230` Martha Ann

092 COVER STORY
TRIPLE CROWN
230’ Martha
Ann
MAKES THREE
Yacht builder Lürssen was very present in our July issue, which featured the world’s 100 largest yachts.
Among the vessels Lürssen has added to its impressive record this year is the 230’ Martha Ann, the third
of three closely related yachts initially built for one owner. We had an opportunity to visit the yacht in the
South of France and discover the not-so-common story behind this spectacular vessel.
Story Franck Van Espen and Cecile Gauert Photos Matthieu Carlin
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BACK IN 2003 THE OWNER OF MARTHA ANN was looking to
upgrade to a new yacht— a 50m yacht (164’) was what he had in mind. A year later he was in the midst of
building a much larger 220-footer and had signed a contract for two additional yachts, both 70m (230’) in
length. This was not the result of chance or even a great sales pitch. A keen industry observer, the future
owner of Martha Ann figured that he could do with superyachts what others were successfully doing with
smaller projects: start building and sell when construction was further along to prospective buyers in a hurry
to enjoy their vessel. It was a bold idea—“No one was building a superyacht on spec,” he says— but he left
little to chance. At Lürssen it was a team effort that made the project possible, and Buddy Haack, of Lürssen’s
Fort Lauderdale office, worked closely with the owner. “He has a very inquisitive mind and he was the one
asking all the questions,” he says. Martha Ann’s owner had calculated that ordering three closely related, yet
distinct, yachts would have cost-saving benefits that, combined with the sale of the first two hulls, would help
offset the expense of building a third, his family yacht. A few factors were in his favor; the demand for large
yachts was on the verge of exploding, yet shipyards at the time were looking for work. The cost of building
materials and labor was also substantially lower than it is now, a mere five years later. “It was a good opportunity and it turned out well,” he says simply. Both the 220’ Apoise (project name Marlin) launched in 2006 and
the 230’ St. Nicolas (formerly Nemo), delivered in 2007, sold long before Martha Ann (previously known as
Shark) made her maiden voyage from Germany to the Mediterranean this past May.
The main-deck salon
features several
conversation areas
Lürssen has a solid reputation built upon a track record that includes about 1,300 yachts since the shipyard
opened 130 years ago, a few miles away from Bremen on the banks of the Weser River in Northern Germany.
Over the years, Lürssen has expanded and now comprises four production facilities where they have built
such well-known vessels as Rising Sun, Carinthia VII, Skat, Octopus and Ice. Between its Bremen and Rendsburg facilities, Lürssen employs about 1,200 workers who currently produce four to five yachts per year. In
order to achieve this level of renown, Lürssen has continuously invested in up-to-date tools and technology.
The more than 200 engineers who work at Lürssen have the latest in computer and software technology at
their disposal. During a build, the shipyard uses X-ray technology on a regular basis to detect imperfections.
It is this kind of track record that convinced Martha Ann’s owner that Lürssen was the right partner for his
venture. “I went to Lürssen because of their pedigree,” he says. “In my opinion they are the Rolls Royce of
yacht building.” Designer and stylist Espen Oeino (who has to his credit a long list of distinctive yachts such
as Skat and Kismet, both built at Lürssen, as well as the more recent Silver) and interior designer François
Zuretti (Lady Lola, Linda Lou, Starfire and many others) worked on all three projects. Aside from assembling a
team of pros, the owner, who has an architect at his office, remained involved throughout the process. He
traveled regularly to the shipyard and between trips kept abreast of developments. For him this was a highly
personal project. “He would call me at seven in the morning from his office with the drawings in front of him,”
Haack says. Over time the projects evolved a bit; by hull no. two, the length had been extended, mainly to
accommodate a full-size garage that would allow all tenders to be stowed out of view and leave the decks
free of clutter. Each of the three yachts has a slightly different interior, although all outfitting work was awarded to one company, Dubai-based Greenline (see sidebar). The third of the mini series, Martha Ann is the result
of experience, incorporating various upgrades and state-of-the-art components that differ from the previous
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The formal dining
room, one of many
possible options for
onboard dining,
seats up to 14 guests
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INTERIOR OUTFITTING
The owner entrusted Greenline of Dubai to carry out the intricate interior work evident on Martha Ann and
her two sisterships. Although the company has been in business since 1976, and working on yacht
interiors since 1997, it has recently gained attention as the subcontractor selected for the outfitting of
several very large projects. The Greenline Group employs 1,500 employees and has 10 locations
worldwide. Its international staff handles a wide range of projects from movie sets to home interiors.
Among its most recent realizations are the 200 suites of Dubai’s Burj al Arab, the first class cabin on Air
Emirates and U.S. President George Bush’s personal library. A passion for perfection motivated the
company’s management to create a dedicated yacht division. New facilities will help handle an increasing
number of projects, which include two yachts for Blohm & Voss, according to the company’s website.
