Eco-friendly luxury megayachts available for charter

From shipyards exploring green-certified materials and production processes to brands that exist wholly to create vessels that harness the energy of the sun, waves, wind and in many cases alternative fuels, the industry is changing for the better.

Here is our pick of the pioneers and forerunners among the luxury charter fleet – those who led the way and inspired owners and boat yards to follow in their (greener) wakes – and the very latest charter yachts which exist as a showcase of sustainable seafaring.

SAVANNAH

274ft (83.5m) SAVANNAH from Feadship launched in 2015 and was immediately awarded for her beautiful profile, interiors and use of hybrid technology.

At the heart of her eco-friendly engineering is cleaner and more cost-effective propulsion. Commenting on her large propeller, Feadship's director Henk de Vries stated that "The way in which one gigantic propeller has been installed in front with another electrically powered prop in its slipstream has also never been applied on a yacht. A similar system has been used on board passenger ships in Japan, but that is an 'industrial' solution, without the attention to comfort required on a Feadship."

SAVANNAH runs with an azimpull, a variable pitch propeller, three gensets, powered by Lithium-ion batteries with one million Watts – allowing for extra speed at the top end and ultra-quiet cruising at slow speeds. The end result of these numerous innovations in SAVANNAH's technology, are an impressive saving of a huge 30-percent compared to similar-sized superyachts.

These environmentally-friendly characteristics aside, SAVANNAH welcomes charter guests with all the contemporary luxuries they could wish for such as a cinema, a nine-metre swimming pool and a glass-bottomed underwater observation lounge to view the wonders of the underwater world below.

NAUTILUS

Launched by Perini Navi-Pichiotti shipyard in 2014, the stunning charter yacht, 73m NAUTILUS was especially designed to minimise noise and environmental impact whilst maximising performance. NAUTILUS uses diesel-electric propulsion system (with Azipod transmissions). With a 360-degree range, her electronics means she can remain stationary without an anchor at sea using GPS and the propulsion and thruster to keep her position. Fun and environmentally-aware, NAUTILUS is equipped with toys and tenders that have been carefully selected to keep her environmental impact to a minimum.

In tune with her commitment to a healthy planet, NAUTILUS focuses on the health of her charter guests with a complete Wellness Deck comprising gym, massage room, steam, sauna, hydrotherapy, pool and more. Accommodating 16 guests in seven lavish guest cabins with full beam main deck master and two main deck VIP staterooms.

BIG FISH

Created as the "far-ranging, soul-soothing window to the world" adventure-seeking 147ft (45m) BIG FISH is true adventure charter yacht with many unique eco-friendly attributes.

Built by Aquos Yachts in collaboration with New Zealand builder, McMullen & Wing, BIG FISH boasts a plumb bow, steel hull and floor-to-ceiling windows. Achieving the "fusion of luxury styling and expeditionary muscle", BIG FISH swept up the awards in her launch year of 2010, for everything from design and interiors to technical innovation.

BIG FISH has five staterooms, including a superb full-beam master cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows, 270° views and private deck area, a 22ft video wall, crows nest for 360° views, and fold-down 11m beach platform at the stern, as well as a helicopter landing pad, spa pool, two terraces, a wine cellar, two barbecues and a state-of-the art kitchen. Rather than teak, her decks are made of granite to conserve warmth and provide durable, low-maintenance flooring.

In 2011, BIG FISH undertook an historic circumnavigation over one year, from Antarctica right up to the Amazon, over the top of Russia and along the Northeast Passage – making her the first luxury yacht to complete the Northeast Passage and the first vessel in history to complete a Polar Circumnavigation. With a 10,000 nautical mile range, there is no place too remote for BIG FISH.

During her maiden expedition, BIG FISH contributed to our understanding of the world's climate and environmental changes. Her SeaKeeper 1000 equipment monitored ocean, climate and weather changes and data was sent via satellite to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), while her journey was tracked online with images and footage from her onboard cameras and a remote-controlled chopper.

For her guests, the BIG FISH charter experience has no limitations and can include diving, game fishing, water skiing, trekking in the tropics, and just as easily, a range of health, fitness and beauty therapy onboard.

SAFIRA

Built in 2013 as a "green" global explorer SAFIRA is remarkably engineered for unsurpassed sea handling capability and the pinnacle of luxury. During winter, SAFIRA cruises the Caribbean and in summer, New England but she is built to roam the world.

With her ice-strengthened, high tensile steel hull and aluminium superstructure, SAFIRA has a range of 8,800 nautical miles, promising to take her adventurous luxury charter guests to the world's most far-flung destinations, or its most sophisticated in equal comfort.

SAFIRA accommodates up to 10 guests in five staterooms. Within, SAFIRA boasts classic styling with Art Deco touches, elegant furnishings and fittings, and a myriad of spaces for dining, socialising and relaxing, all with eco-credentials.

Décor items are organic, natural, recycled, sustainable and renewable. Forest-certified Sapele is used exclusively in the walls and cabinets, and the interior sub structure and panelling is also forest certified. The floor coverings throughout are organic and the 100% recycled material, Marmoleum is used for galley and utility area flooring and the decking is Esthec, an environmentally friendly teak replacement. All appliances are energy star rated and the vessel is insulated, requiring less energy for heating and cooling.

OKTO

This exquisite 216.54ft (66m) Italian-built superyacht is considered the first and only of her kind – a self-contained, futuristic world of her own.

During her construction, design group BMT Nigel Gee employed naval architects, structural and mechanical engineers to carry out a plethora of tests on her systems that were similar to the extent of testing on oceangoing commercial vessels, including smoke tests to make sure the superstructure didn't create dragging vortexes, or leave any exhaust gases swirling around the decks.

In fact, the decks too are eco-friendly, composed of Esthec, a sustainable replacement to teak.

Silent, vibration-free and highly-fuel-efficient, OKTO has too many special features to mention, but they include incredible space throughout, a 6m swimming pool on the lower deck, plus jacuzzi on the sky lounge, spa and beauty salon, cinema room, elevator from lower deck to bridge deck, a balcony on the owner's master suite that lowers at the touch of a button, gym with floor to ceiling windows for ocean views while you work out, grey and black pinstriped decks and a full complement of tenders and toys for all ages and inclinations.

Her six cabins accommodate 11 guests in sheer luxury, while OKTO'S 17 crew were chosen from the ranks of the most experienced marine professionals.

HAZE

HAZE is a 26.2-metre charter yacht built in Italy by Extra Yachts and ideal for family charters in Croatia, the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean. Fast and sleep, this stunning superyacht features a superb penthouse design with modern exterior lines and a layout that focuses on guest comfort. Vast deck areas feature a 50-square-metre beach club including a hydraulic swim platform and spacious areas on the foredeck, aft deck and sundeck for sunbeds and alfresco dining.

Her spacious interior with panoramic windows, includes an open plan dining/lounge bathed in natural light with futuristic styling and state-of-the-art entertainment system. Accommodation for up to eight guests comprises a generous full-beam master and three additional impeccably-styled staterooms. HAZE generates its own ‘green power’ with an array of photo-voltaic cells. And by utilizing significantly lesser fuel, she contributes to reducing carbon emissions and lessening the harm caused to our precious seas.

For further information on these eco-friendly sailing and motor yachts and others designed to look after our world as well as give you the holiday of a lifetime please contact the specialists at Luxury Charter Group.