At the boot Düsseldorf exhibition, one could see an interesting exhibit – a mock-up of the expedition yacht Virus, which seemed to magnet visitors: the revival around it was observed all days of the boat show.
A prominent stand in the pavilion of superyachts, a two-meter model of a ship with a black matte hull … How does it attract people? To understand the features of the concept and structure of this expedition yacht with a somewhat shocking name today, right at the exhibition we talked with Alexey Iova, head of Jonacor Marine Engineering, a division of the yacht agency Jonacor Marine, which specializes in just such vessels. And this is what he said.
Concept
We monitor the trends of the superyacht market, communicate a lot with clients and we can definitely say: the future belongs to expedition yachts. The designers and constructors who created the Brizo Virus have developed a different view of such ships from the generally accepted one. This is dictated by considerable experience in the construction, sale and maintenance of yachts, including explorer. In our understanding, Virus is a new interpretation of this type of superyacht, and a number of engineering solutions used on it are inspired by vessels of the naval and commercial fleets, which have an unlimited sailing area and, thanks to their high seaworthiness, are able to perform tasks in almost any weather. In addition, the experience of the crews was taken into account in the design of the Brizo Virus – this is an extremely important point that should in no case be neglected.
The Finnish shipyard Brizo Yachts, with which we are conducting this project, has been building high-speed light alloy boats with a high degree of customization for a long time, and although until now their length has not exceeded 20 m, the company enthusiastically responded to the idea of making a “leap” into the superyacht segment , all the more so as its production facilities allow to work effectively in this niche.
Brizo Virus takes a different look at explorer yachts from the mainstream
The yacht agency Jonacor Marine is also far from new to this topic: with our participation a number of large projects have appeared, in particular, the Bandido yachts. They have a lot of positive qualities, they sail in the seas to this day and are appreciated in the secondary market, but they do not fully meet modern requirements for expedition yachts. The technologies for ensuring seaworthiness and design solutions that were relevant in the early 2000s are becoming obsolete, and you need to match the times. For example, then no one thought about sailing on yachts of this length across the Atlantic – such trips were considered the prerogative of sailing ships or superyachts with a length of 40 m, and now owners of even 85-foot yachts often go across the ocean.
In addition, modern expedition vessels have a significantly larger internal volume compared to the previous generation of compact explorer, which means better habitability. This factor in long voyages is no less important than fuel autonomy. In addition, with a vessel length of 30−35 m, parking in marinas is not as expensive as for larger yachts with the same seaworthiness.
Dossier Brizo Virus
Length:
33.00 m
Width:
7.70 m
Draft:
3.30 m
Displacement:
290 t
Fuel / water supply:
30,000/3000 l
Engines:
2 × Scania HD V8 DI16 (375 hp)
Generators:
2 × 55 kW
Capacity:
10 + 5 persons (crew)
Maximum speed:
14 knots
The large open deck aft of the Brizo Virus gives freedom of imagination in terms of organization and use of space …
… just like foredeck
The beauty of the appearance of a large yacht is a debatable issue. This military style is of interest to many, causing respect and drawing attention to the yacht in the marina and at sea
Innovative solutions
With the idea of Brizo Virus, we decided to move away from the common practice where the exterior of the yacht is entrusted to one design bureau, the interiors to another, a third company is responsible for the design and calculations, and the shipyard does the rest. Why not do it yourself? This is how a boat with a non-trivial appearance appeared, and at the exhibition many visitors stop at the Virus model, carefully examine it and ask: who is the author of the design? Judging by their respectful reaction to our answer, we have chosen the right path. And although the staff of Jonacor Marine Engineering does not have its own designers, it has experience of cooperation with German and Norwegian bureaus in the framework of large projects and an understanding of what clients need. To work on Brizo Virus, we hired a young Russian designer, who visualized our ideas as part of the terms of reference.
Seaworthiness, long range and internal volume are counterpoints of the Brizo Virus project
So what are the features of this steel hull and light alloy superstructure? Firstly, the high freeboard on a significant part of the hull – more than two thirds, starting from the stem. The stem itself, with sharp waterlines and a massive bulb in the underwater part, is blunt closer to the deck, which allowed us to increase the volume in the bow and expand the foredeck. By the way, this deck is not working and is intended for the private relaxation of guests, which is also important. Often, ladies prefer to sunbathe on the bow deck and do not want strangers to stare at them. Therefore, such a foredeck will not be visible either from the shore or from the side of neighboring boats, even if the yacht is moored astern to the berth.
