The Ron Holland 45 Metre Transocean Explore

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Posted on December 28, 2007
Filed Under Yachts

This new 45 metre Transocean Explorer of the Marco Polo series was intended to live up to her name. Exploring the far reaches of the globe is the reasoning behind this concept.This new approach to a motoryacht combines the reliability and savings of commercial shipbuilding with the fascination and freedom of yachting.

The Marco Polo series presents an interior arrangement for 10 guests and 8 crew that has very positive charter potential. Also, a low operation cost due to 35% fuel saving of the single engine configuration, plus construction details aimed at low maintenance, ensure a real commercial advantage.

Ron Holland
Naval Architect and Interior Designer ~ Transocean Explorer

45 metre Transocean Explorer

My response to this knowledgeable design brief of a very experienced yachtsman lead me to look beyond proven commercial hull types with naval architectural principles that had followed an evolutionary road influenced by wide ranging operational requirements. Although I wanted to incorporate the very best sea keeping characteristics of those vessels, I also wanted my personal experience of sailing thousands of ocean miles in a wide variety of sailing yachts to have an influence.

Ron Holland comments on the Hull Design

My goal was to marry this experience with proven commercial naval architecture. This would place operational efficiency and sea keeping ability in the most extreme geographic regions at a higher priority than achieving the maximum accommodation. So often en accommodation volume seems to be the primary influence in many existing motor yachts. Aesthetic principles would also have an important influence on the new design.

The Marco Polo Series hull lines feature fine forward water lines fairing into a low volume bulbous bow that drew on the recent experience of the latest military vessels. This approach maximises the ability of the hull to penetrate rough water conditions with reduced resistance and pitching moments, yet retains the advantages of increased range that the bulbous bow will produce. Soft mid sections and clean aft exit lines work together to ease the hull through sea conditions, no matter how extreme.

Operational efficiency is a key design consideration

A lot of a. ention has been given to the efficiency of the propeller, and both single and twin screw arrangements have been optimised for this design. The first off this design will feature a single propeller concept following the evolution of the world’s most efficient commercial ships. This has been fine tuned and verified by a series of scale model tank test studies. We have taken full advantage of the reliability of modern marine engines and drive systems, but as a back-up, Marco Polo will use a Schottel bow thruster powered by its own remote engine that also allows a ‘get home’ capability of 6 knots speed.

The Marco Polo Series has a unique safety feature due to the separation into two distinctive engine rooms for the primary engine and the forward Schottel thruster ‘get home’ engine. Fire or fl ooding of the engine room will render most motoryachts inoperable.

The propeller is uniquely protected by twin rudders and skegs and the stabilisers are similarly protected by oversized bilge keels.

Specification

Naval Architect: Ron Holland
LOA: 45.00m / 148’5”
Beam: 9.20m / 30’2”
Draught: 2.90m / 9’6”
GRT: 485 Tonnes
Hull: Steel
Superstructure: Composite
Max. Speed: 15 Knots
Main Engine: Caterpillar or Deutz
1,240kW with variable
pitch propeller
Bow Thruster: Schottel pumpjet with independent engine
Stern Thruster: HPS
Cabins / Berths: 4 or 5 double cabins plus 8 crew
Classifications: Lloyds and MCA

General Information

Boarding Marco Polo from either the starboard gangway or from the stern platform presents unique entry experiences. Starboard side entry is through a lobby area that immediately offers views through the dining and saloon areas. From the aft deck, the indoor / outdoor bar counter to port or the opening drop windows to starboard offer a unique connection between exterior and interior spaces. The intention is to create a seamless connection between this yacht’s different spaces. The owner and guests also have the use of library/entertainment lounge forward of the main deck with exceptionally large windows and views to match.

The Marco Polo Series 45 metre Transocean Explorer yacht has been designed to explore the world’s remote regions, and being self sufficient is a priority. Generous bilge storage spaces and a large foredeck hold area are important features. To port, an open well deck allows for a 7 metre tender to be stowed below the bulwark height. To starboard, a 5.2 metre tender/rescue boat is housed under a hatch deck. This deck has been designed to handle a container or automobile when ‘Amazon river’ type cruising is envisaged. There is also potential for jet skis, light aircra. , sailing dinghies and dive equipment to be stowed on board. This design is the result of an experienced collaboration between MCC, designer and yacht captain to allow unrestricted long range world cruising.

During the construction process, this same experience will be committed to ensuring a world class yacht is built. An in depth study of shipyards around the world was carried out in an effort to select the best building option for the Marco Polo Series 45m Transocean Expolorer yachts. This research resulted in signing a contract with Cheoy Lee, a Hong Kong company with the shipyard based in mainland China. We are completely confident the combined resources of Ron Holland Design, Maritime Concept & Construction, and Cheoy Lee will produce these 45 metre Transocean Explorer yachts to the highest level of workmanship and reliability.

Source: www.mcc-marcopolo.com/

Provided by gh consulting - gordian hense