With the advent of modern sectional method of hull constructions for the birth of the vessel could not always begins with the keel, but the tradition of his laying still stronger progress. At the end of February this year in one of the dry docks German Kiel Naval Yards could be seen a few dozen people, who came from different parts of Europe to join the ceremony of laying the keel of the project Nobiskrug 793. Engineers, designers, employees of the shipyard, the customer’s representatives — each of them with a noticeable enthusiasm sought to share their emotions and talk about individual and team contribution that has not yet gone beyond the section under the code “B20”.
This huge steel structure with a fragment of the keel as a feather on the waves, floated over a concrete floor on the web cyclopean cables of the gantry crane. In the atmosphere clearly felt the excitement and the solemnity of the moment, growing as the scene appeared appropriate requisite: mortgage Board with the name of the project, the shipyard, client and date bookmarks; commemorative coin; eight nails among the honored guests and the contents of “time capsule” — related symbolic symbolic items that the owner of the future vessel puts into equipped inside of the keel of the small compartment.
Welcome speech gave way to a performance of the ritual, leaving the roots back centuries, and lacked, perhaps, the only orchestra that would fill the insides of the dock music. However, the guest immediately seized the communication, the benefit of discussion topics was the sea. After all, this is a historic event — just the beginning of a long journey ahead to all those who designs, builds and is going to operate a unique motor yacht called Black Shark.
Holger KAHL, managing Director of Nobiskrug:
In the fall of 2017, we called Eugene Kochman and said that we should immediately arrive to Moscow, as he has a serious client who wants to build a unique yacht. We love Nobiskrug such a question, and already at the exhibition in Monaco signed an agreement of intent, and in November the contract for the construction of this fantastic yacht. Scientists are still discussing whether it exists in the depths of the oceans unknown to mankind prehistoric animal species. I talked to our neighbors of the world-famous Kiel Centre for ocean research name of Gelmgoltsa (GEOMAR), where there are experts on sharks and I was told that one of these legendary creatures is named Megalodon. For the first time these giant fossil shark eats a ton of fish per day, was described in 1843, and there are suggestions that they still exist.
- Holger KAHL (left), Nick Fleshman (right) and other participants of the project at the ceremony of laying the keel
I believe that there is no more need to look for the Megalodon, because very soon there will be a real “black shark” — strong, beautiful and high-tech superyacht that will sail the oceans. It will be the next masterpiece Nobiskrug, and his impressive Black Shark name chosen by the owner accurately reflects the power and respect that the team of the shipyard will invest in its creation.
Andrew winch, the designer, founder Winch Design:
This is the first joint project of Winch Design and Imperial Yachts, although our collaboration started long ago: together we have created a lot of interesting concepts and have built a good working relationship. The task of the brokerage company — not only to provide for the customer a seamless construction of the yacht at the time and within the agreed budget, but also to accurately interpret his wishes to the designers and shipyards, in the case of different languages and cultures is not as easy as it may seem.
When we started work on this project, it has not yet been associated with the image of sharks. The original requirement was only that the customer just wants to get a boat with a unique exterior. We were faced with the task of developing a yacht that from the outside looks like a ship with a relatively small capacity, but the volume of the internal space is comparatively large. Therefore, we have created a visually lightweight yacht with an elegant streamlined shape, producing plazovy markup on the computer after a serious design Bureau should not just provide the sketches, but also to form a theoretical drawing of the ship.
- Designers, customer representatives and shipyards in the first section of the vessel
The body shape of sharks are perfectly designed by nature, and that the customer has noticed that the nascent project, saying: “This is a black shark! This is exactly what I need! Maybe add a dorsal fin?”
Therefore, the client became part of the design team that, in my opinion, very important. Once this General concept has been identified, he was asked to change it, not to spoil, and then we continued to work on the details, including the position and shape of the fin. The latter, incidentally, will be illuminated in the dark, and it is another feature of the yacht. To fin remained as narrow as possible, it removed the exhaust pipe, which on this ship, go elsewhere.
The case will most likely be matte black, the superstructure is also planned black, but glossy and dark glazing, because sharks don’t have Windows. Now we discuss these nuances and thinking about how to give the body maximum similarity with shark skin, which has many small directed to the tail of the teeth. By the way, Gill slits, which the shark a few, will also be reflected in the style of the yacht. Please note that Black Shark does not like the shark-hammer and not a whale shark, but rather the rapid great white in black. Already in the first sketches of the vessel was a vertical stem, and later we made him even more aggressive, a little debris in the direction of the stern.
