Bravo Eugenia, the 357-foot (109-meter) Oceanco, has a name steeped in significance for the Jones family. Jerry Jones, who owns the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys, says the name is a tribute to his wife, Gene (Eugenia), who was the driving force behind the yacht’s creation.

“Creating our Bravo Eugenia was a project born out of true love for our family,” he says. “Building and designing her became a family affair on every level of the project. Gene oversaw the project and guided us through every step of the process, while our entire family, including our children and grandchildren, visited Oceanco on many occasions, contributing to the yacht’s development and helping to shape our dream. With Gene’s supervision, we were personally involved with every aspect of the build, all the way from the keel laying to every design decision to the christening ceremony to her delivery and beyond.”

Jerry is an iconic figure in American football, rising from co-captain of the University of Arkansas 1964 National Championship team to owner of the Cowboys in 1989. Creating Bravo Eugenia, he says, relates to the sport of football.

“At the young age of 22, as part of a collegiate National Championship football team, I learned that through the tools of teamwork, communication, discipline and determination, a group of people can accomplish goals that are far beyond their perceived level of expectations,” he says.

Bravo Eugenia’s LIFE design (see sidebar) intrigued the Jones family because the hull design and eco-oriented concept broke important ground.

“In our personal world of sports, we consider innovation to be extremely important,” he says. “With Bravo Eugenia, we partnered with experts in the field so that we could be innovative at sea.”

The Jones family has loved being on the water for decades, Gene says. Weekends were spent in small boats with the family around Springfield, Missouri. More than 30 years ago, they chartered a boat in Greece and loved the experience.

“Since then, we have chartered a number of different yachts and enjoyed some of the greatest experiences of our lives,” Gene says of the 266-foot (81-meter) Oceanco Alfa Nero, the 290-foot (88-meter) Oceanco Nirvana, the 331-foot (101-meter) Feadship Symphony and the 281-foot (86.5-meter) Derecktor Aquila. Those yachts, she adds, “were very inspirational and helpful in guiding our family as to what our vision for Bravo Eugenia would be.”

The Joneses worked closely with Italian firm Nuvolari Lenard on the exterior styling. For instance, they went back to the drawing board on several occasions to get the bow just right.

“Adding to the Nuvolari Lenard design, Jerry was the one who envisioned the dramatic staircase as we board Bravo Eugenia,” Gene says. “He also insisted on the design for the Teppenyaki bar, which may now be one of our favorite areas on board. All in all, it was truly a partnership in working with Dan Lenard and Simone Feltrin in every design detail.”

Together with the team at Reymond Langton Design in Britain, Gene spent countless hours creating an interior that was sophisticated and inviting. Striving for a light, open, contemporary look, she sourced bespoke furniture from Silverlining and Based Upon, both in the United Kingdom, and chose details by Swarovski. 

YI Interview Gene & Jerry Jones

What brought you to Oceanco?

Chartering different yachts over the years certainly helped guide us in a particular direction. Ultimately, when it came down to making a decision, Oceanco was clearly able to accomplish and deliver what was best for our family.

What do you love about being at sea?

We love the power and presence of the water, and the natural beauty of the world’s greatest landscapes as a backdrop. It creates an experience that cannot be duplicated in any environment. When you combine an intimate family experience with the majesty of the ocean, you become a part of a magical journey that presents instant memories that last lifetimes for friends and family members of all ages.

What is the difference between being aboard your yacht and staying in hotels?

On board Bravo Eugenia, our private and public areas are personalized with commissioned art, family memories and mementos, bespoke board games that depict our family history, such as Monopoly and Clue that represent our then and now. Bravo Eugenia is truly a reflection of our life and the things we love.

What are your plans with the yacht?

To see as much of the world as possible from the perspective of the sea. Bravo Eugenia gives us the flexibility to reach so many destinations that touch landscapes and cultures that will create unique and lasting family memories and experiences.

Besides yachting, what else do you do for recreation?

