You may have probably heard of Azzam, the world’s largest yacht. Or former largest yacht, now that REV Ocean is gearing up to take over its position and the seas. Owned by Norwegian businessman, Kjell Inge Røkke, REV Ocean is a luxury hybrid vessel combining a yacht interior with an ice-class hull and the laboratories of a polar-research vessel.
Unsurprisingly, REV Ocean is also the world’s largest research vessel. “She is bigger than a normal research ship, almost by double,” says Alex Rogers, Ph.D., a marine ecologist who left his teaching position at the University of Oxford to become the superyacht’s science director. “We have the full range of science equipment as well as the world’s deepest diving submersible that descends to 7,500 feet. She has three wet labs for biology, microbiology and geology, two dry labs and a media lab, as well as equipment for extracting samples at depths of 20,000 feet.”
The REV Ocean vessel will operate in 3 modes: Research, Expedition and Charter. In research mode, the boat can accommodate 54 scientists plus 36 crew, many of whom are specialized technicians. It is equipped with a 35-seat auditorium, classrooms and an onboard medical facility. The research will focus on three main issues: overfishing, climate change and plastic pollution. The yacht also has a novel business model: charters will offset research costs, so visiting scientists won’t pay a dime.
As a charter, the yacht hosts 28 guests in 14 staterooms, along with 54 crew. Guests onboard REV Ocean will have access to its three swimming pools, multiple common areas, observation platforms, and, several dining rooms. They can also “combine special experiences around the science elements they’re interested in.”
In expedition mode, it will carry 36 crew, 24 scientists and 28 guests for the purposes of exploration, policy discussions, awareness building, workshops and other activities aimed at decision-makers. They will also be for the purposes of testing of commercial technologies and solutions, education and communication. In this mode, it can run alongside its charter mode.
Røkke has reportedly invested around $350 million to build REV Ocean, with plans to lease her to the not-for-profit of the same name for $1 per year. He admits his former business activities have contributed to environmental problems. The initiative came from “the desire to use my resources for a good cause I believe in, and be part of the solution.”
Currently being outfitted, the vessel will be delivered in 2022.
Source: Robb Report