The international superyacht industry has witnessed another significant milestone as Heesen Yachts proudly announces the launch of a highly anticipated full-custom motor yacht. Officially known in the shipyard's registry as YN 20857 and built under the moniker Project Setteesettanta, the vessel recently took to the water at the esteemed Heesen shipyard located in Oss, the Netherlands.
Scheduled for official delivery in 2026, this 57-metre, all-aluminium superyacht was commissioned by experienced yacht connoisseurs who are returning clients to the Dutch yard. In the realm of luxury yacht building, returning clientele often signals a powerful alignment between an owner's uncompromising vision and a shipyard's engineering capability. In this instance, the owners utilized the intimate knowledge of the yard gained during their previous build to create a highly specific, tailored platform designed for spending extended, uninterrupted time at sea with family and friends.
Engineering for Unrestricted Exploration and Efficiency
A fundamental requirement for Project Setteesettanta was the ability to navigate into remote, pristine locations without the limitations often imposed on vessels of this length. To achieve this, the yacht features a deliberately shallow draft of just 2.3 metres. In maritime terminology, draft refers to the vertical distance between the waterline and the absolute lowest point of the hull. A 2.3-metre draft is exceptionally shallow for a 57-metre platform, allowing the yacht to slip seamlessly into the quietest, most exclusive coastal anchorages and shallow-water cruising grounds—such as the Bahamas—that larger, deeper-draft vessels simply cannot access.
Furthermore, the vessel is propelled by an advanced F45 – Electric / Hydraulic Hybrid Power System, functioning in tandem with state-of-the-art Quantum stabilisers. Hybrid power systems represent a rapidly growing integration of sustainable, efficiency-focused technology in the luxury maritime sector. This configuration typically allows for silent, emission-free, and low-vibration cruising at lower speeds by utilizing electric motors, while relying on traditional diesel power for high-performance transit. This sophisticated engineering package ensures the yacht can achieve a robust top speed while prioritizing onboard acoustic comfort and environmental consciousness.
- Top Speed: The vessel is engineered to reach a maximum speed of 18 knots, balancing swift transit times with cruising efficiency.
- Propulsion: Equipped with an innovative F45 Electric / Hydraulic Hybrid Power System, providing flexible operational modes.
- Stabilisation: Features Quantum stabilisers, a premier system designed to eliminate roll and enhance onboard comfort both at rest (zero-speed) and underway.
- Hull Material: Constructed entirely as an all-aluminium motor yacht, offering a superb strength-to-weight ratio that contributes to both speed and shallow draft.
Redefining Exterior Profiles: The Fourth-Deck Bridge
The exterior styling of Project Setteesettanta was penned by the globally renowned firm Omega Architects, long-standing collaborators with Heesen Yachts. One of the most groundbreaking architectural choices on this vessel is the placement of the bridge. This vessel is the very first yacht within the extensive Heesen fleet to carry her bridge on the fourth deck.
This distinctive design decision not only centralizes operational command at a higher vantage point for the captain and crew, but it also fundamentally alters the layout possibilities for the owner. By elevating the wheelhouse, the design grants the owners a unique, dedicated observation deck situated above the primary accommodation spaces, ensuring unobstructed panoramic views.
Despite the addition of a fourth deck—which can often make a yacht look top-heavy—the yacht maintains an unmistakably sleek and aggressive silhouette. This streamlined appearance is achieved through the integration of a light, unobtrusive mast designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. In a nod to modern technological integration and clean aesthetics, the yacht utilizes flat Starlink satellite internet panels in place of traditional, bulky radome satellite domes. This integration significantly reduces aerodynamic windage and preserves the clean, contemporary lines of the aluminum superstructure.
An Interior Born from Collaborative Vision
The interior living spaces of Project Setteesettanta offer a staggering 920 GT (Gross Tonnage) of internal volume. Gross Tonnage is a critical measurement in the superyacht industry; it does not measure the weight of the ship, but rather the total enclosed internal volume of the vessel. A volume of 920 GT on a 57-metre platform guarantees exceptionally expansive, airy living spaces that rival much longer yachts.
Acclaimed Italian designer Cristiano Gatto was tasked with conceptualizing the interior. Uniquely, Gatto acted not only as the interior designer but also served as the owners' dedicated advisor and representative throughout the entire construction process. The general arrangement is optimized to accommodate 12 guests in profound luxury across six staterooms, supported seamlessly by a complement of 13 crew members to ensure a highly favorable crew-to-guest ratio.
"To see this project finally afloat is deeply moving," Gatto remarked regarding the milestone launch. "Every element of her interior was conceived from scratch and refined down to the finest detail, with nothing left to chance. She has truly been a labour of love. Drawings and renderings can guide the design process, but nothing compares to the moment when a project becomes reality. Seeing the spaces come to life exactly as envisioned is immensely rewarding, and I am deeply grateful to the owners for the trust they placed in us throughout this remarkable journey."
Unprecedented Owner and Guest Amenities
The spatial planning of the yacht places a heavy emphasis on the owners' specific lifestyle requirements, prioritizing generous outdoor spaces for long days in the sun and the absolute comfort required to linger at anchor for extended periods.
The Private Owner's Deck
Bucking the trend of a traditional main-deck master suite, the owners have exclusively reserved the entire upper deck as their private retreat. The master stateroom itself is located forward on this deck, wrapped in 180-degree curved glass that floods the space with natural light and provides sweeping ocean vistas.
This master suite opens directly onto a massive private foredeck terrace measuring almost 200 square metres. In a feat of dual-purpose engineering, this expansive terrace practically doubles as a touch-and-go helipad. A "touch-and-go" helipad is structurally engineered strictly for the landing, immediate embarkation/disembarkation, and departure of a helicopter; it lacks the permanent tie-downs, storage, or refueling capabilities of a fully certified commercial superyacht helideck.
Guest Accommodations and Architectural Features
The guest accommodations are equally considered. A VIP cabin is strategically positioned forward on the main deck, sitting adjacent to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art gymnasium. Four additional guest staterooms—comprising two twins and two double cabins—are comfortably located on the lower deck.
Connecting these luxurious volumes is an elegant oval staircase that ascends gracefully through all four decks, serving as a central architectural centerpiece. On the main deck, the formal dining area is deliberately set towards the stern rather than amidships. This space flows effortlessly out to the aft terrace through wide, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that completely dissolve the boundary between the climate-controlled interior and the outdoor maritime environment. Moving further aft, a regal double staircase sweeps elegantly around a four-metre feature, finalizing the yacht's majestic transom design and leading down to the swim platform.
Looking Ahead to Delivery
Project Setteesettanta stands as a striking testament to the synergy between experienced, visionary owners, master designers, and a Dutch shipyard operating at the absolute peak of its manufacturing capabilities. By combining shallow-draft accessibility, cutting-edge hybrid propulsion, and a radical departure from traditional deck layouts, this vessel is poised to set new bespoke standards for custom 50-metre-plus platforms.
As the superyacht industry looks toward her final outfitting, sea trials, and official delivery in 2026, Project Setteesettanta is undeniably a yacht that pushes boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in the practicalities of luxury seafaring.
Stay tuned to NAVIS for more updates on this evolving story, exclusive interior reveals, and comprehensive coverage of the international luxury yacht sector.
