At first glance, Arctic, looks like a tug-boat but in fact she is a superyacht with a long and distinguished history and caters for her owner and guests in total luxury. This morning she was anchored off Puerto Portals.
Originally a 1969 ice-class salvage tug, she was converted into one of the world's first true expedition yachts by Australian media mogul Kerry Packer. Arctic holds the record for the southernmost navigation by a motor yacht, pushing into the Ross Sea almost reaching the South Pole.
The yacht boasts an incredible 18,000-nautical-mile cruising range, allowing it to travel almost anywhere without needing to refuel or resupply. Extensive retrofits have hidden five-star luxury features in plain sight.
For example, the beach club features a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and dining table that can all be lowered flush into the deck at the touch of a button to create a massive dance floor or entertainment space. The yacht also carries a vast armada of water toys, including submersibles, ROVs, and an exceptionally large fleet of tenders.
Unlike fragile, modern superyachts, Arctic carries a massive 28-strong crew—including mechanics, fitters, and electricians—and features a full onboard machine shop. This allows the crew to build and repair parts in the most isolated corners of the globe, rather than waiting for parts to be shipped.