- REV Ocean is the world’s largest research superyacht, measuring 640 feet long.
- REV Ocean is expected to be delivered in February 2025.
- Designed to advance marine research, the yacht will be pivotal in ocean preservation.
The superyacht industry is rapidly growing, with new, modern, and innovative vessels being crafted to offer the ultimate cruising experience in comfort, style, and sea exploration. First, it was Google founder Sergey Brin’s 466-foot vessel, Dragonfly; then it was Bill Gates’ world-first hydrogen-powered yacht, Breakthrough, and now the $500 million USD ($780 million AUD) REV Ocean — a feat of technology — is set to change our understanding of ocean exploration.
How Long is the REV Ocean?
Measuring an incredible 640 feet in length, REV Ocean will dwarf its predecessors, beating the current record of 590 feet held by Azzam. Funded by Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke, a philanthropist who has pledged to donate half his fortune to environmental causes, the REV Ocean is his promise to ‘One Healthy Ocean.’
Much more than a piece of luxurious yachting excess, REV Ocean is a scientific powerhouse. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories, a moon pool for submersibles, and a spacious auditorium, the yacht will be used to tackle some of the most pressing oceanic challenges facing the planet, ranging from global warming to plastic pollution.
Røkke also explained that the superyacht will not just be a private playground, but a ‘platform for gathering knowledge,’ where researchers and environmental groups would board for new skills and the development of innovative solutions to meet challenges and opportunities linked to the seas.
REV Ocean’s Amenities: More Than Just a Floating Lab
REV Ocean functions as a mobile research institution. It serves as a complete platform for marine research with a range of advanced laboratories, a submarine hangar, and HiPAP tracking systems that are advanced for subsea equipment. The onboard 3D printing facility and metal workshop add to its self-sufficiency during long expeditions.
The yacht is an all-inclusive, marine conservation-focused organisation, designed to minimise its ecological footprint while incorporating the most advanced sampling equipment. Its applications span from polar to equatorial waters, addressing the most critical challenges of our time, such as pollution and overfishing. The yacht also features a dedicated media room, enabling real-time global knowledge sharing.
REV Ocean’s oceanographic technology enables it to conduct impactful marine research from icy polar regions to nutrient-rich equatorial ecosystems, while its advanced sampling, mapping, and communication systems allow the yacht to operate in the world’s most remote environments.
When will REV Ocean construction be completed?
Construction of the yacht started in 2017 at the VARD yard in Norway. It was initially designed to be 600 feet but was extended to 640 feet to increase its research capabilities. Though it faced major setbacks that led to a halt in 2021, construction resumed toward the end of 2023, and the vessel is now scheduled for delivery in February 2025, with full operational status expected by the fourth quarter of 2026.
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The exterior design of the yacht is carried out by Espen Øino, while H2 Yacht Design is responsible for its luxurious interior. In research mode, the yacht can accommodate up to 60 scientists and 30 crew members. In its luxury configuration, it hosts 36 guests alongside 54 crew members.
The yacht’s 18 thoughtfully designed cabins ensure both comfort and functionality, no matter the vessel’s purpose. Onboard, guests will find every conceivable luxury, from a cinema, gym, and jacuzzi to a conference room, making it the perfect setting for those who want to relax while contributing to the yacht’s critical mission of research.
The yacht’s propulsion system is powered by four Wärtsilä 8L26 2.7 MW diesel-electric engines, allowing it to achieve a top speed of 18.5 knots and cruise for over 21,000 nautical miles without the need for refuelling.
Once completed and delivered, the REV Ocean will be a game-changer in maritime technology, much like Breakthrough, the world’s first fuel-cell-powered superyacht, which utilises liquid hydrogen as its primary energy source. Similarly, REV Ocean will represent a paradigm shift in how we explore, understand, and protect the world’s most important ecosystem by integrating advanced research capabilities with a strong commitment to environmental consciousness.
