{"id":47685,"date":"2026-04-27T03:34:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T19:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=47685"},"modified":"2026-04-27T03:34:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T19:34:37","slug":"singapore-naval-architect-set-to-unveil-homegrown-chaser-boat-pioneering-a-fresh-wave-of-yachting-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=47685","title":{"rendered":"Singapore Naval Architect Set to Unveil Homegrown Chaser Boat, Pioneering a Fresh Wave of Yachting Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"


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(SINGAPORE, 2026.4.26) \u2014 Singapore\u2019s yachting scene is set to see a notable milestone with the launch of a locally designed and built chase boat \u2014 a\u00a0specialized\u00a0support vessel that\u00a0accompanies\u00a0a mother yacht at sea. <\/p>\n

Designed to reduce the burden on the main yacht while offering logistical support and backup amenities, chase boats are a rarity in Singapore waters and are more commonly seen alongside visiting superyachts from overseas. The arrival of a home-made chase boat marks a significant step forward in the city-state\u2019s maritime innovation.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u00a0anticipate\u00a0a sizeable market for chaser and shadow yachts \u2014 this\u00a0represents\u00a0the next frontier in yachting. We are proud that ours will be entirely made in Singapore,\u201d said Alvin Chua, managing director of MAG Subsea, speaking to\u00a0Fortune Times<\/em>\u00a0aboard the superyacht\u00a0Nomad 101<\/em>\u00a0during the Singapore Yachting Festival. The event, held at ONE\u00b015 Marina at Sentosa Cove, showcased around 70 vessels over four days, ending today, had drawn strong interest from both yacht enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. <\/p>\n

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Mr Alvin Chua and a photograph of the chaser craft that he calls a new local industry model and a source of national pride. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr Chua revealed that the chaser boat, which is designed with his input and will be owned by MAG Subsea upon completion by a collaborating shipyard, is currently about 80% finished. It is now undergoing \u201csoft finishing\u201d\u00a0works. The company is actively seeking a buyer, and once a purchase is secured, final completion is expected to take\u00a0about three\u00a0months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With about 30 years of experience in yacht building and subsea engineering, Mr Chua helped establish the chaser boat as a new industry model and a source of national pride. MAG Subsea, founded in 2013,\u00a0specializes\u00a0in subsea support services, and this project is yet another integrated maritime solution driven by local\u00a0expertise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He described a chaser boat as a protective escort vessel that operates alongside a larger yacht, offering additional security and assisting with maneuvering. One of its primary roles is to serve as a refueling and supply platform, minimizing risks like fuel contamination when replenishing at remote locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cA chaser boat also helps relieve the mothership of extra burdens, whether it\u2019s too many people or too much equipment on board,\u201d Mr Chua explained. \u201cHeavy logistical tasks can be handled by the chaser boat, allowing the mothership to comfortably accommodate the owners and his guests.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition, the vessel can act as a forward deployment unit, arriving before the main yacht to set up the destination and handle logistics. In emergencies, it can also transport guests or owners to safety.<\/p>\n

Mr Chua highlighted the integration of advanced technology on the vessel, including Starlink connectivity and onboard camera systems. \u201cThe owner on the mothership can log in on his iPad and watch their boats cruise together,\u201d he said, underscoring the ease of real-time monitoring. <\/p>\n

At the festival, MAG Subsea also\u00a0showcased\u00a0two vessels \u2014 the\u00a0Nomad 101<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0Majesty 62<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 both built by the United Arab Emirates\u2019 Gulf Craft. The company handled the sales and promotional activities of the two luxury boats, the former classified as a superyacht and the other nearing superyacht category.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although MAG Subsea is not a shipbuilder, it provides engineering consultancy for vessel design and construction. Its core business\u00a0remains\u00a0subsea engineering, including inspection, maintenance, and intervention services for the offshore oil and gas sector. These operations often involve remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and diving work to support underwater infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mr Chua\u00a0emphasized\u00a0that his shipbuilding philosophy is to build robust, ocean-going vessels rather than fanciful luxury yachts. He pointed out that many of the vessels he has worked on are designed with naval engineering principles,\u00a0prioritizing\u00a0durability, serviceability, and performance at sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEach project starts with constructing a scale model of the ship followed by towing tests to study its motion and how it responds to various sea conditions,\u201d he said. He contrasted this with what he described as more superficial luxury yacht designs, stressing instead the importance of functional engineering and long-term maintainability.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also expressed concern about the declining number of naval architects in Singapore, estimating there may only be a handful\u00a0remaining. Despite this, he reaffirmed his commitment to the profession, saying with a smile that he intends to remain a naval architect for the\u00a0foreseeable future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Separately, Olivier Besson, CEO of Asia Yachting \u2014 a Hong Kong-based yacht dealership and brokerage \u2014 offered insights into shifting buyer preferences in the region. Speaking to\u00a0Fortune Times<\/em>, he\u00a0observed\u00a0that earlier Chinese generations tended to view yacht ownership as a status symbol, while younger ones are increasingly motivated by lifestyle and connection to the sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the new generation\u00a0of Chinese are\u00a0more internationalized and understand what real enjoyment is, which means to be connected to the sea and generally to nature,\u201d Mr Besson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He added that cultural preferences also shape yacht design choices. Chinese buyers, he noted, often prefer larger interior spaces for social gatherings and enclosed, air-conditioned comfort.\u00a0In contrast, Western clients are typically more open to outdoor living and exposure to the sun.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Asia Yachting currently represents brands such as Prestige, Fountaine Pajot, and\u00a0Nautique. Mr Besson highlighted that French yacht designs tend to\u00a0lean towards\u00a0minimalistic luxury and practical functionality rather than flamboyant styling. Among its offerings, Prestige, despite being French, has proven particularly popular among Chinese clients due to its spacious layouts and design approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Asia Yachting also deals in Prestige which, despite being French, has proven particularly popular among Chinese clients due to its spacious layouts and design approach.\u00a0 <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The company, which has\u00a0maintained\u00a0a strong presence at the annual Singapore Yachting Festival, is expanding across Southeast Asia. It already\u00a0operates\u00a0an office in Phuket serving Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and may\u00a0establish\u00a0a permanent presence in Singapore if demand continues to rise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Asia Yachting is not currently entering mainland China directly due to high import tariffs, it is actively targeting Chinese buyers based overseas. Mr Besson added that the firm\u2019s strategy\u00a0remains\u00a0regional rather than China-centric.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 2026 Singapore Yachting Festival, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, featured around 70 yachts and is expected to attract about 13,000 visitors \u2014 about 1,000 more than last year \u2014 reflecting the growing interest in luxury marine leisure and regional yachting.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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