Dutch shipyard Heesen has officially launched the 80m/262.8ft luxury yacht PROJECT COSMOS on 17th December 2021 and was Christened superyacht GALACTICA. She began her maiden voyage in ideal weather conditions, passing through the tight lock-in Macharen on Saturday. With only 15 cm of clearance on each side, she had to wait for a calm day with no wind.
GALACTICA superyacht by Heesen passing under a bridge and heading out for sea trials © Heesen Yachts
Locks are not the only gateways Galactica had to go through. Her voyage includes passing under numerous bridges, where clearance is particularly tight, as soon on the photos. Before she headed out, physical measurements have been undertaken to ensure her smooth passage.
close up of the yacht’s bow section while moving out for sea trials © Heesen Yachts
The measurements have been taken at the Hedelse Spoorbrug near ‘s-Hertogenbosch and in Heusden at the Heusdensebrug. To perform these precise measurements, the yacht gets gently pulled under the bridge to the exact point where the measurements are taken. A measuring device is then installed at the front of the sundeck, with the same height or dimensions of the highest point of the yacht. Following, a real-time tolerance is determined with a laser beam to the bridge, to ensure she can pass underneath in the right amount of time.
“We are used to taking our boats to the North Sea via canals and rivers – we’ve been doing so for the past 40+ years. These operations are normal procedures when dealing with inland cruising with luxury yachts of this size. Waiting for the tide to fall is nothing but business as usual.” explains Sara Gioanola, PR & Press Office Manager at Heesen.
80m motor yacht GALACTICA heading out for her maiden voyage © Heesen Yachts
M/Y GALACTICA is constructed with an aluminium hull and superstructure and at the time of launch became the world’s longest aluminium yacht, surpassing her predecessor GALACTICA SUPER NOVA by 10m/32.9ft. She is also the world’s fastest aluminium yacht, capable of speeds up to 30 knots and a cruising speed above 20 knots. This has been achieved using a Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) in combination with a propulsion system designed by the renowned Van Oossanen Naval Architects alongside Rolls-Royce Marine.
The exterior styling is from another well-known name in the yachting industry: The multi-award-winning Winch Design. The British design studio created a modern appearance using a monochrome palette of white and black, with silvery grey accents in the balustrades and top section of the superstructure. Bevelled sides add subtle characterisation combined with a sweeping bow.
80m motor yacht GALACTICA heading out for her maiden voyage passing through tight lockin © Heesen Yachts
The sophisticated and contemporary interiors come from Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and feature a pale golden cream colour scheme accented by cool silver in the fixtures and fittings and blue-grey or rosy tones. The large windows flowing uninterrupted along the sides of M/Y GALACTICA are sure to provide an abundance of natural lighting and exceptional views wherever she drops anchor.
The accommodation is designed to sleep up to 12 guests in 6 en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite on the main deck, 1 VIP stateroom on the bridge deck, and 4 more guest cabins on the lower deck.
Superyacht GALACTICA is now undergoing sea trials in the North Sea ahead of delivery at the beginning of April 2022.
