Shipping Enters The Space Age

Shipping enters the space age: The $15m superyacht that took five years to build The Adastra's range is 4,000 miles, enough to go from the UK to New York in a single trip without refueling The 42m yacht has a maximum speed of 22.5 knots By Paul Milligan PUBLISHED: 18:21 GMT, 11 April 2012 | UPDATED: 20:43 GMT, 11 April 2012 Described as 'one of the world's most amazing super yachts', the $15 million, 42-metre luxury trimaran yacht Adastra certainly turned a few heads at its launching ceremony yesterday in China. Commissioned by Hong Kong clients Anto and Elaine Marden, it is the result of five years of planning and construction. Space age: The trimaran yacht Adastra certainly made an impact during its launching ceremony yesterday in China Adastra is 42.5 metres long, 16 metres wide and weighs 52 tons. It was designed by John Shuttleworth Yacht Designs and built by McConaghy Boats in Zhu Ha, China. Maximum speed reached by the yacht is 22.5 knots and her range is an astonishing 4000 nautical miles at 17 knots. That is enough for a trip from the UK to New York. The superyacht is 42.5 meters in length, 16 metres in width and weighs 52 tons Boat International magazine said Adastra 'could spell the future for efficient long range cruising'. The yacht has an integrated ship monitoring system, and can even be controlled with an Apple iPad within a 50-metre range. The Adastra was built in Zhuhai, China for a couple based in Hong Kong, at the cost of a cool $15 million It can host nine guests, with space for 5-6 crew. Adastra is powered by one Caterpillar C18 engine of 1150hp at 2300 rpm and has 2 Yanmar 110hp @ 3200 rpm outrigger engines. Five years in the planning and construction phase, the Adastra has finally taken to the water, much to the delight of boating enthusiasts Adastra's 16-metre beam features a saloon area on the main deck with a lounge area, dining table, and navigation station. The deck at the rear of the yacht has a sofa and bar area to port and a dining area to starboard. The superyacht has space for nine passengers and 5-6 crew, and can travel 4,000 miles without refueling The main helm station, which has seating for two, is positioned in a raised pilot house situated between the rear deck and the saloon area and forms part of the cross beam structure. The Superstructure is carbon fibre with Nomex honeycomb core, the hull is Glass/Kevlar foam sandwich and the interior is oak cabinetry using honeycomb panels. SPECIFICATION OF A SUPERYACHT - HOW THE ADASTRA MEASURES UP Length - 42.5 metres Beam - 16 m Hull Draft - 1.12 m (1.6m to tip of rudder) Main engine - 1x Caterpillar C18 -1150 hp @ 2300 rpm Outrigger engines - 2x Yanmar 110hp @ 3200 rpm Generators - 2 x 36 kw custom in the outriggers linked to 110 Hp Yanmar engines, and 1x 26 kw Northern lights in Main engine room Owner and Guests - 9 Crew - 5-6 Displacement light - Fully equipped and full stores and crew, no fuel and no water - 49 tonnes Displacement cruising max - (normal operational load) 15000 litres fuel - 64.8 tonnes Displacement ocean passage max - (only for occasional long ocean passages) 32000 litres fuel - 77 tonnes Speed max - 22.5 knots Range at 17 knots - 4000 miles Fuel consumption at 13 knots - 90 litres per hour. Fuel consumption at 17 knots - 120 litres per hour