yacht octopus interior

• Impressions

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology. Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft. The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths. Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

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Exploring the Depths of Luxury: Discovering the Lürssen 126m Octopus Superyacht

Lurssen MY Octopus: Inspiring Adventure, Encouraging Joy

Since her 2003 launch, Lürssen’s luxury explorer yacht Octopus has quietly completed a nearly continuous calendar of itineraries while maintaining a very private profile. That is a long time for any superstar to run silent. A recent change in status has made her a hot talking point, entertaining a high level of interest as she enters the charter market for the first time.

Emerging from a 20-year cocoon of privacy, the 126-meter Octopus is now splashing her fabulous interiors across screen and page, setting a high bar for comparison with any other yacht of her size, new or old, as well as in her category as an explorer vessel. She is capable, luxurious, spacious, and fitted to supply extraordinary needs for the adventurer, researcher, scientist, and leisure traveler alike.

The Marvel of the Octopus Design

Designed and built years ahead of the current trend in explorer style vessels, there were just a handful of yachts that exceeded Octopus in length. None so successfully dovetailed sumptuous interiors with serious research and exploration features. Owing to the imagination and foresight of the design team along with the yacht’s original owner, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus still presents a classic yacht profile defined by style and beauty that is equaled only by her extraordinary capabilities.

How does one design a highly technical yacht that retains top status among new launches for two decades? With Octopus, age is just a number -- another statistic to add to her impressive list of accomplishments.

Paul Allen’s vision for this predecessor embraced the ability to explore remote regions where support is limited and challenges abound. Allen wanted an ice class yacht boasting endurance, range, and speed, capable of housing two helicopters, very large tenders, a submarine, and lots of equipment that would facilitate highly technical exploration of underwater life, shipwrecks, and sea floor features.

Allen’s vision was sent to Lürssen, who then forwarded it to the desk of Espen Øino, a young, designer at the time who put his skill and optimism to work in creating a yacht with brilliantly designed, unique new features. Espen cites his youth as an advantage in approaching the ambitious project.

“It takes a lot to convince me that things cannot be done,” Espen stated, advising that dividing a big problem into several smaller ones and resolving them one by one often unveils a solution. Espen found the complex requirements in the design of the stern dock on Octopus to be the most challenging and the most rewarding feature of the yacht. He described the result as “An elegant solution to a complex problem.“

The internal dry dock that began to emerge in the design would need to accommodate protected storage for a very large, powerful tender, a submarine, and several smaller tenders and watercraft. The weight of these machines alone would cause the yacht to list if launched from either side.

Espen said they decided on the central internal dry dock by playing with the rules of stability, as the longitudinal trim would prove less disruptive than that of the transverse plane for launching big machines.

Storing the vessels on the centerline and in bulkheads on the B5 line adjacent to the central marina optimized the rules, solving the puzzle with a novel, internal , floodable dry dock marina approach.

That decision still required intensive engineering work to insure structural integrity amid all of the openings required to store such a large number of big, heavy machines inside the hull, in addition to the helipads, hangars, and pools. In the end, Espen found it to be his favorite spot on the yacht. The massive, 2-story space, filled with incredible equipment and a travel lift, is an impressive visual.

“It was quite challenging structurally to keep it all together, to make it stiff enough so that everything stood upright properly, with big, moving parts, and many openings in the outboard shell sides,” Espen remarked.

Luxe Interiors Expected of a Superyacht

The posh, clean lined Interiors designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett underwent a 2019 refit by Monk Design, executed by the Lürssen-acquired Blohm + Voss yard, ensuring everything was refreshed, stylish, comfy, and ready to go. Originally built at Lürssen shipyards, the interior details of this ultra-private yacht are at last on display through Camper & Nicholsons, a company with 240 years of marine industry knowledge.

The List is Long: Features and Amenities

A steel, full displacement ice class 1A hull gives Octopus free range throughout the earth’s waters, top to bottom, warm to cold. A protected interior two-level marina with concealed 36 meter floodable tender garage hosts a 16 meter tender and a 12 meter submersible, accompanied by a fleet of six additional tenders.

Two helicopter pads, a 13-meter heated freshwater swimming pool, a forward-facing observation lounge, gym and fitness area, cinema, library, two elevators, fully equipped technical and free dive center, hyperbaric chamber, and an extensive toy list just begin to scratch the surface of Octopus’s amenities. And, just for fun, a retractable glass floor covers the pool to create a stunning, flush deck dance and entertainment space.

