Conversion Project MASTER // Icon Yachts

ICON Yachts’ latest conversion project, the 70m Project MASTER, was pulled into Harlingen’s shipyard’s drydock facility earlier this month. We caught up with the yard to learn more about the progress and about ICON’s position in the market since their conversion of an ice-breaker and its delivery as MV RAGNAR in mid-2020.

This time, ICON chose a vastly different style for the platform vessel – a 66m Offshore Rescue and Support Vessel – for conversion to a global world explorer. Yet again, in doing so, the team at ICON Yachts is capitalizing on its expertise to develop conversion projects far from the no. ICON presented several design drafts to their client. This vessel was found best suited to his listing of requirements: ultimately, for a world cruiser yacht that is family-orientated and admirably suited for charter too.

Espen Øino International was contracted in 2021 to develop the design and styling, and after seeing the developments thus far, this will prove exciting to witness over the coming months.
In the selection and design process, the shipyard, alongside Espen’s team, found ways to repurpose a significant proportion of the original vessel. This is not only positive on an environmental front, but it also reduces lead time for the client and overcomes the great supply chain hurdle. “Close to 80% of the original vessel will be re-used or upcycled,” the yard explained. “Even those parts removed have been recycled into the marine industry as spares, and all in accordance with ICON’s ISO 14001 certification. This allows us to deliver a state-of-the-art explorer without putting a huge drain on the planet’s raw material resources.”

Project MASTER will offer accommodation for 12 Guests across six well-appointed Guest Suites, comprising two VIPs, three Twins, and a sublime 135 m2 Master Stateroom and private Owner’s Deck. The Owner’s spaces have additional privacy located three decks above the Guest Suites.
Destined for a life of luxurious worldwide exploration, ICON Yachts ensured that MASTER’s platform had plenty of space to carry all the necessary equipment, offering more than 800 m2 of exterior deck space while leaving plenty of room for an arsenal of tenders, water toys, a submarine and exploration gear. ICON Yachts will also furnish the platform with a fully-certified Helicopter Deck to land Guests in comfort and provide the ultimate experience over glaciers and inaccessible shores or to observe coral reefs undisturbed.