UAE Navy ship being transformed into luxury yacht

Nieuwsbericht | 31 mei 2011

UAE Navy ship being transformed into luxury yacht.

The hull of a former UAE Navy frigate is being used as the base of the Swift141, soon to be one of the most sophisticated private yachts in the world and, at 141 meters length overall, one of the longest yachts in the world. Under the banner of Abu Dhabi MAR, the 1200 employees of ADMShipyards in Abu Dhabi, UAE, are directed by Dutch-born naval architect and marine engineer, Johan Valentijn. Mr Valentijn, in cooperation with key subcontractors and Paris-based Pierrejean Design Studio, reconfigured the vessel with the latest technology as well as modern interior and exterior styling. The frigate was built originally by De Schelde in Vlissingen for the Royal Dutch Navy as F811 (Piet Heyn), then transferred to the UAE after fulfilling her mission; she now begins a new life as a private yacht for an Emirati owner.

The Dutch Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission in the UAE, invited to tour the vessel and ADMShipyards facilities, expressed their admiration for the quality of the work and the meticulous attention to detail. Mr Valentijn said that to accomplish the Swift’s exciting new mission he assembled the best people from every corner of the world to form a highly qualified team of shipbuilding managers, and he employed many specialised subcontractors including several leading Dutch firms. The Swift141 will be completed in 2012.