93m Feadship Lady S Sea Trials in the North Sea - Specs & Impressions

Recommendation: review the hull efficiency and ride comfort during the first hours of sea trials to set expectations for the rest of the testing window. The 93m Feadship Lady S stands as a benchmark in its class, and the data from the initial phase certainly delivers clarity about trim, stability, and propulsion response. They quickly turned insights into adjustments, reinforcing a focus on quiet operation and predictable handling.

Specs snapshot: LOA 93 m, beam ~13.8 m, draft ~4.7 m, and an approximate displacement of 2,800–3,200 t. Feadship outfits Lady S with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion package that delivers power to shafts, enabling a top speed in the high teens and a cruising range around 6,000 nm at 12 knots. Fuel and water capacities, coupled with stabilizers and hotel services, support comfort on long passages; the system arrangement further reduces vibration for onboard communication and entertainment.

On the bridge, the first full-power push into the North Sea chop showed a clean acceleration curve, and the propulsion package delivers power with muted vibration. The control system allowed quickly re-trims, while the stabilization kept the beam sea under control. The hull stands up well in chop, and the ride onto the top deck remained comfortable as spray moved across the bow. The hurricane-like swell in march tested the limits, yet the motion seemed to shrink into infinity during moments of calm, fueling the sense of exploration ahead. They brought a calm, confident presence for guests in the salon and swimming pool area, with the crew managing power, air handling, and nav data in real time.

For owners and captains, the Lady S trials illustrate how Feadship pairs luxury with precise operational data. Certainly, the noise floor near the bridge and engine room warrants attention, and further tuning of the hybrid controls will boost efficiency at long-range cruising. They should plan a march-season maintenance window to review stabilization, propulsion trim, and power management. The results point to excellence that superyachttimes readers will recognize as a benchmark: efficient propulsion, robust stabilization, and ample guest-space integration that delivers calm comfort on long voyages. This yacht stands as a template for exploration readiness, with disciplined systems, crew training, and voyage planning that keep the voyage comfortable and predictable on the most demanding itineraries.

Sea Trials Objectives: Target speeds, maneuvering tests, and endurance in North Sea conditions

Start with a conservative baseline: cruise at 12–14 knots for 30 minutes on a clean track, then push to 18–20 knots for 5–10 minutes while logging fuel flow, engine load, propeller slip, and hull vibration. This quantum of data on decks, gathered alongside direct observations from the client team and the yard, keeps the plan focused and the team on track from the first session. Michael and the test crew should review the results immediately, then adjust the next phase to maintain a fresh, light vibe on the bridge and in the cabins.

North Sea conditions require a disciplined approach to maneuvering and control. Test amidships with both bow and stern thrusters engaged, then simulate an island approach and a tight turning radius to verify track-keeping under chop and cross winds. The whirlpool of wakes from nearby traffic should be anticipated in the data, and the steering response should remain linear and predictable. The onyx accents on gear and the Huisman crane system contribute to ease of operation, and the calliopes of the engine room should sound steady as you move through each maneuver. The recently offered, state-of-the-art instrumentation delivers a clean read on load distribution and control-surface effectiveness, ensuring the client’s original requirements are met with a direct, practical approach.

Testing Protocol and Metrics

• Target speeds: establish a baseline cruise at 12–14 knots; conduct sprint tests to 18–20 knots; record engine load, propeller slip, fuel flow, and hull resistance to track efficiency gains and identify any deviation early.
• Maneuvering tests: measure turning circle, rate of turn, and helm response at 8–15 knots; verify autopilot and manual helm coordination; test amidships thruster cross-overs and fast rudder inputs to assess control fidelity across wind and chop.
• Endurance tests: run 6–8 hours at steady mid-range speed with varying load and electrical demand; schedule 2–3 hours of higher-speed intervals if weather windows permit; monitor cooling, battery stability, and genset redundancy to ensure reliability for long passages.
• Data handling: collect a quantum amount of sensor data across speed, trim, seas, and propulsive efficiency; ensure the track log aligns with navigational data for a coherent post-test report.

