The 180-foot Heesen Moskito typically spends summer days in the Mediterranean, perhaps at anchor with all of the water toys out. Come late afternoon, the anchor is weighed in time for an evening cruise with dinner on the upper deck aft. Charter guests see the moon, the stars and twinkling lights ashore as a warm breeze keeps everyone comfortable.
In the Caribbean, Moskito’s crew particularly enjoys being in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, especially the crystal-clear waters and reefs of Canouan and the neighboring Tobago Cays. These shoal waters are fantastic for scuba diving and snorkeling, and a visit to the turtle sanctuary is a highlight. A great end to the day is a barbecue with music from a steel-drum band, either on a beach or on board.
Given how popular the yacht has proved for charter through its exclusive agency, IYC, it’s almost hard to believe the project was started on spec. Indeed, Moskito began life as Project Pollux, named for the son of Zeus and one of the Gemini twins in Greek mythology. The yacht launched in August 2020 and sold about a month later, with the British owner taking delivery in spring 2021. Moskito is the fifth of presently 13 Heesen 55M FDHF Series trideck motoryachts, with four under construction.
This 760-gross-ton, steel-and-aluminum superyacht’s striking exterior and space planning come from Frank Laupman and his Omega Architects team. The efficient fast-displacement hull platform is by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. Moskito’s interior is the ninth Heesen with a scheme by London-based Bannenberg & Rowell.
Moskito’s interior entertainment areas—a salon, dining area and sky lounge—and six guest staterooms make for a solid charter platform, along with outdoor spaces such as the full-length sun deck, which has a hot tub and several sun loungers. At water level, there’s a beach club abaft the engine room that includes a sauna, hammam and day head, also popular amenities for enticing charter bookings.
The yacht’s six en suite guest staterooms provide up to 13 berths. The owner’s suite is forward on the main deck with an entrance off the lobby and 880 square feet of full-beam real estate. A desk and dressing area are immediately inside, followed by the stateroom with full-height picture windows that provide fabulous views. The forward-facing super-king berth is on centerline with a desk and chair to port, and a pair of armchairs and a table opposite.
Four guest staterooms are on the lower deck: two with forward-facing king berths, and two with twins that convert to super kings. One of those twin-berth staterooms also has a Pullman berth. The sixth guest stateroom is on the bridge deck with a double berth and could be used for private staff.
The yacht also has quarters for 13 to 14 crew, though Moskito’s owner staffs 19 in order to cover crew rotations. There are six twin-bunk cabins forward on the lower deck, along with a mess and the yacht’s laundry. The captain’s double-berth cabin is on the upper deck.
Crew can move around discreetly through most of the yacht. The main-deck galley amidships to port serves as the crew hub. From there, stairs connect with the crew cabins, the bridge, and pantries on the main and upper decks.
Moskito has two Ribeye tenders: a 21-footer for crew, and a 23-footer for guests to enjoy. The yacht also has inflatable docks, Sea-Doos, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Seabobs, wakeboards, water skis and several Fliteboards for a variety of watersports interests and skill levels. I’m told that guests progress through them quickly.
Twin 1,350 hp 8V 4000 M63 MTU diesels deliver the yacht’s thrust via a pair of straight-shaft ZF boxes and five-blade nibral propellers. The top speed is quoted at 15.5 knots, with a long-distance run at 12.5 to 13 knots yielding a range around 4,500 nautical miles. On the bridge, the five-screen ECDIS setup includes dual radar.
Moskito may have started its life as a spec yacht, but given its popularity on the charter market, its continued success seems certain.
BVI Namesake
This superyacht shares its name with Moskito Island in the BVI, which, like nearby Necker Island, is owned by Sir Richard Branson. The name is believed to be a corruption of Miskito, the native people from the Mosquito Coast in Central America.
Making It Happen
Rotating captains Ian Robertson and Thilo Burks foster a can-do culture among the crew. Popular shoreside pursuits for guests include tennis and golf. Several of the crew play themselves and will serve as partners as needed. Other crew can instruct guests in yoga, Pilates and Irish dancing.
Stream Your Heart Out
Moskito has Starlink high-speed broadband connectivity, which means guests can do whatever they need to do online, wherever the yacht happens to be. Crew say that on transatlantic crossings, they have had no problem streaming live sports and movies.
Souvenir Screening
With permission from guests, Moskito’s crew will shoot GoPro and drone footage throughout a charter. Typically, they will screen a selection of images and videos with a soundtrack. On departure day, guests receive USBs with all the imagery as a keepsake of the trip.
Take the next step: heesenyachts.com and iyc.com
