UPDATE, AUGUST 18, 2020: Blue II is on her maiden voyage. She departed the shipyard on July 29, and while polar regions are on her future itinerary, she is currently enjoying the warm Mediterranean waters.
Read on for our original article.
May 12 was a big day for a big yacht. The aptly named Blue II, a 184-footer (56-meter) which has the Northwest Passage in her sights, made her first appearance outside at Turquoise Yachts.
Blue II, a.k.a. Project Lombok, reflects the throwback looks of steam ships from another era. Even with that period appeal, however, she has stringent modern-day engineering. As mentioned, the Northwest Passage, a challenging waterway laden with ice, is on her itinerary. So, too, are polar regions. Therefore, the naval-architecture team at Hoek Design, which is also responsible for her styling, gave her an ice-classed hull. Additionally, her diesel-electric Caterpillar propulsion package meets the IMO Tier III emissions regulations.
As classic as Blue II is outside, she is equally classic inside, though additionally incorporating contemporary accents. Teak warms up the beam of 31 feet (9.55 meters), with the directive for a cozy look and feel, courtesy of Vickers Studio and Dols Home. As many owners do, these owners opted for an upper-deck suite, along with a private office. They’re treating friends and family quite well, with a main-deck VIP suite and four guest cabins below decks. Especially when Blue II heads to cool climates, the onboard sauna and steam room should feel good. The megayacht further has a Turkish bath, plus a gym and a massage room for them to use.
Guided by a captain and crew head count of 10, Blue II additionally carries two healthy-size tenders for the owners’ party, stowed below decks.
The 790-gross-ton megayacht should begin cruising in early July. Unfortunately, current travel restrictions due to the coronavirus prevented the owners from attending the launch on May 12. However, they have much to look forward to in the coming months.
Turquoise Yachts turquoiseyachts.com
Hoek Design hoekdesign.nl
Vickers Studio vickers-studio.com
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