First 53-metre Yacht Support vessel launched
When Anthony Hsieh saw his brand-new 53-metre Yacht Support (YS 5301) superyacht launch from her shed, his lifelong dream had come true.
As a seasoned yacht Owner, Anthony has built up the world's most unique and modern sports fishing fleet: an 11-strong armada of boats, of all shapes and sizes, dedicated to the private fishing programme and a world tour. The YS 5301, the first of Damen Yachting's revived Yacht Support series, is set to take up her place as the fleet's mothership and will be named BAD COMPANY SUPPORT.
The new yacht will replace the Owner’s current 46-metre YS 4508 Yacht Support, named BAD COMPANY SUPPORT, built by Damen Yachting in 2019 and sold to Anthony Hsieh in 2021.
In supporting sports fishing, Anthony is involved in several marine conservation projects in remote locations across the planet such as those initiated by the Coastal Conservation Association of California. “The YS 53 will allow us to cover areas of the planet that haven’t really been explored with contemporary fishing. It will be really interesting to see what happens when we deploy the latest in modern fishing techniques together with the best equipment available. We will be catching and releasing and helping out the scientific community with deploying some satellite tagging systems," explains Anthony. And all of this is happening during the Bad Company fleet world tour – something which Anthony and his team are proud to have created.
“What we are planning to do with the YS 5301 no one has ever done before, and I think this will set a whole new tier of adventure for future yachts people,” says Anthony.
Once delivered this summer, BAD COMPANY SUPPORT will tour the Mediterranean for a shakedown trip, and then move into the Atlantic Ocean in its first year, followed by next year in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. The new mothership will be equipped with a 43ft Release Game boat and a 32ft Blackfin – a boat which carries significant sentiment for the Owner. Recently repurchased and refurbished for this adventure, the Blackfin was Anthony’s first Game fishing boat purchased more than 30 years ago. The helicopter on board will provide him and his guests with easy airport transfers to and from the mothership.
Anthony Hsieh:
“The plans we have with the boat in future years is stunning — she will see the world! We will spend all our time on this boat to make the most of all the different luxuries and amenities she has, and we are very excited for this milestone.”
Designed entirely by Damen Yachting and constructed at the builder’s facility in Turkey, YS53 01 features a huge 15-tonne deck crane and is fully IMO Tier III compliant to reduce harmful emissions by up to 70% for full-range operations. Her two main engines can deliver speeds of up to 19 knots.
“The YS 53 offers a lot of outdoor space to have fun," says Damen Yachting's Commercial Executive, Jan van Hogerwou. "Owners can have all their favourite toys within reach and spend all day doing whatever fascinates them: fishing, diving or exploring. They’re close to the sea and there’s no fuss. That is what is so appealing. The difference with the previous generation Yacht Support is that this new series is designed to ensure a better guest experience with improved crew flow and layout, in addition to the larger interior spaces and increased crane capacity of the boat."
Jan van Hogerwou - Commercial Executive USA
The Yacht Support 53 has been developed for today’s most innovative yacht owners. The design builds on almost two decades of Damen Yachting's Yacht Support experience and a deep understanding of high-end yacht operations, global adventure lifestyles and outstanding technical solutions. Features that align perfectly with the mission and vision of Anthony Hsieh.