Expedition yacht BLEU DE NIMES has returned to the public eye after undergoing an extensive refit in Genoa which began back in 2016. Recently delivered she is believed to have returned back to the charter market to continue offering exceptional service and even better onboard amenities and spaces to her charter guests.

Motor yacht Blue de Nimes – Photo credit ligurianautica.com

Although the explorer yacht has retained much of her original appearance, one of the most noticeable changes is her hull extension: The once 55m/180ft vessel has become a massive 72m/236ft. The communications equipment has been concealed within the central mast structure, and beneath the waterline, there is a new fin keel forward for greater stability, comfort and improved efficiency through the water.

M/Y BLEU DE NIMES was launched back in 1980 as the British-built degaussing tender LODESTONE for the Royal Marine Auxiliary Services. In 1996 she was decommissioned and entered into private Ownership, receiving an 8m/26ft extension in Turkey and the name BLEU DE NIMES shortly thereafter before she toured across the world extensively.

It was in 2014 that the Owner decided to approach Genoa-based Mario Nattero Naval Engineering Studio to oversee an exhaustive transformation: The accommodation would increase from nine cabins to 13, thereby increasing the guest capacity to 28. The two tenders which were stored on the foredeck at the time were also given a new home with their own tender garage.

E/Y BLEU DE NIMES has been delivered to her owner and is currently cruising in the Mediterranean, dedicated to yacht charter and welcoming discerning clientele aboard.