Having owned several yachts, the clients who ordered Najiba were fulfilling a long-held dream to commission a pure custom Feadship. To ensure they retained some of the European design influences they cherish, the owners partnered with Vitruvius Yachts and Philippe Briand as designers and naval architects, with Claudio Cicconetti being responsible for developing the general arrangement.

In a textbook example of teamwork, they were joined by interior designer Guillaume Rolland of Studio Christian Liaigre, owner’s project manager Peter Wilson from MCM and the Feadship builders and naval architects on a project that the owners found thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.

Dream fulfilled

“Najiba is a truly remarkable superyacht and the family are thrilled with what you have created for them,” explained Peter Wilson at the launch, speaking on behalf of the owners to the assembled workforce. “They had seen Feadship quality in other yachts, hence the longheld dream to develop one of their own. Even so, the owners and their extended family could not believe their eyes when the final result was revealed to them this morning.

“My clients are delighted by the way you bridged the gap between dream and reality as well as the excellent cooperation throughout the design and construction process. From my standpoint, too, the professional relationships developed through this four-year journey – helped by the client’s clear direction and swift decision-making – have made it an absolute pleasure. Najiba is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the family’s vision and determination.”