To Sleep: Perchance, to Dream

It’s hard to put in an exhilarating day of heliskiing atop an Antarctic glacier or a deep sea dive to a remote shipwreck without a pleasant night’s sleep. Turning last night’s dreams into today’s adventures, Octopus accommodates 12 guests spread over four of the yacht’s eight decks. The deck seven full-beam king master suite, outfitted with a king bed, dual baths, a private observation lounge, a private exterior deck, and a private elevator helps to de-stress for an excellent day of adventure to come.

Deck four houses two VIP king suites, four queen suites, one double suite, and one twin cabin, along with a separate cabin with a single bed, sofa, and en suite. Deck Three offers two twin cabins and two queen cabins, with sofa/daybeds.

Crew needs sleep, too, especially when they are so carefully selected to serve on board for their individual expertise and performance. Dive specialists, submarine specialists, accomplished chefs, and experienced staff are all at the ready. Deck two has one single berth cabin, thirteen double berth shares, and three triple berth shares, all refitted with new baths in 2019. Deck three houses the chief engineer’s cabin, four single head of department cabins with beds and pullman bunks, one double berth share and four triple berth shares. Deck six finds the captain’s cabin and the chief officer’s cabin appropriately located near the wheelhouse.

Knowledge is Power: An Early Adaptor

Designed with a hybrid propulsion diesel electric system, Octopus has extensive range to travel to remote locations that most yachts can only imagine. Twin ABB Industry AG-E electric motors combined with eight MTU 16V 4000 M50 diesel engines power Octopus to a mind-blowing 12,500 nautical miles at 12 knots, able to spend months at sea. Maximum speed is 19 knots.

Where Would You Go?

Octopus is clearly capable of heading out to even the most secluded of destinations, safely, comfortably, and stylishly. She has slipped in and out of bays around the world, skipped across every ocean, and provided researchers and scientists with a fully equipped floating laboratory. Knowing that, where would you go with Octopus as your transport?

Jacqui Lockhart, European Head of Charter Management for Camper & Nicholsons, responded she would gather a group of well-traveled friends and head to “All corners of the earth but back to Antarctica where Octopus will return in December 2024.” Available for charter through Camper & Nicholsons at €2,200,000 per week, Jacqui added that during the summer of 2023, Octopus will be based in the Mediterranean.

Espen was also enthusiastic about where he would point Octopus, listing an itinerary embracing “all places you can’t reach unless you bring your own bed.” He would embark on an epic ski adventure to Antarctica, the west coast of South America, the south island of New Zealand, Japan, Norway, Greenland, and the Kamchatka Peninsula. So, should you find yourself lucky enough to book time on board Octopus, and have an extra cabin, don’t forget to invite Espen.

Photos: Camper & Nicholsons / Dave Le Roux | Words: K.L. Turner

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Inside Octopus: Origin story of the 126m superyacht finally revealed

The barest of details have been revealed about the mysterious  Octopus  over the past 19 years. But with a new owner and on the charter market for the first time, the 126-metre  Lürssen  superyacht is finally ready to reveal her secrets past and present…

One of the best things about flying into the South of France is the view. The brilliant blue coastline is peppered with hundreds of yachts. On this flight, however, just one of the boats below us demands our attention: the 126-metre explorer  Octopus .

The following day, in the port of Marseille where her new owner’s team is wrapping up a refit before  Octopus  departs for the Galápagos, I finally see her up close. Her navy-blue hull and skyscraper decks are incredibly impressive, while on the inside she is welcoming and warm. Although she has been refitted, her history is palpable. There’s much to learn about  Octopus , and everyone involved in her story is finally ready to talk, after decades of silence.

Why was  Octopus  such a secret? In 1998, strict non-disclosure agreements were issued all around to protect the privacy of her original owner, the late American entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft. “It was the first time I was faced with an NDA,” says  Espen Øino , who has gone on to sign hundreds over the years. “NDAs are strict and long lasting and don’t necessarily pass when the client does,” notes  Jonathan Quinn Barnett , who created  Octopus ’s original interior. “I had deep respect and admiration for Mr Allen, so to be able to say even a few words about  Octopus  now is marvellous.”

For builder Lürssen, the story started with a bit of detective work. The German shipyard’s sales director, Michael Breman, heard about a mysterious box that was loaded onto Allen’s 60.6-metre Feadship  Méduse , which supposedly contained a scale model of a new vessel.

