Redefine, convert, explore

ICON YACHTS I PROFILE

REDEFINE

CONVERT EXPLORE!

As a premium quality Dutch builder of bespoke superyachts, specialising in refit, conversion, and new builds, ICON Yachts prides itself on customer relations. This yacht builder is different from the norm and has solidified itself in the Conversion-Explorer market by keeping up with the market trends set by a new age of yacht owner. Taking advantage of the comparatively new expedition class of yachts, ICON Yachts has cemented its place in the sector by providing world-leading conversions to research and support vessels. Article co-written by Daniel Barnes and Jordan Yallop.

The sight of a superyacht evokes the mental image of passengers sunbathing by the pool and all things hot and sunny. But a new cooler trend in superyacht destinations has been emerging in recent years.

Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic are the new – and adventurous – destinations for those wanting a little something different from their time onboard a superyacht. Swap your snorkelling gear, jet skis and RIBs for snow scooters and submarines. And these places with harsher conditions need vessels tough enough to handle all that is thrown at them – without sacrificing the elegant and high-end facilities, comfort and luxuries – such as large dining areas, state rooms, pools, steam rooms, saunas or wellness rooms, and bars – that superyacht owners expect.

Founded in 2006, the Harlingen-based builder’s large dry dock (150m long, 50m wide and 10m deep) can accommodate four 70m vessels simultaneously – or up to six 50m yachts or two 90m yachts. With 500m of secure protected mooring in a sheltered deep-water harbour, it is a 2.5 mile sail, unrestricted by locks, dykes or bridges, into the North Sea.

Friso Hylkema, Business Development Executive at ICON Yachts said: “One thing that helps define ICON Yachts is creativity and thinking outside the box. While we are a relatively young company, the people who work here have brought with them extensive experience in the sector.

“We are built on that experience, it brings in fresh air and new possibilities, and we also have a pragmatic business model with regards to our builds. ICON Yachts is increasingly being recognised for being the leader in Conversion-Explorer projects through a unique approach and consistently building on this expertise.”

ICON Yachts carries on the proud Dutch yacht building heritage, with an emphasis on quality builds, craftmanship and reliability.

Cornering the market

ICON Yachts prides itself on its ability to deliver a unique custom-built superyacht to a client, built to the company’s exacting standard, within three years. The company has created a hyper efficient system that combines meticulous pre-planning and a smart modular construction technique. This innovation reduces the time of delivery and guarantees build quality, while also offering infinite variations to cater to the clients’ desires.

ICON Yachts works closely with each client’s team to deliver outstanding

ICON YACHTS I PROFILE

Friso Hylkema, Business Development Executive

results. One area that ICON Yachts is gaining particular recognition is within the conversion market, with the shipyard’s conversions to date having a previous life as world-class commercial ocean-going vessels capable of withstanding the toughest conditions.

Not only are you getting a proven vessel as a starting point, but you also save time when compared with a newbuild, which in turn saves the client costs. ICON Yachts ensures its clients get a quality investment by working through a highly thorough feasibility process, ensuring all prospective vessels have already been built to an exceptionally high standard. ICON Yachts retains the vessel's capabilities while changing its function from ocean support and rescue to exploration yachting.

“With conversions, a client will approach us with a dream, or vision, of what they want. We will then work with them to identify and shortlist a selection of suitable vessels on the market, and once the client has made their choice, we will liaise between parties on behalf of client advice and assist where necessary, whilst also conducting pre-engineering, inspection and survey work,” explained Mr Hylkema. “Once the purchase has been made by the client, we will then arrange everything else and get to work.”

Stepping in at such an early stage requires ICON Yachts’ commercial and engineering staff to carry out an extremely thorough and extensive process, but as Mr Hylkema explained, this time is considered a wellspent investment as it ensures the best possible platform vessel for the project.

“It’s really quite fun, actually, because before the vessel has been converted, the client can set foot on it and really get a feel for it. Even though it’s still a commercial search and rescue vessel, you can walk around, you can walk into the bridge, interior spaces and engine room, you feel the dimensions and the robustness and it’s a really impressive experience and totally different and much more stimulating than a blank piece of paper on the drawing board.