Operational Readiness and Deliverables

1. Documentation: provide a concise, original report outlining the measured values, deviations, and recommended trim and power settings for the client’s records.
2. Team coordination: confirm roles between the alvia supplier, huisman systems, and the onboard crew; verify that calliopes and engine sounds remain within expected ranges to validate condition and crew confidence.
3. Schedule and pacing: deliver results within a recent window, ensuring the decks and cabins reflect a calm, well-ventilated environment for reviews; present the key findings with clear, actionable takeaways for the track, with emphasis on what delivers the best balance of speed, stability, and efficiency.
4. Follow-up actions: recommend adjustments to ballast, thruster timing, and prop shaft alignment as needed; provide a short list of improvements for the next trial cycle to keep the project on track and aligned with the client’s original goals.

Powertrain & Propulsion: Engine specs, shaft arrangement, generators, and redundancy

Recommendation: Adopt a diesel-electric powertrain with dual redundant gensets and a symmetric shaft layout to ensure peak reliability during sea trials.

Engine specs: Two main diesels deliver about 6 MW combined–approximately 3 MW per engine. They are high-torque, turbocharged and aftercooled, configured on the natural two-deck machinery space. The spec calls for direct-drive to two reduction gearboxes, each feeding a shaft. The layout was conceived by mancini and fraser, and the works were arranged to keep access clear from the sundeck up to the flag cabin.

The shaft arrangement splits power between two independent lines, each driving a fixed-pitch propeller. This split configuration minimizes the risk of propulsion loss and eases vibration management. A 5.5:1 reduction ratio on each gearbox optimizes efficiency across cruising speeds, while elastomeric mounts and isolation frames keep vibrations away from the natural hull boundaries for a smoother ride.

Generators: The powerplant uses an N+1 electrical scheme with four gensets. Two high-capacity units (≈1,000 kW each) feed the main switchboards for hotel, systems, and propulsion support, while two smaller units (≈500 kW each) cover essential services. Automatic transfer switches and cross-feed connections maintain power to critical zones with the sleeps of the crew and guests protected. On the sundeck, sunbathing areas remain unaffected by generator load, and the view from the captains' mark stays clear.

Redundancy and control: Dual electrical buses enable instantaneous switchover with no perceptible interruption to propulsion or hotel services. The bridge can isolate one genset without affecting the other, and the main engines retain control with a soft-start sequence to avoid disturbances. The arrangement keeps the boundaries between propulsion, hotel, and navigation systems clean, supporting a quantum level of reliability across North Sea trials.

Design notes and team: The concept, conceived by mancini and fraser, aligns with an exclusive, sophisticated superyacht ethos. The natural, decorated engine space uses panels by vries and fottles to house control gear, cooling, and switchgear while the two-deck layout shapes cabling routes and carries power toward the aft sundeck, preserving a clear view from the flag state. The brand selection emphasizes reliability, with works designed to minimize maintenance downtime and maximize uptime across challenging conditions.

Recommendations for owners and captains: preserve the two-deck engine room for accessible maintenance, ensure the split shaft arrangement is properly balanced for sea states, and verify the two-bus electrical architecture during sea trials. Confirm the spec with the builders for redundancy, and ensure the sundeck sunbathing spaces have minimal engine vibration; this approach keeps the sleeps of the crew comfortable while the flag and view remain unquestioned for charter operations on a superyacht of this scale.

Hull Performance & Seakeeping: Stability, trim, and vibration under rough seas

Set fore-aft trim to approximately +1.5 degrees and maintain a metacentric height (GM) around 1.1 m under typical underway load; use ballast management and trim-tab control to keep the deck above spray and the decks dry in heavy seas. Engage the gyro-stabilizers and confirm the anti-vibration system is powered up, then monitor a 15-minute cycle at the bridge to confirm stability and minimize vibration transmission to the marine suites and upper decks.

The Feadship approach blends a distinctive hull response with a robust stabilization package, creating a ride that remains controllable in hurricane-like swells. The hull is powered by a proven propulsion and stabilization ensemble, with Minnema extension features that smooth stern behavior and reduce squat when shifting weight from the island to aft areas. Alberto from the onboard team notes that the integration to the design portfolio keeps the main decks steady, while the teak woods and oyster-textured surfaces on the upper levels help maintain grip and reduce slippage when the course shifts suddenly.