“I figured out that something was going on and we ought to be involved,” he says. “So I contacted Paul Allen’s broker, [ Fraser’s ] Stuart Larsen, to ask some questions.”

Some time after, during a trip to the South of France, Breman received the go-ahead to submit a bid and arranged for a fax containing the brief to be sent to Øino’s office in Monaco. “Put that into context, this is 1998!” Øino says with a laugh. “Michael was in our office as the fax came in and going through it, we just couldn’t believe the brief, we thought it was totally crazy.”

The brief called for an industrial-style yacht with the appearance and capability of the Finnish multipurpose icebreaker  Fennica , built in 1993. Luckily, Øino knew the vessel. “I had a photo of  Fennica  from a few years earlier when I visited her while cruising with another client in the fjords,” says the designer. What he went on to sketch in pencil and model for the presentation was a sturdy explorer with two interchangeable options for the bow and the wheelhouse. “What is remarkable is that the original sketches and ideas are so close to what it actually became,” Breman says.

Another key part of the brief was for all toys and tenders, including a helicopter, a submarine and a floatplane, to be carried in a concealed way. So Øino drew a methodical general arrangement that included a two-level 36-metre-long floodable garage opening at the stern. “Launching so many toys over the side of the boat wasn’t the optimum idea and would affect the stability; a lot of heeling would occur,” the designer says.

Instead, working with the rules that oversee subdivisions inside a ship’s hull – and deal with damage stability calculations – he created one very long and tall compartment on the yacht’s centreline with a floodable dock flanked by rows of smaller garages to store the entire toy inventory of what became known as Project Octopus.

“At Lürssen, we give everything a project name, and my daughter came up with  Octopus ,” says Breman. “Along with Paul’s love for diving, plus the fact that his previous yacht was  Méduse  [“jellyfish” in French], we thought  Octopus  was a perfect project name. Little did we know then that  Octopus  would be her name once completed and delivered.” Øino says. “She was our 15th project enquiry in 1998, and so in my office, she was known as 9815.”

The proposal Lürssen created with Øino was successful, but the German shipyard soon had to resolve its first quandary – it didn’t have a shed available. “We ended up having to build her with a partner in Kiel,” Breman says. It also had to solve the matter of the explorer’s floodable garage, which had to be approved by class. “After researching multiple alternatives, the first idea that Espen drew was the one that worked the best,” he adds. “Our in-house model department then built a scale model of the garage to demonstrate how it could work. We even tested it by driving a tender in and out.”

Octopus’ s interior, meanwhile, came from a young American designer who had recently relocated from London where he’d worked with  Jon Bannenberg , to Seattle. The owner’s team chose Barnett from a small pool of interior designers to embellish the complex GA of the largest and most advanced explorer yacht ever built at the time.

“Paul Allen’s team told me the safest route would be to follow the creative direction of the owner’s two previous  Feadship  designs,” the designer says. “I did the opposite!” And the result was what Barnett describes as a “floating laboratory”, a timeless design perfectly suited to a creative genius. Included in the layout were out-of-the-box features such as a fully equipped medical centre, a storm cabin made to keep those who needed it comfortable in bad weather and a professional recording studio. “Back then, no yacht was capable of non-stop circumnavigation, while cutting an album for U2,” he says. Mick Jagger, Usher and Joss Stone are also said to have spent time in the studio – a claim no other superyacht is ever likely to make.

Barnett took a simple approach to the interior decor. While some walls are painted a neutral colour, others are covered in bee’s wing-figured eucalyptus, and it’s this vast amount of wood panelling that gives the hardy explorer the warm, comfortable feeling of a home. For Allen and Barnett, the walls were just another fun puzzle to solve. “The geometry of the panels is elegant mathematics, something Mr Allen really appreciated,” Barnett says. “The handmade veneer arrived on custom-made grids, which fitted within the yacht’s own uniquely built steel frame spacing.” The walls do not just provide insulation and conceal cableways, but originally held the ever-changing art gallery on each deck. What’s on the walls today are snapshots of  Octopus ’s adventures over the years: panoramas of Patagonian icebergs, portraits of local tribe members in Tahiti and landscapes of Asia’s ancient golden temples.

