“This is the most ‘authentic’ yacht I’ve designed in my 40-year career,” claims Italian designer Tomasso Spadolini. “A fundamental part of the design process was reviewing the many commercial ships launched by Rosetti Marino to date. These rugged, seaworthy vessels are required to operate around the clock in all weathers, and that same DNA has been integrated into the design of the 85m expedition concept.”

The new concept, which Rosetti Superyachts dubs an 'exploration supply vessel', is available in two versions with a fully certified helipad located amidships or aft. Both are rated at approximately 2,200gt and can carry large tenders on deck, but the aft helipad configuration offers distinct advantages for an expedition yacht as sailing yacht, for example, can be stowed amidships without interfering with helicopter operations. In fact, the salon under the helipad can be substituted with a dedicated helicopter hangar.

Spadolini’s exterior styling is suitably robust (owners can choose between a fully faired hull and superstructure or a commercial-grade paint finish), but his signature strip glazing adds a touch of superyacht elegance to the otherwise purposeful design in line with an expedition yacht or shadow vessel. As a full-custom project, owners can bring in their own interior designers, although Spadolini has developed an interior proposal that he describes as “contemporary and comfortable but not lavish.”

“Another key consideration was that the project had to be buildable following design-to-market and design-to-service criteria,” says Fulvio Dodich, Chairman of Rosetti Superyachts who also has a 10% stake in the new enterprise. “I’ve known Tommaso for over 20 years and we worked together to develop a design that combines his creativity with my knowledge of the needs of the market, while also meeting the technical criteria required by Class for unrestricted navigation.”

Distributed over five deck levels, the forward superstructure provides guest accommodation in four main deck cabins and the full-beam master stateroom on the owner’s deck. The upper deck forward is also dedicated to the owner’s use with a private office and access to the open foredeck with pool. The under lower deck at tank top level has access to the engine room and comprises a workshop, laundry, cold/freezer room, dry store, linen store, garbage room and other technical areas.

Large tenders are fundamental for expedition use and the portside garage on the lower deck has space for two tenders, plus various Personal Water Craft (the MOB tender is stowed in its own covered bay on the foredeck). The spa area includes a massage parlour, sauna, dressing room and bathroom connected by a corridor to the beach club aft with gym and fold-down platforms on both sides.

The hull form has been developed and tank tested by the naval architects at Rolls-Royce Marine in Norway for optimal performance and handling in all sea states. Rolls-Royce is also the main supplier for the main engine and propulsion units and the initial proposal is for diesel-electric propulsion using four MTU 16V 4000 series engines (MTU is part of the Rolls-Royce Group) combined with Azipull 100 thruster pods (2500 kW) for a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. In addition to low drag and high hydrodynamic efficiency, the azimuthing pulling propellers provide excellent manoeuvrability, fuel efficiency, course keeping, and low noise and vibration levels

The 85m is the largest in the new range of concepts proposed by Rosetti Superyachts designed by Tommaso Spadolini. “I went straight to Tommaso because he has a flexible approach, which is not true of all designers,” says Dodich, who in in ongoing negotiations with prospective clients. “The result is a genuine expedition superyacht that I believe meets the aspirations of the market and the practical requirements of the shipyard.”

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