In the world of luxury yachts, it almost seems that each new build attempts to outdo the last. And the latest one from Heesen Yachts did that by breaking a world record. Dubbed “Project Cosmos,” the 262-foot-long ship, the shipyard’s largest yacht build to date, will be the fastest aluminium yacht upon completion in 2022.

Project Cosmos is currently the fastest aluminium yacht from Heesen Yachts — **Project Cosmos. Image courtesy of Departures**

The stunning boat will be capable of hitting top speeds of almost 30 knots, or 35 miles per hour. It’s possible, thanks to its novel design. The builders patented “The Backbone,” which is similar to the “I” girder. That means it is stronger than a flat metal bar because you can’t bend it.

“The speed is probably one of the main factors driving the shape and style,” Mark Cavendish, Director of Sales & Marketing at Heesen Yachts, said. “It’s very unusual today for an owner who goes to custom build yachts of this size to want to have a top speed of around 30 knots. Most of these yachts are cruising somewhere between 15-17 knots. When you build an ultrafast yacht like this, the style has to go with it—it would look odd if it were a conventional steel displacement yacht with a fuller body. It would also be hard to make it work. The naval dynamics are critical to getting it to that speed.”

Of course, aside from the engineering, the yacht has all the luxurious amenities you’d expect. Onboard there’s an 885-square-foot sun deck, a palatial foredeck that doubles as a helicopter landing pad, a glass elevator, an outdoor theatre, a glass-bottom pool, and a waterfall that flows from the top deck. Up to 12 guests can enjoy the yacht spread out over four guest suites on the lower deck, a VIP suite with a private studio on the bridge deck, and an impressive master stateroom on the main deck. Nineteen crew in eleven cabins will be able to service the guests discreetly.

“We wanted the boat to look modern, but also timeless, something that wasn’t going to age—subtle surfaces, long lines, and elegant structure, together with some more contemporary sculpting and shapes,” explains James Russell, Exterior Yacht Designer, Winch Design.