In his brief, the owner of 90-meter Air requested that designer Tim Heywood and builder Lürssen Yachts create a motor yacht as clean and environmentally friendly as possible. So the team designed her with eight diesel generators to cover both the working load and the propulsion system – two electrical drives housed in twin Azipods from ABB Marine that hang under the stern. Air is the first yacht launched with such a system.

Another innovation: Pump jets replace traditional bow thrusters and, when used with the Azipods, allow Air to "virtual anchor," holding a fixed position without dropping real anchors that could damage the marine environment.

Novel, too, is the mooring deck located under the private forward-facing owner’s deck. In addition, the main-deck waterfall pool is fitted with an adjustable floor that can be made flush with the surrounding deck for large gatherings.

But the yacht is not just an assemblage of techno-mechanical innovations. It is a comfortable, stylish vessel with a minimalist interior by Terence Disdale. An impressive limestone staircase with self-supporting steps dominates the owner’s and guest areas.

The upper deck holds a large sun deck with a custom-built Jacuzzi and gym, while the top deck is an MCA-certified helipad for a Eurocopter 135.

Contact LürssenYachts 49 421 6604 166. www.lurssen.com