Heesen reveals first 5000 Aluminium superyacht Project Aquamarine

Heesen has laid the keel on the first superyacht in its 5000 Aluminium class, Project Aquamarine.

Despite only being announced by the yard last week, the keel laying on the 50 metre yacht took place in August last year. Currently due for a 2021 delivery, Project Aquamarine will be the first fast-cruising yacht below 500GT to be IMO Tier III compliant, Heesen said.

Built entirely from aluminium, the motor yacht will feature a brand new hull design developed by Heesen’s in-house naval architects in collaboration with Van Oossanen Naval Architects.

The yard estimates the new design will have an “efficiency gain of 12%”, which the yard attributes to a raised transom and additional propeller tunnels incorporated into the hull.

The inclusion of raised propellers will consequently reduce the yacht’s draft to just 2.15 metres, making Project Aquamarine “the perfect yacht for cruising the Bahamas, as well as the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean,” the yard said.

Heesen revealed the hull design had been optimised by Van Oossanen before a 1:16 model was put to the test at the Southampton-based Wolfson Unit.Project Aquamarine will sport a “clean and modern” exterior design by Omega Architects. Omega founder Frank Laupman said, “The design we created for the new 5000 Aluminium Class combines our own heritage with that of Heesen as a builder of elegant and sporty aluminium motor yachts. The ‘integrated hull and body design’, which was first seen on the iconic 65 metre Galactica Star, gives a strong character to the yacht’s profile.”

Key features will include a raised aft deck fitted with sunpads and a full height tender garage that will double as a luxury beach club with a flush swim platform. An additional rescue tender will be stored under a hatch at the front of the wheelhouse.The Japanese-inspired interior design, meanwhile, will be handled by Cristiano Gatto. Accommodation will be for a total of 12 guests in four lower deck guest suits and a main deck master stateroom.

Project Aquamarine’s propulsion package will consist of MTU 16V4000M65L green oceanic engines, which have been specially designed to reduce emissions. Project Aquamarine will have a top speed of 23 knots and range of 3,100 nautical miles at 11 knots.