[bluetickr]

okay where do i start , i worked on the plan b at atlantic drydock in jacksonville florida, this is where it had it's second make over, while in j'ville it had whole new super structure and paint. the first owner was a newzelander who bought it from austrailian govt, the ship was a naval surveying ship and it was the flinders, the first mate of the plan b actually was stationed on this ship during his service to the australian navy the crew has two aussies an the rest newzelanders exept the last sign on he is from europe,,, this yacht has alot of goodies you cant see in the front hold between the two boats on the bow you will see a crane it is used for a miniture sub that is in her hold at the stern where the name plan b is it is cleverly discuised 30 ton winch on the top deck in front of the helipad it is a workout room and and as you step out to the front of that cabin there is a large hot tub sauna,,two decks down from that on the bck of that deck their is a portable movie theatre this yacht is a exploration yacht and you wont believe who owns it, the crew are a pretty good lot oh i forgot there are a couple of americans onboard one is a retired us navy deepsea diver and the other is a specialist in underwater submersibles i guess he is the sub driver and they are out of california so is the owner but if you have any questions do ask but this is one cool boat.

[bluetickr]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

This looks like it is the boat now called Plan B. I worked out who the owners are, -I very nearly became involved in their previous conversion project.

their is only one owner well i guess there is two if you count his wife and her dog

[thebighawk]

Private adventure. 2nd refit in Atlantic. Can you say top of the line?

[bluetickr]

Originally Posted by thebighawk

Private adventure. 2nd refit in Atlantic. Can you say top of the line?

yes it was top of the line as far as i could see

[capt109]

How much money can we estimate to buy this kind of used navy survey boat and to refit just like this? The exterior finishing looks great though.

[brunick]

think in more than 2 figure million with first number higher than 4 ;D

[Marmot]

What submersible is onboard?

[bluetickr]

Originally Posted by capt109

How much money can we estimate to buy this kind of used navy survey boat and to refit just like this? The exterior finishing looks great though.

i was told that the ship was purchased for $800.000 from austrailian govt thats all i no.

[bluetickr]

Originally Posted by Marmot

What submersible is onboard?

if you look at the photo's of plan b their are two boats and a crane in the middle of them, there is a hatch there and in the hold there is a small submarine. i no this first hand because i helped lower it into the hold.

[Ewie]

Hey all, I'm new to the site and thought I'd add a little more background on Plan B.

As you've pretty much figured out she was originally built for the Royal Australian Navy as a hydrographic survey vessel, launched in 1972 as HMAS Flinders and decomissioned in 1998. She and her sister ship HMAS Moresby were replaced with two vessels, HMAS Leeuwin and HMAS Melview built by NQEA in Cairns, launched in 1997/98 and commissioned in 2000. I was involved in the project for both vessels.

After Flinders was decommissioned she was sold to a New Zealand businessman and underwent a major re-fit program over about 3 years in Whangarei, about 2.5 Hrs north of Auckland, New Zealand. I was involved in the project that was overseen and managed by the ships owners (name withheld). The original hull was retained albeit with a slightly modified bow but ALL of the superstructure from the main deck-up was replaced. Interestingly the original bridge cabin served as a site office during the re-fit and I understand was sold afterwards on Trademe (NZ version of eBay).

Most of the interiors where done by TBW Design and custom fittings built by Specialized Marine Interiors, both in Whagarei. There was some final fit out and paintwork done here in Auckland toward the end of the project.

She departed NZ shores September 2004 for a planned 2-year circumnavigation and, as I understand it, was sold to the present owners after they chartered her in Sth America somewhere, apparently fell in love with her and made what by all accounts was a very attractive offer. I must admit I was a little gutted when I heard this as the owners were so passionate about the re-fit as it was to be their boat, taking so long and being intimately involved at every detail... only to sell her off so quickly...

She then underwent a further re-fit in the US, most notably the enclosed space above the bridge that was originally and outdoor dining area and a complete re-paint (I prefer the original scheme personally). Not sure about the submersible though since directly below the spot it's supposed to be in is some of the crew quarters and stores plus the structural parts of the fwd crane. I could be wrong but if I was, the sub would have to be pretty small to fit in the space.

The same owners also did a "trial-run" refit prior to Flinders on an ex Greek Sea tug "Asteri" which I believe is now named "Asteria"

I have a whole heap of images of Flinders after the NZ re-fit, will dig them out of archives and post a few here soon.

[Sherman123]

I can confirm that Plan B does in fact have a submersible aboard. Not sure exactly where it is located, but one of my friends is a crew member at the moment and has mentioned it. I will ask him for more details.

[hat4349]

She is definitely one beautiful yacht with wonderful lines. I like the second color scheme over the first from seeing the pictures. May have been nice to see in person but by the pictures I will take the second color scheme, but taste is a very personal thing.

[thebighawk]

2nd recent refit was in 06. I t had just come up from New Zealand with a fresh refit, when new owner decided to change again.

[Hiper]

Stunning yacht! Thats what I call a proper conversion.

The paint job/scheme is immaculate, plenty of space for "toys", and a 7,000nm range. I too wonder how much the conversion cost for this yacht. Absolutely gorgeous.

[trex251]

Plan b arrives Panama on Monday 3

Have a nice day.
Greets from Panama.


Pdta.
Sorry my camera has a wrong date i forgot to set up correctly when i change batteries