George Town, CAYMAN ISLANDS: Netherlands-based shipbuilder, Oceanco, recently launched Equanimity, the first superyacht of its kind, with regulatory oversight from the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry. This superyacht stretches 91.5 metres, and is the first to be designed and built to the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC). Being a certified passenger yacht means it can accommodate more passengers, in this case, sleeping 26 guests and 28 crew.
Oceanco worked with design team Azure Naval Architecture, Andrew Winch Designs (for the interior), Lloyd’s Register and the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry to design the ship within the requirements of the PYC.
“Working together with Lloyd’s Register and Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, we designed, developed, engineered and built a magnificent yacht, which will undoubtedly set new standards in the industry,” said Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco.
The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry was intimately involved in the project, providing regulatory oversight to ensure that the ship would meet the standards of the PYC.
The PYC is a code of practice for yachts carrying 13 to 36 passengers providing a yacht specific alternative to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Passenger Ship compliance. The code sets out technical, safety and operational standards appropriate to the size and operation of the yachts operated under this code.
The development of the PYC was led by the Cayman Registry in the Red Ensign Group Technical Forum. It applies to pleasure yachts of any size which are in private use or engaged in trade and which do not carry cargo and carry 13 to 36 passengers.