Superyacht ARTEFACT: A real “arte factum”

NOBISKRUG’s Project 790 is one of the first yachts built under the new strict IMO Tier III emissions regulations. The name and visionary design of the 80-meter hybrid superyacht was unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018: MV ARTEFACT.

Less than a year away from completion, Nobiskrug’s new superyacht MV ARTEFACT will be one of the first yachts built under the new IMO Tier III low emissions regulations with an array of first-of-their-kind technology features and engineering advances that reflect the owner’s desire to create an experience as breathtaking as the seas it explores.

“From the beginning of the project, a primary focus of the owner was to minimize the environmental impact of the vessel using advanced technology. As a result, there are many unique and environmentally friendly aspects of both the operational and engineering design in this project,” said Captain Aaron T. Clark, who is acting as the owners representative. For example, the owner understood the significant efficiency, environmental and comfort advantages of Electric Pod propulsion using a DC bus system with both batteries and variable speed Diesel-Electric generators. Among the other significant efforts taken to protect the environment:

* The use of solar panels and a large battery storage system allows the vessel to operate for a limited time with no internal combustion engines operating.

* An electric pod propulsion combined with a dynamic positioning system can hold position without dropping anchor to protect sensitive sea floor. The owner believes ARTEFACT should make little to no impact on the seafloor.

* Waste water can be reused as technical water.

“Being involved from the early stages of the project, our in-house engineering team brought this innovative and technologically challeng-ing vessel design to reality while meeting all the owner’s expectations,” said Holger Kahl, managing director of Nobiskrug. “The composite superstructure and the extensive use of custom large and curved glass panels throughout is monumental, ensuring that the visual experience from the interior is uncompromised with minimal mulli-ons to obstruct the panorama. ARTEFACT is a perfect marriage of art and science through innovative architectural design and advanced engineering.”

For example, the quest for silent operation and maximum stability has been a driving force behind the concept for this vessel. In a major departure from convention, the Master stateroom is situated in the aft rather than the bow and all guest entertainment areas are situated in low-acceleration zones. Extensive hull development and testing have ensured that the vessel will ride comfortably.

In addition to environmental and advanced technology unprecedented in this class of vessel, the 80-meter superyacht’s distinctive exterior created by Gregory C. Marshall Studio features large architectural windows and noticeable design elements that create a distinctly remarkable profile. The composite superstructure and the special use of large custom and curved glass – the highest ratio of glass used to date in this size category – further differentiates this striking superyacht.

ARTEFACT has so much glass, and so many unusual windows, to ensure far better experiences while cruising.

Her exceptional interior was designed by the passionate and creative team at Reymond Langton Design - a studio that has been involved in the exterior styling and interior design of many award-winning superyachts.

The technical challenges behind ARTEFACT, with a steel hull and composite superstructure, are many. For instance, the above-mentioned glass totals 70 tons, according to Marshall. For another example, ABB developed the hybrid propulsion system that, while a first for yachting, is proven technology. It employs a DC bus and batteries, along with azipods and variable-speed Caterpillar 3516 gensets that are Tier III compliant. The hybrid system reduces sound, vibration, fuel consumption, and emissions, plus mimics Dynamic Positioning.


ARTEFACT Main Particulars
Yard   Nobiskrug, Germany
Yard number    790
Ships name    ARTEFACT
Ships type    Yacht
Naval architec    Nobiskrug
Exterior design    Greg Marshall Design
Interior design    Reymond Langton Design
Length    80 m
Breadth    16.8 m
GT    2,998
Drive system    2 Caterpillar gensets of type 3516 and 2 Caterpillar gensets of type C18