Support ships to play on the water
Support ships are a kind of floating toy box for the superyachts they accompany. With high loading capacities, they often house an impressive range of vehicles of all kinds and water toys.
While the first models were developed in the 1990s, they looked more like unattractive floating warehouses. In recent years, the trend has been for these support ships, also known as "shadow boats" - since they follow their superyachts like a shadow - to compete with their mother ship in terms of luxury and sophistication.
A 66 m aluminium catamaran support of 66 m
Hodor is a 66 m aluminium support ship whose design and naval architecture have been entrusted to Incat Crowther, Australian specialist in passenger catamarans. The three-deck multihull was built in Spain by the Astilleros Armón shipyard and is the only support boat built in Spain.
It is the first catamaran in the Shadow range to have been specially designed for the yachting sector. It has a 14 m midship and can reach a maximum speed of 22.5 knots. At 14 knots, its announced range is 5500 miles. According to the naval architect, his catamaran design saves him about 40% of fuel, or 160?000 litres of diesel.
The key elements of its design are inverted bows, a maximum load capacity of 240 t and a draught of 3.1 m.
Sophisticated design and layout
As a support boat for one of the world's most superyachts (whose name remains secret), its design has been adapted to offer maximum sophistication. However, its characteristics are the same as any other support boat: large deck space, large storage, stability, efficiency and flexibility.
Hodor has been fully customized to transport, supply and optimize the parent ship's basic capabilities. The interior design was carried out by Oliver Design, a Spanish company specialising in naval design and architecture. This is the first interior design project of a "Shadow Boat" of the Spanish firm.
At the owner's request, Oliver Design fitted out all the catamaran's living spaces, from the elegant guest spaces to the quarters of the ship's twenty crew members. The firm also worked on the insulation of the technical areas and in particular the engine hold.
On board are a helipad, a mini submarine, sophisticated diving equipment, as well as a hyperbaric chamber (decompression) and a number of pleasure craft and vehicles: an 18 m long tender, motor boats, jet skis, quads and buggies.
The Hodor superyachts in pictures
Photo credits: Clint Jenkins photography