An original feature that remains on the yacht to this day is an unusual timekeeping device. Braided stainless-steel shrouds from a sailing vessel are strung on either side of the grand staircase from lower to upper deck, and they function as a clock. “I combined the old tradition of having a central clock on board a ship with my client’s unique passions for modern sculpture, mathematics, art and music,” Barnett explains. “I subcontracted a 102-year-old German specialist clock company to make it, and – I’ll tell you a secret – I used digital audio software from Apple for the tunes. Sorry, Microsoft!” he says with a laugh. “I thought the clock might become a helpful visual cue to help guests find some critical orientation. Every 15 minutes, the strings could play anything from  The Bells of St Mary’s  to Jimi Hendrix!”

Octopus  was also fitted with an huge amount of onboard electronics. “Of course, the co-founder of Microsoft required more than 54 tonnes of AV and IT equipment on board,” Øino says with a smile. While the bulk of the wiring went to the studio, each cabin was assigned 60 cables for computers, entertainment systems and more, including touchscreens – which in 1998, was an exciting innovation. “They were amazing,” says Øino, “so far ahead of their time.” The touchscreens are still used today by the crew, who also use iPads as infotainment control panels for elements such as lighting and music in guest areas.

When  Octopus  launched in 2003, it was clear she had broken new ground. With diesel-electric propulsion consisting of two ABB electric motors and eight MTU 16V 4000 M50 diesel engines, she was perfectly equipped to travel anywhere in the world. “ Octopus  was always on the go,” Øino says. “Diesel-electric wasn’t commonplace in the early millennium,” he observes, and “ Octopus  was the first yacht with dynamic positioning.”

The project propelled Lürssen into the large-yacht segment and her designers had a huge career boost. “ Octopus  blew everyone away,” Breman says. “The idea and the design are something unprecedented.” What the first aerial photographs of the yacht could make out were her winged wheelhouse, long swimming pool, two helidecks and hangars and a basketball court. Whereas on the inside, areas such as the dive centre with hyperbaric chamber, 12 cabins and private owner’s deck with its own lift, terrace and spa pool were out of sight.

After a decade of extensive travelling,  Octopus ’s engines had to be overhauled. However, her interior had worn well. “There was nothing that required a major redesign or change,” Barnett says. “All the original architecture, spaces, surfaces and design details still performed exceptionally well. Seeing it made me immensely proud.”

Although she was well-maintained and in full working order, in 2019 she was sent for a refit at the Lürssen-owned  Blohm+Voss  shipyard to prepare her for the market several months after Allen passed in 2018. She had spent two decades playing host to many parties, concerts, discoveries and expeditions, and the legacy needed to continue.

In 2021, a new owner came along with plans to make her available for select charters. Transforming  Octopus  into the remarkable charter yacht that he envisioned required a few more changes. The owner’s team enlisted Adriana Monk of  Monk Design  to retouch several spaces. Top of the list was replacing the recording studio.

“Unless you’re really into music, a studio is a niche thing to have,” says Alan Pike, one of two rotational captains. Now in the studio’s prime position – aft on the bridge deck – is a modern bar/ lounge. On either side of the new bar, new guitars hang from the original wall mounts and the grand piano has stayed put. In keeping with the beach bar look Monk created, new bleached oak flooring matches the original weathered teak deck outside.

“The vocal booth is now a DJ booth,” says the captain. “We’ve kept the soundproofing, so this place is perfect for a party, or any kind of dining.” With a new sound system and outdoor lighting, “we can really go for it”. Outdoors, there’s a glass- bottom pool that, at the touch of a button, can be made into an on-water dance floor. There’s also a wood-fired pizza oven, a service bar with a beer tap and three barbecue cooking stations.

On the entertainment deck, the former formal dining room became a wine bar. On the ceiling are scenes from Allen’s 2015 shipwreck dive to the Second World War battleship  Musashi  in the Philippines. “I was granted exclusive access to the ROV footage of the  Musashi  expedition to select shipwreck stills for the backlit ceiling,” Monk says.

Nearby, the guest observation lounge was, and still is, a firm favourite. “To dine here while cruising is a joy that’s hard to describe,” says Barnett. “I like to think of this area’s design as a mid-century sunken living room.” The feeling is created by two large sofas that snake around the room looking out over the bow. The seats look low, but the view is perfect. The rest of the deck is fun and social, as there’s also a 12-seat 4D cinema, the owner’s chef ’s galley, a table-tennis table, gym, smoothie bar, hair and massage salons and a grand library, complete with an ethanol fireplace.

