Luxury yachting has long been associated with indulgence, but a growing number of owners are redefining what a superyacht can accomplish beyond leisure. With the unveiling of Draak, Dutch shipyard Oceanco presents a compelling example of that evolution, transforming a celebrated 92.9-meter platform into a sophisticated expedition and research vessel without sacrificing the refinement expected of a world-class yacht.
Originally delivered in 2014 and previously known as Equanimity and Tranquility, Draak has undergone an extensive rebuild at Oceanco’s Life Cycle Support facilities in Zwijndrecht. Conceived as the companion yacht to Leviathan, it has been purpose-built to support the scientific missions of Inkfish, an organization dedicated to providing researchers with access to some of the planet’s most remote marine environments.
Rather than a conventional refit, the project represents a comprehensive reengineering of the yacht. Working alongside owner’s representatives YTMC, exploration specialists Inkfish, and a network of technical partners, Oceanco has fundamentally redefined both the vessel’s capabilities and onboard experience.
The most visible transformation lies aft, where the former helideck of Draak has been replaced by a dedicated operations deck designed to deploy an impressive fleet of tenders and specialist equipment. Heavy-duty custom cranes and lifting systems enable complex expedition logistics, while the former beach club has been converted into a fully equipped dive center complete with medical facilities and a hyperbaric chamber—features rarely found aboard even the world’s largest private yachts.
Inside, the philosophy shifts away from traditional hierarchy toward collaboration. The main saloon has become a communal dining space shared by guests and crew, while a chef’s laboratory encourages culinary experimentation and training. Accommodation has been expanded to support scientists, researchers and expedition specialists, reflecting the vessel’s new multidisciplinary role.
The rebuild also embraces sustainability through thoughtful material preservation. Existing finishes have been retained wherever possible, original teak has been reused in lower-traffic areas, and maintenance-intensive elements have been redesigned to improve operational efficiency over the yacht’s lifetime.
Beneath the surface, virtually every major technical system has been modernized—from propulsion and power generation to navigation, communications and digital infrastructure. Oceanco’s access to the yacht’s original engineering data allowed new technologies to be integrated with exceptional precision, demonstrating the value of designing for longevity.
More than a remarkable rebuild, Draak signals a broader shift within the superyacht industry. It is proof that today’s most extraordinary yachts are increasingly measured not only by where they can take their owners, but also by the discoveries they help make along the way.
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