Review: ISA 47.5m "Aquamarina"

ISA 154' "Aquamarina"​

Emerald Of The Seven Seas​

by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

First impressions often tell a lasting story. This one-of-a-kind yacht lures us with
her winsome exterior glow; a pearlescent, robin’s egg blue. High gloss emerald, far removed from
standard megayachts gowned in white, she steps elegantly out from the crowd. However, that first
glance becomes a promise. While most yachts follow a single theme – this proud lady presents a list of
exotic, visionary sojourns with panoramic décor, plus… her clever obsession with the lucky number seven.​

As the 7th project from ISA; the 7th steel & aluminum yacht in its series; she features 7 individual excursions – Old English, Oriental, Marrakech, Kremlin, Empire, Modern, Tsar – a 7th level mind-travel through world destinations; Europe, Persia, Africa, East to West, the 7 Seas, all within the boundaries of her decor. Planned as the 7th of a series, the owner’s preferences made her one of a kind. Built in Italy for a Russian owner, she reaches far beyond national boundaries with a Gulliver’s Travels collection of destinations, materials, color and fabrics. Russia’s megayacht concourse, less than 10 years extant, has grown.

Aquamarina’s owners, long experienced with chartering yachts, carefully chose their builder; fashioning decor to reflect their own world travels: Think exotic silks, lavish gold leaf, turquoise, marbles and mosaics, onyx, wrought iron, sparkling steel, alabaster, white leather, with a varied collection of artworks. She also reflects wide choices in the cruising yacht world; Italy, France, the Med, London, USA, the Carib, Far East; plus respected outfitting names such as Awlgrip, Motomar, Cramm, MTU, Radice, Kohler, Hem... ad infinitum.

Yet, even her unique pearlescent finish wasn’t simple. The largest vessel to boast this metallic-finished superstructure; metallics and pearlescents were monitored by Sikkens; final coatings totaled 442 gals.; Rolling Stock was the finishing expert, centered in the Balearic Islands; Technical and cosmetic values were assessed by Coating Survey & Inspections, for the build in Ancona, Italy. Still, say the crew, in certain lights her aquamarine blue and cream-white hull changes, flashes, sparking gold accents; her mood seems to change, with the heavens and sea. A unique personality.

ISA – International Shipyards Ancona – was established in 1998 by a group of expert Ancona managers; now part of the Yacht Investors Group, an investment firm headquartered in London. Their first yacht, ISA's 156' "April Fool" was met with accolades from yachting's press, a tribute to their widely skilled labor force that focuses on flexibility; building various yacht types. Between 2001 – 2007 it delivered (7) 154’ yachts as the ISA 470 line; plus (4) 133’ yachts, and (4) 120’ yachts, winning the MYDA Award in 2006. Next goal, with its staff of 180 shipwrights and a total operating personnel of 500 – in ISA's yard covering 45,000 sq. metres and three building sheds – is to establish the first Adriatic berthing facility for refits of large yachts; “ Il Distretto del Mare.” Also in motion, technical training by universities and schools; surely a future employee pool.

The Sun Deck, shown here, catches a glimpse of the splendor yet to come, as even the open-air presentation is not the usual picnic park outing; but furnished in a delightful grand style. Louis XVI would have been comfortable with the formality of the inscribed teak deck, open shade, displaying fine china, crystal, gold & silver utensils.

In a rather novel concept, placed under the protective arm of Aquamarina's massive, forward sweeping arch; a minimalistic gym with a stationary bike and treadmill await. Cardio with an ever changing view.

And after a good work-out, convene to Aquamarina’s whirlpool, which occupies the aft portion of the sun deck. Not shown in this picture, a bank of sun-pads line the aft deck, awaiting post work-out relaxation.

With its own balcony, the Owners’ Suite reserves a special facility for dining and sequestered entertainment on their special deck. Ideal for intimate partying occasions, its dining table rises hydraulically, to be set with fine china and tableware. Stairs on each beam gracefully curl to the sundeck

The most standard area of this ship is the wheelhouse – where personal tastes and past travel minimally apply – boasting the latest in advanced navigational gear. These include the most recent releases in Radar, Sat-Nav and Electronic Communications, plus bow thrusters, stabilizers, exacting monitors for speed and fuel, engines, security, and entertainment. A thoroughly modern console, her natural teak decks stand in stark contrast to the level of automation at hand.

Above all care, sequestered aft of the wheelhouse, the Owners’ Stateroom achieves its ultimate degree of opulence. This is the “Tsar” state of mind; princely gold decor in fabrics, trim. Russian-made carpeting, set against rich mahogany. Its centerline berth faces sternwise. One rare, non-classic, modern touch: the specially quilted TV cover at the foot of the bed.

At the beam, the Owners’ ornate desk, lavishly scrolled with gold; and a specially designed neo-classic desk lamp; a genuflection, perhaps, to Croesus.

The Owners’ bath demonstrates exquisite taste in design, with studied use of mahogany and gold trim. Restrained touches of fine art decorate wall panels of the private dressing room; a recurring curtsy to period elegance.

Translucent Egyptian alabaster countertops in the Owners’ bath, with a sumptuously ornate Roman tub, continue the regal luxury, under a full-length window. Gold fixtures add richness and glitter.

Boarding from the Passerelle, this grand “Kremlin” double stairway on the lower lobby entrance encircles an outdoor dining area as well. It is an introduction to the inner luxury, where gold leaf frames fine art; further embellished with inlays, ornamental fretwork, and ivory. These decorative rattan chairs and mahogany table could be reminiscent of outdoor dining anywhere in Florida, Africa, Australia, Japan, or the Med.

Entering the main salon, “The Kremlin” – Ancient Russia’s mythic refuge since 1100 A.D. – is featured. Its traditional white and gold decor is noted in that world-famous location which has seen so much history through the ages. Fully draped and carpeted, its couches seem inspired by the sumptuous Palace of the Tsars period. Ornamental lamps and white carpet with gold filigree are emphasized by the rich mocha table, centered, inset with Egyptian alabaster and gold. Gold trims adorning ceiling and light fixtures emphasize the mood here as historic, Old World charm.

Elegance in dining continues in this artistic rendition of Empire style, a la Napoleonic tradition. The heavily gold embossed frames for paintings, veneered columnar wall decor, as well as the finely carved dining chairs, all lend strong-willed grace to this scene, descended from 1800s antiquity.

In the ship’s kitchen, history is set aside as the latest in culinary arts – microwave and convection ovens, double refrigerator/freezers/icemakers, cooktops – encourage the chef’s most creative magic. All stark white; countertops are off-white and grey-flecked composite. There is a cold room guarding a 90 bottle Euro Cave, available to crew service corridors.

Forward on the main deck, called the Media Room, is a fully equipped Cinema. Beam wide, this room caters to the special Safari mien of exotic travel. A theater-size Hitachi flat-screen TV is attended by a brown crocodile leather L-couch, ultimately welcoming, and a dark African Wenge wood table. Just forward, connected, an ensuite VIP stateroom; its shower boasting an escape hatch to the foredeck.

Following the African theme, a VIP cabin is strongly masculine in design, with a crocodile leather-trimmed bedstead, queen-size; heavily padded headboard. It’s done with dark Wenge wood. The almost black carpet is dotted with fibre-optic twinkling lights, and instead of fine art on this wall, a strange cartoon of unknown meaning.

Continuing the strong masculine motif, the VIP bath/shower shows darkly stained wood cabinetry, along with glistening steel-framed doors. The inner shower, too, features dark brown shades, ornate fixtures. Quite roomy.