Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER
\n \tAmels and Damen Yachting have confirmed the sale of the 55m Yacht Support GENE CHASER. Launched late last year under the name BLUE OCEAN, the YS 5009 support vessel was unveiled at a private ceremony at Damen Yachting\u2019s Vlissingen facility and is revealed to have undergone a \u2018period of intense transformation\u2019 to meet her new Owner’s very specific requirements.
\n Over the past two months, GENE CHASER has undergone a major conversion. The 55m Yacht Support will be used as a research laboratory and hub for ongoing scientific projects by her new Owner Dr Jonathan Rothberg, Damen Yachting has revealed. Soon to join her sistership 55m GENE MACHINE, the main salon on GENE CHASER has been converted into a working wet and dry laboratory. Other interior spaces have been re-designed as conference and lecture rooms to meet her new educational mission.\u00a0
\nGENE CHASER will accommodate seven crew members and four full-time onboard scientists. Her vast 225 square metre exterior deck, complete with high-performance knuckle boom 13-tonne capacity crane, will be used to store her sistership\u2019s Fjord 42 tender, Hatl\u00f8y Maritime Oxpro AL8 landing craft as well as additional mission-specific equipment.
\nDr Jonathan Rothberg, new Owner of GENE CHASER, spoke about the motivation behind the project:
\n\u201cCoronavirus reminded us of the fragility of our world. Whether it\u2019s a global pandemic or global climate change, each of us must rise to the challenges we face, as we are best prepared. For my family, this means Gene Chaser and her onboard Gene Lab \u2013 a next generation lab to address mankind\u2019s greatest challenges. Gene Chaser will be the tip of the spear as we deploy never before available technology to characterise, understand, and expand our knowledge of biodiversity, and identify nature\u2019s solutions \u2013 within her genes \u2013 to the world\u2019s greatest existential threats.\u201d Dr Rothberg confirmed this was also the origin of the name GENE CHASER.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe are going to go after genes to combat global warming and clean up the oceans and the air. That\u2019s why it\u2019s the Gene Chaser. In our planet\u2019s very genes lie the answers to our biggest challenges and the key to our salvation.\u201d
\nCaptain of GENE MACHINE Matthew Gow also acted as Owner\u2019s representative for the experienced Owner during the sale. He comments, \u2018We\u2019ve achieved an incredible amount of work in a short period of time, and the collaboration with the team at Damen Yachting has been excellent. Watching the transformation take place has been very special and I cannot wait to see GENE CHASER alongside GENE MACHINE.\u2019
\nMatthew goes on to reveal that GENE CHASER\u2019s scientific goals had \u2018been on the cards for a while\u2019, with Damen Yachting\u2019s Yacht Support range providing the \u2018ideal solution\u2019 for the Owner. GENE CHASER will provide useful storage and workspace for the Owner, allowing for GENE MACHINE to be dedicated to spending quality time with family onboard.\u00a0
\nGENE CHASER is the eighth Yacht Support vessel to be launched from the YS 5009 design. Boasting a signature Damen Sea Axe hull form for unrivalled seafaring capabilities, GENE CHASER\u2019s unique features include a large multipurpose main deck hangar and new layout for eight guests, seven crew and four onboard scientists. Along with her sister ship, GENE CHASER will be outfitted with matching colourful LED name boards next month.<\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n
\t Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Damen Yachting Unveils 55m Floating Research Lab GENE CHASER Amels and Damen Yachting have confirmed the sale of the 55m Yacht Support GENE CHASER. Launched late last year under the name BLUE OCEAN, the YS 5009 support vessel was unveiled … <\/p>\n