#ExpeditionYacht - It is refreshing to report on a leisure based visitor to Cork Harbour that is neither a massive sized cruiseship or a stereotypical private motoryacht, as Turmoil has proved today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Turmoil, a luxury expedition motoryacht berthed this morning close to Cork City centre along North Custom Quay, having sailed from Cardiff.

At 64m /210 ft the steel hulled motoryacht is just shy in length to that of the decommissioned L.E. Aoife of 65.2m. It should also be noted the ‘Emer’ class OPV is a continuation in design terms of the L.E. Deirdre, which when sold was converted into a luxury private expedition yacht.

As for the ‘Aoife’ she currently remains berthed alongside Cork Dockyard following her refit in dry-dock mostly during August. She is to begin a new career having been donated by the Irish State to the Armed Forces of Malta maritime squadron.

Turmoil, with her stylish superstructure (mostly made of aluminium) stands three decks and is situated well aft, a typical characteristic of such expedition superyachts. Ahead of the wheelhouse at this forward deck is where a boat-derrick is mounted for the motoryachts tender craft.

The general exterior design of the expedition yacht are from Ole Steen Knudsen and Tom Fexas while the interiors are those by the hand of Destry Darr Designs.

She can sleep a total of 12 people where her guests are pampered and catered for by approximately 16 crew. The interiors are based on a country manor with floor to ceiling timber panelling dominating the overall appearance of the luxury yacht.

At the time of her launch in 2006 at Royal Denship AS in Aarhus, she was the Danish yard’s largest expedition yacht. Likewise of the ‘Aoife’ she underwent a refit, albeit only two years after completion, where the motoryacht had maintenance and alteration work carried out to continue her self-sufficient worldwide-expedition role.

In order to cover long distances, Turmoil has twin-ample Caterpillar main engine that delivers a maximum of 16 knots, though for cruising this is reduced to 14 knots for a range of 6,500.

The engine generates 2260 horse power (or 1686 kilowatts). Her total HP is 4520 HP and total Kilowatts are 3372. She is driven by twin screw propellers.