Soft beige and cream carpets with wave patterns have replaced patterned blue and green rugs, and in addition to the new custom-designed pieces, free-standing items of furniture selected by Monk have helped give the interior a feel that suits  Octopus ’s new charter lifestyle. But it’s nothing dramatic. “We have kept as much as possible true to the original,” the captain says. “I strove to respect the spirit of  Octopus  while capturing the new owner’s lifestyle and vision,” Monk adds. “It was an intense and challenging project.”

The yacht’s charter schedule was entrusted to  Camper & Nicholsons .  Octopus ’s range of 12,500 nautical miles and true explorer credentials offer a huge scope for charter, and as the ripples prove on the hull’s strong plating, she is more than capable of going the distance. “She can do anything!” says charter marketing manager Gayle Patterson, who has already booked the superyacht on two excursions to Antarctica. The demand has been equal to the yacht’s renown. “We’ve grown our yacht management team to give her the care she deserves,” she adds.

Since  Octopus  was delivered, many more superyachts have adopted technologically forward designs and groundbreaking engineering and have undertaken impressive expeditions. But none have achieved what  Octopus  has. As she continues to move around the world, more people will get the opportunity to step on board. And when they do, perhaps they will feel the undeniable magic that seems to linger. One thing is for sure: wherever  Octopus  carries her guests, it is a journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.

The Toy Chest

Built to explore,  Octopus  has an incredible fleet that revolves around the cavernous 36-metre internal wet dock where the two main tenders are stored and launched through a giant transom door. Today the main tender is an 18-metre Delta 54, built in carbon with an impressive range of 450nm at 30 knots; the original was  Man-of-War , an 18-metre custom Vikal, later replaced by a 13-metre Hinckley. Sharing that space was a yellow 10-person custom submarine, named  Pagoo . A new Triton 3300/6 will take that spot when it is delivered in early 2023. Most of the other tenders have dedicated garages on either side of the wet dock. They are a 9.3-metre custom Vikal limousine and two 8.7-metre custom Zodiacs, one for diving, the other for guests. Two 5.8-metre Zodiac Milpro MK-V are also available for watersports, as is an array of WaveRunners, jet skis, kayaks, surfboards, wakeboards, kitesurfers, windsurfers and electric foil Fliteboards, plus plenty of diving equipment, The icing on the cake is a remotely controlled submarine (ROV) able to dive to 2,700 metres. To conclude this impressive list,  Octopus  has two helipads and a helicopter hangar for two. Moving forward, helicopters will be chartered as needed.

The Voyages

Octopus  is one of the most active superyachts ever built. Multiple circumnavigations, the  Northwest Passage , the High Arctic,  Antarctica , Papua New Guinea and Challenger Deep were all on the menu. One of Paul Allen’s passions was naval history. A few missions that offered the opportunity for great discoveries were well publicised, like the discovery of the Japanese warship  Musashi  in the Sibuyan Sea in March 2015 after eight years of intense work. The largest battleship ever built (aside from her sistership) sank in October 1944, but the exact location was unknown.  OctoROV  took the first photos of this lost wreck in a depth of 1,000 metres. Later that year, in August, after two attempts, another expedition recovered the bell of HMS  Hood , sunk by the Germans off Greenland in 1941.

And it looks like the story will continue.  Octopus , according to BOAT Pro data, has already cruised 9,047 nautical miles since leaving Marseille after her refit in December. In less than three months, she had already crossed the Atlantic and visited Panama including Coiba, Costa Rica and Cocos Island and the Galápagos. This winter, Camper & Nicholsons has announced that she will be heading south to test her ice-class capabilities in the frozen landscapes of Antarctica once again.

For more information please visit: www.boatinternational.com

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• Cars, Jets & Yachts

Octopus: On Board the Original Explorer Superyacht

Fresh from an extensive refit, Octopus is ready to become one of the world's most spectacular charters.

By Ellie Brade

Built in 2003 for Microsoft co-founder, the late Paul Allen, and sold to her current owner in 2021, the 414-ft Octopus is one of the world’s largest private yachts . At the time of her launch, she was the biggest explorer superyacht ever built. Little detail was known about her until she was first put up for sale in 2019. With Octopus now available for charter following a two-year round-the-world adventure, we take a closer look at one of the original explorer yachts.

