SCINTILLA MARIS is a remarkable 46-metre hybrid-propulsion expedition yacht, a genuine go-anywhere explorer with an extraordinary story. Her heavily built steel hull was launched by the Dutch shipyard Damen Maaskant in 1988 as one of the last of a series of the mightiest, most powerful and most seaworthy North Atlantic fishing trawlers, and after decades at sea she was returned to her original builder, who, recognising the exceptional quality of the hull, embarked on a multi-year, full-fledged rebuild, stripping her back to bare steel and modernising everything but the hull to create a breathtaking eco-explorer, re-launched in 2023. Maintaining her original, characterful exterior lines proudly displays her heritage, while a step inside reveals a fully modernised expedition yacht conceived by a seasoned yachtsman as the ideal go-anywhere vessel and optimised for long-distance, autonomous, ocean-going performance. Built on a RINA-classed thickened steel hull with plates measuring up to 15 millimetres, she is Polar Code compliant and carries a Green Plus notation, and her innovative IMO Tier III-compliant hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, with a lithium-ion battery pack and a variable-frequency electromotor, delivers an exceptionally quiet, low-vibration and low-emission ride, a minimal carbon footprint and an outstanding range of up to 9,000 nautical miles, cruising economically at 9 knots on a single generator with a top speed of around 13 to 14 knots. Her trawler pedigree guarantees comfortable, safe seakeeping in the most remote and demanding waters. Her contemporary interior, designed by the acclaimed Dutch studio Vripack, is bright, warm and full of character, with curved walls, a bold and cheerful colour scheme and more than thirty decklights and skylights that flood natural light deep into the vessel, even in the spaces below the main deck. The reconfigured bridge deck offers an intimate lounge with U-shaped seating and direct access to the helm, a wonderful space for guest observation on long passages, while the main deck features a welcoming open country kitchen conceived as a relaxed gathering place where guests can interact with the chef, along with a warm forward lounge with forward-facing views and flexible indoor and alfresco dining. Generous outdoor deck spaces and a waterside beach club make the most of the spectacular scenery, and she carries an extensive array of expedition toys, from kayaks and paddleboards to jet skis and diving equipment. Accommodation is arranged for up to 10 guests in five cabins, all located on the lower deck and naturally lit by portholes and skylights, each with its own silent climate-control system for a restful, noise-free sleep. The standout full-beam master cabin sits aft, with huge ceiling heights, large skylights, a comfortable lounging area, a workspace and a generous en-suite, while four further guest cabins forward, comprising two doubles and two bunk-style twins, complete comfortable, light-filled accommodation ideal for adventurous families and groups. A professional crew of nine, with a flexible guest-to-crew ratio, ensures service perfectly matched to each charter. SCINTILLA MARIS is designed as a home-away-from-home and maritime boutique hotel for exploring the world’s most remote and beautiful regions, cruising Northern Europe and the Arctic, from the fjords and fishing villages of Norway to Svalbard and Greenland, in the summer, and the Caribbean and Central America in winter, offering charter guests a rare combination of authentic explorer heritage, sustainable hybrid technology, characterful Vripack interiors and genuine go-anywhere capability aboard one of the most distinctive expedition yachts afloat.
