Feadship launches 73-metre supply vessel

As a supply ship, "Sherpa" is designed to carry a helicopter, large tenders and land vehicles that do not fit on the mother yacht on long voyages. The Feadship engineers were responsible for the shipbuilding part of the Explorer's design, while the British design studio Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD) was commissioned to design both the exterior and interior. The contrast between the steel hull with visible weld seams and the yacht charm with highly polished aluminium superstructures is intentional and was requested by the owner. Two 1520 kilowatt MTU 16 cylinders, which are usually used on tugs, operate in the engine room of the 3.40 metre deep hull. The maximum speed is said to be 15.7 knots and the range 5,200 nautical miles at a speed of 13 knots. Over the next few months, the main deck of the 13.20 metre wide "Sherpa" will be fitted with the funnels, a mast and two cranes, which will extend to heights of up to twelve and 20 metres respectively. They will move the helicopter from the aft deck platform to the garage or vehicles ashore, for example. When the hull hatch is open, the main deck on the starboard side becomes a beach club, in addition to the bathing platform at the stern. The layout provides cabins for 22 crew members and seven guests. "Sherpa" is due to be christened at the end of the year.