At Nobiskrug was ready technical platform of this length, but it is significantly modified to customer requirements Black Shark, making, in fact, unique. The most important change concerns the decks: the lower one is raised to the “beach club” was on the same level with the swim platform. The advantage of this solution is that the “beach club” this format is not just a “room in the stern” or “refined treasure”, but a very special area, where you literally dive down from the transom.
And we have tried to make using “the beach”, guests get the maximum pleasure swimming or tanning. Accordingly, all the rest of the deck was also above average, so in the marinas and the yacht will be dominate over other boats not only because of appearance.
In addition, we have customized the original plan. On Board are eight cabins (six guest, master and VIP), while the ship will be certified according to the requirements of the MCA. It is noteworthy that with significant internal volume from the outside it doesn’t look like a cake.
Sander Shino, designer, founder Sinot Design:
The customer decided that the outer and inner design will create different studios, and this, by the way, our first experience of cooperation with Nobiskrug, but with Winch Design. Always interesting to see how one project merge groups with different methodical approaches to design. At the beginning of the process of creating interiors we use active software rendering, so that the customer could better understand and feel the result, whereas in the next stages we have been working with layouts. Generally we use a lot of 3D, and not only for the presentations of our ideas, but also to create interiors. Already a month after the start of work the client can see what his boat from the inside: we use glasses HTC customized software that allow you to demonstrate virtual model and the visualization is quite truthful and the parameters of the spaces correspond to the real.
- CNC machine for plasma cutting of metal in action
The interior of the Black Shark will definitely be distinguishable from the others, and that’s probably his best characteristic. Shark — animal dynamic, so the interior will be the same in a modern style: outside dark, but inside everything is light, bright and even bright, but with dark accents. We will not overload the decoration of the abundance of materials, because we believe that the interior is too flashy, however, plan to use very complex and uncommon materials which will create special details.
So, for example, employ a number printed on a 3D printer elements. Since the main topic of an interior — black shark — also implies a concern for the environment, to use natural shark skin would have been wrong, so we came up with printed patterns with texture, repeating magnified under a microscope the texture of real shark skin.
We conducted a series of tests to find the optimal height of the three-dimensional elements on the surface to ensure the best visual effect, and now discussing it with potential manufacturers of interiors. In addition, Black Shark will use innovative light sources, designed to emphasize the texture. Due to the transitions of the materials on the ceiling we will create a pronounced daytime and evening mood, tied on a combination of natural and artificial lighting. This will provide a different perception depending on the time of day and angle of view.
As for the lighting design, our team of 50 people there are experts on this subject, and we try to design the lighting on their own. This does not mean that we do not want to cooperate with other companies: lighting is an important part of the interior, and, according to our philosophy, to get a perfect result, it must be created together. And when different people make the interior parts in different companies, it is difficult to apply a common approach.
Zlatko Imamovic, designer Sinot Design:
Theme shark yachting is not new, but we looked at this animal under the microscope, evaluated his movement through the water and transmit the generated three-dimensional wave effect in the marble. It’s not the same as, for example, to make door handles in the shape of the fins: it lies below the threshold of conscious perception. The presence of bright features is always a plus, but if they don’t work together, the design falls apart. And our goal is to find the harmony of form and function, which, in fact, is meant by the word “design”.
The layout of the decks we originally discussed with the yard and Winch Design: they gave us the opportunity to optimize them so that the interiors went perfectly and the skin completely fit into the room. On Board there will be an Elevator with transparent glass walls, it will wrap around stairs, steps which are fixed only by the bulkheads. That is, the ladder will not be linked to a lift, and this is one of the “chips” interiors Black Shark. Stage will gain a dynamic shape, tapering to the console side, where their thickness is only 25 mm. to Combine in them steel framework, composite shell, natural leather, and bronze — a difficult engineering challenge. The whole interior will be unique and intricate, but not cecevim and not a caricature.
- Testing scale models Black Shark conducted in the Hamburg testing tank are proposed basin HSVA, where he paid special attention to tests of seaworthiness of the hull with a reverse slope of the bow, as well as the intensity of the formation of spray in the bow at different driving modes. Due to the optimal contours of the hull and the fin stabilizers Zero Speed on Board will be comfortable even at top speed, which will amount to 16-17 knots.
Now the interaction between all participants of the project is going very smoothly. The customer is also deeply involved in the work and enthusiasm go into every detail because I am familiar with many things on its previous experience of owning a yacht. Around Black Shark there is a strong flow of positive energy, and this affects the results, at least on our sure: the design is ready, you can begin to trade, and I do not foresee any difficulties in its implementation. We have already started the selection of art objects for interior decoration, they are collected from all over the world and is also associated with sharks. However, this relationship will be traced is not obvious, but much more sophisticated way — no giant jaws!
