What defines an Expedition Yacht and why charter one?

The term “Expedition yacht” or “Explorer yacht” evokes an emotive picture of adventure and world exploration. Expedition yachts are becoming a more popular option for owners and charterers alike, offering high luxury accommodation and facilities coupled with an exciting ability to venture further and longer other yachts. Individuals with a taste for adventure will be tempted by expedition yachts as they combine advanced technical equipment and highly trained crews to enable the discovery of less touristed destinations with total autonomy. Expedition yachts are frequently taking guests to the forefront of discoveries by being equipped with marine research and scientific technology without compromising on quality of service to you can sail in style and follow in the path of some of the world’s greatest explorers.

There is a lack of clear definition within the yacht building industry regarding what an expedition yacht actually is, therefore the major question still stands, what defines an expedition yacht and why charter one?

Safety and Comfort in the Hull Design

First and foremost, expedition yachts must be highly seaworthy and safe in the roughest of seas. Having a full displacement hull with a deep draft creates the safest and the most comfortable vessels for trans-ocean voyages. Many expedition yachts will also be designed to comply with the International Polar Code ensuring they can deal with ice impact for ventures into the polar regions for truly uninterrupted travel. Charterers can be sure that safety and comfort will not be compromised while on an expedition yacht wherever it is decide to voyage, even in the roughest of weather.

Greater Range & Autonomy

A major attraction to charterers about expedition yachts is their ability to successfully navigate the world, including some of its most remote locations. For those seeking to explore the furthest corners of the globe, it is essential that expedition yachts are capable of travelling at least 5000 nautical miles on one tank of fuel. This requires efficient and reliable engines and crew, equipped with the knowledge and spare parts for maintenance and repairs without visiting a port. Charterers are able to travel much greater distances with expedition yachts and have much greater autonomy than other vessels available to charter. An expedition yacht should provide the charterer with total freedom to explore the world’s oceans, roaming wherever their desire takes them, and reliability, range and autonomy are all essential to achieve this

Fully equipped

When exploring varied and unpredictable cruising grounds, it is a good idea to have a whole arsenal of tenders and toys at your disposal. Being equipped for every eventuality is one of the most appealing elements of expedition yachts, whether that is seaplanes, helicopters, sport fishing yachts or a selection of tenders and land vehicles. Expedition yachts have the storage space to carry all the equipment it requires everywhere it travels. When chartering a yacht, guests have access to all the available equipment and accessories that come with the yacht, and expedition yachts are often loaded with the most complete garage you can find on the water.

The global roaming nature of an expedition yacht encompasses another feature found which is having a higher crew capacity than other yachts. This is to accommodate the greater number of staff needed for longer charters, but also the more specialised crew members found on a vessel with full autonomy. Charterers can benefit from having ski instructors, helicopter pilots, local guides and other specialised crew available at all times, wherever the location, when chartering an expedition yacht.

Educational and Research Capabilities

MRV Princess Royal & 1st Yr Stdnts

An expedition yacht can be broadly described as a vessel which has been purpose built, or converted, to enable long-distance cruising to remote areas of the world. The specific features of the craft can vary, depending on what they are required to do and where they are required to go, but an expedition yacht is versatile in what it is capable of. The best example of this is the technical ability of many expedition yachts to conduct scientific research and marine conservation activities. Charterers are able to use these vessels as research bases to carry out scientific exploration or for educational purposes of discovery. Other yachts do not have the versatility or the autonomy to be able to conduct such research and so expedition yachts are an increasingly popular choice for charterers seeking to engage in the climate crisis.