Project Ragnar has been launched following conversion

The 68.2-meter explorer superyacht Project Ragnar, has launched from Icon Yachts’ Netherlands shipyard, following a two-and-a-half-year conversion. Originally an icebreaker named Sananborg, the vessel was built in the Netherlands in 2012 as a multi-purpose support supply ship.

The Harlingen-based shipyard, Icon Yachts, has completely overhauled the ship’s interior and exterior. She emerged from her drydock on Saturday 25th January sporting an ICE class A1 super hull enabling exploration in polar regions. There are various types of ICE class hulls, Icon Yachts confirmed Ragnar has the best available, an A1 super hull can withstand conditions up to -60 deg C and does not require the assistance of an icebreaker support vessel. The 2450t vessel is also equipped with two unique electrically driven PC5 Wartsila Ice Pods each rated at 1.750kW. The pods have four fixed propellers each, all with ice churning capability, offering a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

Polar Coded Vessel

Icon Yachts Business development manager, Marcela de Kern Royer, told Superyacht Investor, “A lot of yachts claim to be explorers, but Ragnar was actually built for it, it is a Polar coded vessel. It has the real range, at 6,000 nautical miles, to reach remote locations and is a combination of advanced technology and manpower. It is all very well having an ice breaking hull but without the qualified crew to manage such conditions the vessel is useless.”

 In addition to the vessel’s capabilities, Ragnar also includes ample room on the aft deck for toys ranging from a Eurocopter EC145, all-terrain vehicles such as, Luxury Ripsaw EV2 or a Bigbo Amfibic 4×4, two 8m tenders, and two 6-metre ribs, to a two-person explorer submarine, four jet skis, four snow mobiles, two Laser sailing boats, and a RIB Castoldi 26. The helicopter can also be refuelled on Ragnar via its refuelling station.

Medieval War Craftsmanship

Named after Viking king, Ragnar, the design, according to Icon Yachts, has been inspired by “medieval war craftsmanship, combined with modern sleek lines and British heritage”. Designed by RWD, Ragnar combines the capabilities of a polar explorer vessel with the luxury associated with a superyacht. She is an LY3-classed vessel able to host up to 16 people. Guests are accommodated across eight rooms, including two owner suites, there is also a massage room, snow room, swimming pool, jacuzzi and gym. A floating beach with retractable gangway also serves as a reminder for those onboard that Ragnar’s purpose is not solely polar exploration. She also features zero speed stabilisers which prevent rolling of the vessel while at anchor.

The project is not the first conversion undertaken by Icon Yachts. Legend, a 77.4m conversion completed in 2015 similarly transformed a former Soviet icebreaker into a superyacht. Conversions are said to have large cost-effective advantages because they are built on a pre-existing structure, significantly reducing construction time in the shipyard.

Ragnar will be available for charter via Burgess Yachts and is currently listed at $525,000 per week.

Ragnar – at a glance:

• Length: 68.2m
• Beam: 14.3m
• Draught: 3.2m
• Gross Tonnage: 2,450
• Builder: Icon Yachts
• Designer: RWD
• Class: LY3
• Accommodates: 16.