The owners of Hachet Caye, a resort island off Belize have taken delivery of their very own Thunderbird 2 a superyacht with a mission
Fans of the Gerry Anderson television series for children will understand immediately what this vessel is all about, but if not, a little explanation may be appropriate.
Designed to carry a 3 passenger, 1000 metre capable Triton submarine (Thunderbird 4, of course!), Thunderbird 2 features an 8.5 ton capacity hydraulic platform for launch and recovery of the sub and other toys, along with the array of battery chargers and oxygen storage and transfer systems required to fully support the submarine.
Overall dimensions are 22m x 10m, and being based in the Caribbean, her full load draught of less than 1.1metres, allowing access to places unimaginable in a conventional yacht.
Lightweight aluminium construction to DNV HSLC, and an interior in balsa, honeycomb and Forex, means she weighs in at just over 54 tons lightship, and has a full load displacement of only 72 tons, including 7 tons of fuel and 8 tons of Triton 3300/3.
The interior, styled by Miami interior designer Karine Rousseau, offers spacious accommodation in 2 lower deck suites, one for the Owner and one for guests, and huge entertaining spaces, a day head, office and large galley on the main deck. A flexibly mounted and heavily insulated interior means that even at full speed, sound levels are a super quiet 65dB in the lower deck accommodation and 72db on the main deck.
The aft deck is the centre of operations for the submarine, with a dedicated sub support locker, but also has dive bottle storage and filling, a fuel pump and davits for the tender and large swim steps with bathing ladder for easy access to the water. Forward is an al fresco dining area, a giant sun pad for relaxing, and barbeque and bar area with built in fridge and ice maker.
2 Yanmar 8SY engines (900hp ea) and Hamilton 521 waterjets provide performance of 22 knots at full speed and a transatlantic range at an economic cruise speed of 10 knots.
Although built for a private client, Thunderbird 2 complies fully with MGN 280, allowing him the opportunity commercialise this unique package.
A sistership is already under construction at BB Yacht and is available for delivery in time for next summer. Coincidently the TV series Thunderbirds are go has been remade and is due to appear on television later this year
Thunderbird 2: Principal Characteristics
LOA: 21.5m
BOA: 10.1m
LWL: 19.6m
Draught: 1.1m
Displacement: 72t
Fuel Capacity: 7200 litres
Fresh Water Capacity: 1200 litres
Watermaker: 2400 litres/day
Maximum Platform Payload: 8.5t
Propulsion: 2 x Yanmar 8S Y (900hp), ZF 360, Hamilton HM 521 Waterjets
Generators: Kohler 30kW, 20kW night set (110 /208v 60 Hz, 3P)
HVAC: Marvair 70 ,000 BTU 2 Stage
Naval Architect: Brilliant Boats
Exterior Design: Brilliant Boats
Interior Design: Karine Rousseau
Builder: BB Yacht, Antalya Free Zone, Turkey
Classification: DNV A1 HS LC R0 Yacht, MGN 280