As it was heading to the North of Holland, a gigantic superyacht was captured just barely fitting under a bridge.
Heesen’s 265ft superyacht, the “Galactica”, was launched at Oss, the Netherlands’ southwest city. It then made its way to Harlingen in northern Texas for testing and final fittings.
To reach its ultimate destination, this incredible machine has to travel through Holland’s narrow canals and rivers at a slow pace.
Although it is difficult to navigate the narrow channels, bridges pose the greatest danger for a large craft like a boat. This was something that the crew soon realized when they almost got stuck on Jan 8 under Den Bosch’s railway bridge.
Galactica has been photographed maneuvering up the bridge and barely making it under with six inches spare.
Arjan Veldman, Heesen’s project coordinator was optimistic that the vessel would safely reach its destination.
Veldman claimed that the press and the public watching the operation from the riverbank didn’t get the exact measurements we did.
“We’ve been crossing locks and under bridges just like this since over 40 years!”
Amazing photographs show an incredible superyacht maneuvering underneath low bridges, with less that six inches of clearance. Heesen shipbuilders in Holland were given the challenge of moving the MY Gallactica, an 80 m-boat, from Oss to North Sea for trials.
The incredible machine must travel slowly through Holland’s small canals and rivers to get to its destination. Bridges can be dangerous for large vessels, even though it’s not easy to negotiate the narrow channels. The boat crew was quick to realize this when they almost got trapped under the railway bridge in Den Bosch on January 8.
Arjan Veldman who was the Heesen coordinator, felt certain that it would arrive safely at its final destination. Veldman said that the media and people watching from river banks didn’t get all of the measurements. Concerned witnesses are seen watching the vessel move underneath the bridge.
It also includes a certified Heli-pad, a garage with a limousine and four engine options that can generate an incredible 19,000 horsepower
Although Heesen’s flagship yacht never made contact with the bridge, it was initially forced to turn back, as the water levels in the River Maas were too high for the boat to pass underneath.
After waiting for water to recede Galactica carried on with its journey, but it only managed to get underneath the paint without damaging the surface.
Forbes was amused to hear that Veldman joked about the photo.
According to Dutch newspaper BN De Stem (when water levels were too high to allow it to fit under another bridge in Heusden), the superyacht continued along its river journey.
Sara Gioanola, Heesen PR & Press Office Manager, said a voyage such as this takes 3-4 months of preparation, with many permits and certificates required to pass through Holland’s complex network of rivers and canals.
Project Cosmos was previously known as the flagship all-aluminium model ‘Galactica,’ which was unveiled in 2020. After final fitting and sea testing, it will be Heesen’s flagship model.
Boat International claims that the Galactica, an aluminium yacht of the same size, will become the fastest in its class after completion. The yacht was purchased by an unknown buyer in March 2018, for an undisclosed amount. Yachts similar in size typically sell for many millions, if even hundreds of millions.
Although superyachts the size of Galactica are often made from steel, its aluminium construction allows it to be lighter and more powerful than other yachts.
Project Cosmos was formerly known as Project Cosmos. The all-aluminium flagship “Galactica” was unveiled in 2020. After final outfitting, sea trials and testing, it will be Heesen’s flagship.
It measures 265 feet in length and has attracted considerable attention in the Netherlands. Many observers were puzzled that a yacht this size could navigate through the country’s canals.
There are six cabins on the Galactica that can accommodate up to twelve guests. These include a bridge deck VIP, main deck master suite and four cabins lower deck. A crew quarters is also available for 19 individuals.
It also includes a certified Heli-pad and garage. The garage will have a limousine. Four of the yacht’s engines are capable of producing stunning views. 19,000 horsepower.
Heesen’s biggest yacht is the ‘Galactica Super Nova, which measures in at a mere 229ft.