Camper & Nicholsons has shared the first images of 126.2 metre Octopus exploring the icy waters of the White Continent as part of a cross-planet charter expedition. According to BOATPro, the superyacht arrived in Antarctica in late December and has since visited as far as James Ross island in the southeast and Anvers island in the west.
The yacht, which is widely considered the first ‘true’ explorer, was famously commissioned for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and comes packed with adventure-enhancing amenities including helipads, pools and a fully-equipped dive centre.
Read More/Octopus: New pictures of Lürssen's 126m explorerThe superyacht was sold in August 2021 and joined the charter fleet later that same month. Since then she has cruised the coasts of Mexico, passed through the Panama Canal and explored the cities of Brazil.
Antarctica marks the final leg of her ambitious charter tour. She is currently crossing the Drake Passage on her route back to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Octopus is equipped with an ice-class 1A steel hull and is fitted with two-hybrid ABB Industry AG E-Motors that can help her limit her environmental footprint in the delicate cruising grounds of Antarctica. She has a flotilla of tenders for getting up close to the region's soaring glaciers and penguin population.
Additionally, she carries an ROV. Antarctica is home to a number of shipwrecks, and Octopus is no stranger to uncovering important underwater artefacts.
Octopus was delivered in 2003 by Lürssen to an exterior design by Espen Øino, with US designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett creating her interiors.
"She's the perfect yacht to undertake such a voyage," said Jacqui Lockhart, head of charter marketing for Camper & Nicholsons.
"She's well-equipped to host intrepid charterers off the beaten track with a fully equipped medical suite and dive centre on board - complete with hyperbaric chamber - as well as a submarine and two helipads. Octopus was truly built for explorer expeditions."
Beneath her tough exterior, Octopus offers a range of features designed for rest and recreation across her eight decks, including a spa, cinema, library and observation lounge. Accommodation is offered for a total of 12 guests, including a private owner’s deck complete with its own elevator.
She can reach a top speed of 19 knots and is equipped with an impressive range of 12,500 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots.