Life’s grand

OCEA Yachts to unveil the Grand Explorer at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

27 September 2023

OCEA Yachts aims to create a sensation at the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) this year, with the presentation of a stunning 72-metre superyacht, known as Grand Explorer.

A pioneer in aluminium shipbuilding and industrial construction, the OCEA yard was established in 1987.

With four production sites located along the French Atlantic coast, OCEA delivers annually 15 to 20 vessels, up to 90 metres long, including fast patrol boats, passenger vessels, environmental vessels and yachts.

The ultimate explorer yacht

At the Monaco Yacht Show from 27 to 30 September, OCEA Yachts will host the presentation of a stunning 72-metre superyacht, known as Grand Explorer.

In addition to building yachts, OCEA is a specialist in the construction of aluminium workboats, transport boats and maritime surveillance vessels. The OCEA design office developed this ultimate yacht based on the design of a patrol vessel.

Philippe Briand's London firm Vitruvius Yachts worked on the project's design.

The Grand Explorer retains the silhouette of a patrol vessel.

The architect opted for a totally enclosed stern that is very pleasant in port, and can then open to create an aft platform.

“We’re demanding that these boats be fast, seaworthy in any weather, and comfortable for long missions. They also need to be stable so that they can easily deploy resources – tenders, helicopter etc. The problem is the same for a yacht,” explains Vincent Guilbault, head of the OCEA R&D department.

The platform of the OCEA OPV 230 patrol vessel has therefore been retained with part of its subdivisioning, while the interior layout, traffic and vertical flows have been adapted.

“The Grand Explorer features the same marine qualities as the OPV at the origin of its design. It also benefits from all the calculations, tests, simulations and measurements already carried out on the OPV range.

It also incorporates OCEA patented Arch Bows structural tanks, which reinforce the structure from the top and make it possible to integrate large openings.”

An atypical silhouette

Philippe Briand’s London firm Vitruvius Yachts worked on the project’s design. The architect has managed to create a slick design with all the initial features of the platform. He has retained the silhouette of the patrol vessel, in particular the high Mission Bay on the side, which has been transformed into a glazed area on the yacht, as well as the atypical wheelhouse with its 360-degree visibility.

The architect has also opted for a very private atmosphere, with a totally enclosed stern that is very pleasant in port, but which tilts completely to create an aft platform flush with the water, giving access to the lazarette.

As for the patrol vessel, the OCEA Grand Explorer can be powered by conventional, electric or hybrid propulsion systems, and is available in lengths from 58 to 84 metres.

Saving on design time, “We already have a lot of information meaning we can move quickly,” says Vincent Guilbault.

The OCEA booth will be on Quai L’Hirondelle, stand QH23 at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, from Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 September.

ocea-yachts.com