• Guests

    14

  • Cabins

    7

  • Crew

    27

Length GT Built
295' 7"
3,268 GT 2005
Beam Draft Top Speed
49' 3" 15' 11" 18.6 Kts

The 90.1m (295.6ft) expedition yacht Ice, a recipient of multiple awards, was delivered to her owners in 2005 by the German shipyard Lurssen. Boasting an exterior design and interior layout crafted by Tim Heywood Design, with interior styling by Terence Disdale, the yacht was constructed under tight secrecy under the codename Rainbow.

The eco-explorer yacht Ice, a recipient of the World Superyacht Award, was initially named Air and is noted as the first yacht to incorporate Azipod drive units instead of traditional shafted diesel drives. The superyacht was commissioned with a strong emphasis on environmental friendliness, prioritizing emission reductions. In the pursuit of creating a yacht with minimal noise and vibration, environmental considerations took precedence.

Key Features

  • Azipod hybrid propulsion system
  • Ambient outdoor dining area that can be enclosed
  • Spacious swimming platform
  • Helipad capable of holding a Eurocopter EC/35
  • Virtually silent and vibrationless operation

Design & Construction

Designed around a displacement steel hull and an aluminum superstructure she features a 15m (49.2ft) beam and a 4.84m (15.8ft) draft. The yacht is built over four decks with an internal volume of 3,268 GT (Gross Tonnes). The design also incorporates a helipad.

Construction started in early 2003 with the keel laid under the project name 'Rainbow'. Launched in February 2005 this yacht undertook sea trials over the following months and was delivered to her owner, Russian industrialist Suleiman Kerimov, in May 2005. 

Ice gained distinction for its bold design elements, including large rectangular windows and a charcoal grey hull, which were considered avant-garde at the time of its construction. The yacht's innovative design and features earned it the title of Motor Yacht of the Year at the 2006 World Superyacht Awards.

Exterior Design

Designed by the acclaimed British designer Tim Heywood, Ice exhibits a streamlined and modern aesthetic, perfectly combining style and functionality. Heywood, who had previously collaborated with Lurssen on projects such as Carinthia VII and Pelorus, has delivered a masterpiece with the exterior styling and the interior layout of Ice.

The yacht's strikingly elegant silhouette is a testament to Heywood's meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to creating an inspiring blend of aesthetics and functionality. The stunning exterior design is characterized by sleek, graceful lines and a white superstructure, which gives the vessel an air of sophistication and elegance.

The yacht's decks present a myriad of luxurious amenities and relaxation areas. The sun deck, for instance, is well-equipped with a gymnasium, an open deck area with sunbathing mattresses, and a spa pool. This deck also houses the exhaust duct, cleverly integrated into the gym's design.

The bridge deck is devoted to the crew and services, with the bridge set forward and the helipad for the permanently embarked Eurocopter EC135 helicopter on the aft deck. The yacht also features wide side decks, reminiscent of the promenade decks of an ocean liner. These lead forward to the owner's private deck, an attractive seating and sunbathing area. Similar facilities are provided for guests aft, with an open-air dining area that can be enclosed in wind or rain by a half-circle of floor-to-deckhead sliding windows.

The main aft deck is designed as a bathing center where guests can take a dip in the large pool set between the stairs leading down to the stern bathing platform. This platform serves as the base for the yacht's collection of sailing dinghies, canoes, and motorized toys, and from here, guests can enjoy a swim in the sea.

When delivered ICE set a new standard of luxury and eco-friendliness, combining open space, minimalist design, and cutting-edge technology

Interior Design

The interior design of Ice is a testament to the fine art of balance between minimalism and luxury. The design, undertaken by the renowned Terence Disdale, centers around the concept of open space being the ultimate luxury, creating a serene haven for relaxation and entertainment.

The floors throughout the yacht are mainly exposed oak, heavily brushed to reveal the grain and then lightly painted in off-white. The walls complement these floors, creating a harmonious and serene ambiance. The rooms, almost ascetic in their simple layout, make use of the generous headroom available in a yacht of this size, with ceilings also finished in off-white.

Every detail of the interior design has been carefully considered, from the unique 'vaulted' ceilings in the guest rooms to the flush-fitting doors. The door surrounds are usually finished in a charcoal lacquer, a color that harmonizes with what is perhaps the main decorative material found inside the yacht - limestone.

This pale grey 'blue limestone' often reveals little fossils locked within its smooth cut surface, adding a touch of natural intrigue to the interior. Many horizontal surfaces including tables, desks and washbasins are made from this limestone, and each of the five baths aboard was laboriously carved from massive limestone blocks so large and heavy that the yacht was literally built around them.