The owners’ suite
has been designed for
privacy and utter comfort
two yachts, including a dynamic positioning system, according to her owner. With Kees de Keiser as project
manager, Martha Ann achieved her owner’s goal to be a vastly appealing yacht, perfectly suited to her parttime vocation as a charter vessel.
As we found out when we caught up with her in Monaco, one feature that distinguishes Martha Ann from
her sisterships is her hull, painted in a spectacular blue Awlgrip that further enhances the classic design
given all three yachts. It was the general arrangements that came first, which dictated the styling. The yacht
features about 13,000-square-feet of air-conditioned interior space and expansive decks (the bridge deck
stretches 100 feet from the built-in seating aft to the forward-most edge of the lounge, located behind the
captain’s quarters and helm station). Oeino’s styling strikes a good balance between interior and exterior
spaces. Docked stern to, Martha Ann reveals two imposing stairways that rise above her sizeable swim platform. They frame a central transom door that opens to reveal a large garage. Instead of giving in to the
tempting notion of visiting the yacht’s luxurious living areas first, we start with the yacht’s technical areas,
which—while not often seen by guests— include all machinery and systems that contribute in no small part
to onboard comfort.
Stepping into the garage, we discover two side garage doors that open outward to assist with the launching of tenders and Jet Skis. Martha Ann’s main tender is an elegant 26’, 12-passenger fully air-conditioned
limo tender with sun roof, built by Royal Denship. A fishing enthusiast, the owner also ordered from Floridabased Nautica a custom tender that is speedy and rigged for fishing, complete with a removable tuna tower,
tackle box, live wells and rod holders. The overhead of the aft main deck area houses a crane that helps
unload a motorcycle or other equipment through a main deck hatch opening to the tender garage below.
Forward of the garage is the ship’s engineering control room. From here the chief engineer can survey the
yacht’s mechanical systems on an impressive array of touch screens. In addition to the main Caterpillar
engines that have a combined 4,000 hp at 1600 rpm, the yacht has three 350 kW generators, an emergency
back-up generator, two water-makers able to produce 4,756 gallons of fresh water daily (to put things in perspective, one person at home uses an estimated 80 to 100 gallons of water per day), four Quantum zerospeed stabilizers and an air conditioning system with three compressors. When considering all the other
ancillary systems on board Martha Ann, this area constitutes a small and well-organized factory. We can’t
resist taking a closer look, following cables and pipes to the source wherever possible. Even with close scrutiny, we are unable to find the slightest evidence of oil, misalignment or imperfection, with the steel hull exhibiting perfect welding wherever it shows. The engineer is justifiably proud of his universe onboard Martha Ann.
Moving forward on the tank deck we arrive at the spacious crew area. According to Captain Stewart
Fontaine, this is one of the largest and more comfortable crew areas he has seen on any yacht of comparable size. Here up to 20 crew members can feel at home, enjoying such amenities in their spacious lounge as
a 50” plasma screen, satellite TV, videos and internet access. A perfectly-equipped galley, dining area and
gym complete the crew’s common areas. Forward is a spacious laundry room with four professional Miele
washing machines and dryers sturdy enough to work round the clock if need be. A walk-in freezer and refrigerator are also located in this area, providing ample storage for provisions.
Martha Ann features a glass-enclosed central elevator that reaches all decks. Our first stop is the lower deck
where guest accommodations are located. We step into a foyer that leads to four spacious ensuite guest
staterooms located behind heavy doors that ensure privacy. Although each has a slightly different design, all
offer comparable comfort. An additional cabin with three single beds can accommodate children or staff
members traveling with a family.
It appears as if the yacht becomes even more luxurious as we go up. The classic furniture and an imposing
staircase complimented by a cast iron banister that is accented with gold leaf tastefully combine in a décor
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From guest suites
to the bridge deck
lounge and dining
area, bottom right,
the decor features
intricate wood
and stone work
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An elevator
takes guests
from the arrival
lobby to the
upper deck’s
lounge, pool
and gym
featuring a wealth of details, including a trompe l’oeil mural and marquetry. A baby grand piano is a great conversation piece in the main salon, which was cleverly designed to encourage such activity with a number of
convivial seating areas. A formal dining room accommodates up to 14 guests, and is conveniently located
near the professional galley where a chef and sous-chef have access to top-of-the-line equipment. The galley
is complemented on several decks by sizeable pantries, reachable via a dedicated staff stairway. A dumbwaiter system also helps making service efficient and discreet.
