The beleaguered New Zealand superyacht building industry got a welcome shot in the arm now that builder McMullen & Wing has announced a new contract.
They are to complete the 50m steel/aluminium luxury expedition motor yacht with yard number 1016.
The yacht was originally intended to be built as Star Fish for the same owner of the McMullen & Wing built yacht Big Fish
Star Fish was damaged by a fire at the shipyard in 2012 and the yard had struggled to find someone to take the project on until now.
The name of the new vessel remains under wraps.
The new yacht, which will be delivered in early 2016, will have a strong focus on live-aboard amenity, outdoor living and extended cruising range. She will feature a spacious cockpit for waterside lounging and activities.
Natural gardens on the bridge deck as well as large hot tubs on both sun deck and foredeck lend themselves to a relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
This motor yacht builds on the tremendously successful world cruising and charter record of 45m Big Fish completed in 2010, both technically and aesthetically.
Styling, naval architecture and engineering will be another collaborative effort between the Buyer’s project team, Gregory C Marshal Naval Architects and the builders in-house design team.
The contemporary interior, also designed by Marshall, will accommodate up to 12 guests in 5 cabins and will showcase natural materials in a relaxed modern ambience.
Bulwark balconies allow the floor-to-ceiling glazed doors from the dining space to frame a spectacular vista, whilst also providing the ultimate sunbathing location, suspended over the water.
The owners’ suite, on the bridge deck aft, opens onto its own private aft garden deck.
The contract provides welcome security for McMullen & Wing’s core team of employees, many of whom have been with the company for 10, 20 or even 30 years.
It also sees the yard actively recruiting for significant numbers of additional staff in design, planning, management and trade departments.