“Ideally, the platform vessel is relatively new and already equipped with modern ship systems. ICON Yachts sets out, through a unique feasibility study, to ensure the selection of the most optimally suitable vessel, matching the requirements for the Expedition Yacht. Selecting the right platform vessel is essential and ICON Yachts has the unique expertise network and resources to do so.”

This new kind of yacht building also has a positive impact in sustainability, he explained.

“Conversions are more sustainable. It is essentially a type of upcycling, you take an existing proven vessel and give it new life. There is an entirely different footprint in the area, lower than that of new builds. Use of the latest equipment and innovations also helps of course, with respect to minimising pollution.”

Mr Hylkema said: “Conversion projects have a significantly smaller footprint compared to full new build projects as large sections can be considered as upcycled. Especially in present times, with extended lead times, supply chain issues and soaring raw material prices, conversion projects yield undeniable large benefits.”

Sustainability is of growing importance when you take into account the trends pushed forward by a younger, new generation of yacht owners, who, it could be argued, have sustainability and environmental concerns closer to their heart than your traditional superyacht owner of times gone by.

“Explorer yacht owners are typically very well aware of sustainability issues and during their expedition often observe first-hand retreating polar ice caps for instance,” said Mr Hylkema. “They often work closely together with research teams and experienced expedition specialists.”

Proven concept

Perhaps the best way to showcase the abilities of ICON Yachts is to take a look at the 2020-delivered Ragnar, and its ongoing work on Project Master.

The 68.2m expedition yacht Ragnar, began her life at sea in 2012 the ice breaking multi-purpose support supply vessel Sanaborg, before she began her transformation into what we see today in July 2017. Designed by RWD in the UK, her unique style draws on a fusion of

inspirations including medieval war craftsmanship and British heritage.

Friso Hylkema said: “The approach that we have taken since Ragnar and now on our upcoming projects is to not just restore a classic, which is what many other yards do with conversions. But it is taking a modern, already proven and robust oceangoing support and rescue vessel; then using that as the ultimate platform for expeditions. Then we take that into a yacht that is basically unrivalled in capabilities with regard to expeditions.”

When emphasising ICON Yachts’ experience in the conversion market, Mr Hylkema said: “We are the only yard in the world conducting modern Conversion-Explorer projects in succession. We work closely with our clients to source the best possible ship for conversions, to cater to their needs, whatever they may be.”

Project Master

A conversion currently underway at ICON Yachts is Project Master. Originally an offshore supply vessel, like Ragnar, Project Master will end up as a luxury explorer superyacht. Designed by yacht designer renowned Espen Oeino, large parts of the original support vessel can be recognised in the new design (including the impressive bow and bridge), but the yacht will be significantly different with several decks added mid-aft.

As is standard, the client approached ICON Yachts without already having a vessel and requested the company to aid in finding a suitable vessel for conversion. ICON Yachts worked with the experienced owner’s list of requirements for the vessel, which included it being a family orientated vessel capable of exploration and extended voyages and remote destinations around the world, for both personal use and suitable for charter.

Using the vast amount of experience acquired in the conversion market, ICON Yachts recommended using Ocean Ness, a 20-year-old 66m offshore supply vessel.

“Ocean Ness had been in service for years, providing year-round missions in the harshest conditions,” said Mr Hylkema. “Officially a FSRTS (Field Standby Rescue Tug Supply), vessel, she is highly capable in all conditions, boasts a North European build quality, was in excellent condition and meticulously maintained.”

With enough space for 12 guests, a crew of 19 and luxury amenities such as a sauna, personal subs and a helicopter deck, Project Master is set to be completed in 2023.

Personal investment

ICON Yachts consists of passionate people comprising a mix of industry experts, yachting enthusiasts, skilled craftsmen, professionals and fresh talents.

“All are very involved in each project, with an efficient, creative and flexible mentality,” said Mr Hylkema.

Moving forward, the company intends to further enhance its quality and capabilities, revealed Mr Hylkema. “We’re growing and are constantly investing in our people in addition to investing in updating and upgrading our facilities.”

The energy used by ICON Yachts is also 100% from green sources, while the company, as you’d expect, has all the necessary certifications, including ISO 14001 compliance.

With a number of additional contracts and projects being discussed but yet to be made public, ICON Yachts is extremely wellpositioned for the years ahead. n