The yacht’s formal greeting lobby, featuring a spectacular Sahara Gold marble sole, glass elevator and
grand staircase, is the likely point of arrival for guests disembarking from the yacht’s limo tender. The owners’
suite located forward of the lobby is perfectly private and includes a large study with elegant bookcases and
a plush salon revealing panoramic views, located forward of the full-beam master stateroom. This panoramic salon echoes the arrangement found on the upper deck, where a home cinema doubles as an observation
lounge during the day. It is located forward of a large gym that, despite its sweeping views and complete
equipment, takes a back seat to the 2,600-gallon pool spa with swim up bar that is an irresistible eye-catcher
on this spacious deck. Guests can even watch a movie on the overhead screen while cooling in the pool. Barbecue grill, built-in chaise lounges and an air-conditioned bar make this one of the most pleasant outer areas
onboard. A clever system of louvers, which lower from the sundeck, shades the pool area during the heat of
the day. This system is a great alternative to the usually cumbersome and awkward umbrellas found on many
yachts. The sun deck features yet another bar and additional built-in chaises, a great spot to watch the sun
slip behind the horizon.
The sun is nowhere to be seen the day we visit Martha Ann. An unseasonably grey sky weighs on an unsettled Mediterranean with a cross swell of about five feet. This less than ideal weather actually makes it possible for us to fully appreciate the set up on the bridge deck. When we reach the helm station, which is located
forward of the captain’s spacious cabin, his office and the VIP suite, we find it to be a peaceful and professional space perfectly designed for navigation. Martha Ann here is all business, featuring the latest equipment, including a dynamic positioning system. We have an opportunity to test its merit as it holds the yacht
stationary at the port’s exit long enough for the crew to bring in all fenders and mooring lines. Captain
Fontaine has not fully explored all the possibilities the system offers but has had ample opportunity to appreciate the way the yacht maneuvers. “The close quarters (docking) maneuverability is exceptional. The variable
pitch bow thruster and the 360-degree stern thruster provide more than enough power for the yacht’s requirements. I have docked the yacht with winds gusting to 40 knots on the beam with total control. The stern jet is
one piece of equipment that I have not had on previous yachts and I thoroughly enjoy the added control it
provides,” he says. “The Quantum Zero-Speed stabilizers are excellent, of course,” he adds. Indeed, facing
the incoming waves and despite her significant height, Martha Ann registers no hint of side rolling, thanks in
great part to her stabilizers. Once we get underway, she glides quietly at her economical speed of 12 knots.
At this speed her fuel consumption is approximately 95 gallons an hour, or better. “Fuel efficiency is remarkable for a vessel of this size. We averaged 300 liters (80 U.S. gallons) per hour at 12 knots on the delivery from
Germany to France,” says Capt. Stewart.
A detailed survey has revealed not one imperfection, which seems particularly amazing on such a complex
yacht. It is nearly certain that, with proper care, Martha Ann will remain in perfect condition well into the next
decade. The passerelle that deploys with hydraulic precision to lead us back to the dock is yet another
impressive illustration of the overall level of achievement on this yacht.
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LOA: 230’3”
Beam: 41’10”
Draft: 12’1”
Construction hull/superstructure:
stee/aluminum
Displacement: 1,630 tons
Speed (max/cruising):
15.5 knots / 12 knots
Range@ 12 knots: 4,000 nm
Main engines: 2 x Caterpillar 3512B DI
TA – 1,500 kW at 1,600 rpm
Generator sets: 3 x Caterpillar C18
DITA 301 kW - 350 kVA at 1,500 rpm
Emergency genset: 1 Caterpillar C9
DITA 152 kW – 190 kVA at 1,500 rpm
Propulsion/steering: 5 blade
Piening fixed propellers
Rolls Royce semi-balanced rudder
Bow thrusther: Brunvoll
200 kW, elect. variable pitch
Stern thruster: Schottel 200 kW,
Electric 360° directional stern thruster
Fuel: 138 tons
Fresh water: 28 tons
Fresh water maker: Hydro
Electric Marine (HEM 40
duplex type 4200) Osmose
Stabilizers: Quantum zero speed
QC 1800 and QC 1500
Navigation equipment: Integrated
Bridge by Raytheon – Anschutz
SAAB AIS and 2 x DGPS receivers
EMRI Dynamic Positioning System
NVTi Thermal and Night Vision
CCTV Sailor Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System
Communications:
·VSAT Broadband Internet
Service by European Satellite
Link 2 X Fleet 77 Satellite
Telephone Service by NSSL
·2 X GSM Mobile Phone Service
Audio Visual:
·Kaleidescape central music
and movie system
·Crestron Control System
·Central i - Pod Docking Stations
Monitoring system: Stein Sohn
Security system: Maritec
Class: LRoS + 100A1 SSC Yacht
mono.G6+LMC UMS MCA LY2
Tenders: 26’ Royal Denship Limo
tender, Nautica 24’ RIB
Designer: Espen Oeino
Interior décor: François Zuretti
Builder: Lürssen, Germany, 2008
Charter management:
International Yacht Collection
www.lurssen.com