CRN delivers a 70-metre yacht: ‘Cerulean’ – timeless style

From the ‘Thunderball’ project to ‘Cerulean’

The 70-metre-long new build ‘Cerulean’ has left CRN. Following the successful completion of tests and sea trials, the steel-aluminium yacht was handed over to its owner. Previously, this entirely bespoke project was known as ‘Thunderball’.

With the ‘Cerulean’, the shipyard – part of the Ferretti Group – has delivered a displacement yacht that combines classic lines with modern technology and a design tailored entirely to the owner’s requirements. The new build was constructed at the Ancona site on the Adriatic coast, where the metal hulls for the Ferretti brands are also built Custom Line and Pershing are manufactured.

Classic silhouette, modern technology

The “Cerulean” is 70 metres long and 11 metres wide. With an internal volume of 1,100 gross tonnes, the accommodation is spread across three decks. The yacht can accommodate up to twelve guests, housed in an owner’s suite and five VIP cabins. There are nine crew cabins available for a total of 15 crew members.

The gently rounded bilges and the uniformly smooth surface are intended to give the yacht a serene, timeless appearance. The ‘Cerulean’s’ understated lines – with its flat silhouette and classically elongated bow in a slender profile – are strikingly unobtrusive. It would appear that the designers at Vripack took their cue from Jon Bannenberg’s masterpiece ‘The One’ (71 m), which Lürssen built in 1973 as the ‘Carinthia VI’.

The exterior design is the work of Vripack Yacht Design. The Dutch firm was also involved in the preliminary design and the development of the layout. The Italian firm Nauta Design was responsible for the interior and the design of the outdoor areas. Y.CO managed the project on behalf of the owner and was responsible, amongst other things, for technical consultancy, project management and the coordination of the suppliers involved.

A seamless design

A key design theme of ‘Cerulean’ is the connection between interior and exterior spaces. Shapes and proportions are intended to be repeated throughout the yacht. Patterns are incorporated across different scales, materials and functions.

According to CRN, this results in a cohesive design that does not rely on a single effect, but rather on the interplay of many details. The maritime character is combined with contemporary materials and a understated design language that is not driven by trends.

The design is based on the owner’s vision. From the choice of materials to the technical systems, decisions were made in close consultation between the shipyard, the designers and the client. The aim is to create a yacht whose spaces are not only impressive but also support a variety of activities on board.

Energy storage for quieter operation

From a technical perspective, the integrated energy storage system stands out. It controls the flow of energy on board depending on the current operating conditions and can reduce peak loads (peak shaving). Whilst at anchor, the system is also designed to ensure the quietest possible operation. CRN also highlights a significant reduction in fuel consumption.

CRN specialises in bespoke products

The ‘Cerulean’ is not a mass-produced yacht, but a completely bespoke design. Based in Ancona, CRN specialises in building large steel and aluminium yachts to clients’ specifications. In such projects, the hull, layout, technical systems, interior fit-out and outdoor areas are tailored to the respective owner from the very outset.

Prior to that, the 68-metre-long vessel docked at CRN in Ancona “Amor à Vida” Project Poe (72 m) and construction project number 144 (86 m) are currently under construction.

Technical Specifications for ‘Cerulean’