"After you" & "Emotional": Xplorer 60 and 53-metre suppliers are travelling the world as a couple

The presentations on the Dutch family shipyard's portfolio at the German Superyacht Conference 2025 showed just how strongly Damen Yachting dominates the yacht support vessel (YS) segment, making it all the more surprising that the first unit of the Xplorer 60 was launched in Antalya in March without an owner - just a few days after the third YS53, which was built in parallel in Damen's Turkish halls. The fact that the supplier did not yet have a buyer at this time is in line with the history of its sister ships, most of which were started "on spec", and was possibly due to the fact that construction number two, "Five Oceans", which was almost new, and three of the original YS50s were available for purchase at the same time. The short-term availability of the Xplorer 60 was surprising, as it was unrivalled as a new build in its size segment. Or was it a sign that the Explorer trend was waning?

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Rather less, as a surprising turn of events in August revealed. Both ships were sold, together and to one owner. Brokerage firm TWW also advertised the duo, named "Emotional" and "After You", as a charter pairing. The Monegasque brokers had also looked after the previous Heesen "After You" and now listed her for sale. And the 55-metre-long aluminium semi-glider already showed the US owner to have a sense of humour. The reason for the name: When he is asked about it, the answer is "After you". He could soon be having this kind of fun in harbours around the world.

Great freedom: 30 days self-sufficient without restrictions

"After You" continues the concept and exterior design that Damen Yachting introduced with Azure Yacht Design and EYOS Expedition in 2020 with the 77-metre "La Datcha" and further developed in 2023 with the Xplorer 58 "Pink Shadow". The voluminous 1,160 GT format can be used anywhere in the world, whether in tropical climes or polar regions, thanks to classification according to ice class 1D and IMO Polar Code (category C). As different as the requirements may be between hot and ice-cold areas, autonomy remains decisive and, as is well known, goes far beyond mere range. Accordingly, the Xplorer 60 has large tanks for fresh and waste water, two water makers for 12,000 litres per day each, 55 cubic metres of storage space and 18 cubic metres for partially cooled waste. In addition to spacious working and living areas for the 15-strong crew, a cabin on the lower deck is used for helicopter pilots, expedition or diving personnel or as a hospital with separate air and water circuits and telemedicine.

The sister ships have already impressively demonstrated that the Xplorer models also offer the comfort of "white yachts". Compared to its direct predecessor, "After You" is two metres longer despite having a more compact bathing platform. In the course of the shipyard stay planned at Damen Yachting in Vlissingen, she could be enlarged and, like "Pink Shadow", a pool could be retrofitted aft on the main deck. In any case, the fairly young owner intends to use the 195 square metre covered main deck primarily as a beach club and only secondarily for tenders or toys stored on "Emotional". Hanging chairs swing from the almost invisibly integrated ceiling cranes instead of tenders that are a maximum of 10.50 metres long and weigh five tonnes.

Party and relaxation instead of a helicopter car park

On the 150 square metre helipad above, which is certified for medium-sized aircraft à la Airbus H135 or AW109, flexible lounge furniture was preferred. But even with the helicopter parked, the outdoor areas provide plenty of space for al-fresco dining, fixed seating groups and lounging areas on the upper deck and bridge deck - the latter with a square spa pool and stairs to the crow's nest under the equipment carrier. From the couch at lofty heights, the view falls on two further spectacular vantage points. Firstly, our tour takes us back to the Sky Lounge. This is very airy thanks to the skylight and fully opening glass doors. Apart from the marble bar on the port side, the freely movable furniture also allows for various uses here, for example as a gym, which would correspond with the directly adjacent sauna and steam shower. For massages, the office one deck below became a treatment room at short notice.

The bridge impresses with its top commercial equipment with huge displays in front of and between the two seats, including integrated ship controls. Behind it, a U-shaped sofa welcomes interested guests. Unlike on "Pink Shadow", the bridge remains professionally nautical and dark to avoid reflections. The windows of the glazed outside helm stations have been enlarged again to ensure the best possible visibility during mooring and casting off manoeuvres, even in the most adverse conditions, in conjunction with additional CCTV displays. Damen Yachting chose a combination of two MTU twelve-cylinder engines, generators with SCR and particulate filters as well as electric motors with a high-energy battery bank. This means that various drive modes are available, and the range of 5,000 nautical miles could be significantly increased in diesel-electric mode.

"The interior is comfortable, even casual. We wanted it to feel luxurious without being dominant." Jonny Horsfield

Neutral, elegant interior from H2 Design

On the upper deck, guests can go from the Observation Lounge with XXL TV, skylight and 270-degree panorama through the door right to the front, where two sofas await next to the anchor station and ship's bell. Here, the crew stretch out a net to use as a trampoline or sunbathing area, just like a sailing catamaran. The design presented H2 Yacht Design with three main challenges: Firstly, the usability had to be as flexible as possible in a wide variety of sailing areas and the Observation Lounge had to be suitable for briefings. Secondly, the feeling of space had to be subjectively suitable for polar and tropical climes and for the Mediterranean. Jonny Horsfield and his team also wanted to cater to many tastes. "The clear design language relies on rich, bold colours and wood that conveys warmth," says Horsfield, describing the approach and concludes: "The interior is comfortable, even casual. We wanted it to feel luxurious without being overbearing."

