Review: Oceanco Yacht 269' "Alfa Nero"

Oceanco 269' "Alfa Nero"
An Epic Yacht From The New Dutch Dynasty.

YachtForums "Yacht of the Year"

Review by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy & YF Publisher Carl Camper​

Yacht Lovers, are you ready for the “Wow” Factor? The escalating number of yachts,megayachts, and superyachts expands each year, presenting a startling growth in numbers and in effervescent styling, from builders’ far-reaching vision. From a yacht-watcher’s viewpoint, reactions embrace the admiration of new sizes, innovative styles and creative thinking, with exclamations ranging from the “Oooh,” to the “Oh My,” and many more. Then with a jolt, at Monaco’s International Exposition, the world of yachting was introduced to a stunning new unveiling, a billionaire’s delight: Oceanco’s 269' Alfa Nero: the “WOW” Factor!
​

This grandiloquent viewing embraces a yacht which boasts more than 4,000sq.ft. of living space, with suite accommodations for 12, two VIPs, plus 28 crew; three separate dining areas; a centered, leather-stepped staircase and glass-enclosed elevator. Even more; a grand piano, theater lounge, dance floor, gym, beauty salon, a master suite veranda. Plus, exotic Italian marbles, goat skin wall panels, sycamore and brushed stainless steel flooring, makassar and wenge woods, Edelman leather stair treads. Yet, her crowning glory of innovation is the aft deck: In place of the usual lounges and standard cockpit, her sleek, flattened transom flaunts a fresh-or-salt water swimming pool; also, even that especial attribute hydraulically covers a three-tender garage. Then almost a bizarre note; on command, the pool is readily transmogrified to become a helicopter landing pad. “Wow” indeed. A Superyacht superlative!

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Oceanco’s now-fabled history is quite brief in retrospect, yet highly regarded – having been established as recently as 1992 – as contrasted with other Netherlands firms dating back several generations in the yachting industry. Still, within Oceanco’s decade+6 it has gained a sterling reputation for excellence in yachts, from 170’ to 311’, with outstanding designs (all featured on YachtForums.com) such as the 193’ Pegasus, 196’ Alfa Four, 203’ Lady Christina, 205’ Lady Lola, 262’ Stargate, 288’ Constellation. Oceanco’s management system creates each new project via its Monaco design team. Construction follow-through is at the Alblasserdam Shipyard in Holand, under the direction of Ocenaco's Managing Director, Eel Kant; with each yacht supervised by an onboard, expert, individual manager – Jeroen Mulder, for this craft– responsible for the yacht’s production progress.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Alfa Nero is actually hull 702, following 701. Both builds were contracted, but each was sold to new buyers during the construction process. Not a surprise, with the increasing number of acclamations Oceanco is garnering, their order book is filling rapidly. And since the 701 engineering had already been approved, the construction of 702, which followed it, was able to be accelerated. That concept applied to the superstructure, where interior proportions, as well as the enormous, uniquely designed aft deck terraces, allowed more reduction of overhangs, and consequently more deck space.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Alfa Nero spotlights the Naval Architecture of Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard; interior design is enhanced by famed Italian decorator Alberto Pinto. Consequently, even in its relatively brief history, Oceanco’s resplendent yacht designs are lauded industry-wide for excellence in craftsmanship, as well as startling innovation, which we see here. This elongated side view focuses on some very distinct Nuvolari & Lenard design elements, fast becoming the most recognized signatures in yachting.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Alfa Nero’s glorious after deck, while dedicated to the swimming pool, still features a complete bar, as well as numerous sun pads and chaise longues on its bleached teak deck. The pool – 12’ x 23’ – welcomes laps or paddling, and can be filled with salt or fresh water as preferred. For those guests not addicted to swimming, Alfa Nero’s aft deck hospitably supplies an airborne water-misting system cleverly incorporated into the stainless rails lining the overhangs.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

A zoom view of the unique and complex swimming pool shows its clarity, plus the large “H” conformation at its bottom through the clear water. Using the “infinity” design – popular in many high-level hotels – the pool appears, from the stern, to flow endlessly over the horizon. This is accomplished by adding a triangulated glass section where the water streams over, to give a trompe l’oeil impression.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

