Yas (Ex-Swift 141)

New in 2012

LENGTH: 462ft. 7in. (141m)
SHIPYARD: Abu Dhabi Mar, Middle East
YEAR: 2012

Yas, which also is the name of Abu Dhabi’s luxury superyacht marina, is Abu Dhabi-based ADMShipyards’ first private superyacht. Paris-based Pierrejean Design, a firm that has worked extensively in aviation and recently created a concept for a large ecoyacht called Lou Lou that uses solar and hydra energy, is responsible for the design. Yas’ striking exterior, incorporating a large amount of glass, will make her recognizable anywhere she goes. Although she was designed as a private yacht, this former Navy frigate, built to the new United Emirates’ large yacht code for private yachts and under Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification, accommodates up to 60 guests. She apparently owes her project name—Swift141—to her cruising abilities. The original Dutch-built steel hull was reconfigured to accommodate a new propulsion and power plant. Yas’ new diesel engines and variable-pitch propellers give her a top speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of about 20. Bow and stern thrusters and dynamic positioning make her maneuverable. She also has transoceanic range and her narrow beam and a lightweight composite superstructure help make her fuel-efficient. Yas is one of a few private yachts built to date to combine a composite superstructure and a metallic hull (on this list, Blohm + Voss’ Enigma {ex-Eco} and Delta’s Laurel share that distinction) and, given the size of this yacht, this may be the largest composite structure yet built. A large door made of carbon fiber deploys to form a beach club and reveals a large garage with side-boarding platforms. She is fully equipped for communication and detection with, among other devices, a long-range underwater sonar, FLIR, high-definition day cameras and night navigator. ADMShipyards is part of Privinvest, which also comprises French shipyard CMN, German yard Nobiskrug, HSY in Greece and Germany’s ADM Kiel. (which just launched Plan B). So far no photos of the interior have been made available, but we hope to see more of Yas in the future.

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