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Construction

Effortlessly pairing adventure with high luxury, Octopus is the ultimate explorer yacht. She remains as impressive and timelessly stylish as the day she was launched 19 years ago. The work of a powerhouse design and build team, she was built in Germany by Lürssen , with naval architecture by Espen Oeino and an interior by Jonathan Quinn Barnett. “She is arguably the most iconic and versatile megayacht in the world,” says her lead charter broker Gayle Patterson of Camper & Nicholsons . “There is nowhere on the four corners of the Earth that she cannot go.”

Octopus’s core purpose was to cruise extensively and see the world. A fast-growing number of explorer-style yachts have followed in her wake, but it would be hard to find many that were designed and equipped so well for this purpose, or many that have ticked off so many destinations. With a range of 12,500 nm, Octopus can go just about anywhere and she has certainly made the most of that ability.

[See also: How to Charter a Superyacht]

Octopus’s core purpose was to cruise extensively and see the world / ©Camper & Nicholsons

Helicopters can be stored on the helipad or a giant internal hanger / ©Camper & Nicholsons

She was the first of the big explorer yachts and was also significant as one of the first major solo projects for her naval architect Oeino, who is today considered one of the masters of superyacht design. According to Oeino, one of the bigger challenges was meeting the owner’s brief that that none of the many tenders, water equipment or helicopters be visible when the yacht was underway.

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Oeino’s resulting design was a timelessly elegant, yet hardy exterior with a distinctive blue hull and white superstructure. Equipped with an Ice Class 1A hull, Octopus can navigate through sea ice with ease. Other key design elements include two helipads, which are positioned on the bow and stern, and a huge hangar for storing the helicopters.

Creating a yacht that still felt personal despite her gargantuan size was an important goal for interior designer Barnett of JQB Ltd. “It was a challenging task to make 9932GT over eight decks feel intimate and comfortable, safe and secure over every possible sea state for guest combinations from two to 24,” says Barnett.

“We developed an overall theme of timelessness with warmth and security for family fun and security when exploring vast open oceans and unseen coastal landscapes; I used soothing and calming colors with open graining and limestone course, satins, and matte finishes for natural textures.”

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Despite her enormous size, Octopus retains an intimate and personal feel inside / ©Camper & Nicholsons

The entertainment deck includes a 15-person cinema / ©Camper & Nicholsons

When creating the interior, the JQB team were able to take full advantage of Lürssen’s exceptional capabilities to create a very personal and visually stunning design. “The worst mistake, as far as I was thinking, would have been for us not to ask enough of Lürssen,” says Barnett. “It was clear to me that their skills and technology could produce details and quality beyond even our ability to imagine it.”

A core part of the interior design brief was to incorporate the owner’s many passions and hobbies, which meant utilising and co-ordinating a large team of specialists in their field. “We called upon the expertise of recording artists, studio and art museum lighting techs, aviation and submarine operations techs, librarians, art curators, telecommunications experts and so many more,” says Barnett. “Success looked like playing first violin with the greatest orchestra assembled by a living Einstein for Jimmy Hendricks and Captain Nemo.”

Life on board

The resulting yacht is extraordinary. Spanning eight decks, with her length of 414ft and beam of 68ft, there is certainly no shortage of space or features on board. Able to host 12 guests across 13 cabins, with numerous different cabin configurations available, her 42 crew ensure no guest need ever lift a finger.

Those 13 cabins include an owner’s master suite with its own elevator, two VIP cabins on the observation deck, seven doubles and three twins. Each cabin is its own private sanctuary, but it is the shared guest spaces that really shine.

Popular interior spaces include the entertainment deck with its large 15-person cinema, library, observation lounge, gym and wellness hub. Guest-accessible observation lounges are positioned at each extremity. “Deck Eight provides a window to the horizon and stars, while the underwater glass-bottomed observation lounge on Deck Zero gives wondrous glimpses into the watery depths,” says Barnett.

[See also: These are the Yacht Interior Designers to Know]

Octopus is able to host 12 guests across 13 cabins / ©Camper & Nicholsons

The underwater glass-bottomed observation lounge gives wondrous glimpses into the depths / ©Camper & Nicholsons

The beach club on Octopus / ©Camper & Nicholsons

A huge swimming pool is located on the bridge deck. “The spectacular pool area leading into the newly furnished beach bar is a well-used on board, as is the 7m pool, which has a retractable floor that can be raised to create a central dance floor,” says Patterson. “This deck area also boasts a large Jacuzzi, a pizza oven, BBQ grill and Tandoori oven.”

