In the evolving landscape of superyacht ownership, refits have become not merely maintenance tasks but full-scale transformations of vessel identity and capability. Damen Yachting has positioned itself at the forefront of this movement—bringing together shipyard-grade engineering precision and design-driven finesse to deliver next-generation refit projects.
Under the leadership of Michel Coens, Head of Refit & Services, Damen’s Refits division now operates with a dual mindset: harnessing the yard’s new-build expertise while tailoring bespoke rebuilds that respond to an owner’s longer-term ambitions. The project brief is no longer just “renew and refresh”—it is “re‐engineer and re-interpret”.
A prime example of the yard’s approach is the much-publicised transformation of the 79.2-metre superyacht Moonstone (formerly “Albatross”). Arriving at Damen’s Vlissingen facility in late 2022, the Delta-Marine built vessel underwent a 26-month overhaul including a 7-metre extension, full remodelling of interior and exterior architecture, and a complete systems upgrade.
Damen’s refit philosophy can be broken into three core pillars: structural innovation, design integration, and operational foresight. From complex hull modifications and structural re-engineering to interior layout redesigns by leading studios such as Harrison Eidsgaard, the yard demonstrates that refit success demands both mechanical precision and aesthetic clarity. For Moonstone, the hull extension was achieved by removing 10 metres of hull and inserting 17 metres of new structure—an engineering feat that had to maintain balance, stability and hydrodynamic integrity.
The design phase is treated with equal seriousness. Damen works with owners’ teams from the beginning to discern their performance, lifestyle, and longevity objectives. “We think with the owner’s team about what they truly want to get out of a refit,” Coens commented in a recent interview. “It’s about future-proofing by considering how the owner’s needs will evolve in the coming years.”
Beyond aesthetics, Damen’s full-in-house engineering strength enables large-scale interventions. Whether dealing with new stabilisation systems, noise reduction, emissions upgrades, or full interior mechanical replacements, the yard treats each refit as a comprehensive technical project—in many instances rivaling a new build in scope and complexity.
This integrated philosophy gives owners confidence: their vessel is not simply restored, but re-born. Damen Yachting’s refit programme now stands as a benchmark for large-scale rebuilds in the industry—combining structural integrity, design finesse, and operational optimization in one seamless package.
As the superyacht sector continues to evolve, the yard’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship positions it as a partner of choice for those seeking more than a refresh—seeking true regeneration at sea.