The pool can be filled with (stored) fresh water in about 30 minutes. Rather, if the guests prefer, it can be filled with salt water. In a few minutes it is evacuated, the fresh water restored. Water that spills over the pool edges is drained back to a balance tank, then routed back to the pool. In a similar way, this is how the pool bottom transforms itself into the helipad. As the hydraulically operated bottom rises, the water above the deck is transferred through channels on the side of the pool to fill the void underneath the heli-deck.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Raised and solid, stable, the teak-covered heli-deck provides an excellent target for the pilot to land the chopper. One caveat: because of the added weight, the chopper is not allowed to deliver passengers, according to MCA code.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

The beauty of patterns in Alfa Nero’s design is accentuated as afternoon sun highlights the exterior passageway. Bleached teak, glistening white & perfectly faired bulwarks, accented by glittering chrome add visual delight as the stairs lead down to the Alfa’s side decks, then pool and rear platform.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Relaxation and partying are the sought after buzzwords for these foredeck amenities. Broad, upholstered couches and lounge pads, in a matte white, weatherproof material, provide a watchmans' view to waters yet traversed. A makassar wood serving table faces a splash-well lined hot tub. Access to the tub is via teak covered steps that are supported by a stainless spine.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

A view over the bow pulpit shows Alfa Nero’s massive anchoring gear as well as a hefty Van Driel davit/crane for tender launching. Due to Alfa's size, the bulwarks are daunting. To enable the crew to check anchor position and provide guidance to the captain, a "shelf" has been nestled into the bow peak, as well as steps to port & starboard sides. For the captain, Alfa Nero also boasts two auxiliary wing stations at Bridge level, to assist docking and maneuvering in close quarters.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

In a distant cove with no accessible beach; No problem. Alfa Nero simply opens a door just aft of amidships on the starboard side, and out slips its own beach. This unique concept also allows for loading supplies, or boarding via port craft in any sea combination, without damaging the hull.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

View from the beach: Sitting off the delightful, rhythmic Caribbean Isle of Antigua, Alfa Nero decides to watch the sunset from its own beach. (Although this and many other enchanting South Sea destinations boast dozens of white and pink sand havens) it’s an opportunity to truly get away from it all.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

At the aft starboard beam a large hatchway opens to allow a tender launch. Alfa Nero sports three tenders: Yachtwerft Meyer custom build limo guest tender; Novurania MX 780 DL custom made crew tender; Correct Craft, Ski Nautique 196 limited.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Stowage – and launching – of PWCs is a simple operation on Alfa Nero. Shown here; two of the small craft, with additional space for more, or another tender. Launching of all small craft is by overhead davit, or overhead rotating cranes, hydraulically operated.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

With launch doors on both beams, Alfa Nero’s capacity for storage of tenders, PWCs, other watertoys and supplies, is enormous.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Moving up a couple of levels from Alfa's man-made beaches, as a prelude to the interior tour, the identical dark makassar/wenge wood and matte white golfball print decor theme follows the foredeck, with the same upper aft deck lounge and settee. Featuring bleached teak decks and wenge wood tables, the spacious aft deck also sports beach umbrellas that have been sprouting up on yachts all over the Med. A popular and foldable shade to foster daytime and nighttime entertainment elegance.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

Stepping inside the 180 degree, circular sliding doors is a picture of elegance with a far-reaching view. The main dining room may perhaps give a hint that the owner – who chooses to remain completely anonymous; and we honor that – must be an avid golfer. Shown here in the chair upholstery pattern is this handsome but obvious golf ball print, which is used extensively throughout the yacht. Perhaps overhead as well, interpreted in the lovely and ostentatious chandelier light fixture. Fore!

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

On the main deck, her Salon occupies the full beam, airy and fresh with its crisp, off-white couches and chairs of Edelmann leather, goat skin, and mother of pearl plus chocolate-dark wood inlays. This collected finery has set the stage for the total yacht decor; a soft, debonair tonal balance against strong, masculine, russet and umber brown shades. Carpeting is geometrically sectioned in two shades of brown, accented with brilliant, heavy, inches-thick slabs of glass as table tops, and highly polished stainless steel lamp fixtures. The salon and lounge area, engaging nearly half the length of the yacht’s main deck, opens to an outdoor bar/gathering/party/dance floor, which leads to the swimming pool.

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.

With the staircase winding around its circular design, this glass enclosed elevator services each level of the yacht. LED illumination lights each passageway, day and night, so revelers readily reach their night time venues on the ship’s lower levels. (The owner’s suite occupies the entire upper deck and is completely private; not featured in this review. However, other living areas – to follow – are assuredly as spectacular as might be anticipated).

Warning: Image Copyright Protected, Digitally Encoded and Web Traceable.