Christopher Mobley, a transport design student from Staffordshire University, was the winner at this year’s annual Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition 2018 held during the London Boat Show.
In close second place, Ashley Scott, a product design student from University of Plymouth, was the runner up. Whilst Christopher Mobley received the prize of a four-week internship at Falmouth custom superyacht builder and refit specialists Pendennis Shipyard, Ashley Scott secured himself a two-week internship with the design and naval architecture studio, Olesinski based on the Isle of Wight.
The annual Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition is run by industry representatives, Superyacht UK, a dedicated association of British Marine, represents over 250 members and 70% of the total UK industry operating in the design, build, supply chain and service provision of yachts over 24 metres in length.
The competition is the only competition of its kind in the UK and is among a select few across the world to recognise future design talent and provide them the opportunity to truly grow such talent within the industry. Superyacht UK,
This year students from Coventry University, Southampton Solent University, Staffordshire University, University of Central Lancashire, University of Plymouth and University of Wales, Trinity St David took part
The competition is judged by a world-class panel of designers and superyacht experts including
- Chairman of Superyacht UK, Peter Brown from Burgess
- Stephen Hills from Pendennis Shipyard
- Justin Olesinski from Olesinski
- Tony Dixon from Redman Whiteley Dixon
- Bill Dixon from Dixon Yacht Design
- Dimitris Hadjidimos from D-iD Limited
This year’s design competition was unlike those of previous years. On this occasion rather than being greeted with a blank piece of paper, the 10 competing students were tasked to transform Ocean Starr, a 52.12m former US-navy research ship, the into a bespoke superyacht.
The students were told to create designs for a client who was a proclaimed philanthropist, and was looking for the ideal superyacht to support his research into the problem of plastics in our oceans, whilst also offering luxury transport to peruse his passion for adventurous and unique holidays.
Out of all the students, two aspiring designers shone out. They did so not just by proving both their creativity, knowledge, scaling and engineering capabilities but mostly because they followed the brief to the letter.
Featuring innovative ideas such as the launching system of the submersible vessel at the aft end and the extending beach club from the mid ships, both Christopher and Ashley’s designs were sympathetic to the DNA of the original vessel whilst still coming up with innovative designs truly encompassing the character of the brief.
Following the announcement that he had won the Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition 2018, Christopher Mobley remarked: “It’s amazing. I am still a bit shocked but over the moon about winning this year’s Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition. It is a great opportunity. Already this competition has allowed me to meet a variety market experts and learn from their depth of knowledge. Winning has provided me with a massive confidence boost in my ability and skills as a designer.”
Peter Brown Chairman of Superyacht UK and chairman of the panel of judges said, “It is great to see so much up and coming talent from our British universities and we hope this competition has helped inspire these students with the diversity and wonders of a career in the superyacht sector and the connections and experiences they have gained throughout the competition prove fruitful. We look forward to seeing these students, and many more like them, driving forward Britain’s superyacht powerhouses in the future.”