INDUSTRY UPDATES
M/Y Octopus to charter in Antarctica
PHOTOS CAMPER & NICHOLSONS
The 414-foot (126m) M/Y Octopus, commissioned and formerly owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, will be available for first-time charter in Antarctica in late 2022 exclusively through Camper & Nicholsons. Built by German shipyard, Lürssen, to a design by Espen Øino, and launched in 2003 as one of the largest superyachts in the world, Octopus commenced a trend for yachts to be equipped for science, research, and far-flung expedition travel. To that end, the vessel sports an ice-class 1A steel hull, allowing it to safely traverse the iceberg-filled seas surrounding the southernmost continent. In its storied past, Octopus has been an iconic research vessel, involved in search-and-rescue missions, and even once featured a recording studio for famous artists including Mick Jagger, Usher, and U2. Its one-of-a-kind art and artifacts collection includes an original photo of Marilyn Monroe and a signed photo of Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Mike Collins adjacent to the American flag that was carried by Frank Borman and Jim Lovell on board the Gemini VII spacecraft in 1965.
Up until its sale in 2021, the yacht was kept extremely private, with few images of its interior ever released to the public. To mark its new availability as a charter yacht, Octopus began a two-year, round-the-world tour in January. So far, the plans include Costa Rica, Panama, and South America, wrapping up with the Antarctica tour in early December 2022. Charter rates start at $2.2 million per week. Features include flexible accommodations for 12 guests in 13 cabins and a permanent crew of 42; a dive center and hyperbaric chamber, along with a fully equipped medical suite; a toy list that includes seven tenders, two helipads, a large SUV, electric foils and much more; an entertainment deck with fully equipped gym, spa, 15-person cinema, library, observation lounge, and glass-bottomed aquarium; and a dedicated owner’s deck with a private elevator.
Find out more here.
YachtWorld debuts videos on iconic yacht builders YachtWorld, a global online marketplace for yachts owned and operated by Miamibased Boats Group, recently announced the debut of its YouTube series Cult Classics, showcasing a select group of venerated yacht builders. Each episode explores the history and ethos of builders with a cult-like entourage and takes an in-depth look into their boat-building philosophies. The series will have a total of five episodes in 2022. “The devotion from fans and owners of these prestigious yacht builders is something that we wanted to shine a light on and invite more people to experience,” said Ryan McVinney, director of content at Boats Group and creator of Cult Classics. “The stories are unique because it’s not easy to reach the status and caliber that these builders have achieved. It’s a long road to get there, so we’re excited to show what it takes.” The inaugural episode features one of America’s oldest shipbuilding families, Huckins Yachts, and focuses on the company’s new but classically styled Huntsman 38 vessel. Huckins Yachts’ proud history of boat building has created one of the most loyal followings in the industry, which dates back to the early 1900s. Viewers can look forward to more iconic brands and yacht builders as upcoming episodes spotlight Bertram Yachts, Formula’s Thunderbird, Wellcraft, and more. Watch Cult Classics on YouTube, and follow along on Instagram @yachtworld for behind-the-scenes content and upcoming episode announcements.
Wärtsilä launches 360-degree camera system for the bridge Wärtsilä Corp.’s new Smart Panoramic Edge Camera System has a 360-degree view to reduce accident risks for mariners. The system increases situational awareness and is streamed directly to the bridge in real-time. Blind spots are eliminated with digital panoramic cameras located around the vessel to provide a calibrated range grid around the vessel to 16
JUNE 2022 | TritonNews.com
give precise measurement of distances. The camera pods are optimized for the marine environment and the system is not reliant on the global navigation satellite system. “Safety is of increasing concern in today’s maritime environment. Vessels have become ever larger in size, and the volume of sea traffic is greater than ever before. With
S.P.E.C.S, the bridge crew has a perfect view of what’s going on around the ship at all times. This takes situational awareness to a completely new level, and greatly reduces the risk of accidents and costly damage,” stated Sasha Heriot, head of Vessel Assistance Systems at Wärtsilä Voyage, in a company press release.
