The most recent addition to the CRN family, 54-meter displacement megayacht in steel and aluminum called Ability, slipped into the water on December 17, 2005. The event was attended by over 2,000 guests, by the Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ferretti Group, Norberto Ferretti and Gabriele Del Torchio, as well as the citizens of Ancona.

The launching of CRN's 54-meter Ability.

 

A wider view of the impressive launch.

Another view with Ability in the water.

The impressive ceremony was then followed by a sit-down lunch in one of the CRN sheds where steel megayachts are built, adorned with Christmas decorations.

Partygoers enjoy the festivities in the shade of a CRN megayacht under construction.

Large-scale volumes and a passion for all the different aspects of the sea provided the underlying inspiration for the creative talent of the Zuccon International Project firm as it designed this project, the first product of a working relationship with CRN that has already resulted in the design of a new 54-meter sister ship for Ability, plus the 60-meter GiVi, a vessel scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2006.

Numerous spaces that open onto the sea characterize the layout of Ability, whose distinctive personality is noticeable right from the stern. Unlike other boats, which use their stern for technical functions, the aft portion of Ability radically rearranges the rules of standard naval design, transforming the stern into a VIP area with a full-fledged “balcony on the sea”. A beach deck measures roughly 19 square meters, and provides easy access to the tender. A crystal panel opens onto a fitness area meant to function as a spa, with a sauna, Turkish bath and gymnasium, designed by the CRN engineering staff, with consulting assistance from the experts at the Technogym firm, plus the cutting-edge equipment of the Kinesis system.

A “reverse motif” would appear to be the implicit theme of the stylistic choices comprising the interior design, dominated by an art-deco look that includes features hearkening back to an imperial style. Veneers of precious woods (no fewer than 8 can be found on the vessel) add further luster to the different rooms, which are already enriched by an abundant use of silk and velvet, furs and leather, plus exclusive, highly sophisticated accessories, such as Versace lamps. Honey-shaded myrtle veneer lightens the dark tones of the Ralph Lauren couches and sofas in the main lounge, which holds a splendid Steinway baby grand piano at its center. The interplay of the rich veneers also highlights the dining room seating 12, where the dark oak veneer is brilliantly set off by maple inserts.

Leaving the dining room, the central lobby is to the right, providing a sumptuous passageway to the strictly private zone reserved for the ship owner. A glass elevator, holding a central position in the lobby, connects the three covered decks. On the pavement, engraved in the black and white marble, is the logo of the owner’s company, a motif repeated on the elevator floor and throughout the rest of the boat.

The ship owner’s area starts with a private studio featuring an artful combination of skins and furs: crocodile-skin couches, luxuriant cushions made of mink, fox and hare, plus inlays of antiqued leather on the doors. A treasure-trove of opulent materials and facings can also be found in the massive central bathroom, featuring precious marble further enriched by inlays, geometric designs and facings. A Philippe Stark chaise-lounge completes the indoor relaxation area, whose outdoor counterpart is a large terrace that opens onto the sea, with a design as exclusively private as it is innovative. This feature presented the shipyard with a challenge unlike anything faced to date in the rest of the world, with proof of its successful resolution being the full approval of the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping of London, as well as the MCA, which tested and certified every last construction detail of this innovation.

While the large volumes of the Ability appear impressive from the moment one steps on the ship, it is on the sun deck that the vessel’s impressive size can be appreciated in full. An area measuring 130 square meters holds a luncheon zone, bar, pool and sun-bathing area, equipped with cushions and chaise lounges that can easily be replaced with a platform on which to land a helicopter.


PHOTO CREDIT: Giulio Napolitano, Riccardo Musacchio & Flavio Ianniello, Gino Candolfi

Among the local and national industrialists were Arturo Ferruzzi (pictured above), Andrea Della Valle (Tod’s) and numerous others who had traveled from various parts of Italy. Speeches were made by Norberto Ferretti, President of the Ferrettti Group, followed by the Mayor of Ancona, Fabio Sturani; Lamberto Tacoli, Chief Executive Officer of CRN and the Owner who wanted to emphasize his confidence and respect for the Ferretti Group, with which he has had 5 yachts built. Ability slipped elegantly into the water accompanied by the applause from public which had held its breath throughout the ceremony.

Representatives of the local authorities also attended, including the Mayor of Ancona, Fabio Sturani; the President of the Marche Region, Gian Mario Spacca; Enzo Giancarli, President of the Province of Ancona; the Euro Member of Parliament Luciana Sbarbati; Maria Paola Merloni, President of Confindustria Marche, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Giampaolo Giampaoli. Senior representatives of the local military dignitaries were also in attendance.

 

 

Norberto Ferretti, President of the Ferretti Group and Lamberto Tacoli, CRN Chief Executive Officer, along with local authorities, address the crowd at the launching of Ability.