Show of support
The first 53-metre Yacht Support 53 from Damen Yachting has launched in Turkey to the delight of her experienced owner.
01 June 2023
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Damen Yachting, the Netherlands-based builder known for its range of dedicated support yachts based on successful offshore commercial vessels, has been instrumental in making the toy-carrier a must-have for superyacht owners.
On May 25, 2023, in Antalya, Türkiye, the owner of the first 53-metre Yacht Support (YS 5301) witnessed his brand-new yacht hit the water for the first time. The yacht was designed entirely by Damen Yachting and constructed at the builder’s facility in Türkiye.
YS 5301 was sold to her owner Anthony Hsieh in May 2022 and will be delivered in the northern summer of 2023 under the name Bad Company Support. The new yacht will replace the owner’s current 46-metre YS 4508 Yacht Support of the same name, built by Damen Yachting in 2019 and sold to Hsieh in 2021.
The YS 53 range was introduced to the market in February 2022 as a strategic shift in Damen Yachting’s Yacht Support approach. The range represents the next generation of Yacht Support vessels and is inspired by the 17-plus Yacht Support vessels built by Damen Yachting over the last decade.
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The design is both highly flexible and customisable to deliver the most fun and engaging set-up for any owner.
Hsieh will use YS 5301 as a mothership to his well-established Bad Company fleet, which is well-known for its modern sport-fishing missions and can currently be found on a world tour.
In supporting sport fishing, the owner is involved in several marine conservation projects in remote locations across the planet such as those initiated by the Coastal Conservation Association of California.
YS 5301 features a huge 15-tonne deck crane and is fully IMO Tier III compliant to reduce harmful emissions by 70 percent for full-range operations. Her two main engines can deliver speeds of up to 19 knots.
Once delivered, YS 5301 will tour the Mediterranean for a shakedown trip, then move into the Atlantic in her first year, followed by the Indian Ocean and Pacific the following year.
The new mothership will be equipped with a 43-foot game boat and a 32-foot Blackfin – a boat that carries significant sentiment for Hsieh. Recently repurchased and refurbished for this adventure, the Blackfin was Hsieh’s first game-fishing boat purchased more than 30 years ago. A helicopter on board will also provide him with easy airport transfers to and from the mothership.
“What we’re planning to do with the YS 5301, no-one has ever done before – this will set a whole new tier of adventure for future yachtspeople,” says Hsieh.
“This is a lifelong dream starting to become reality – the plans we have for the boat in future years is stunning; she’ll see the world!”
“We’ll spend all our time on this boat to make the most of all the different luxuries and amenities she has, and we’re very excited about this milestone.”
Adds Jan van Hogerwou, Damen Yachting’s Commercial Executive North America, said: “This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve worked on.
“Not only is this the first of our new YS 53 range but this is also the first Yacht Support we have built that will be used exclusively as part of a sport fishing fleet and program. Hsieh’s unique vision and mission are very inspiring.”
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