Research laboratory at 111 metres: Oceanco delivers "Leviathan" to US billionaire

The Dutch superyacht shipyard launched the Project Y722 This summer, Oceanco handed over the 111 metres to the US games developer and Microsoft co-founder Gabe Newell. The ship is based entirely on the owner's philosophy, which emphasises teamwork and community. His way of thinking characterised the entire development process of "Leviathan".

"We knew from the start that nothing would be realised in the traditional way," says Oceanco CEO Marcel Onkenhout. "We were welcomed into the team by Gabe Newell and everyone else involved. This level of collaboration sets "Leviathan" apart from anything we've built before. After her successful seatrials, we can say that she is the most comfortable yacht Oceanco has ever designed, built and delivered."

Gestures of appreciation

The project brought the owner together with the Oceanco design team, Mark Berryman Design, the Leviathan crew and a network of suppliers. Newell was closely involved during the development and construction phases and encouraged openness between all parties.

The Oceanco team is incredibly fun to work with; everyone is professional, creative and dynamic. We knew we were asking for unusual things and Oceanco embraced this with open arms.

As a lasting symbol of the collective achievement, a glass plate with the names of almost 3,000 contributors was installed in the stairwell - just one of the many gestures of appreciation.

Guests and crew live and work together

With accommodation for 26 guests and 37 crew members, the layout of "Leviathan" has been designed to encourage shared experiences. Areas normally reserved for guests only have been redesigned to welcome crew as well.

This approach also marked a change of perspective for Mark Berryman. "With 28 years of experience in designing superyacht interiors, we've seen almost every possible scenario - or at least we thought we had," he says. "Leviathan challenged convention in a completely new way, from an operational perspective."

A playground for everyone

In keeping with the owner's background, there is a lounge on the bridge deck with 15 gaming stations and two racing simulators. The main deck saloon is a spacious lounge for up to 54 people. Other play areas for everyone include a basketball court and parts of the sun deck with whirlpool.

"The yacht is a functioning ecosystem designed to promote everything. From first-class hospitality to scientific research," says Charlie Birkett, CEO and co-founder of Y.CO.

Hardly any work with cleaning and maintenance

Efficient operation was at the forefront of many design and material decisions. The owner wanted to free the crew from routine maintenance so that they could concentrate on higher-value tasks, such as the well-being of the guests. Gabe Newell:

We considered where the most valuable experiences for the community of people take place. By increasing the crew's productivity, they can focus more on interacting with guests and creating meaningful experiences for everyone.

Examples: The plastic solid surface on board lasts a long time and is low-maintenance. Sandblasted stainless steel railings and synthetic handrails reduce the need for polishing, and even the creamy white exterior paintwork minimises cleaning. Inside, stone surfaces were selected for their durability and ease of maintenance, and the natural wool carpets are also hard-wearing and easy to clean.

Driving comfort through high-tech

Oceanco and Lateral carried out model tests together with Marin to optimise seaworthiness and comfort. The hull is based on the latest evolution of Lateral's DE series. The shape has its origins in the D-Series, which was developed in 2010 to meet the performance requirements of large yachts travelling at moderate speeds with pod drives.

A seawater ballast system makes it possible to maintain optimum loading conditions. With a natural roll period of over 12 seconds and a stabilisation system combining Quantum MagLift and XT Fins, "Leviathan" rides very comfortably. Captain Alan Pike:

The seatrials have given us great confidence in the yacht, it handles beautifully. What stands out most is how quiet she is. The low noise and vibration levels are exceptional, even at full speed. It is an absolute pleasure to be on board.

The engine room is way out in front

"Leviathan" is equipped with two ABB DO980P azipods, which operate quietly and minimise high- and low-frequency hull vibrations. The azipod arrangement and the five-blade propellers were designed by ABB. Cavitation tests on a model scale determined the propeller design.

A 5.5 megawatt-hour battery system enables quiet night-time operation, supports the engine performance, reduces its running times and thus extends the maintenance intervals.

The engine room is located further forward than on a conventional yacht of this size. This makes the layout more flexible, with more guest accommodation aft - an area traditionally occupied by the engines and one of the most comfortable yacht areas in terms of rolling motion.

Oceanco built a research laboratory

"Leviathan" joins Inkfish, an organisation that supports marine research on Newell's yachts. Inkfish offers scientists access to remote regions and state-of-the-art technology. For example, the submarine on "Dagon", which has already penetrated the deepest parts of the ocean.

On board "Leviathan" there is a laboratory, a diving centre and an on-board hospital, where the beach club is usually located. Spare or replacement parts can be produced in a 3D printing workshop, which supports self-sufficiency during longer journeys or remote routes. Gabe Newell:

Yachts have great potential to serve as platforms for scientific research.

Gabe Newell is relatively new to the yachting world

Computer games such as "Half-Life" and "Counter-Strike" made developer Gabe Newell rich. The US-American, who was also part of the founding teams of Microsoft and OpenAI, is considered one of the wealthiest people in the world. Newell only discovered his passion for yachting a few years ago and today manages various research vessels (68 metre "Dagon", 66 metre "Hydra") in addition to large formats (92 metre "Draak", 78.5 metre "Rocinante", 72 metre "Game Changer").

"I wasn't interested in yachts at all at first," says Newell, who chartered the sailing yacht "Mirabella" for his then wife's birthday. "I thought I would be miserable. Instead, I discovered this fantastic opportunity to spend time with friends and family."

The owner lives on board all year round

Today, the likeable tech entrepreneur lives on board his boats all year round: "I work eight hours a day, and when I don't feel like it anymore, I jump off the bathing platform. It's the perfect life for me!"

This summer, he took over the Oceanco shipyard in the firm belief that many of the tech billionaires living in Silicon Valley had not yet had any contact with yachts and the associated lifestyle. One of his priorities was to take over the systems integrator Alewijnse, which is now part of the Oceanco Group alongside Lateral and the hull builders Mercury and Aluship.