It’s not easy to impress the crew of Archimedes, a Feadship that’s seen some imposing sights as she has criss-crossed the globe over the past decade, covering 200,000 nautical miles in the process. But the elegant 68-metre Feadship noticeably slowed as she passed the brand-new Feadship facility in Amsterdam on her way out to sea this week, giving all on board the chance to get a good look at the giant construction hall that will open its doors next May.

It also made for a great photo op too and a sign of what the residents of the Dutch capital can expect in the future as the recently launched MY Feadship programme attracts more iconic Feadships to Amsterdam. The new yard will join the other Feadship facilities in Aalsmeer, Kaag and Makkum under the auspices of the new Feadship Refit & Services organisation as well as building new Feadships.

Archimedes has just completed a refit carried out by Feadship in another facility just north of the city, and captain Christopher Walsh is pleased with how things went. “The project was finished on time and on budget. This is exactly what one expects from Feadship but not something captains take for granted when carrying out refits without Feadship’s involvement. It’s been a pleasure to bring Archimedes home to the Netherlands for this work, and the three months we’ve spent here brought back great memories of the original build back in the mid-noughties. The yacht is now in perfect condition for the owner and his guests to embark on another decade of exploring the oceans. Our recent expedition into the High Arctic has certainly whetted everyone’s appetite for more adventures.”

The refit has included replacing and upgrading all AV facilities, fresh teak for the stern platform, new upholstery for furniture and beds, painting the sun deck interior floor and a rebuild of the crew mess. Major maintenance work was carried out on the shaft line, engine supports, gangway, side hull door, tender lift, stern platform door, seawater cooling systems and stabilizers. Various parts of the superstructure were painted and a new antifouling system added, while the generator, heating & air-conditioning, watermaker and fuel oil separator have been upgraded.