Construction begins on RMK Marine's largest explorer yacht

RMK Marine has laid the keel of its 65-metre custom explorer in an "emotional ceremony", according to the shipyard's yacht director Özgur Numan. Provisionally known as ER65, the yacht is due for launch in 2026 when she will become RMK Marine's flagship.

ER65 has been designed with long-range cruising and go-anywhere capabilities in mind. The 1,374GT yacht will be built to Lloyds ice-class standards and will be one of a rare few to carry the title of Polar Code Category B - Ice Class PC 6.

To complement her explorer nature, ER65 will boast a helipad with a refuelling station and a dedicated tender hangar complete with a watertight compartment to store a deep-water submarine.

The yacht’s clean and minimalist design comes courtesy of the Vancouver-based studio ER Yacht Design, which will handle the interiors also. Engineering and production design has been handled by RMK Marine and Eureka Yachts.

"This is the kind of project that a yacht designer waits for all his life," said Ivan Erdevecki, founder of ER Yacht Design. "The owner specifically requested a custom-designed, long-range, go-anywhere project for an expedition motor yacht, with style and an elegant timeless, classic look, that I was very happy to land on my desk."

Accommodation is offered for 12 guests with a crew of 20. Spread over five decks, ER65 will boast a long list of amenities including a library, sauna, gym, massage room and medical facilities. Alongside her helicopter, the yacht will also have two eight-metre custom-built aluminium expedition tenders.

“For this reason, our shipyard is the perfect fit for a project such as ER65,” said Özgür Numan, yacht department director at RMK Marine. “When we first saw the general arrangements and the profile of the yacht, we simply fell in love with its elegance and graceful sheer line. We are very excited about the idea of building this craft."

According to BOATPro, RMK Marine has three yachts currently under construction – including the 49.9-metre Project Aries, which recently changed central agency.