Throughout the yacht, numerous spaces for sunbathing and relaxing are found inside and out, with equally plentiful options for every dining style whether formal, relaxed or al fresco.

While her design features are impressive, so too is a vast list of toys and tenders which are testament to the fact that when it comes to exploration and enjoying the ocean, Octopus means business. These include no less than seven tenders, a full dive center with a hyperbaric chamber, an SUV for exploring onshore, electric foils and an ROV (remote operated underwater vehicle).

Where is Octopus heading?

As one of the world’s most traveled yachts, Octopus has undertaken a lengthy list of expeditions, and frequently acts as a base for scientific exploration expeditions. Highlights include the recovery of the bell from the wreck of the historic HMS Hood and discovering the wreck of the WW2 battleship IJN Musashi off the Philippines.

The new owner is reportedly keen to continue this legacy of marine protection and discovery. It is therefore fitting that over the next two years, Octopus will be doing what she does best – traveling the globe once again. Fresh from a refit, she is in peak condition and ready to go.

Fresh from a refit, Octopus is in peak condition and ready to go / ©Camper & Nicholsons

“Notable destinations in the plan are Costa Rica and Cocos Island in spring 2022, French Polynesia and Thailand in summer 2022 and Antarctica this coming winter,” says Patterson. “The world is her oyster.”

Octopus is available for charter through leading yacht company Camper & Nicholsons from $ 2,200,000 per week. Contact camperandnicholsons.com

[See more: What are Explorer Yachts?]

Ellie Brade

Latest in luxury, the explorer.

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OCTOPUS YACHT CHARTER

126.2m  /  414'1   lurssen   2003 / 2021.

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Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• Stunning interiors with 13 guest suites
• Vast Owner's deck, including bar, Jacuzzi, alfresco dining area and private elevator
• Large aft swimming pool surrounded by loungers and full cocktail bar
• Cinema suite
• Superb wellness amenities
• Glass-bottomed observation lounge on her tank deck
• 2 helicopters with dedicated hangar
• Personal submarine for 8 people, plus 2 crew
• Dive centre with hyperbaric chamber
• 12,500nm range

Octopus is Ideal for those planning an extended itinerary, with plenty of room on board

The 126.2m/414'1" expedition yacht 'Octopus' by the German shipyard Lurssen offers flexible accommodation for up to 12 guests in 13 cabins and features interior styling by American designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

Explorer yacht Octopus is the ultimate vessel for exploring far-flung corners of the globe, and whether you're traversing the tropics or the poles, you'll be in capable hands. With a wealth of spectacular onboard social and dining options coupled with charter-rich amenities and a highly-attentive crew, you'll be in seventh heaven on a luxury charter aboard this phenomenal yacht. Her features include a helipad, movie theatre, spa, elevator, underwater lights, beach club and gym.

Guest Accommodation

Built in 2003, Octopus offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests in 13 suites comprising a master suite and twelve double cabins. The supremely spacious full beam master suite benefits from a his and her bathroom. There are up to forty-two crew members on board to provide outstanding service on your charter.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Keeping comfortable and entertained on Octopus is easy thanks to the available amenities such as a dancefloor where you and your guests can celebrate in style. You can recreate the full cinema experience while at sea with the included movie theatre and in addition soothe tired limbs and reinvigorate yourself in the sauna. For the ultimate relaxation experience, she plays host to a luxury spa and take a plunge in the pool under the sun. Head to the beach club and take advantage of indoor-outdoor living and entertaining or a gym with all the latest equipment is available for a good work out. Retreat to the deck jacuzzi and soak up the scenery.

Octopus benefits from some excellent features to improve your charter such as an elevator, making any part of the yacht quickly and easily accessible. Seamlessly travel from land to see thanks to the helipad and in addition satellite communication systems keep you in touch wherever you voyage. At night, guests can enjoy a mesmerizing light spectacle in the water thanks to underwater lights and whether you want to work, use social media or stream movies on board this yacht, you can with Wi-Fi connectivity. Guests will experience complete comfort while chartering thanks to air conditioning.

Performance & Range

Built with a steel hull and steel superstructure, she offers greater on-board space and is more stable when at anchor thanks to her full-displacement hull. Powered by 8 x MTU engines, she comfortably cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 19 knots with a range of up to 12,500 nautical miles from her 1,034,000 litre fuel tanks at cruising speed. An advanced stabilisation system on board reduces the side-to-side roll of the yacht and promises guests exceptional comfort levels at anchor or when underway.

