The Flying Dutch (Wo)men - Superyacht Press Tour 2019

Note: The tour was in May and I thouht I published the article but found it in September in my drafts. Better late than never ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Our first stop was at de Keizer Marine Engineering – a very well growing company that controls all the wires on new build and refit projects. After the company’s introducing in the main building, we traveled the Dutch way to the technical building. The company also has its own academy to train the staff about the intricacies and specifics about the superyacht industry.

The second stop was Oceanco’s new facility in Zwjindrecht with two new construction halls up to 50m in height and 38m under the crane. The new area (ex Heerema) includes administration offices and conference rooms, construction facilities, outfit facilities, a piping shop, paint facilities, and sandblasting facilities. Moreover, it will be the co-makers superyacht brain park where suppliers will have offices.

We visited also the other facility and toured through the motor yacht DreAMboat. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed (surprise, surprise ;)) but we saw the amazing quality of the interior works. DreAMBoat’s owner also has focused on the crew area with heated floors.

The visit at Heesen Yachts was very special. We took part of the keel-laying ceremony of the 80m Project COSMOS. There were also the designers of Winch Design and the naval architects of Van Oossanen with additional materials to explain to us a lot of things about the projects. By the way, COSMOS is the biggest yacht to date by Heesen Yachts.

The next morning we arrived Moonen Yachts. After the presentation and discussion about the future projects, we toured the yard’s facility with the hull of the new sister ship of BRIGADOON.

Now it is interesting for sailing guys. A J-Class yacht (here RANGER) is always exciting with their beautiful and exquisite lines. Unfortunately only from the outside but an experience anyway. Vitters launched a new service facility in Palma to have technicians more at the base of the client’s yachts.

Together with the subsidiary Rondal, Royal Huisman is a real shopping mall for superyachts. As one of a few yards, they build the hulls, interior and many pieces of equipment like the rigs in one place.

Last year, we saw the naked aluminum hull of SEA EAGLE II, this year, the yacht was almost finished with interior works et cetera. Very surprising to see how fast Royal Huisman can build an 81m custom project. Impressive are also the three masts and the booms that look like canoes for 20 persons.

Huisfit is the refit brand of Royal Huisman and moved to the former Holland Jachtbouw facility (12,000 sqm) in Amsterdam that is very near to Shiphol Airport and the center of Amsterdam. Perfect for owner and crew to have short ways or to stay there for a while when the yacht gets a refit. There are three halls with the following sizes:

L 68m / 223ft, W 19m / 62ft, H 14m / 46ft

L 58m / 190ft, W 24m / 79ft, H 16m / 52ft

L 55m / 180ft, W 19m / 62ft, H 14m / 46ft

120m / 394ft along-side berthing at deep water quay. Length can be extended with floating pontoons.