There are few things as thrilling as the launch of a boat – that moment when the hull touches the salt water for the first time, accompanied by the sirens of all the surrounding vessels. It is a suspended moment, full of anticipation, in which years of work, vision and passion finally take shape, transforming into something alive, ready to take to the sea.
In La Spezia, this moment took on a rare intensity. It was not merely the launch of a yacht, but the birth of a symbol: Baglietto’s first T60, the largest flagship ever built by the shipyard in its long history, which began in 1854. Sixty metres long, approximately 1,100 GT, an imposing presence that marks a decisive milestone in the company’s growth and paves the way for the two sister vessels already under construction.
An entire community gathered around hull no. 10260. The owner and his family, the top management of the shipyard and the Gavio Group, the institutions, and the civil and military authorities. A shared moment, in which pride mingled with emotion.
“It is a great pleasure for me to take part in a moment that represents not only the launch of an extraordinary vessel, but also the culmination of years of work, expertise, vision and passion,” declared Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region, emphasising how this milestone testifies to Baglietto’s ability to grow, innovate and compete at the highest levels of the international yachting industry, combining tradition and the future.
When the notes of the Italian national anthem, performed by tenor Amadi Lagha, filled the air and the bottle shattered against the hull, time seemed to stand still for a single moment. Then came the sound of the trumpets, the yacht’s glide towards the sea, and its first contact with the water. An almost ritualistic passage, in which a dream becomes reality.
“A launch is always a moment of great emotion, because it represents the culmination of years of work and the realisation of a dream – that of the owner, which becomes our own,” commented CEO Diego Michele Deprati. “Today this emotion is even stronger, because it marks a new milestone in the shipyard’s history.”
But the T60 is not merely a symbolic milestone. It is a project that redefines the way we experience the sea. An evolution of the T52, it builds on its legacy whilst pushing it further, with even sleeker lines, streamlined sides that appear to float, and a continuous band of black glass that emphasises its dynamism and elegance.
On board, everything is designed to break down boundaries. The large, fully opening floor-to-ceiling windows transform the interior spaces into dynamic environments, in constant dialogue with the sea. The result is a fluid continuity between inside and outside, between architecture and landscape.
The living area unfolds as a single, large interconnected space: the beach area, main saloon and dining room merge into a spectacular two-level environment of almost 100 square metres, dominated by light and water. A beach lounge of approximately 60 square metres welcomes guests with a swimming pool, bar, conversation area and gym, offering an immersive experience from the moment they step on board.
The yacht’s most intimate heart is the entire upper deck, dedicated to the owner. A true private owner’s deck, featuring a panoramic suite, an office, a walk-in wardrobe and a spacious bathroom, surrounded by opening windows on three sides leading directly to a private pool at the bow. At the stern, a lounge, dining area, hot tub and spacious sunbathing areas complete a space designed as an exclusive retreat between sky and sea.
Guests are accommodated in five cabins, whilst the crew have dedicated, functional spaces to ensure a high standard of service. Every element is designed to strike a precise balance between comfort, functionality and beauty.
And then there is the technical aspect: two CAT 3512 engines, a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots, testifying to a design that combines aesthetics and performance.
But perhaps the deeper significance of this day emerged when looking beyond the yacht. The launch was also a celebration open to the workers and their families, to those who truly built this dream. And above all to the youngest members of the community, the schoolchildren involved in a creative competition dedicated to the sea.
“It is to them that we must look when we speak of the future of yachting,” Deprati remarked, highlighting the importance of building not only increasingly ambitious yachts, but also opportunities and skills for the new generations.
So, as the T60 slowly touched the water, accompanied by the sound of sirens and the gaze of those who had witnessed its creation, it became clear that this launch marks not only the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new course.
Giuliana Fratnik
