Oceanco 269' "Alfa Nero"

An Epic Yacht From The New Dutch Dynasty.

YachtForums "Yacht of the Year"

Review by Chuck Gnaegy

Yacht Lovers, are you ready for the “Wow” Factor? The escalating number of yachts,
megayachts, and superyachts expands each year, presenting a startling growth in numbers
and in effervescent styling, from builders’ far-reaching vision. From a yacht-watcher’s viewpoint,
reactions embrace the admiration of new sizes, innovative styles and creative thinking, with exclamations
ranging from the “Oooh,” to the “Oh My,” and many more. Then with a jolt, at Monaco’s International
Exposition, the world of yachting was introduced to a stunning new unveiling, a billionaire’s delight:
Oceanco’s 269' Alfa Nero: the “WOW” Factor!

This grandiloquent viewing embraces a yacht which boasts more than 4,000sq.ft. of living space, with suite accommodations for 12, two VIPs, plus 28 crew; three separate dining areas; a centered, leather-stepped staircase and glass-enclosed elevator. Even more; a grand piano, theater lounge, dance floor, gym, beauty salon, a master suite veranda. Plus, exotic Italian marbles, goat skin wall panels, sycamore and brushed stainless steel flooring, makassar and wenge woods, Edelman leather stair treads. Yet, her crowning glory of innovation is the aft deck: In place of the usual lounges and standard cockpit, her sleek, flattened transom flaunts a fresh-or-salt water swimming pool; also, even that especial attribute hydraulically covers a three-tender garage. Then almost a bizarre note; on command, the pool is readily transmogrified to become a helicopter landing pad. “Wow” indeed. A Superyacht superlative!

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Oceanco’s now-fabled history is quite brief in retrospect, yet highly regarded – having been established as recently as 1992 – as contrasted with other Netherlands firms dating back several generations in the yachting industry. Still, within Oceanco’s decade+6 it has gained a sterling reputation for excellence in yachts, from 170’ to 311’, with outstanding designs (all featured on YachtForums.com) such as the 193’ Pegasus, 196’ Alfa Four, 203’ Lady Christina, 205’ Lady Lola, 262’ Stargate, 288’ Constellation. Oceanco’s management system creates each new project via its Monaco design team. Construction follow-through is at the Alblasserdam Shipyard in Holand, under the direction of Ocenaco's Managing Director, Eel Kant; with each yacht supervised by an onboard, expert, individual manager – Jeroen Mulder, for this craft– responsible for the yacht’s production progress.

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Alfa Nero is actually hull 702, following 701. Both builds were contracted, but each was sold to new buyers during the construction process. Not a surprise, with the increasing number of acclamations Oceanco is garnering, their order book is filling rapidly. And since the 701 engineering had already been approved, the construction of 702, which followed it, was able to be accelerated. That concept applied to the superstructure, where interior proportions, as well as the enormous, uniquely designed aft deck terraces, allowed more reduction of overhangs, and consequently more deck space.

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Alfa Nero spotlights the Naval Architecture of Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard; interior design is enhanced by famed Italian decorator Alberto Pinto. Consequently, even in its relatively brief history, Oceanco’s resplendent yacht designs are lauded industry-wide for excellence in craftsmanship, as well as startling innovation, which we see here. This elongated side view focuses on some very distinct Nuvolari & Lenard design elements, fast becoming the most recognized signatures in yachting.

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Alfa Nero’s glorious after deck, while dedicated to the swimming pool, still features a complete bar, as well as numerous sun pads and chaise longues on its bleached teak deck. The pool – 12’ x 23’ – welcomes laps or paddling, and can be filled with salt or fresh water as preferred. For those guests not addicted to swimming, Alfa Nero’s aft deck hospitably supplies an airborne water-misting system cleverly incorporated into the stainless rails lining the overhangs.

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A zoom view of the unique and complex swimming pool shows its clarity, plus the large “H” conformation at its bottom through the clear water. Using the “infinity” design – popular in many high-level hotels – the pool appears, from the stern, to flow endlessly over the horizon. This is accomplished by adding a triangulated glass section where the water streams over, to give a trompe l’oeil impression.

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The pool can be filled with (stored) fresh water in about 30 minutes. Rather, if the guests prefer, it can be filled with salt water. In a few minutes it is evacuated, the fresh water restored. Water that spills over the pool edges is drained back to a balance tank, then routed back to the pool. In a similar way, this is how the pool bottom transforms itself into the helipad. As the hydraulically operated bottom rises, the water above the deck is transferred through channels on the side of the pool to fill the void underneath the heli-deck.

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Raised and solid, stable, the teak-covered heli-deck provides an excellent target for the pilot to land the chopper. One caveat: because of the added weight, the chopper is not allowed to deliver passengers, according to MCA code.

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The beauty of patterns in Alfa Nero’s design is accentuated as afternoon sun highlights the exterior passageway. Bleached teak, glistening white & perfectly faired bulwarks, accented by glittering chrome add visual delight as the stairs lead down to the Alfa’s side decks, then pool and rear platform.

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Relaxation and partying are the sought after buzzwords for these foredeck amenities. Broad, upholstered couches and lounge pads, in a matte white, weatherproof material, provide a watchmans' view to waters yet traversed. A makassar wood serving table faces a splash-well lined hot tub. Access to the tub is via teak covered steps that are supported by a stainless spine.

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A view over the bow pulpit shows Alfa Nero’s massive anchoring gear as well as a hefty Van Driel davit/crane for tender launching. Due to Alfa's size, the bulwarks are daunting. To enable the crew to check anchor position and provide guidance to the captain, a "shelf" has been nestled into the bow peak, as well as steps to port & starboard sides. For the captain, Alfa Nero also boasts two auxiliary wing stations at Bridge level, to assist docking and maneuvering in close quarters.

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In a distant cove with no accessible beach; No problem. Alfa Nero simply opens a door just aft of amidships on the starboard side, and out slips its own beach. This unique concept also allows for loading supplies, or boarding via port craft in any sea combination, without damaging the hull.

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View from the beach: Sitting off the delightful, rhythmic Caribbean Isle of Antigua, Alfa Nero decides to watch the sunset from its own beach. (Although this and many other enchanting South Sea destinations boast dozens of white and pink sand havens) it’s an opportunity to truly get away from it all.

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At the aft starboard beam a large hatchway opens to allow a tender launch. Alfa Nero sports three tenders: Yachtwerft Meyer custom build limo guest tender; Novurania MX 780 DL custom made crew tender; Correct Craft, Ski Nautique 196 limited.

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Stowage – and launching – of PWCs is a simple operation on Alfa Nero. Shown here; two of the small craft, with additional space for more, or another tender. Launching of all small craft is by overhead davit, or overhead rotating cranes, hydraulically operated.

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