There are currently about 2500 superyachts worldwide, many of which is based out of Asia. However, that is not to say we don’t have superyachts on this side of the world, in fact the ones we have are equally, if not more impressive then the ones docked abroad. To further explore this, Asia Tatler visits one of the biggest, most luxurious superyachts in Asia to date: we visit the Ambrosia III from the Benetti shipyard.

Ambrosia III: Yacht Design

 

The 65 metre long Ambrosia III is a testimony to the artistic skill of designer Francois Zuretti.

On arrival to the boat you will find a marble and gold lobby featuring an intricate gold-plated balustrade and magnificial original mural that was once based in the 1930’s cruise ship Normandie.

Going aft from the main entrance the dining room stretches across the yacht and accommodates a table setting for 14 people, and this continues into main saloon and the piano bar. Dark cherry wood and cream is featured throughout the interior design, as are the display cases which house pieces of fine art and crystal.

The owners cabin features a central king-sized double bed and a bathroom that is divided into his and her sides by a steam shower and jacuzzi tub.

Down one level, the spiral stair leads to the guest accommodation, where there are four cabins, two doubles with ensuite jacuzzi spa baths, and walk in closets; and two twins with ensuite steam showers.

On the upper deck are more entertainment areas and the VIP stateroom that have excellent views from its full size windows. At the stern is the world famous ‘Stargate’ dining room.

 

 

The top deck features a helicopter pad, and outdoor sundecks with a spa pool, wetbar and bbq. While indoors, there is home movie theatre and a specialist medical room.

Water activities are well catered for in two very large garages that have a retractable roof. Housed in them are a 8.5 Vikal limousine tender with retractable roof and air-conditioning, and the 7.5 Tresco ultra lightweight carbon-fibre tender, plus two Kawasaki jet skis.

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Yacht Technologies

Ambrosia III is only one of four superyacht to have installed the newly developed diesel-electric propulsion (DEP). This means that Ambrosia III is an exceptionally quiet yacht, and there is no experience of vibration when underway. From a passenger point of view, you can wake to find that you have arrived in a new port without knowing the boat has weighed anchor.

The diesel-electric propulsion system also has the added advantage of only requiring one of the four main generators to be operational in order to reach the optimum cruising speed. Although the pod system offers a vastly different handling characteristics, from conventional propulsion systems, managing Ambrosia in a waterway or at sea is relatively straightforward, thanks to an integrated control system from ABB.With precise and smooth speed control, it reduces stress on equipment and lowering maintenance costs. It is also designed for safe operation in all conditions, allowing control parameters to be programmed in for special circumstances such as broaching seas.

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But the high-tech theme on Ambrosia does not end there. The Kongsberg dynamic positional system works with the pods to take full advantage of their remarkable maneuverability. The boat can remain at a fixed location without having to anchor. It also applies to the security system on board and Ambrosia sports a 30-plus video camera system, plus a night vision camera and searchlight security system produced by the surveillance specialists Gyrocam Systems. When used with the GyroLight, the camera can focus on an object that is up to three kilometers away at night. The cabins also boast the most advanced intergrated audio-visual and environment control system to be found on a private yacht.
 

While Ambrosia III is not the end of the story for this the multi-millionaire owner, who’s connection to the sea is strong and stems from his early days in the Taiwanese Navy. The next Ambrosia is already on the drawing board and of course will be a little bigger,but it would be hard to beat Ambrosia III for style and elegance.

This article is adapted from Yacht Style Summer 2011 issue, to read more on Ambrosia, pick up a copy of the magazine at newsstands.

Photographs By Giuliano Sargentini, Thierry Ameller and Paul Brackley