Key Metrics in Rough Water

In medium-to-strong sea states, the vessel maintains a distinctive roll damping profile, with the display at the bridge showing a steady roll envelope and a controlled pitch. The Somnium control interface coordinates engine mounts, vibration dampers, and stabilizer fins to limit vibration transmission to the owner’s suites and other living areas. The yamaha-grade isolators and predator-grade dampers contribute to a quiet lower deck, even as the bow rises and falls with the sea. The result is a stable platform for operations in the Adriatic or North Sea, where the extension of the hull above the waterline helps keep the upper decks above spray and spray-driven spray while the island and surrounding decks stay dry.

Across these conditions, the portfolio of design choices–Minnema extension, marine-grade mounts, and extensions that shift weights–helps the vessel maintain a predictable course while minimizing motion transmission to members on elevated decks. The result is a platform that boasted smooth handling even when the Adriatic light winds shift to heavier chop near an island or offshore platforms, with the woods-and-leather feel of the interiors remaining composed. On the bridge, data displays provide real-time feedback for the captain to adjust trim and ballast in areas where human and mechanical responses must align–displayed clearly for a quick decision path.

Onboard Systems & Data: Navigation, stabilization, and real-time performance logging

Install a centralized data hub at the central machinery space to merge navigation, stabilization, and performance logs, and set a minimum 1 Hz logging rate, rising to 10 Hz during sea trials. Having this system keeps the pilot and bridge crew aligned on real-time conditions, reducing ambiguity amid high seas. Place the hub amidships to balance heat and wiring, with a service elevator carrying rack modules and a dedicated cable tray onto the deck. This solid foundation establishes a distinctive operational vibe and streamlines decision-making under pressure.

Data streams feed the main control systems: GNSS, AIS, ECDIS, radar, gyro, wind sensors, speed logs, and attitude data for autopilot and dynamic positioning, tracked respectively by the bridge and the engine room. Use an inside-outside data fabric: edge-processing on the pilot console for fast reactions, plus a central archive for trend analysis. The vault, named attessa, keeps long-term data secure while a code-named santa path handles critical streams during trials. Keep data volume manageable by tiering logs and applying actionable alerts; excess telemetry becomes noise unless you tie it to clear thresholds. Interfaces use blue backlighting and a compact layout in the blue cabins to avoid clutter, while the oyster-like data vault protects raw samples for post-trial reviews.

Governance and practical steps: designate an agency-approved data policy, with a 12-month retention window and quarterly integrity checks. The stuarts team recommends having a named owner for data quality and a weekly review ritual, so crew and owners share a consistent vibe. Ensure inside-outside access across the control room and crew cabins, with well-documented naming for events (e.g., 'track', 'stabilizer', 'DP-Engage'). The result is an outstanding, solid foundation that supports versatile sea trials and a cross-functional workflow, respectively enabling the captain, pilot, and navigator to monitor live performance across volume and track on both blue dashboards and amidships displays.

Central Listing Context: Ownership, market positioning, and compliance details

Recommended action: publish a transparent ownership narrative with an explained ownership chain. The listing comprises a single holding that comprises the asset, with maarten and jean as the primary client-facing contacts in the office. This arrangement eliminates zero ambiguity and supports a smooth transfer. The asset remains mostly in clean condition, backed by a well-documented maintenance log and a dedicated garage for refitting work, handled by experienced builders, and steam-cleaned systems where applicable.

Market positioning rests on transparency, an enviable presence in the world market, and a track record of excellence. The asset offers a larger footprint for a buyer seeking long-term use, with documented refitting by experienced builders and a clear maintenance cadence. A steady client pipeline and an office presence reduce friction and boost the promise of reliable performance over time. archimedes-based stability notes are included to validate sea-keeping, reinforcing the enviable reputation among world-class builders and stewards.

Compliance details: The listing includes a complete compliance dossier: flag state and class society, latest survey results, next due dates, safety certificates, insurance terms, and environmental controls. It also documents crew qualifications, on-board safety drills, and waste-management policies. Records show the vessel has zero incidents in the last five years and a clean due-diligence trail. Action items include attaching registry entries, publishing the maintenance schedule, and delivering the dossier within 10 business days. This setup aligns with society standards and supports a smooth sale process for the client in the office environment.