Many superyachts on the charter market have changed hands and names over the years, but few have undergone such a comprehensive transformation as luxury yacht PLAN B, which started life as Australian naval ship HMAS FLINDERS in 1973 and can now be spotted cruising the South Pacific.
Alongside the fitting out wharf at NQEA preparing for refit. In Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Photo © Stephen Swayne
Stephen Swayne worked aboard HMAS FLINDERS and has supplied the images below circa 1985 to show the extent of her 2011 conversion and 2018 refit from military vessel to a fully-equipped explorer yacht featuring original interiors by Tracey Barnier-Willis Design.
Alongside the fitting out wharf at NQEA preparing for refit. In Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Photo © Stephen Swayne
While retaining much of her military styling, several key changes have occurred to the exterior profile of explorer yacht PLAN B, which now sports a glossy black hull and a gunmetal grey superstructure. The bow remains the same and a Davit crane can be seen on the foredeck, however, the communications mast has been removed and replaced with a sleeker, more modern unit and now sits atop the additional sundeck, which is fitted with a forward Jacuzzi and a helipad to the aft.
Photographed during the Weipa South hydrographic survey conducted by HMAS Flinders under the command of LCDR Mark Bolger. In the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. – Photo © Stephen Swayne
Larger square windows have been added to the upper deck and the hull portholes have also changed from circular to a square to let in more light.
Special Sea Dutymen closed up. Photographed during entry in Cairns after a sea passage from Vanuatu. HMAS Flinders was soon to enter refit. In Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Photo © Stephen Swayne
The upper deck aft has been extended to provide guests with an additional alfresco living area replete with a grand dining table to seat 10, a nearby wet bar and two seating areas exposed to the sunshine while at night the area transforms into an outdoor cinema. This, in turn, leaves the main deck aft below shaded: Once used for storing tenders, the area is now used for a variety of water toys.
Photographed onboard HMAS Flinders at sea passaging from Port Vila in Vanuatu to Cairns in Australia. – Photo © Stephen Swayne
The inner transformation is just as carefully executed, leaving many of her original features while updating the surroundings to offer modern comforts and conveniences to family groups.
The week before going into refit. Taken from yacht Slejpner during Wednesday yacht racing in Trinity Inlet, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Photo © Stephen Swayne
The bridge has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility where the paper is virtually non-existent and course plotting and distance is all done on a computer.
The Great Room is designed for family interaction and combines a breakfast bar with casual lounge seating, a dining alcove and a media/scientific research station. The bridge deck aft is a lavishly decorated winter garden, where floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors can be pulled back to expose the area to the cool sea breezes.
HMAS Flinders in the NQEA dry dock in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Freshly cleaned and repainted hull is gleaming. Photo © Stephen Swayne
On the sundeck, there is a fully-equipped gym to the aft where guests can take in the views and the fresh air, or unwind with a massage in the spa room.
The accommodation is decidedly more lavish, offering guests on board up to 5 cabins to sleep a party of 12, with a crew of 14 accommodated on the lower deck with a mess, galley and other facilities.
Mega yacht PLAN B today
Her engines have also been upgraded and she sports twin Caterpillar engines for a top speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots at which she has an extensive cruising range of 7,000 nautical miles.
Aerial view of PLAN B
Superyacht PLAN B has been available in the past for charter in French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other destinations in the South Pacific charter grounds. Find out about her current availability and weekly rates or please contact CharterWorld.
VIEW CURRENT PHOTOS AND INFO ABOUT PLAN B HERE