Another indicative point is the reverse slope of the wheelhouse windshield and the relatively small glazing area of the superstructure and hull. Yes, the glazing is not as large as on some superyachts, but the criterion here was the experience of operating serious expedition yachts: in difficult weather conditions, a large area of windows can turn into a problem, and there are already many modern ways to achieve the desired illumination of premises. As you can see, there is also a similarity between Virus and naval rescue vessels.
What else in this project was “spied” from the large fleet? Wings of the navigating bridge with duplication of ship control. From the standpoint of good maritime practice, such extensions of the sides of the superstructure are useful not only when passing narrows, mooring or in locks. They help in keeping a navigational watch: from there it is convenient to conduct navigational activities (take bearing to coastal objects, determine the positions of luminaries, and so on).
Three open areas are clearly visible on the model of the vessel: in the stern, in the bow and on the upper deck, where the owner’s apartments are located. His cabin is located aft of the superstructure and has an additional exit to the private deck. The captain’s cabin is located on the same deck. The length of the tender standing on the descending aft platform can be up to 6 m; a boat of shorter length will fit in the aft garage or in the bow, where a crane is planned for launching it on any side.
Note the massive mast base on the upper deck. With its length, this yacht, as seen in the layout and plans, provides large spaces, in particular – recreation areas. This open deck has a bar, sofas, and if someone needs a shower, it is not necessary to go down to the cabin: there is a shower and toilet in the hull of this mast.
Alexey Iova (left) and Johnny Stour, CEO of Brizo Yachts, at the stand in Dusseldorf
Seaworthiness, systems
The Brizo Virus project is designed to meet the requirements of Germanischer Lloyd and LY3 with maximum buoyancy and stability. So, in order to increase stability, for example, in the ocean, it is possible to transfer fuel between the main and additional tanks. The underwater hull is 12 mm thick, which allows the vessel to navigate in crushed ice. By the way, the fuel tanks are separated from the outer skin here.
The designers were faced with the task of obtaining a cruising speed of 12 knots, and a maximum speed of 14 knots (necessary and sufficient values for an expedition yacht). Most of these vessels develop a maximum of 10-12 knots at cruising 8-9 knots, but when the weather at sea changes dramatically, this is no longer enough. As for the cruising range, at 10 knots it will be about 3,000 miles, and for those who need more, we have included in the project the ability to increase the volume of tanks. After testing the Virus scale model in the pilot tank of the test center in Helsinki, we will refine all the calculated indicators, and I do not exclude that the results will be even higher.
The diesel engines Scania HD V8 DI16 with a power of 588 kW each are provided as cruising diesels. Engines of this brand are rarely installed on yachts, since they are primarily addressed to commercial ships and are able to operate smoothly in heavy duty. I want to note that the owners will not have any difficulties with their maintenance and repair, because a lot of Scania buses and trucks travel around the world, which means that there is a large network of service centers. In addition, these engines use many of the same components used in Volvo engines. But if someone doesn’t like Scania, the project allows the installation of engines and other brands, such as MAN. In addition, we can equip Virus with electric or hybrid (diesel-electric) propulsion systems.
Hybrid installation will increase the range
Brizo Virus has an original solution to the transmission issue: Integrated L-drive – azimuth devices from the Dutch company Veth – were chosen as drives. These compact systems, featuring twin counter-rotating propellers at the ends of the nacelle, provide the required thrust over a wide rpm range with minimal drag and noise. Software for controlling drives with the ability to implement dynamic positioning – developed by the Russian company NAVIS.
The vessel is equipped with two types of roll stabilizers: gyroscopic stabilizers to compensate for roll and hydraulic wings of complex profiling with a large restoring moment designed to damp the roll. The project includes the most modern navigation systems, including electronic devices using thermal imagers. Jonacor Marine Engineering paid special attention to the selection of noise-insulating materials – they will effectively eliminate noise in all parts of the frequency spectrum, which requires different materials and technologies.
Underwater lights can turn nighttime swimming into a spectacular ride
What do you call a yacht …
What else to add? The Brizo Virus drawings are ready, the ship will take two years to build, with an approximate budget of around 9 million euros.
I foresee a question regarding the name … I must admit that we live surrounded by viruses, we fight them, and they – with us and with each other. The virus is defeated by the virus, and Brizo Virus must overcome the virus of boredom and fatigue that prevents people from living an active life, a virus of inertia of thinking that prevents dreams of long voyages. The consequences caused by any viruses go away sooner or later, and such yachts remain in the seas for a long time. In addition, there, in the seas, the dangers from the shore are not so easy to reach.
Text
Mikhail Romanov
Chief Editor
What do you think?