United States

Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)

The worlds largest yacht support vessels

SuperYacht Times takes a look at the largest yacht support vessels that are currently in operation from across the globe.

The world’s largest yacht support vessels

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/360689/image/large-3a9b7ed02ebd5b3251a05f2d356853a7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/360689">Spotted last weekend docked here in Cape Town, South Africa, was the 76.6-metre explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4734" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yersin76.6m (251'4&quot;)Piriou2015">Yersin</a>, which was sold this January. Delivered in 2015 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2845" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Piriou (Company)">Piriou</a>, the rugged expedition vessel features exterior lines by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2846" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pierre Jacques Kubis Naval Design (Company)">Pierre Jacques Kubis</a> and in-house naval architecture. Having completed an extensive refit last September in Marseille, the vessel is designed to accommodate up to 18 guests in eight staterooms. Her interiors span six decks connected by a guest elevator and showcase a contemporary aesthetic in soft neutrals, accented by modern art and expansive windows. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4734" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yersin76.6m (251'4&quot;)Piriou2015">Yersin</a> is equipped with state-of-the-art tech and offers a variety of exterior amenities, including a Jacuzzi surrounded by sunpads and multiple alfresco dining areas. Now cruising under the Oman flag, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4734" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yersin76.6m (251'4&quot;)Piriou2015">Yersin</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, enabling her to comfortably cruise at 11 knots and reach a top speed of 15.6 knots. Behind her is the 67.28-metre converted superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1399" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Explorer67.28m (220'9&quot;)Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)1980">Explorer</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/851" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma) (Company)">Candies Shipbuilders</a> in 1980.&nbsp;If you would like to see your photo featured each day, then send your submissions to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:news@superyachttimes.com" target="_blank">news@superyachttimes.com</a>.

77m explorer yacht Yersin docked in Cape Town

The 77m explorer yacht Yersin, built by Piriou in 2015, is seen docked in Cape Town, South Africa. 

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353613/image/large-788120517ad598e2fd9780e5be1cd657.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353613">Seen last weekend docked here in Cape Town, South Africa, was the 67.28-metre converted superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1399" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Explorer67.28m (220'9&quot;)Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)1980">Explorer</a>. Originally launched in 1980 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/851" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma) (Company)">Candies Shipbuilders</a> as Clipper Cap Haitien, the vessel began life as a commercial vessel. In 2005, she was converted and renamed Paladin Shadow, serving as a support vessel to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/764" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legendary36.6m (120'1&quot;)Northcoast Yachts2000">Legendary</a> (ex-Paladin). In 2011, she underwent a major hull extension, growing from 51.8-metres to 67.28-metres. This was followed by an extensive refit in 2014, which added an owner’s deck complete with a private lounge, gym, spa, and cinema, along with upgraded AV/IT systems throughout. The helipad was moved to create a spacious sundeck, and an elevator was installed for added comfort. In terms of performance, the 1,385 GT yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1399" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Explorer67.28m (220'9&quot;)Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)1980">Explorer</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engines, allowing her to cruise comfortably at 10 knots, with a top speed of 12 knots.

67m converted superyacht Explorer in Cape Town converted yacht Explorer in Cape Town

The 67m converted superyacht Explorer, built by Candies Shipbuilders in 1980, is seen docked in Cape Town, South Africa. 

67m converted superyacht Explorer in Cape Town

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/170139/image/large-5ce8bbc05ac5de1d963826de0321f327.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/170139">Providing support as a shadow vessel to her mothership <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7032" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Life Saga65.0m (213'3&quot;)Admiral2019">Life Saga</a>, the 50-metre support yacht <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/mystere-shadow" target="_blank">Mystere Shadow</a> was completely <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/refit-of-superyacht-shadow-vessel-mystere-shadow" target="_blank">refitted</a> in 2011 specifically for this task. The vessel was originally built in 1981 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/851" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma) (Company)">Candies Shipbuilders</a> in the UK and was redesigned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1805" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pastrovich Studio (Company)">Pastrovich Studio</a> for a new life as a luxury support vessel. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mystere Shadow49.7m (163'1&quot;)Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)1981">Mystere Shadow</a> carries several high-speed tenders and, in addition to providing additional accommodation options for her mothership, features an expansive aft deck that is ideal for entertaining large groups of guests which leads into a hangar that can be transformed into an onboard night club.

Support yacht Mystere Shadow in Gocek

The converted support yacht Mystere Shadow at anchor in Göcek, Turkey. 

Support yacht Mystere Shadow in Göcek 

<img src="/uploads/store/photo/48704/image/large-e5beb9e7d55424c221cc17159f71f6bd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/48704">Seen together in the waters outside Porto Cervo in Sardinia last week was the cruising pair of superyachts <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1025" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Istranka45.65m (149'9&quot;)">Istranka</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mystere Shadow49.7m (163'1&quot;)">Mystere Shadow</a>. Providing support as a shadow vessel to her mothership, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mystere Shadow49.7m (163'1&quot;)">Mystere Shadow</a> was completely <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/36823" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Refit of superyacht shadow vessel Mystere Shadow (2011-07-14 00:00:00 +0200)">refitted</a><a href="#managed-by-system" title="Refit of superyacht shadow vessel Mystere Shadow (2011-07-14 00:00:00 +0200)" data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/36823" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a> in 2011 specifically for this task. The vessel was originally built in 1981 by Candies Shipbuilders in the UK and was redesigned by Pastrovich Studio for a new life as a luxury support vessel.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1025" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Istranka45.65m (149'9&quot;)">&nbsp;Istranka&nbsp;</a>was built in 1952 as Princess Haifa for Marshall Tito, then the President of Yugoslavia. The vessel was often used for diplomatic meetings and is said to have hosted several world leaders at the time. Today she cruises the Mediterranean as a luxury charter yacht along with her partner.