Journey of discovery
The 69-metre custom superyacht MY 'Samaya', built by Feadship for a European owner with connections to Asia, has been launched at a ceremony in Aalsmeer.
Photography by Feadship
07 September 2017
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Samaya’s buyer, who was brought to the yard by Joshua Lee, Managing Director of Lee Marine, was seeking a high-speed yacht with long cruising range and high degree of autonomy, in order to enjoy luxurious scuba diving expeditions in remote areas around the world. Over the duration of the build, the owner was heavily involved in ongoing development of the project, attending monthly meetings.
“[The owner’s and his family’s] ultimate goal is to explore the underwater world in safety and comfort while contributing towards the conservation of the oceans and the wonderful but vulnerable species contained within,” said Feadship.
The project’s contract was signed shortly after the Monaco Yacht Show in 2014, when Lee travelled up to the Feadship yard for three days of intensive meetings and early designs before drawing up the letter of intent.
“We have been very pleased to be involved in the entire process working with both the client and the talented Feadship team. The yacht is quite distinctive with many long-range features that may surprise some corners of the market,” said Lee.
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Samaya has a top speed of 16.4 knots delivered by twin CAT 3512C engines, and a range of up to 5,000nm.
The yacht’s design has taken significant inspiration from the natural world, with its insignia of a manta ray reinforcing this connection. The teal waterline, which is painted over the subtle lunar white with hints of warm pink, is based on the colour of a rare blue-green fish that the owner once saw while diving, said Feadship.
Explaining the owner’s wishes to take the benefits of Samaya’s cruising beyond that of the guests on board, Feadship said that “the client made a sacred promise during the keel laying ceremony to cruise wherever it is possible to experience encounters with special and rare species. Also to use Samaya as a platform that enables scientists and the media to produce material which will educate people and help protect the endangered species and damaged locations in our beautiful oceans.”
The interior design of the yacht was executed by RWD, with creative input in the guest suites provided by the owner’s children, featuring colourful palettes and furnishings. Accommodation for up to 12 guests includes an owner’s stateroom, four guest staterooms and a VIP stateroom; there is space for up to 16 crew on board.
“The owner shared stories about diving adventures as we studied shapes together to discover what it is that makes these underwater creatures so fascinating. Our conclusions were included in the design. A good example is the gentle yet powerful muscular shape of the side bulwarks, which echo the pronounced slender muscles seen on a bull shark,” said Feadship de Voogt designer Jan Schaffers of Samaya’s exterior profile.
A focal point of the yacht, the dive centre located to the stern features bespoke equipment storage and facilities for a luxuriously tailored experience, including a nitrox-enriched air system. A custom-designed, flat-bottomed plunge pool on the main deck aft can be heated to accelerate post-dive recovery when exploring cooler waters.
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