Eco-friendly superyacht yard opened by Queen Máxima

Feadship officially opened its brand-new, purpose-built superyacht facility in the port of Amsterdam on 16 May in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Máxima and some 2500 members of the workforce. The spectacular ceremony saw the culmination of five years of meticulous planning, design and construction on the second Royal Van Lent yard (and the fourth Feadship facility in the Netherlands), which will now be used to build and refit Feadships of up to 160 metres in length.

Measuring an impressive 425,000 cubic metres, the facility is the most eco-friendly superyacht yard in the world and the pinnacle of contemporary design. Before entering the giant construction hall, Queen Máxima was introduced to Dick Van Lent, the fourth generation of his family to have led the yard until his retirement in 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of Royal Van Lent, one of the two yachtbuilding family dynasties that makes up Feadship along with Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw in Aalsmeer and Makkum.

Her Majesty then viewed nineteen classic yachts presented along the quay, all members of the Feadship Heritage Fleet. She also met young graduates from the Feadship Academy and several generations of family members who work at the Royal Van Lent yard in Kaag. Royal Van Lent director Peter van Mil – who managed the build project – showed Queen Máxima how solar panels, district heating and LED lighting have enhanced the energy efficiency of the new facilities. Last but not least, Bram Jongepier, senior specialist at De Voogt Naval Architects, explained the innovative and sustainable approach that Feadship takes to building superyachts.

After the royal party had entered the state-of-the-art construction hall, a number of key speakers shared their vision on this milestone moment in superyacht history.“ This new facility will allow Feadship to stay at the cutting edge of innovation and continue to build superyachts that will change history,” said Toni Belloni, Group Managing Director of LVMH (owner of Royal Van Lent). “LMVH always prides itself on employing the finest artisans, and it is certain that the best yachtbuilders in the world are working for Feadship Royal Van Lent.”

Koen Overtoom, general director of Port of Amsterdam explained how thrilled his organisation was to welcome such an incredible yachtbuilding operation into the heart of the Dutch capital. “The knowledge, craftsmanship and employment opportunities will further strengthen the port of Amsterdam and its surrounding regions. In the 1600s there were 26 boatbuilders located here, with three new vessels being launched every week and many thousands of people employed. This shipbuilding is in our DNA and four centuries later you can see the passion in the amazing superyachts created by Feadship.”

Jan-Bart Verkuyl, CEO of Royal Van Lent, concluded the speeches by thanking the Port of Amsterdam for its cooperation over the past years and the dedication of all those who had been involved in building the yard. “As we celebrate our 170th anniversary, our predecessors could never have imagined such an exceptional facility. Almost everything has changed over the years, but the one thing that has remained consistent is the skills of the workforce. Their constant desire to make things better has allowed Feadship to become the world’s leading superyacht brand.”

The facility in Amsterdam will operate in tandem with the Royal Van Lent yard on Kaag Island, which continues to run at full capacity. The two yards will share the same management team and corporate culture, with 450 skilled employees from a wide range of outfitting and refit disciplines moving between the facilities as and when required. A further 150 new jobs have been created for highly skilled yacht builders, a demand which is in part being met by the award-winning Feadship Academy training schools. The first project is already underway in Amsterdam as construction moves forward on an 88-metre Feadship currently known as Project 816.

Blending almost 25 years of experience with the very latest insights into performance and comfort, the Wajer 55 is the largest powerboat built to date by the renowned Dutch yard Wajer Yachts. This elegant and sophisticated 16-metre beauty builds on the achievements of its award-winning predecessors while adding a range of smart innovations of a type more commonly seen on superyachts.

Highlights:
Pushbutton fender system, inflating automatically and operated remotely.
Fully automated bimini/sprayhood.
Swim platform doubles as a gangway.
Hydraulically operated anchor operated from the steering console.
Adjustable console and movable cockpit floor.
Three powerful 435 hp IPS600 Volvo Penta engines.
Williams Turbo Jet tender in the aft. Wrap around glass windshield, four metres wide.

Wajer Yachts has done everything possible to place owners and their guests centre stage and optimise the entire on board experience. “We set out to create a powerful motorboat which marries a sporty exterior with an exceptional degree of comfort and state-of-the-art innovations,” explains commercial director Dries Wajer. “The diverse goals of the clients who have already ordered a Wajer 55 emphasise its versatility. From couples looking for a superior weekender and families with kids requiring more space to superyacht owners interested in a chaseboat and people seeking a great vessel to share with friends, the Wajer 55 is a motoryacht for connoisseurs who appreciate the finer things in life.”

Smart features
An example of this approach in practice is the pushbutton fender system, with fenders popping out from the side and inflating automatically. This adjustable solution can be operated remotely as well as from the main steering station screen. Wajer Yachts is the first yachtbuilder to implement such a system on a yacht below 17 metres and currently has a patent pending.

Another neat innovation is the way the hydraulically operated anchor concealed in the bow can be conveniently operated from the steering console. This automated operation is aided by a camera, dispensing with the need to brave the elements when dropping/raising the anchor.

The innovations continue elsewhere. The fully automated bimini/sprayhood retracts into the aft seating area and the table in the cockpit lowers into the floor via a hydraulic mechanism, freeing up space. The swim platform, developed and produced in the Netherlands especially for the Wajer 55, is exceptionally large and doubles as a gangway. At 1.8 metres, this smart passerelle is wide enough for several people and adjusts to the height of the quay.

Outstanding performance
In terms of its construction, the Wajer 55 is designed for maximum comfort in the water and excellent manoeuvrability. Weight savings were a key aspect during the design phase and the lightweight construction was achieved using lightweight materials and next-generation vacuum technologies. Low noise levels were a further priority. And yet, despite her quiet air of luxury, this is also very much a performance machine. The Wajer 55 is one of the very few yachts to feature three powerful 435 hp IPS600 Volvo Penta engines. Her high-tech V-design hull, excellent balance and effective spray rails make for a smooth and dry ride.

The engines, which can be operated via joystick drive, are compact enough to leave sufficient space in the aft section of the boat for a 2.85-metre Williams Turbo Jet tender. Despite the low profile of the 16-metre Wajer 55, the tender is concealed entirely within the aft section, below the sun pad. It is released via a hydraulic system, making it very easy to launch and retrieve. This provides an unbeatable way to visit secluded coves while out on an extended trip, one which will be further enhanced by the long-range fuel tanks, spacious galley and overnight accommodation for between four and six people.

Views for all
The Wajer 55’s state-of-the-art cockpit features a Raymarine glass bridge system with four touchscreens at the helm, all part of a highly intuitive system that is easy to operate. Four captain’s chairs with custom-made suspension maximise the options for guests to join the fun of sailing. Similarly, the console can be brought forward, and the moveable cockpit floor can be raised for better views or lowered to enhance protection against the elements behind the windshield. This huge wraparound windshield, a typical Wajer element, is almost four metres wide and made of tinted glass.

Other major highlights include the skylight above the cabin in the forward part of the boat. A discreet yet fascinating signature attribute is the fan-shaped pattern in the composite deck referring to the Dutch meaning of the company’s name.  

Partners
The Wajer 55 also benefits from the expertise of two leading lights of the Dutch superyacht industry. The overall design was created in partnership with Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design while Vripack was responsible for the naval architecture and the hull.