We love sports, celebrating holidays and just about any activity that involves being outdoors and enjoying nature. We cherish activities with our grandchildren and watching our grandchildren participate in sporting events, such as football, basketball and soccer games. Above all else, we enjoy sharing those experiences as one big family. Our best times are when the entire family is together, and that’s why our days and nights on the water are so relaxing, enjoyable and fulfilling.

Is having a yacht delivered like getting a team ready for the Super Bowl?

The analogies are that when you surround yourself with the most passionate and talented people in the world—and you share with them a common goal of accomplishing something that is truly unique and special—there are no limits to what can be accomplished. Whether it is in sports, business, art or any life endeavor, the level of excitement in sharing a collective goal, and then seeing it through to the end, creates a great sense of pride and personal satisfaction.

There seem to be an uncanny number of NFL owners who have recently purchased superyachts. Will you all rendezvous somewhere together at some point?

We cannot speak on behalf of our friends or colleagues and their plans, but it might be a fair projection to see some of us together at one of the United States’ busiest ports at Super Bowl LIV in Miami in February 2020. 

Oceanco Gives LIFE to Bravo Eugenia

The words ecological superyacht may seem like an oxymoron, but Oceanco’s newly conceived LIFE design, as exemplified by the 357-foot (109-meter) Bravo Eugenia, is a major leap toward a greener future on the seas.

For several years, the Dutch builder has worked with Lateral Naval Architects in the United Kingdom and MARIN in the Netherlands to develop the LIFE design, which stands for a lengthened waterline, innovative layout, fuel-efficient hull and ecologically conscious technology. In the case of Bravo Eugenia, the hull shape and lengthened waterline reduce demand for propulsion power. The engine room was condensed to a single tier, giving designers Nuvolari Lenard, in Italy, and Reymond Langton Design, in Britain, more room for lifestyle areas—particularly on the lower deck, where there are additional staterooms and entertainment spaces.

“LIFE is both about environmental consciousness and technology enabling design,” says James Roy, managing director of Lateral.

As part of the concept, Oceanco and Lateral developed a hybrid propulsion system that can achieve a top speed of 19 knots. A heat- and energy-recovery structure, along with integrated battery systems, reportedly reduce fuel use by as much as 30 percent. The setup meets all existing ECO Rules from Lloyd’s Register, and reduces air emissions. Noise and vibrations are reduced at higher speeds, and “whisper mode” can be used for quiet entry and exit from ports.

Bravo Eugenia is the first Oceanco built with the LIFE design, but the concept is not predicated on a pre-engineered hull or fixed dimensions. The builder says it can apply the design elements to meet other owners’ needs and desires—making all kinds of ecological superyachts a realistic vision for the future. The LIFE design has a high degree of hydrodynamic optimization achieved by traditional methods, leading computational fluid dynamics methods and extensive physical model tests.

Traditional engine rooms usually need two tiers, eating up stateroom or deck space. This yacht’s single-level engine room allows more space for guest areas.

There are many adjunct benefits of the LIFE design. For instance, it enables a new heat- and energy-recovery structure, and integrated battery systems, to allow for optimal operation at all times. Not only is this inventive system extremely powerful, but it also boasts a reduction in fuel usage of up to 30 percent, Roy says. It meets all existing ECO notation requirements and diminishes emissions. The LIFE design also reduces noise and vibrations at higher speeds, providing a more comfortable cruising experience, as pitch motion is inherently linked to waterline length. Bravo Eugenia’s straight bow enters and exits waves smoother than a flared, bulbous bow, reducing accelerations and providing smoother sailing.

While Bravo Eugenia is the first Oceanco to take advantage of the LIFE design, the builder’s new initiative is not predicated on a pre-engineered hull or fixed dimensions. Eco-conscious yachting has been a trending topic for a number of years. Bravo Eugenia has forged new territory. More technology is sure to follow. The term eco-friendly yachts should not be considered merely au courant. Better if it were to become a respected norm in coming years. 

For more information: builtbyoceanco.com/lateral.engineering

Photos | Have a closer look at the Bravo Eugenia, the 357-foot (109-meter) Oceanco in the gallery below:

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2019 issue.