Originally delivered by Oceanco in 2014, Draak has now completed a comprehensive rebuild at Oceanco’s Life Cycle Support facilities in Zwijndrecht. Previously known as Equanimity and Tranquility, the 92.9-metre yacht has been adapted to support scientific research and marine exploration as companion yacht to Leviathan.
The project brought together Oceanco’s Life Cycle Support team, co-makers and owner’s representatives YTMC and Inkfish, alongside the crews of both Draak and Leviathan. With the two yachts conceived to operate together, both project teams worked closely to align onboard functionality and facilitate seamless operations.
‘This rebuild marks a significant evolution of Draak, morphing from a traditional “hotel” yacht into a highly capable, purpose designed, companion yacht like no other,’ says Dan Morgan, Managing Director of YTMC. ‘We are re-delivering a distinctive vessel which has been reimagined as a true workhorse and a multi-role addition for the fleet, combining operational versatility with the luxury, comfort and quality expected from a modern yacht.’
Also read: In pics: Oceanco shows Leviathan in operation
Tender fleet and lifting systems
Draak was selected with the support of Y.CO as the ideal companion yacht for Leviathan as it offered the right platform to adapt into a yacht that would both complement Leviathan and support the exploration and research operations of Inkfish. Inkfish is an organisation operating aboard the owner’s fleet, whose mission is to provide researchers with access to remote environments and the coveted technology on their vessels.
A key objective of the rebuild was to equip the yacht with a highly capable tender fleet and lifting systems. The helideck on the upper deck aft was removed to create the clearance required for a dedicated tender operations area on the main deck aft.
Custom lifting systems and heavy-duty cranes were installed to support safe and flexible handling of three tenders and other equipment. A 12.6T Van Driel jib crane with 11 metres outreach was installed on the upper deck aft, while a custom-designed C-davit system, featuring twin 6.7-T units, was installed on the main deck and is the largest produced by Van Driel. Modular chocks were also installed to provide flexibility for containerised transport and compatibility across the fleet.
Diving operations
The former beach club and spa area were converted to support diving operations, including a fully equipped dive centre, medical treatment area and hyperbaric chamber supplied by specialist manufacturer Hytech-Pommec. Installing the chamber was a particular challenge for the Life Cycle Support team, with only millimetres of clearance available for installation.
The swim platform was also extended to integrate an extendable boarding platform and retractable fender system, increasing Draak’s overall length by just over one metre.
Also read: Oceanco relaunches 92.8-metre superyacht Draak
Crew-centric design
Interior spaces were upgraded to align with the same philosophy around which Leviathan was designed and built; that of encouraging shared experiences for the entire onboard community.
With interior outfitting by Vedder, the former main saloon was reconfigured as a shared mess where both guests and crew dine together. The upper deck saloon is now home to a “chef’s lab” for a more intimate dining experience, as well as menu development and training. The original crew mess has been transformed into a communal gym and spa. Accommodation was adapted and expanded to support additional crew and personnel involved in Inkfish operations.
The existing materials and finishes have been preserved as much as possible to minimise wastage, but with a focus on reducing maintenance and cleaning where possible. As with Leviathan, the goal was to increase crew productivity to allow them more time to focus on higher-value experiences.
On the exterior, stainless-steel handrails have been given a bead-blasted finish to reduce the need for constant polishing. Low-traffic exterior areas reuse the yacht’s original teak decking, while high-traffic areas use Bolidt synthetic decking. The hull was repainted in an off-white color to align with the fleet while reducing the frequency of wash-downs.
Technical overhaul
The scope of the rebuild extended to almost every area of the yacht. Draak’s technical backbone was upgraded and onboard systems modernized to support long-term reliability and functionality. Both main engines underwent major overhauls, overseen by Marine Service Noord, as did the generator sets and emergency generator. Environmental systems were updated to support the vessel’s compliance profile.
Draak’s wheelhouse has been reimagined as an open, functional space, equipped with a completely updated navigation and communication suite. The AV/IT infrastructure was replaced by Alewijnse — an undertaking that required routing more than 18 kilometers of new cabling through existing pathways.
Draak highlights the expanding role of Life Cycle Support within Oceanco’s offering, demonstrating how yachts can continue to evolve long after their original delivery.
Main characteristics of Draak are:
- Length: 92.9 m/305 ft
- Beam overall: 14.5 m/47 ft
- Gross tonnage: 2951 GT
- Exterior design: Oceanco
- Interior outfitting: Vedder
- Naval architecture: Oceanco, Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
- Owner’s representatives: YTMC & Inkfish
- Builder: Oceanco
Picture by Oceanco.
Also read: Oceanco moves 80-m yacht to Alblasserdam for outfitting