Nick Fleshman, project Manager from Imperial Yachts:
In any of the original specs of the ship, there are always “gray areas”, and our task — as much detail as possible to clarify. This benefits not only the customer but also the shipyard, because the specifications can be interpreted in completely different ways. Many large yachts are generally built without the direct involvement of the owner who is coming on Board only on the day of delivery of the boat. Fortunately, in the case of the Black Shark, the situation is completely opposite: we regularly have meetings with the customer, in which he takes part with great enthusiasm, and for me as a project Manager of such team work is extremely important. Daily supervision of the shipyard and its contractors carry out six to eight of our employees and that we have worked together before, it helps that we know each other, profess the same approach and philosophy, but it’s worth it.
Over the last decade I have participated in the construction of several yachts witnessed, how did you build a serious reputation in terms of quality oversight. Perhaps it was partly the reason why the customer is allowed to disclose the basic stages of construction of the vessel. As far as I know, this is a first for a boat of this length. I guess people, especially future owners, need to find out more about the superyacht, it is not just a beautiful car to travel around the world or expensive toys of billionaires. Behind each boat is a long, painstaking and passionate work aimed at bringing to life someone else’s dream, someone’s vision. And we are very pleased to be able to show what is happening behind the scenes — those thousands of hours of work of people striving to make the impossible possible. I think others will follow this example, and I am proud that Imperial Yachts Nobiskrug are the first!
Eugene Kochman, the founder of the Imperial Yachts:
We respect and observe the principles of confidentiality, but in this case, with the permission of the customer can show the key stages of the construction of a superyacht. This is an excellent opportunity to observe how industry leaders create a unique ship of such dimensions.
The choice of the shipyard was a long process and Nobiskrug won thanks to its modern production capacity and a balanced pricing policy. Furthermore, Nobiskrug we trust and know that the company is financially stable and has the highest skills of management and production. I first met the managing Director of the shipyard Holger Kal in 2011, and a year later we signed a contract to complete construction of a yacht Flying Fox. I was very impressed with the level of work Nobiskrug, and when the boat is handed over to the owner, Holger promised that we will return. And here we are again. In the industry know that the company Imperial Yachts has consistently defended the interests of their clients and never makes a deal, if not 100% sure that this is the best option for the customer.
- Eugene Kochman, founder of Imperial Yachts, which represents the customer Black Shark and oversees the construction of the vessel
We are honored to work with a “Professor” of yacht design Andrew Winch. His Studio has created a yacht that really stands out. We also c a great inspiration collaborate in this project with sander Shino and his talented designers: first of the things we discussed on paper, and now finally together are building our first yacht. I want to thank all the staff Nobiskrug, which will ceaselessly work to bring this project to life. We appreciate your hard work and dedication. I’m sure this incredible yacht will award winning!
Full speed ahead!
At the time of the ceremony of the laying of the keel from the beginning of work on the project Black Shark it’s been 15 months and 3 months — from start of production. While the shipyard builds and connects the modules of the future ship designers and engineers continue to Refine the details and the proportions of the individual elements, and this process will not stop until the descent of the yacht.
- Being one of the oldest and most respected German shipyard, Nobiskrug in 2009 included in the holding of German Naval Yards, and a strong production capacity. Having vast experience in the design and construction of commercial and military vessels, the company carries out full production cycle and 20 years is a prominent player in the superyacht market due to the high quality of its products. Yacht Black Shark is based not on the main site Nobiskrug in Rendsburg and Kiel, the giant dry docks German Kiel Naval Yards (426 m and 240 m), which has one of Europe’s largest gantry cranes with lifting capacity 900 t Total area of the shipyard in excess of 250 000 sq m, and construction of vessels is accepted in Germany modular (sectional) method.
Sinot Design modify technical documentation of the interiors and launched a tender among manufacturers of furniture and finishes. Winch Design finished design deck furniture and selects suppliers, as well as, for example, creates thumbnails of carpets and model options night lights of the ship, which in itself is not a trivial task. Integrators IT/AV not yet defined, but soon the specialists of the Imperial Yachts will appoint a responsible company, and the designers neatly fit the equipment into the interior.
As for the possible commercial use of the yacht, the designers have not received instructions for optimization of layouts and finishes for Charter, and therefore, most likely, the Black Shark will remain exclusively private vessel, which in the future will be operated under the control of the Imperial Yachts. But far from it, and all the participants of the ambitious project together work to ensure that the yacht was ready in time without compromising on quality and within an agreed budget. A serious problem, especially when you’re watching the whole world!
What do you think?