “We couldn’t have done this without the constant input of Damon Smallwood, David McQueen, and their colleagues. They were crucial in the decision-making process. It really was one team working on one common goal, together, and that's crucial for a refit of this magnitude.”
"This was a project of true collaboration."
- David McQueen, Owner's representative MOONSTONE.
ALBATROSS has been relaunched at her new length of 79.2 metre and renamed MOONSTONE.