A yacht for the change makers

“The key requirement from Oceanco was to conceive a yacht for the change makers who want to leave a mark,” says Vripack’s co-creative director, Marnix Hoekstra. “Lily neatly straddles the line between blue-sky thinking and buildability, which is exactly what Beyond Custom is all about.”

A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL WORK OF ART

Lily is a 101-m (331ft) multi-dimensional work of art. With its asymmetrical, split-level design that optimises sight lines, air flow and owner experience, it doesn’t just push boundaries but eviscerates them entirely. The premise of the design is inspired by a water lily – a flower that emerges from the water and symbolises purity and enlightenment.

Viewing the yacht from the aft reveals an exterior that wraps around like the curving leaves of a protective cocoon. An asymmetrical bow features a unique walkway starboard side and a helicopter landing pad portside. Underneath sits ample storage for four tenders and a helicopter. The elegant steel hull and aluminium superstructure mimics the shape of a sailing yacht with uninterrupted lines. The omission of side walkways and terraces gives the outward appearance of a smooth impenetrable surface, yet one-way glass windows that flank the profile maintain guests’ uninterrupted relationship with the ocean from within. This is a bold example of Luxury Yacht Innovation, where aesthetics, functionality and future-proof design meet.

INTERIORS

On the interior, folding and overlapping decks appear unconnected, emulating the look of a lily’s closing petals and creating playful light and shadows. An extensive use of glass and split levels diminish barriers. Guests board the yacht via the main deck – or “leisure deck” – and are met by a vast 4-m-high ceiling and large wellness area with an integrated waterside swimming pool, gym and watersports gallery. It’s overlooked by the aft deck lounge and balcony on the deck above and has a generous bar and dining area forward.

“We were struck by how a lily’s petals overlap one another and only touch at the center of the flower,” explains Hoekstra. “We’ve echoed that structure transversely by layering the decks to create split level platforms and one and a half deck heights.” This approach sets a new benchmark in Yacht Interior Design, blending nature-inspired forms with cutting-edge comfort.

THE HEART OF THE VESSEL

As guests are drawn further into the heart of the vessel, the half decks eventually come together via a glass mezzanine and stairway which leads to nine 50sq.m (538sq.ft) double guest cabins, an open-plan cinema and a cosy children’s play nest accessed via a thrilling suspension bridge. The split-level layout gifts optimised sight lines from all angles, which is further enhanced by the addition of a virtual bridge.

The top deck is dedicated to the 450sq.m (4840sq.ft) owner’s split-level quarters, where the bedroom, ensuite and wardrobe is positioned half a deck lower for ultimate privacy. It’s complemented by a vast 315msq (3390sq) private sundeck terrace and an interior lily pond that is open to the elements and from which the elevator arises. It’s here where the yacht’s natural air flow originates, drawing oxygen down from the sky. Because the interior is not geometrically structured the acoustics and air flow take care of themselves, as is the case in nature.

INTELLIGENT ERGONOMICS

With accommodation for 33 crew, Lily is designed with operational efficiency in mind. A spacious galley, ample storage and discreet access routes between crew and guest areas ensure seamless operations and enhanced guest experience. While the owner’s apartment enjoys the views traditionally reserved for the bridge, a virtual bridge is located on the upper deck. Equipped with the latest navigational technology, it ensures safe and compliant navigation with cameras and screens replacing forward-facing windows. Port and starboard windows and balconies provide the bridge team with a physical connection to the outdoor environment.

ADAPTIVE ENERGY ARCHITECTURE

Lily represents an evolution of Oceanco’s and Lateral Naval Architects’ Energy Transition Platform (ETP), developed to ensure yachts can adapt to the evolving demands of the industry while enabling a phased transition to 100% methanol fuel. This approach provides a controlled pathway for adopting new technology, mitigating the risks of early adoption while ensuring the yacht remains future-proof. In the context of Sustainable Yachting, Lily demonstrates how advanced naval architecture can lower emissions while maintaining performance.

“With the ability to switch between diesel and methanol, Lily can operate anywhere in the world without concerns over fuel logistics or supply uncertainties,” explains Simon Brealey, chief mechanical engineer at Lateral. “This flexibility also enables reduced emissions when green methanol is available. The yacht’s intelligent tank design and high efficiency allow for a transatlantic range on methanol, HVO or diesel.”

PROPULSIVE EFFICIENCY

Lily also integrates the ABB Dynafin, a new propulsion system developed to achieve high propulsive efficiency, directly translating to lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The system features a cycloidal propeller with individually controlled blades, whose thrusting trajectories mimic the movement of whale and dolphin tails. In addition to high propulsive efficiency, the propulsor can change thrust direction almost instantly, increasing maneuverability. Its low component count and modular structure improve reliability and simplify maintenance.

Furthermore, its low rotational speed minimizes cavitation, pressure pulses, noise and vibration, significantly enhancing onboard comfort. Lateral continues to collaborate with ABB in order to optimize Dynafin integration solutions for future designs as ABB Dynafin represents a novel but exciting possibility for dramatically increasing AdvancedPropulsion efficiency and onboard comfort.

“Lily is a concept that steps beyond our industry standards,” says Hoekstra. “It’s a boundaryless onboard experience, like the ocean itself, providing pure freedom within the whole concept. It reflects our belief that it’s in the uniqueness of an idea where the true value for the future owner lies.”