Gill Schmid Proposes an Ice-Class Explorer With Its Own Matching Shadow Vessel

The New York-based design firm is a fixture on the scene of naval design, delivering some of the most striking and rule-breaking concepts of recent years. These folks also do actual work, for which reason their concepts and ideations always get coverage, and subsequent validation, in trade publications. Well, it also helps that they aim to show what can be achieved in terms of function, performance, and style if you’re willing to throw the rule book out the window.

The Twins project is also like that. Since demand for shadow vessels is on the rise, Gill Schmid Design proposes a pair that takes #twinning to a whole new level, redefining luxury in the process.

Shadow vessels can be smaller vessels or large-sized yachts or cats whose function is to offer support to the mothership. This support can take a variety of forms, depending on the mothership's functionality: they can carry supplies or gear, or they can carry extra stuff. In recent months, we looked at a few of them that serve as floating toy garages for the mothership.

The Twins are similar, but they stand out for a series of peculiarities. While both share the same platform, measuring 230 feet (70 meters) and employing the same design language, they’re different in functionality, as per The Robb Report. You could probably not tell the difference between the support vessel and the megayacht it serves from a distance, which must be a first in the industry.

Both vessels have ice-class steel hulls and immediately memorable silhouettes with sharp lines and a decidedly masculine design. Inside, they’re both lush in luxury amenities, including the support vessel, which could serve as a mothership to a less demanding owner.

The mothership, notes the publication, is all about relaxation, focusing on wellness and socializing in the lap of luxury. You get six guest suites and the master’s suite on its own private deck with a private jacuzzi. There are a formal dining room and after-dinner lounge, a cinema, a wellness area (with everything that it entails: gym, sauna, massage area, steam room, and spa), infinity pool, and piano bar.

Exterior amenities include a generous beach club with bar, several areas for lounging and al fresco dining, and even an open-air sushi bar. In short, it’s a floating resort for up to 14 guests.

The support vessel matches the mothership in terms of performance and capabilities, and to a certain extent, luxury amenities. Designed for crew and operations with capacity for 23 crew, it has its own generously-sized gym and relaxation areas. Also there would be a wine cellar and additional food storage.

Taking the concept of “support” to a whole new level, it comes with its own ocean farm, fish tanks, and hydroponics, which would considerably extend the mothership’s autonomy. This idea sounds like A LOT, but it’s been done before, if only in concept form, with the Haven shadow vessel by ShadowCAT and Incat Crowther.

Of course, the support ship would also pack toys and gear: a limousine tender, a Damen Interceptor, a RIB, six jet skis, and a Triton submarine for underwater explorations—along with a dive center. Like other Gill Schmid designs, this one, too, would carry two cars and vehicles for on-land exploration, like motorcycles, quad bikes, and scooters. A helipad with storage for the bird when not in use is also included.

Like with Haven, the Twins shadow vessel could work as a buffer from the outside world, with guests using it for departure and arrival on the mothership.

The only thing Gill Schmid has not detailed regarding this project is the type of propulsion and range. That said, considering the kind of hypothetical owner it’s designed for, they could outfit both vessels in any way imaginable since money is clearly not an issue.