intelligent rolls-royce crystal blue optimizes luxury super yacht design

translating their renowned automotive luxury to the water, the 62 meter rolls-royce ‘crystal blue’ super yacht showcases advanced ship intelligence solutions, hybrid propulsion and grandeur of design. the vessel proposes a new, optimized super structure that reconfigures the standard yacht layout to allow greater guest use, as well as comfort for 12+ passengers and 12 crew members. a smaller, 42 meter, remotely controlled convoy ‘blue shadow’ is included, which transports and launches the mother ship’s tender, helicopter and other water toys.

oskar levander, rolls-royce SVP concepts and innovation said: ‘crystal blue has been designed specifically to show how new technology can meet the yacht sector’s increased demand for higher performance, greater operating ranges and increased levels of guest comfort, without impacting the environment.‘

all images courtesy of rolls-royce

the system positions the bridge below deck in order to free the more desirable spaces of the super yacht for the guests. ‘our ship intelligence and remote-control concepts have allowed us to design a yacht for the future that has the bridge located below the bow, inside the vessel‘ explained levander. ‘the crew is able to monitor and control the vessel using sophisticated sensors, cameras, display screens and situational awareness technologies; but an internal bridge frees up the traditional area of the bridge in the forward part of the superstructure to let owners and guests enjoy a panoramic vista that is traditionally only enjoyed by the crew.‘ additionally, it features a safe room where guests and crew can seek refuge in the event of an unauthorized boarding. from there, they can override the controls and operate the yacht remotely or direct a shore-based center to do so instead.

the rolls-royce ‘crystal blue’ super yacht enhances hybrid propulsion where an intelligent, dynamic positioning system automatically controls twin azimuthing and a TT1100 bow thruster. this allows the boat to remain in the right spot on the water, without an anchor, and follow the sun for an optimum tanning angle for those guests in the infinity pool or beach area. combining a LNG fuel generator and battery bank, the vessel provides 1MWh of genset-free power during port stays and offers a maximum power of 20 knots.

‘we have a huge offering within rolls-royce and our portfolio is highly compatible with the marine leisure market. with crystal blue we can show what can be achieved and how the yacht of the future might look. we can give complete freedom to yacht designers and, in so doing, better fulfil the yacht owners’ dreams‘ continued levander.