Owners and guests on the same level

The dark woods contrast and harmonise at the same time with light leather, artfully incorporated structures and satin-finish metal in the form of window frames or floor lamps. Indirect light and a ceiling height of at least 2.10 metres reinforce the open atmosphere in all guest areas. This includes the 60 square metre saloon aft on the upper deck with a classic layout. The owner's cabin with its free-standing bed, two walk-in wardrobes, shower and bathtub is not the only thing to enjoy on the main deck. Behind it on the main deck are all five guest cabins. A corridor connects them to a lobby and then to the covered outer deck, where tenders are not a priority.

Even more added value together

The "Emotional" is used to store dinghies, jet skis, e-foils, mountain bikes and more. Like its robust sisters "Bad Company Support" and "Five Oceans", the third yacht support format of the current YS53 generation offers even more comfort and improved efficiency in addition to transport capacity over a length of 53 metres. Originally, when the commercial parent Damen Shipyards transferred its supply vessels for the offshore industry to the yachting world in 2009, it still relied largely on four main engines for reasons of redundancy. Two MTUs push the axe bow of the latest Damen in-house development through the sea at up to 19 knots. The 195-square-metre cargo deck, which carries 50 tonnes and can function as a touch-and-go helipad, extends above the engine room.

"We sail ahead with 'Emotional', look for an anchorage for 'After You' and send over photos."

Fast and undisturbed synchro operation

"The combined operation of the two ships works incredibly well," says a satisfied Captain Matthew d'Offay. The South African has been in charge of "Emotional" since mid-July and clocked up over 3,000 nautical miles in the first five weeks alone. From Antalya, he travelled to Greece, Venice and Montenegro. "Thanks to the higher speed, I sail ahead, look for a suitable anchorage for 'After You' and send over photos," says d'Offay. "We then deploy not only the tender and jet skis, but also the inflatable platforms and the floating pool. When the mother ship arrives, we pull the water park with e-foils and jet skis to 'After You' to moor it there at the stern - this not only saves time, but owners and guests are also not disturbed by the loud inflation." But that's not all: "If the mother ship wants to move on, it's just as quick - we take over everything, pack up and usually overtake 'After You' on the way."

Stowage on the "Emotional" is not limited to the lazarette, where the diving compressor also works. Standard sea containers or special boxes for a swimming pool, for example, are securely stowed on the robust deck with synthetic teak and numerous fastening points. The Heila crane can lift up to 20 tonnes when it stretches 8.50 metres, and at a maximum of 18 metres it can still lift 8 tonnes. This means that even without its own heavy-duty crane, the "After You" helipad can be loaded with tenders or other goods using the "Emotionals" jib. "The ship-to-ship transfers have proved their worth," confirms d'Offay and looks to the future: "We are getting a Vanquish VQ58, which is currently under construction, as a chase boat. Our crane is not sufficient for this, but we can transport it on deck and then use cranes from shipyards to load or unload it." The 18-metre aerial ladder will also be followed by Zodiacs for shore excursions and harsh conditions.

Through the Northwest Passage to the Galapagos

Just how serious the owner is about his female duo became clear after the Monaco Yacht Show. In October, "After You" and "Emotional" quickly left the Mediterranean to head north and travel from Bergen to the southern fjords of Norway. This will be followed by warranty work and the aforementioned modifications in the Netherlands. After the shipyard break, Matthew d'Offay and the other rotating captains want to set off via Scotland to Iceland and Greenland for whale watching from May. The owner then wants to conquer the Northwest Passage, which is around 4,000 nautical miles long. After that, Alaska, the Pacific coast down to the Gulf of California, the Cocos Islands belonging to Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands at the beginning of 2027 are on the ambitious agenda.

During the long haul, charters of both ships will only be possible as a pair via TWW Yachts. Rates on request. Incidentally, there is also an ambiguity in "Emotional": in combination with "Support", the name stands for "emotional assistance". Yacht owners can use this from time to time. This one should be perfectly happy.

Technical data "After You

• Length over everything: 60,00 m
• Width: 11,00 m
• Depth: 3,60 m
• Gross tonnage: 1,160 Gross Tons
• Material: Steel/aluminium
• Motors: 2 x MTU 12V 4000 M65R
• Engine power: 2 x 1,513 kW
• Speed (max.): 14.5 kn
• Speed (travelling): 12 kn
• Range @ 11.5 kn: 5,000 sm
• Generators: 2 x 248 ekW, 1 x 110 ekW
• E-motors: 2 x 150 kW
• Batteries: 185 kWh
• Fuel: 188.000 l
• Water: 36.000 l
• Construction: Ladies Yachting
• Exterior design: Azure Yacht Design
• Interior design: H2 Yacht Design
• Class: Lloyd's
• Shipyard: Ladies Yachting, 2025
• Charter: TWW Yachts

Technical data "Emotional"

• Length over everything: 53,25 m
• Width: 9,25 m
• Depth: 3,05 m
• Gross tonnage: 497 Gross Tons
• Material: Steel, aluminium
• Motors: 2 x MTU 16V 4000 M65
• Engine power: 2 x 2,271 kW
• Speed (max.): 19 kn
• Speed (travelling): 12 kn
• Range @ 12 kn: 5,000 sm
• Fuel: 155.000 l
• Water: 30.000 l
• Guests: 8
• Crew: 11
• Tender: Vanquish VQ58
• Construction: Ladies Yachting
• Exterior design: Ladies Yachting
• Interior design: Ladies Yachting
• Class: Lloyd's
• Shipyard: Ladies Yachting, 2025
• Charter: TWW Yachts