Infinite Jest captain Tim Davison calls this expedition ‘the adventure of a lifetime’. Indeed, this 75m megayacht looks nothing like a rugged explorer — you can imagine her glittering in the Caribbean, warmed by the Mediterranean sun, or gracing a marina in Miami. But Antarctic hummocks?!
Davison says that testing the ship's durability in the harsh latitudes was part of the owner's plans during the construction phase. The captain (he has a partner, Tom Shipton, who took over for the 2024 season) was one of those overseeing the process. Infinite Jest began construction on spec in pandan to the yacht Roe with an almost identical exterior by A. Vallicelli & C. Yacht Design. However, she was specially prepared for the trials. ‘Almost three years of planning and preparation have paid off,’ — says the seawolf.
Three years may seem like a long time — and it really is — but cruising to Antarctica is no easy task either. Unlike most destinations, traditional or undiscovered, the weather here can be unforgiving. Drake Passage, the waterway that separates South America from the icy continent, is notorious for some of the choppiest waters in the world's oceans with unpredictable, changeable weather. The Antarctic climate requires ice belts, reinforced sections to protect the hull. More attention must be paid to sewage management, waste disposal, and other operations that would not normally require modifications. Also, the crew needs additional training. Owners and guests need polar clothing, as do crew members.
The CFD analysis has allowed to extend the Infinite Jest's hull by 40cm in width and 2m in length in comparison to her predecessor Roe, with a new bulb and reduced protrusions, allowing the vessel to reach a top speed of 18.2 knots using two Caterpillar engines. The yacht is quiet. As well as sound absorbing panels on the hull, the engines, generators and shaft couplings are fitted with spring supports from Lo-Rez, a company that specialises in vibration control equipment, instead of solid rubber supports. According to the yard, the noise level in the owner's cabin at any speed does not exceed 39dB.
Exterior designers sought to give Infinite Jest a majestic appearance by combining sharp and streamlined shapes. The nose was strongly elongated and sharpened like the beak of a bird of prey, while the transom, on the contrary, was made flat. This has not prevented the shipyard from accommodating a swim platform almost 14 metres wide, of which the yard is justifiably proud. Behind the large transom panel is the beach club with folding side balconies. There is also a well-equipped gymnasium. The garage stores the custom 10.3m Compass limousine tender, guest and lifeboat tenders and jet skis.
Cruise participants hardly experienced the severity of Antarctic weather. They lived in a real palace with collectible furniture, exclusive fabrics, oak panelling in warm colours and silk and cashmere carpets. For example, the upholstered armchairs and sofa to starboard in the main salon are individually designed, the central pair of blue sofas are collector's pieces by Pierre Polin and the coffee table standing between them is by sculptor Mauro Mori.
Most impressive of all is the spiral staircase running from the main to the bridge deck, with its curved hand-moulded handrail and white leather covered steps. The spans are framed by two 8.2m high carved panels by DKT Artworks.
The bridge deck features a wellness centre with pool and spa with sliding glass walls that open fully from the stern side, while forward are secluded seating areas with excellent visibility. You can see everything from above, but you can't see yourself.
The upper deck remains closed to outsiders. Almost half of the superstructure is taken up by the master with a three-way view, its own office and dressing rooms. The master cabin itself is a harmony of white colour. His and hers bathrooms are decorated with travertine and Bianco Dolomiti marble. The owner's deck serves al fresco dining for up to 14 people. The private salon with its large U-shaped sofa and home cinema is not as formal as the main salon. The eye is immediately drawn to the amusing Bubbles lighting fixtures by Studio Glustin — multi-coloured alabaster hemispheres that look like models of planets.
Where we have played with colour, it is in two VIP and four double cabins. One of them is in silver shades, the other is iridescent, and there is also yellow, orange....
Infinite Jest was accompanied on the voyage by a 69 metre Jester shadowboat, itself quite remarkable and with a great history. It is a refit Soviet hydrographic vessel Valerian Albanov, built in 1972 by Finnish shipyard Oy Laivateollisuus under the order of the USSR. In fact, its main task was not scientific research, but tracking NATO ships in the North Sea. This is an excellent, very sturdy and reliable ice class vessel, which did not even need the original Deutz engine to be replaced (only cleaned and repaired). The interiors are finished in mid-20th century modernist style, with lacquered rosewood panelling on the walls and leather and metal furniture. Under the name Olivia, the yacht was owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. He sold her when he built his famous Olivia O Explorer with an icebreaker bow. So ‘just Olivia’ became Jester. In the March/April 2021 issue of Yachting we gave her a big review and even put her on the cover.
After being handed over to her owner in July last year, Infinite Jest explored the Mediterranean, then went to the Caribbean before heading south for the winter to celebrate Christmas among the icebergs. Within 24 hours from the coast of South America, the ship arrived in Antarctic waters.
‘Air and water temperatures dropped to freezing point, the sea changed colour, the wildlife became different, the fog thickened and the first icebergs were spotted,’ Davison continues. After the ice trek, Infinite Jest returned to the Caribbean and reached Miami. In less than a year, she has covered a distance comparable to travelling around the world on the equator. Isn't that a sign of the owner's affection for his Infinite Jest?
