Into the ice

Damen proposes a range of heavy-duty offerings for extreme cruising.

Shipbuilder Damen, parent company of yachtbuilder Amels, has released designs for a range of purpose-built expedition vessels the company says will provide “luxury where you want it; capability where you need it.”

The new range, called SeaXplorer, draws hull lines from Damen’s Sea Axe yacht support vessels, but was reimagined from the keel up to accommodate expedition-style cruising in extreme climates beyond easy distance of services. Three sizes—213, 295 and 328 feet (65, 90 and 100 meters)—are intended to provide superyacht-grade luxury with serious toy-carrying capability.

The SeaXplorer 65 is designed to carry 12 guests, a helicopter, a rescue boat, a dive support boat, two Zodiacs, a submersible and four WaveRunners. The SOLAS-compliant SeaXplorer 100 is designed to carry up to 30 guests, two helicopters, four Zodiacs, an expedition RIB, two submersibles, a luxury tender and many other toys. It can stay out 40 days without a port call.

All three models are designed to meet the requirements of the IMO Polar Code. Each has ice-breaking capability, although that duty is accomplished in a novel way: not by crashing through the ice bow-on, but by backing down to move through it. The axe bow is intended to provide strong seakeeping in rough weather.

SeaXplorer was developed in partnership with EYOS Expeditions, which has extensive experience coordinating remote itineraries using the world’s existing superyacht fleet. With the new range, the company hopes to omit the compromises associated with planning and executing trips using converted or refit commercial vessels or luxury yachts. The hull lines were drawn by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture with a nod to maximizing guest interaction with the environment. Owners will choose their own interior designers.