Oceanfast, a premier builder of luxury motor yachts, has expanded its long-standing relationship with Australian native Greg Norman to develop the “Norman Expedition Yachts” line of luxury yachts. The first in the series will be Norman’s personal expedition yacht. “Aussie Rules” will be a 64.6 metre (212 feet) aluminium-hulled luxury motor yacht engineered for long-range ocean cruising and exploration.

“Aussie Rules” and the “Norman Expedition Yachts” will be an entirely new classification of yacht unlike any other ever built. Each will provide the exploration essentials typical of a commercial expedition vessel without sacrificing the luxury of a traditional yacht. Its design and engineering will allow it to undergo a broad range of expeditions and voyages from the Antarctic to the Amazon. Its aft deck will house a 42-foot Sportsfisherman and the equipment necessary to offload it and other watercraft including tenders and submersibles. A decompression chamber will be housed in its lazarette.“Aussie Rules'” beam will be 11.6 metres (38 feet) and will comfortably accommodate 12 guests in six cabins.

Its power will come from two 2,000 horsepower engines that will produce a top speed of 15.5 knots, and its range will be around 5,000 nautical miles.The vessel is scheduled for delivery in July 2002.