Imagine this. You’re out on a boat in the middle of the ocean, basking in the sunshine, relaxed, and at peace. All of a sudden you see a boat begin to form on the horizon, but you realize this isn’t just any boat. This long, sleek, knife-shaped boat seems to get larger and larger as it comes into view. As you get closer, it’s clear this isn’t just any yacht, it’s the biggest yacht in the world – the REV Ocean.
REV Ocean: The World’s Biggest Yacht
The largest yacht in the world is known as the REV Ocean. REV, which stands for Research and Expedition Vessel, reaches 600 feet in length. The yacht was designed for the purpose of performing scientific research expeditions in order to provide safety to the ocean. Funding for the expeditions will be obtained in part through using the yacht as a charter boat as well.
The yacht will be used by scientists to research unsustainable fishing, plastic pollution, and the impact of CO2 emissions on the ocean. It is set to provide the means for uncovering knowledge and discovering solutions that will benefit the world.
The REV Ocean was built in Tulcea, Romania by Fincantieri VARD shipyards, designed by Espen Oeino, who has designed a number of the most famous yachts in the world. Construction of the vessel took 18 months, and had an “extended and complicated build period.”
This incredible ship can hold 55 scientists and 35 crew members and is decked out with top-notch equipment such as sonar systems, labs, trawls, classrooms, AUV and submarine, advanced communication equipment, and an ROV with 6000-meter depth capacity.
The ship will also be rented out as a charter for private people, companies, and institutions. As a charter, the vessel can hold 28 guests and 54 crew members.
The REV Ocean is owned by Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Rokke, who says he will use the yacht but will pay the charter fee for it when he does. The initial launch occurred in August 2019, but REV still needs to be outfitted for final delivery in 2021.
Azzam: The Previous Biggest Yacht in the World
With the launch of the REV Ocean, Azzam, the former largest yacht in the world was dethroned. Azzam, which stands for Resolute, was built by the German Lurssen Yachts shipyard.
Designing and building this yacht was no easy feat. Engineering for the yacht took a little over one year, with construction taking another three years to complete.
With a length of 590 feet, it became the largest yacht in the world when it was launched on April 5, 2013. The incredible ship is not just massive and beautiful to look at, it is also able to travel at high speed in both shallow and warm water.
Commissioned by the president of the United Arab Emirates, Azzam, is listed as a charter boat, but is currently not in use as one. The yacht wore the crown of the largest yacht in the world until the REV Ocean was launched on August 22, 2019.
Other Biggest Yachts Worth Mentioning
While the REV Ocean may be the current largest yacht in the world, there are quite a few massive yachts out there that are worth giving an honorable mention to.
- Fulk Al Salamah 164 m (538 ft)
- Eclipse 163.50 m (536 ft)
- Dubai 162 m (531 ft)
- Dilbar 156 m (512 ft)
- Al Said 155 m (509 ft)
- Prince Abdulaziz 147 m (482 ft)
- Topaz 147 m (482 ft)
- El Mahrousa 145.72 m (478 ft)
- Redwood “Opus” 142 m (466 ft)
- Yas 141 m (463 ft)
