New pictures: 36m support vessel ‘PHI Phantom’ delivered

PHI Phantom will act as a support vessel for 58.5m (192ft) PHI, carrying a range of tenders and toys and sharing the same design DNA as its mothership.

Alia Yachts has released the first official photos of its rugged support vessel ‘PHI Phantom’ following her delivery to her Owner.

The images showcase the paired back muscular looks of the vessel and the identity it shares with its mothership, the Royal Huisman yacht PHI, which at 58.5m (192ft) is the world’s longest motor yacht in the sub-500GT category.

Support vessel PHI Phantom on water
PHI Phantom will act as a support vessel to the Royal Huisman superyacht PHI © Charl van Rooy

The exterior styling of PHI Phantom has everything to do with her mothership PHI.

Cor D. Rover

Exterior Designer

View alongside decks of support vessel PHI Phantom
View of side of support vessel PHI Phantom

“The exterior styling of PHI Phantom has everything to do with her mothership PHI and at the same time she is really and literally a shadow of the longer beauty queen,” says exterior designer Cor D. Rover.

“So, we simply looked at the design DNA that we gave mothership PHI, which consisted of a set of organically curved sheerlines, contrasting black and blue surfaces, and sharp-edged and curved wing stations. As much as we were able to, given the constraints, we applied this DNA to PHI Phantom. Alia did a fantastic job in sculpting our ideas in aluminum without the forgiving help of filler material!”

PHI Phantom also features a patented Fast Displacement XL hull from Van Oossanen and twin Cat C-32 engines, that aid her impressive performance, the support vessel has a range of 6,000nm at a cruising speed of 11 knots. Her top speed of 21 knots matches her mothership.

“It was clear from the start that the long and slender Fast Displacement XL® would be highly beneficial for application to a chase yacht,” said Perry van Oossanen of Van Oossanen Naval Architects. “The extra length directly translates to extra deck space, which is the main purpose of a chase yacht and will add versatility, high fuel-efficiency and comfort. Because of this, PHI Phantom can easily be considered equal to chase yachts of much higher length and tonnage.”

Aft view of support vessel PHI Phantom showing tenders on deck
PHI Phantom features a 150 square meter aft deck © Charl van Rooy
Phantom wording on side of ship
Crane with tender on support vessel PHI Phantom

PHI Phantom can easily be considered equal to chase yachts of much higher length and tonnage.

Perry van Oossanen

Van Oossanen Naval Architects

PHI Phantom will provide support by carrying the tenders and toys her mothership has no garage to stow. Pride of place amongst them goes to the 12.3m (40ft) tender ‘Spirit of PHI’, a heavily customized version of Spirit Yachts P40 model built in wood. Also stored aboard will be a small sailboat, electric car and jetskis. A 9m (29.5ft) HS Marine crane fulfils the vital role of launching and retrieving these tenders and storing them on a 150 square-meter (1,615 sq. ft) aft deck. 

The support vessel will also include extra laundry facilities, be capable of bunkering fuel to extend the mothership’s range and features three cabins, including one slightly larger cabin with a desk that can be classified as a guest cabin.

Superyacht PHI outside Royal Huisman building
Mothership PHI underwent her sea trials last month © Royal Huisman

Mothership PHI is recognizable by her sleek, low hull and superstructure profile. Amongst her notable features is an infinite wine cellar and Cor D. Rover’s patented DEPP swimming pool which uses a minimum of freshwater. Just last month we brought you the news that she was undergoing her sea trials ahead of her planned delivery before the end of the year.

Support yachts, or shadow vessels as they are also known are becoming more common as the size and complexity of superyachts increase. If you are looking for a vessel to shadow your superyacht, start your search by viewing all new and pre-owned support vessels for sale.

Alternatively if you are looking for a luxury yacht itself view all superyachts for sale.