Photography by Jim Raycroft
27 August 2021
The 64-metre Atomic was built by VSY in Italy, the third in a series by Espen Oeino. The project was for a repeat client and is the largest build to date for Darnet Design.
Based in Nantes, France, Darnet Design creates interior and exterior designs for superyachts and production boats. The studio of seven is managed by Franck Darnet, founder and CEO. Darnet has over 20 years of experience and design credit for more than 2,500 yachts ranging from 12 to 64 metres.
Having worked with the owner of Atomic previously, Darnet was familiar with his interior pallet and passion for diving. The brief required a warm, cosy and timeless interior inspired by marine life. This theme extends from bow to stern, achieving calm and inviting spaces throughout the yacht.
Sold by Jean-Claude Carme of TWW Yacht Brokers, Atomic is the third yacht in a timeless design series penned by Espen Oeino and is an evolution of her slightly smaller sisterships Sealyon (ex-Candyscape II) and RoMa.
The project reflects the owner’s drive for precision, performance and design along with his love for the sea.
“The key design words were elegance, warmth and natural. An elegance that is expressed through simplicity and understatement.
“The owner’s trust and support has made all the difference in achieving a masterpiece that reflects his personality and matches the needs of his way of living at sea together with his family.
“To achieve the natural warmth in the interior, we have opted for light-coloured, natural materials and tones to achieve the right balance between simplicity and elegance.”
American walnut features throughout the yacht and is evident on floors, slats and furniture.
Elegance and sophistication are added with polished nickel inlays in the shape of grooved brain corals — this is the main design detail and reflects the theme on board, appearing on panels and the floor.
These details are complemented by natural and mushroom-coloured leather upholstery and 100-percent white cotton carpets, creating a soft and calming experience under foot.
Atomic accommodates up to 12 guests across six ensuite cabins split between the lower and main decks, with the owner’s master suite situated forward of the main deck. This suite is raised half a level from the main deck and offers just shy of 270-degree views.
Behind the master bed are His and Hers bathrooms and wardrobes along with direct access to private exterior and interior terraces. There’s a reading lounge on the starboard side and a large panoramic shower on portside.
A key feature within the large bathroom is a dimmable, sculpted glass panel by Bernard Pictet with white Botticino marble on the floor and walls.
The master suite also caters to the owner’s wife and her love of reading with the inclusion of a cosy alcove with an outstanding view out to sea.
With two VIP suites on the main deck — behind the master suite and each with large windows — a further two double guest cabins are located on the lower deck along with a cabin for kids that can sleep four on bunk beds. This deck is also home to the crew forward and the dive centre aft.
“Atomic encapsulates the owner’s passion for the ocean, most notably in the professional diving centre,” says Franck Darnet, who had also designed the interior of the owner’s previous 45-metre yacht.
The dive centre is a custom build with a specific layout designed and built by Moondog, which specialises in yacht dive centres.
The layout of lockers, drawers and mechanically ventilated wetsuit lockers makes the area special for dive equipment.
The exterior complements the interior layout by allowing a careful balance between inside and outside areas across the yacht’s four decks, ensuring greater enjoyment for the owner and their guests.
For instance, the sundeck is the main party area with a large infinity pool aft, bar amidships and a cosy fire pit forward.
The upper deck aft terrace offers cosy seating areas, a bar and a large dining area that can seat up to 14 guests.
Unsurprisingly, this 64-metre motor yacht has been fitted with advanced technical solutions and enhanced engineering, adopted from VSY’s 72-metre flagship Stella Maris, such as a dynamic positioning (DP) system with diesel electric stern thruster.
The DP system provides greater control over the vessel while also minimising the impact on the seabed when anchoring.
The Kongsberg integrated control system provides seamless integration of navigation, propulsion control and ship automation.
Atomic has also been fitted with exhaust gas cleaning systems and four 200 kW generators power the electric thrusters, allowing navigation under electric propulsion without starting the main engine.
All these systems meet the owner’s desire to minimise the impact Atomic has on the ocean while allowing him and his family to enjoy time at sea.
Jean-Claude Carme shared his thoughts as the project’s broker: “Delivering Atomic is a very special moment: for the owners, it is the much-awaited materialisation of a vision and the promise of uniquely happy times at sea; for the broker, the designers and the build team, it is a great feeling of accomplishment; a commitment fulfilled.
“Atomic itself is a very special yacht: I dare say one of the finest ever built in Italy, with a strong design by Espen Oeino, a warm and elegant interior design by Franck Darnet, and a high level of technical specifications.
“TWW thanks all involved in successfully completing this project. We wish the owners a wonderful time on board and we will follow and assist with enthusiasm the yacht’s ambitious program of navigation to the world’s most remote and spectacular dive sites.”