VSY 65m Waterecho – A paradigm of comfort and sustainability
Now well-established as an industry standard in the wake of its forerunner, Stella Maris, the VSY family line has just expanded to welcome the new VSY 65M WATERECHO to the range.
Featuring exquisite exterior lines by Espen Oeino and the interior design by the Italian designers Dante O. Benini & Partners Architects, as an option, the VSY 65M WATERECHO represents a consolidation of all the shipyard’s know-how to date, leveraging their most successful solutions with a new creative flair, and providing bespoke, distinctive elements in pursuance of two objectives right from the outset of the concept.
The first is to create a superyacht crafted to meet the tangible criteria of today’s yacht building sustainability. Unquestionably, this theme finds VSY as one of the most authoritative advocates in the nautical sector: in particular, in this project, this translates into utmost attention paid to the minimisation of the environmental impact generated over the whole lifecycle of the vessel.
Secondly, the entire architectural development of the craft is shaped by the on board space configuration, engineered for both functionality and extreme versatility, in order to guarantee the owners and their guests the exotic delight of a seafaring life combined with maximum privacy. The optimisation of volumes and purposeful arrangement of the spaces invite moments of pure relaxation in close contact with nature, while at the same time enhancing the fun and whole social side of a cruise, with generous areas specially conceived for convivial, leisure, and sports activities.
With comfort as a chief design guideline, certain layout elements clearly embody and substantiate such vision. Developed on two levels just forward of the main deck, the owner’s cabin rises uniquely over 4 meters high, a distinctive touch which offers a wider surface thanks to the mezzanine that grants access to a private foredeck. This is a concrete example of the overstepping fluidity of the volumes of this yacht, which flare to every direction and amplify the dynamic perception of space. The spaciousness of the main salon is another case in point: it boasts an area covering 100 square meters, allowing for a seamless panoramic view, reaching as far as the eye can see towards aft and through the flanks, equipped with openings for direct access to the sidewalks.
Not one, but two swimming pools to further emphasise the attraction of relaxation of a cruise and elevate the free rein of open-air life: the larger pool, on the main deck, dominates the centre of a stern area perfectly geared for swimming and sunbathing; the second one, adjoining the wide gym, is located on the sun deck.
The main garage, which can house both a large limo tender and a rescue tender, has lateral shelldoors on both flanks of the hull fore part. This placement creates space on the low deck while allowing for a second aft hangar for watersports equipment and toys. Alternatively, it is possible to extend the surface of the beach area across the entire width. With a view to making the service functions as discreet as possible, the fore steering area is integrated and concealed below the wheelhouse.
In terms of engineering, the VSY 65M WATERECHO project optimises the well-established technical expertise of the VSY shipyard and pushes the know-how even more specifically towards the study of innovative solutions for further reduction of environmental impact.
This yacht therefore adopts notable features that were widely acknowledged and implemented on previous VSY vessels, such as:
• High standards in the structural dimensions and insulation to effectively contain vibrations and noise;
• The sophisticated management and control systems for the various technical onboard equipment, together with a high degree of ship automation;
• The presence of machinery derived from the naval sector to guarantee maximum levels of reliability and performance beyond those usually foreseen for this category. For example, aside from its primary function as a stern-thruster, the electric azimuthal jet system can be used for reduced-speed propulsion, thus excluding the use of the main diesel engines;
• The adoption of outfitting methods and elements dimensioned according to strict safety, duration and reliability criteria, but also to meet the highest standards in relation to endurance, use and maintenance.
The path to sustainability is a continuous work in progress and VSY does not rest on its laurels. The constant investments in green technologies and innovative solutions intended to promote an ethical sea culture take shape in this new 65M yacht with the introduction of equipment, materials and systems which increase her value as a green project. Among others:
• A partnership agreement with Siemens and Lloyd’s Register, signed during the Monaco Yacht Show 2018, to develop a project for the application of hydrogen fuel cells technology;
• Optimisation of the efficiency coefficients of the hull and related appendices, thanks to a collaboration with the most advanced research institutes in the sector (MARIN) and with renowned experts;
• The installation of latest-generation electric generators, which can guarantee a dramatic cut in consumption;
• The implementation of exhaust gas treatment systems both on the main engines and the on-board electric generators;
• The implementation of heat-saving from exhaust gas and water cooling for the production of hot water;
• The adoption of more ecological materials.
Absolute comfort and true sustainability are not only the core values that inspired the creation of the new VSY 65M WATERECHO, but also an integral part of its operation. Driven by its instinct for innovation, the shipyard devised this project having in mind an owner with a strong character and personality, who stands out for their conscious, unique and groundbreaking choices, but who, above all, is deeply in love with the sea.
Therefore, the company decided to entrust the design of such equally cutting-edge and special interior and exterior to the award-winning, Milan-based firm Dante O. Benini & Partners Architects. The aim was to deliver a yacht able to reflect the true soul of sea lovers, while revolutionising spaces, offering both real and virtual visions, breaking free from the traditional frame, and drawing inspiration from art. Thus, the Milan design studio enthusiastically embraced the shipyard’s brief, fully supporting the core values of comfort and sustainability and contributing their value added to a project of this calibre.
“The references to art were our main guideline in the development of this project. The origin of it came from a signature ‘shape’ of ours – the nose cone,” – explained architect Benini, describing the project. “The nose cone is a shape that, when launched into space along a trajectory, can express more speed, dynamicity, freedom from bonds than all the others, and can also better follow the flow of the wind. Basically, it’s the original shape of boat building. But a nose cone is also the shape of the eye: Man Ray interpreted it in his Blue Eye, which we echoed in the layout of the stairs and the elevator as an illuminating mark of light and space, optimism and happiness, feelings that stem from the eye and cross the soul.”
Even the floor of the main salon reproduces the shape of a nose cone, and contains, in a glass-enclosed projection of the ceiling, a work of art made from lime and gypsum, materials which irradiate colourful emotions by the artist Mario Arlati. All of this to help remind us that matter is part of life.
No less important are the movable partitions included in the design which – aside from separating the space when required – act as true immersive art galleries. Together with the most appropriate type of music, they will be able to frame special occasions eliciting unparalleled states of mind.
“James Turrell, the greatest light artist in the world, will help create unexpected and never- -before-seen atmospheres which will be the perfect complement to moments and settings to remember,” the architect said, “And finally, glass: the dominant force of de-materialisation, a non-barrier between the living space, the sea and the sky, which blur into each other. When glass turns into liquefying ice, it becomes space in its turn.”
Therefore, this is a yacht seen as a natural element in itself, like the sea, free from boundaries, transparent like water, the true soul of sea lovers, universal joy.
VSY_Via dei Pescatori 56_55049 Viareggio (Lu)_Italy
tel. +39 0584 39671
fax +39 0584 388870
www.vsy.it – [email protected]
