Buying a support vessel, also known as a shadow vessel, makes a lot of sense. As specialist craft, designed to support the mothership by carrying extra staff and equipment, scouting ahead and generally ensuring every passage is a success, they help keep the mothership clean, clear and focused on having fun.
These are commercial craft, intended for a specific task. They should be tough workhorses, with function outweighing form and deck hardware taking priority over interior comforts.
Buying a support vessel means that, in theory, you already have a luxurious mothership, a large yacht or superyacht. However, such is the interest and admiration for support-type craft that some buyers are now looking at these highly capable vessels as standalone yachts, much in the same way that the S.U.V and explorer market has emerged.
Any former commercial vessel might be enrolled as a support vessel, with the right amount of refit work. Whichever yacht you buy, you will need to fit out the deck area to suit and purchase the requisite toys, tenders or more specialist items such as submarines or helicopters.
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