The 50-metre project Vega has entered the shed at Damen Maaskant's facility in Stellendam, the Netherlands, where she will undergo the next stage of her conversion into an explorer yacht.
Vega was originally delivered by Asi-Verken in 1964 as a lighthouse supply ship and was acquired over two decades ago by a Swedish company, with the intention to convert her into a private vessel. After an extended delay, the project resurfaced in December 2023 when she was transported from Stahlbau Nord's shed in Bremerhaven, Germany to Bremen Harbour to continue work under Dörries Maritime.
Her conversion into an explorer yacht began in 2005 at the hands of Penzance Drydock, with work encompassing a 2.5-metre extension, new engines and a new aluminium superstructure by Pendennis.
She then lay dormant for several years in Penzance, until Dörries was commissioned to finish her refit, resulting in the move to Bremerhaven. The exterior and naval architecture were developed by the Government Of Sweden and Wilhelm Stolck, while the (undisclosed) interiors are attributed to Ken Freivokh.
The exact scope of refit work and the duration of the project currently remain unknown.
BOAT International will update the story as it develops.