Originally delivered in 2014, the 92.9‑meter Draak returns to the spotlight after a complete rebuild at Oceanco’s Life Cycle Support facilities in Zwijndrecht. This transformation goes far beyond a traditional refit: the former Equanimity and Tranquility has been redesigned as an advanced platform for scientific research, marine exploration, and specialized operations, becoming the companion yacht to the colossal Leviathan.
The project brought together Oceanco’s Life Cycle Support team, Co‑makers, owner’s representatives YTMC and Inkfish, as well as the crews of both vessels. Conceived to operate in tandem, Draak and Leviathan were rethought to ensure complementary functionality and seamless joint operations.
Reimagining for a new purpose
According to Edwin Schneider, Life Cycle Support Project Manager at Oceanco, Draak demonstrates what can be achieved when an existing platform is rethought for an entirely new operational purpose. The rebuild combined original construction knowledge, operational insight, and close collaboration among all stakeholders, resulting in a yacht with enhanced operational versatility and expanded capabilities for research, exploration, and extended cruising.
Dan Morgan, Managing Director of YTMC, highlights the yacht’s metamorphosis, noting how Draak has evolved from a traditional “hotel” yacht into a unique multi‑role platform – a true workhorse that blends operational functionality with the comfort and quality expected of a modern superyacht.
Purpose‑built capabilities
Draak was selected with the support of Y.CO as the ideal companion to Leviathan thanks to her unique platform, perfectly suited to be transformed into a yacht capable of supporting Inkfish missions. Inkfish operates across the owner’s fleet, providing researchers with access to remote environments and advanced onboard technologies. Charlie Birkett, CEO and Co‑Founder of Y.CO, emphasizes how the project exemplifies what happens when a refit becomes a true rebuild, preserving pedigree and design integrity while unlocking new potential.
A central objective of the rebuild was equipping the yacht with a high‑performance tender fleet and dedicated lifting systems. The removal of the helideck created space for a dedicated tender operations area, while the installation of a 12.6‑ton Van Driel jib crane with an 11‑meter outreach and a custom C‑davit system with twin 6.7‑ton units ensured safe and flexible handling of tenders and equipment. Modular chocks were added to allow containerized transport and full compatibility across the fleet.
The former beach club was transformed into a professional dive center, complete with a medical treatment area and a Hytech‑Pommec hyperbaric chamber, whose installation required millimetric precision. The swim platform was also extended, integrating an extendable boarding platform and retractable fender system, increasing the yacht’s overall length by more than one meter.
A new identity for a future of exploration
The interior was redesigned following Leviathan’s philosophy of creating shared spaces that encourage community life onboard. The main saloon has become a communal mess for guests and crew, while the upper saloon now hosts a chef’s lab dedicated to intimate dining experiences and culinary training. The former crew mess has been converted into a gym and spa, and accommodation has been expanded to support additional personnel involved in Inkfish operations.
The rebuild preserved as many original materials as possible, reducing waste and prioritizing solutions that minimize maintenance and cleaning. Stainless‑steel handrails now feature a bead‑blasted finish to reduce polishing, low‑traffic exterior areas retain the original teak decking, and high‑traffic zones use Bolidt synthetic decking. The hull has been repainted in off‑white, a choice that reduces wash‑downs and visually aligns Draak with the rest of the fleet.
With this rebuild, Draak has not simply been renewed – she has been reimagined as an advanced operational platform capable of supporting scientific missions and expeditions in remote environments, while preserving the quality and elegance that define Oceanco. She stands as a clear example of how a superyacht can evolve, transform, and embrace a new purpose without losing its original soul.
