Cinderella Story: Supply Vessel To Superyacht
More about the Latitude superyacht
At Link Ship Chandlers, we have been told that our fascination with supply vessels tends to be a little over the top. However, we tend to think that other people are not excited enough about working ships! These vessels are so complex and efficient, and modern design technology has really up the ante on how they are developed and constructed.
However, we do realise they’re perhaps not the most photogenic of ships. So, to even the playing field a bit, we are happy to present you with the story of the Latitude, a staunch 179-foot ice-class supply vessel that started out as a heavy lifter and was then transformed into a picture-perfect pleasure yacht later in life.
To be honest, this latest overhaul was not the Latitude’s first time around the refurbishment block. The ship was originally constructed in 1973 at a German shipyard as an ice-class supply boat. Then, in 2003, it was converted into an explorer yacht suitable for longer journeys. In fact, it could do trips of 10 000+ miles. But it was only when its current owner came into the picture in 2018 that the ship would really step into the A-list limelight.
The owner was not new to the yachting game – he had been chartering them for a while, but now wanted one of his own in order to tailor it for the needs of his family. This called for a refitment that would create various entertainment and recreational spaces, as well as easy access to a variety of water toys such as jet skis.
The overhaul took no less than two years, but it was definitely worth it. The reimagined Latitude now boasts a yoga deck with room for 8 people, a fully modernised flybridge and top-notch navigational equipment, as well as a heli/tender deck and a sauna. Not to mention a spacious breakfast room, pool deck, bar and lounge area, as well as a swimming platform.
The owner has also handpicked a very talented yachting crew who all have extensive experience in the private charter space. He believes that the crew is the soul of a boat, and only employ the best and brightest.
There you have it – the Cinderella story of the 179-foot “Latitude” in a nutshell. How inspiring! Keep an eye on the blog in the coming months for more fascinating stories and insights from the world of shipping. In the meantime, feel free to browse our website if you would like to learn more about the chandling services we provide from ports in Cape Town, Saldanha, Gqeberha, Coega, Durban and Richards Bay.
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