Icon Yachts Icon Yachts' philosophy is to build pre- engineered superyachts using modular construction and standard systems and components, and then offer clients the freedom to change the exterior and interior styling of their yacht within this optimised standard platform. The yard will unveil its first build, the Icon 62m ( 203'), at the Monaco Yacht Show. The yacht is based on the original Icon 62m platform designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon. Since the launch of that three years ago, several well known design-ers have come up with inspired options of up to 75m ( 246'). The latest names to present an Icon design include the likes of Newman Stacey, Bannenberg & Rowell Design, and Dubois Naval Architects. This is just the beginning for Icon Yachts. The yard has recently released three new platforms: the Icon 52- 54 metre ( 170'- 177'), the Icon 85m+ ( 280'+), and the 90m+ ( 295'+) plat-form. Icon Yachts was inclined to focus on the large yacht sec-tor, howeverfollowing a recent request from a client regard-ing the possibility of building a 52m yacht, it developed the Icon 52- 54m platform. The first design for this has just been released from the drawing board of one of Icon's talented designers, Giacomo Michelini Tocci. Born and raised in Italy, Tocci studied yacht and power craft design at Southampton Solent University in the UK, before joining Icon Yachts in 2008. The technical and operational platform for the 85m+ yacht will enable Icon to build high- quality yachts up to 94m ( 308'). Studies are being carried out to use a propulsion package of four diesel engines with two gearboxes to reduce the operational and maintenance costs of the yachts. The latest new platform, the Icon 90m+, will be the stepping stone into the 100m+ size range. This platform is based on SOLAS rules for ships carrying up to 36 passengers. The first studies on this latest platform have just been completedand the yacht will have a diesel- electric propulsion system with five identical MTU 16V 4000 diesel generator sets driving two electric propulsion motors that are fitted to two controllable pitch propeller systems. latesttrends ? Below: the 110m ( 360') Donald Starkey design for Icon Yachts.

88Isea& iIAUTUMN 2009 Bloemsma Van Breemen Situated in the north of The Netherlands, Bloemsma Van Breemen has just completed the 42m ( 137') Dubois sloop Valquest, and currently under construction is the 45m ( 147') Free Spirit. Designed by Pieter Beeldsnijder, she is a true custom yacht and differs from most other yachts in her size range. Her most unusual feature is her private owner's deck. Usually you might expect the owner's suite to be forwardon the main deck, but on Free Spirit this is set aside for the bridge, while the owner's suite ( consisting of a large bedroom, bathroom, walk- in- closet, office and skylounge) occupies the full upper deck. The yacht will accommodate eight further guests in four cabins on the lower deck; two double and two twin. The sun deck will be a large open space with a Jacuzzi and sunloungers aft, a sun- protected bar and dining area amidships, and a seating area forward. Another unusual feature of Free Spirit is her crow's nest, which will be built into the mast, with a small seating area in the middle. The Dutch team building Free Spirit is complemented by Vripack, who is responsible for the naval architecture. She will be built to Lloyd's class and MCA, will feature a bulbous bow for hull efficiency, will displace 450 tonnes and will stay just under the 500 GRT barrier. Free Spirit will be completed in early 2010 and is for sale. Feadship Feadship, having just delivered the CNI brokered Hurricane Run, is now working on several custom and semi- custom superyachts. The company's Koninklijke De Vries shipyard is focusing on the third Feadship SL39 mk3, which will be delivered later this year. Sporting a white/ blue hull with titanium coloured superstructure, her timeless exterior lines have been designed by De Voogt Naval Architects, while her interior is designed by Fokkema Architects. The upper deck features a lounge with a bar and large glass doors which open to the aft deck with seating area. Heading forward is the captain's cabin to starboard, and the bridge. The saloon on the main deck features a large semi- circular sofa with adjoining dining area. Passing the main lobby, the galley is to port with the owner's suite forward. Four additional guest staterooms are on the lower deck, along with the crew quarters in the forward section, the engine room and a tender garage aft. The sun deck is the ideal place to relax, with a bar, sunbeds and a Jacuzzi. Heesen Yachts Heesen Yachts has a busy order book, and the latest model to join its family is the Heesen 4000. At 40m ( 131') LOA, this new model adds to the success of her smaller sister ( the Heesen 3700) with an extra 3m ( 10'). Not only does the new 4000 have Below: the Heesen 4000 Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Feadship's SL39 mk3; the Amels/ Damen Sea Axe Fast Yacht Support Vessel; Bloemsma Van Breemen's Free Spirit