Damen Yachting Launches First 53m Yacht Support 53 Vessel

Sold in May 2022, the new 53m will replace Hsieh's current 46m YS 4508 Yacht Support vessel of the same name, which was built by Damen in 2019 and sold to him in 2021.         

Witnessing the brand-new 53m hit the water in Turkey, Hsieh commented on his ambitious plans for the new yacht support: ‘What we are planning to do with the YS 5301 no one has ever done before, and I think this will set a whole new tier of adventure for future yachts people.’

‘This is a lifelong dream starting to become reality. The plans we have with the boat in future years is stunning — she will see the world! We will spend all our time on this boat to make the most of all the different luxuries and amenities she has, and we are very excited for this milestone,’ he added. 

YS 5301 will primarily be used as a mothership and hub for Hsieh’s well-established ‘Bad Company’ fleet: a fleet often recognised for its extensive sport fishing programs in relatively uncharted waters. Currently on a world tour, the ‘Bad Company’ fleet is known by sport fishing enthusiasts around the world.

Notable features of the new 53m include an onboard helicopter, for ease of access to-and-from airports; a large 15-tonne deck crane; as well as a 13m Release Game boat and a refurbished 10m Blackfin boat, which was Hsieh’s first game fishing boat over 30 years ago. She is fully IMO Tier III compliant to reduce emissions by 70% for full-range operations, with her two main engines delivering top speeds of up to 19 knots. Onboard, there is accommodation for up to 16 guests and 11 crew.

Damen Yachting North America's Commercial Executive, Jan van Hogerwou commented: ‘This is one of the most exciting projects we have worked on. Not only is this the first of our new YS 53 range but this is also the first Yacht Support we have built that will be used exclusively as part of a sport fishing fleet and programme. Hsieh’s unique vision and mission are very inspiring.’

Introduced in February 2022, the YS 53 range is a strategic shift for the leading shipyard’s approach to designing Yacht Supports. Inspired by its previous 17-plus Yacht Support vessels that have been built over the last decade, the new YS 53 range represents a brand-new generation for the Dutch yard: creating flexible and customisable designs to deliver a fun and engaging fleet set-up. And YS 5301’s sleek yet sturdy exterior profile is only the first testament to the Dutch yard’s progressive design era.

After her delivery, BAD COMPANY SUPPORT will tour the Mediterranean for a ‘shakedown’ trip, before moving into the Atlantic Ocean in her first year, later followed by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.