From the magazine – The superyacht industry is called the Formula One of shipbuilding. Extreme wishes, high standards and large amounts of money bring about innovation. Designers try to make clients’ wishes come true, while also complying with regulations of both class and flag. In short, this is a challenge.
What does the process to the final design look like and to what extent can customers’ wishes be turned into reality? Project managers of Oceanco provided SWZ|Maritime editor Bas Lenferink (lenferinkb@outlook.com) with some insights. The article was first published in SWZ|Maritime’s September 2024 yacht special.
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Do most customers come with a broad set of wishes, or a narrowed down, precise, idea for building a yacht?
The degree to which owners have narrowed down a vision of their perfect yacht when they come to us varies greatly. Some might have owned a yacht before, and have a list of requirements that is quite extensive; a fully formed vision, you could say. Others might be totally new to yachting or have relatively little time for an extensive process, and so are looking for guidance – especially when it comes to the technical aspects and considerations.
And some owners might approach us because of the reputation that we have built over the years. They have wishes for unique and challenging projects; for these clients, you could say that impossible is where we begin.
Whatever client comes to us, we want to make the experience of designing, engineering and building a client’s yacht as pleasurable as owning it. Over dozens of successfully delivered yachts, we have learned a lot from these different kinds of projects and different kinds of clients. And as technology, design possibilities and the priorities of our clientele evolve, we see the value in adapting what we are offering to suit these clients’ needs.
For the owners who are less focused on the technical details and who are looking to the experts to guide these decisions, we have Simply Custom, which was launched last year as a streamlined way to build custom with Oceanco while also benefitting from our experience and pedigree. Full Custom is a great fit for owners with a specific vision for their yacht, who value our reputation for technical excellence and our collaborative approach combined with proven technologies. And for the boldest of owners, who are driven to go far beyond what has come before to create unprecedented yachts by harnessing bleeding edge technologies, we are launching the ultra-niche Beyond Custom.
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What are the first steps in the design process?
During our first meetings with a client, we will share potential designs – including existing concepts as well as relevant yacht layouts – based on initial high-level information that they have provided about what they are looking for in a yacht. After some feedback and discussions, we will then put together an initial proposal outlining production timelines, a potential delivery date and an expected price range, alongside rough blueprint plans.
Once a client has committed to a builder, they will sign a letter of intent (LoI), which then takes us into the development phase where we further explore the client’s vision.
The development phase involves multiple creative brainstorming sessions between a client and the client’s team, our team and the designers, followed by viability assessments from the naval architects and engineers. Performance parameters are defined, and we carry out pre-engineering work to ensure the main construction and
routing is on track.
Alongside the owner’s team, designers and selected co-makers (contractor partners), we further optimise the design and related pricing structure to derisk the project prior to signing the contract, known as the yacht building agreement, or YBA.
We place significant value on the environmentally conscious choices that can be made at this point, such as alternative power generation systems and emission reduction solutions. To give an idea of our investment during this phase, there can be upwards of 25 professionals working on a single project, eight hours a day, for over a year.
A crucial and extensive part of the engineering of a custom yacht takes place before the YBA is signed, called “basic engineering”; this is because it has an impact on the project’s viability, to ensure it is technically and legally feasible before the client signs off on the final design.
During this phase, the design elements are converted into detailed workshop drawings and other design documents that are used to build the yacht. While the design phase might take up to nine months, the engineering phase can last another twenty to 26 months; and so to optimise the project’s efficiency, these often take place in parallel.
Once the engineering and design have been finalised, the procurement team sets about purchasing and ordering everything that goes into the construction of the yacht.
The build process planning phase is one of the most important cogs in the machinery of building a yacht, as it helps to protect against unexpected costs and delays. During the development phase and before the signing of the YBA, Oceanco’s project director works with an owner and the owner’s team to ensure all the requirements are carefully set out, that budgets are realistic and that the timelines are feasible.
Work on the YBA usually starts soon after the signing of the LoI, in parallel with the development phase. A YBA should allow for the project to proceed in a smooth and timely manner, with everyone’s expectations aligned. It typically consists of the main contract, the technical specification, the general arrangement (GA) plan, and any other elements such as a construction schedule, the form of delivery documents and a makers list, as well as a list that clarifies the decisions that need to be made throughout the build.
With all the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed, everyone has the necessary peace of mind to sign the YBA, proceed with reserving the build slot and get started on the actual construction of the yacht. It is go time.
To what extent is the design changed during the build?
As outlined above, our investment in the design and development process is extensive, to minimise any potential changes down the line that will impact our timeline and budgets. That being said, we understand that minds might change or priorities might shift. We always work to accommodate these as best we can, without compromising the project or creating longer term issues for either party. For us, it’s about good communication and building that solid relationship from day one to be able to discuss things in a positive manner.
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Are there examples of difficulties experienced during the build process, that were caused by a change in design?
When we sign a contract, we enter into a kind of marriage with a client for the next four or five years, where we will undoubtedly face challenges together. For us, the key to a successful outcome is providing transparency throughout. We can always find a solution, as long as we stay ahead of the game and approach it cooperatively.
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Does it happen that it is preferred to design outside of existing class rules? What is the process into achieving this with a classification society?
We would never design and build a yacht that did not meet the various rules and regulations that apply to them. We respect the importance and value of these rules when it comes to safety and, of course, the impact that might have on the environments in which they will be cruising.
Alternatively, there have been occasions where we have worked alongside classification societies to help apply new standards. We believe our positive approach to such challenges is one of our outstanding qualities as a builder.
A great example was the build of the 91.5-metre (300-ft) Equanimity, now named Tranquility, which was designed in-house by Oceanco. It was the first ever yacht that was built to be Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) compliant, which dictated a host of stringent rules and regulations and necessitated innovative solutions.
What is the role of the customer’s/owner’s team in the design/building process?
We want the process of building a yacht to be as fun and enjoyable as possible. An owner’s team – which might include an owner’s representative, lawyers, a broker, a build captain and a build engineer – are our expert partner in ensuring the best choices are made along this journey to achieve a positive outcome. Ultimately, we all have the same goal: to make the owner’s experience of building as well as owning the yacht as enjoyable as possible.
Picture (top): With an overall length of 111 metres, beam of 16 metres and displacement of 4550 GT, Y726 is one of the largest yachts by volume to be built by Oceanco (picture by Oceanco).
