Video: Heesen superyacht VIDA, ex ‘Project Antares’, prepares for delivery

By Rebecca Bradbury 15 February 2019

Heesen has shared footage of the launch of its 55m/180ft superyacht VIDA, which is now getting ready for sea trials ahead of her delivery in the spring.

Released yesterday, the video clip captures the moment VIDA first hit the water back on 4 January. She is the latest in Heesen’s FDHF 55m Steel class and, according to the Italian shipyard, ‘is now entering the systems commission phase and is getting ready for sea trials’.

After undergoing rigorous sea trials in the North Sea, the yacht will be delivered to her owners in the spring and is planning to make her official debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2019.

superyacht VIDA at Heesen shipyard ahead of her delivery

superyacht VIVA moves out of shed at Heesen's shipyard on day of her launch

foredeck of motor yacht VIVA as she emerges from the shed on day of her launch

aft part of superyacht VIVA as she leaves shed at Heesen's facilities on day of her launch

The third in the 55m Steel series, luxury yacht VIDA comes after superyacht AZAMANTA, which was built in 2015, and 2017’s superyacht LAURENTIA, which is currently available for charter.

Following her sisterships, she features the same muscular exterior lines by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. As revealed in the video, her profile is clean and sleek with floor-to-ceiling windows ensuring plenty of natural light gets into the interior, styled by Florida-based Be Design Associates.

Described as a ‘home away from home’, the interior combines natural materials and finishes along with a soft and warm colour palette, ultimately creating ‘a comfortable but sophisticated ambience’.

After undergoing rigorous sea trials in the North Sea, VIDA will be delivered to her owners in the spring

One of the most impressive design features is said to be a backlit onyx arch in the main salon while the owner will have the domain of a huge 80-square-metre stateroom. There are five cabins in total.

The design brief was put forward by the owner, who also worked closely with the technical team at Heesen to customise the motor yacht so she can serve as the mothership to a sports fishing fleet.

Special features include the ability to refuel and re-charge two small fishing boats, allowing for several days at sea without the need to return to base.

View this post on Instagram

Welcome Vida! Launched earlier this year, she is now entering the systems commissioning phase and is getting ready for sea trials. After spending the summer cruising in the #Mediterranean she will make her debut at the @monacoyachtshow_official

A post shared by Heesen Yachts (@heesenyachts) on Feb 14, 2019 at 8:26am PST

It is not yet known whether M/Y VIDA will be available for charter, but for more information on chartering a Heesen yacht, talk to your preferred charter broker.