Set against the backdrop of your chosen cruising ground, you and your guests can enjoy endless days of fun on the water with the exceptional collection of water toys and accessories aboard Octopus. Take to the sea on a Jet Ski offering you power and control on the water. Guests can feel the wind in their hair and jump the waves on one of the four Yamaha FX140 WaveRunners. In addition there are towable toys offering fun and adventure. If that isn't enough Octopus also features waterskis, a Kite Surfer, kayaks, WindSurfers, fishing equipment and much more. When it comes to Tenders, Octopus has you covered - with five tenders, including a 18.1m/59'5" Delta Powerboats Tender.

Book your next Northern Europe luxury yacht charter aboard Octopus this summer. She is also accepting bookings this winter on request.

This ocean-going luxury charter expedition yacht carries up to 42 professional crew who will cater to your every need.

TESTIMONIALS

There are currently no testimonials for Octopus, please provide .

Octopus Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Octopus has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Octopus is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 1 x 18.1m  /  59'5 Delta Powerboats 54' Tender
• 1 x 9.34m  /  30'8 Vikal Custom Limo Tender with 2 x 260 HP engines
• 2 x 8.7m  /  28'7 Zodiac Custom Tender
• 2 x 5.8m  /  19' Zodiac Milpro MK-V Tender Volvo 70 HP engine
• 1 x 4.7m  /  15'5 Zodiac RIB

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

• + shortlist

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Octopus' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

$2,200,000 p/week + expenses

High Season

Cruising Regions

Northern Europe Norway

Winter Season

October - April

Please enquire .

Charter Octopus

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

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NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

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Motor Yacht

Octopus is a 126.20m (414.04ft) motor yacht, custom built in 2003 and last refitted in 2008.

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology.

Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft.

The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths.

Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

With a permanent berth in the International Yacht Club Marina in Antibes, this giant is owned by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen. With a full-time crew of 60 including former Navy Seals, maintenance and salaries on the ship cost a rumoured $200 million. Octopus is well-known for hosting famous faces onboard its well-equipped decks, serviced only by world leaders in their fields.

• Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Naval Architect Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Exterior Designer Espen Oeino View profile
• Interior Designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other lurssen yachts, related news.

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Yachts for charter

Octopus was the most recently built yacht of Paul Allen, one of the founders of Microsoft, who also owned the 92.38 metre Tatoosh.

Octopus features a helicopter pad and garage aft and can also accept a second helicopter on the bows. A novel facility of her design is her internal dock, which, opening from her transom, runs forward through the yacht, allowing a 20 metre submarine and a tender of similar size to float into their storage positions. Once secured, the water is pumped out, leaving them resting on chocks.

The yacht had a permanent berth in the International Yacht Club Marina in Antibes, where her owner acquired the largest dock by buying the 55.78 metre superyacht Hanse together with its berth – he kept the berth and immediately sold Hanse, which has now been renamed Insignia.

About OCTOPUS , brought to you by BOAT Pro

OCTOPUS is a 126.2 m Motor Yacht, built in Germany by Lurssen and delivered in 2003.

Her top speed is 19.0 kn, her cruising speed is 18.0 kn, and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 7125.0 nm at 19.0 kn, with power coming from eight MTU diesel electric engines. She can accommodate up to 26 guests in 13 staterooms, with 63 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 9932.0 GT and a 21.01 m beam.

She was designed by Espen Oeino International , who also completed the naval architecture. Espen Oeino International has designed 68 yachts and created the naval architecture for 17 yachts for yachts above 24 metres.

Her interior was designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett (17 other superyacht interiors designed) and Monk Design (3 other superyacht interiors designed) - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

OCTOPUS is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 70 motor yachts longer than 100m, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 2.01 kn above the average, and her volume 2802.14 GT above the average.

OCTOPUS is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the 2nd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1402 yachts registered. She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Germany. For more information regarding OCTOPUS's movements, find out more about BOAT Pro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: OCTOPUS
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement , Expedition Yacht
• Builder: Lurssen
• Naval Architect: Espen Oeino International
• Exterior Designer: Espen Oeino International
• Interior Designer: Monk Design , Jonathan Quinn Barnett

Available for charter

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