The Dutch shipyard Oceanco has announced the completion of the comprehensive refit of the 92.8 metre superyacht "Draak". The ship, which was previously known as the "Tranquility" was extensively overhauled in the Oceanco halls in Zwijndrecht. The yacht is now returning to the water with a completely new function: as a support yacht for the 111 metre mega yacht "Leviathan.
From charter star to support yacht
The conversion was commissioned by Gabe Newell the co-founder of the gaming company Valve and owner of the shipyard and both yachts. In an exclusive interview in September 2025, Newell revealed his plans for the "Draak". The yacht has been completely redesigned to serve as a support yacht for his mother ship "Leviathan". The new configuration will allow "Draak" to carry a submersible and provide additional crew accommodation and guests.
The conversion was carried out in close co-operation between the original Oceanco design team, the owner's representative YTMC, various suppliers such as Vedder for the interior fittings and the crews of both yachts.
Extensive interior and exterior remodelling
"Draak" was originally launched in 2014 and has an exterior design by Oceanco, while the interior design is by Winch Design. The structural calculations were carried out by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture. The refit included several significant changes to the exterior, including the removal of the helipad on the upper aft deck. This created additional space on the main deck aft for a large tender/bathing platform with powerful C-davits (special cranes for launching tenders). A 12.6-tonne gantry crane was also integrated on the upper aft deck to lift large tenders and toys.
The bathing platform was extended for added safety and fitted with retractable fenders and swim steps, increasing the overall length of the yacht by one metre. The former beach club and spa area was converted into a diving centre with decompression chamber, while the saloon on the main deck was converted into a large crew mess.
Galley for star chefs
The main saloon has been converted into a galley for star chefs. In terms of accommodation, new cabins provide additional high-quality accommodation for the crew if required. The refit of the Draak was overseen by Oceanco's Life Cycle Support Project Manager Edwin Schneider, who was also part of the original new build team. "The new layout required a complete overhaul of several key systems, including ventilation and electrical infrastructure," said Schneider. "With a remodelling of this magnitude, everything is interconnected and every decision had to be carefully considered for knock-on effects. Given the extent of the changes, we practically had to redesign the entire yacht."
"Draak" is now being prepared for sea trials before she is delivered in early summer. The yacht will then go on voyages together with the "Leviathan".
Technical data
- Length: 93.8 metres
- Shipyard: Oceanco
- Year of construction: 2014
- Remodelling: 2026
- Exterior design: Oceanco
- Interior design: Winch Design
- Naval Architecture: Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
- Special features: Diving centre with decompression chamber, 12.6-tonne jib crane, C-davits for dinghies
- Gross TonsG: 2951 GT
- Owner: Gabe Newell (co-founder of Valve, owner of the shipyard)
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
Martin Hager is editor-in-chief of the titles YACHT and BOOTE EXCLUSIV and has been working for Delius Klasing Verlag for 20 years. He was born in Heidelberg in 1978 and started sailing at the age of six, in an Opti of course. This was soon followed by 420s, Sprinta Sport and 470s, which he also sailed on the regatta course with his brother. His parents regularly took him on charter trips through the Greek and Balearic Islands. Even at a young age, it was clear to him that he wanted to turn his passion for water sports into a career. After graduating from high school and completing an internship at the Rathje boatbuilding company in Kiel, it was clear that he did not want to become a classic boatbuilder. Instead, he successfully studied shipbuilding and marine engineering in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital and focused on yacht design wherever he could. His diploma thesis dealt with the “Testing of a new speed prediction method for sailing yachts”. In 2004, the superyacht magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV was looking for an editor with technical and nautical background knowledge, a position that was perfect for Martin Hager. The application was successful and a two-year traineeship was arranged. After twelve years as an editor, the editorial team changed and he took over responsibility for BOOTE EXCLUSIV as editor-in-chief in 2017. After long-time YACHT editor-in-chief Jochen Rieker moved to the role of publisher, Martin Hager also took over the position of editor-in-chief of Europe's largest sailing magazine YACHT, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, at the beginning of 2023. When he's not working on topics for the two water sports titles, Martin Hager likes to go out on the water himself - preferably with kite and wingfoil equipment or on a little after-work trip across the Alster.