The result of this meticulous design and craftsmanship is an interior that is simple, serene and delightfully open. The large windows that flood every area with light, afford spectacular views, enhancing the feeling of openness.

Uniquely, the main deck saloon is provided with a sushi bar built into the port-side table. This feature adds a touch of exotic flair, allowing guests to watch the chef prepare their order. The guest stairwell that rises through four decks is a piece of sculpture in itself, lined with upright, brick-shaped slabs of limestone.

Accommodation

The accommodation on Ice is designed to house up to 14 guests. The guests are accommodated in seven elegant cabins, including a master suite, four twin cabins, and two double cabins. Each guest cabin is beautifully appointed and features an en-suite bathroom for the utmost privacy and convenience.

The master suite, located on the main deck, features a full-beam bedroom, two dressing rooms, a spacious bathroom, and two additional family bedrooms/VIP cabins. 

On the lower deck, guests will find four spacious cabins - two twin cabins and two double cabins. These cabins, located further forward than usual, are beneath the owner's suite, offering a level of quiet and privacy that is rare on a yacht of this size. Each of these guest cabins features a luxurious bathroom with a bathtub carved out of individual limestone blocks, providing a unique and lavish bathing experience.

Ice also provides extensive crew accommodations. The yacht can accommodate up to 27 crew members, ensuring full guest service. The crew accommodations are split into three distinct areas, offering an optimal balance between service efficiency and privacy. The crew mess and service areas are thoughtfully designed and located, ensuring the efficient operation of the yacht and the comfort of the crew onboard.

Performance & Capabilities

The yacht Ice, constructed by the German shipyard Lurssen, is an impressive vessel that perfectly demonstrates the fusion of luxury and technical prowess. Her performance and mechanical specifications are truly remarkable, reflecting the meticulous design and engineering that went into her creation.

Ice is powered by an innovative Azipod propulsion system, supplied by ABB. Azipod units, with their electric drive motors attached, are mounted on the underside of the yacht's hull at the stern. This system offers immense operational efficiency, while significantly reducing noise and vibration levels. This pioneering use of Azipod propulsion units in a yacht of this scale has set a new standard for larger yachts.

The Azipod system is powered by eight electric generators, which replace the two large main engines typically found on a yacht of Ice’s size. The placement of these generators is more flexible, as they can be located in a single-deck engine room, unlike the double-deck room required for a twin-diesel setup.

Ice is committed to minimizing emissions. The exhaust from each generator is passed through a catalytic filter that removes soot before being directed to the main funnel. The result is clean, odorless fumes that have a much lower impact on the environment.

Ice’s performance is as impressive as her eco-friendly features. During her sea trials, she achieved a top speed of 18.6 knots, with each Azipod operating at full capacity. Thanks to the Azipod system, her handling was also exceptional. She was able to execute a swift emergency turn of just 1.5 cables in diameter and effect a crash stop in just over a ship's length. When cruising between 16 to 17 knots, Ice consumes around 16 to 17 tonnes of fuel in 24 hours, a remarkable figure for a yacht of 2,870 tonnes.

This yacht is equipped with two Schottel bow thrusters, chosen for their quiet operation and minimal vibration. They can also function as an emergency propulsion system, capable of powering the yacht at speeds between two and three knots, depending on the sea state.

The bridge, designed with Lurssen's characteristic practicality, facilitates efficient navigation. It features a freestanding navigation desk and the main console is divided into three panels for controlling the Azipod units, the bow thrusters, and the Kongsberg dynamic positioning system (DPS).

The yacht Ice is a remarkable blend of luxury, performance, and environmental consciousness. She sets a new standard for the yachting industry, demonstrating that it is possible to create a vessel that is not just beautiful and powerful, but also respectful of the environment.

Amenities

The yacht features a well-equipped gym, allowing her guests to keep up their fitness regimes at sea. The yacht can house plenty of nautical toys and accessories, with a well-appointed tender garage for storing her impressive locker. An elevator makes the yacht fully-accessible, while air conditioning offers increased on-board comfort. Ice also features a deck jacuzzi for cooling off.

Member of the World's Biggest Yachts Club

This yacht is proudly ranked at 73 in the YB100, our exclusive list of the World's Biggest Yachts by Gross Tonnage. It has held this distinguished position for 4 years, showcasing its unmatched true size.

This yacht also entered the traditional Top 100 Longest Yachts in 2011 at 35 and is now ranked 96, holding a spot in the table for 13 years, 8 months due to its extraordinary length.

To understand the difference visit our page on the World's Biggest Yachts.

Ice Yacht is For Sale

Ice is currently on the market for sale with an asking price of $111,313,950. View all Lurssen yachts for sale from around the world.

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