13 Fascinating Facts About ‘REV Ocean,’ the World’s Largest Superyacht
REV Ocean—which stands for Rosellinis Four-10’s Research Expedition Vessel—will be the world’s most advanced research and expedition vessel when it’s delivered in 2027. At 639 feet, it’s also set to become the largest superyacht in the world and, for those who can afford the full experience, the most capable charter vessel ever. It’s rated Polar Class 6 for breaking ice and designed to operate autonomously for 114 days.
Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Roekke has been waiting for his very special expedition vessel since he first proposed the concept about a decade ago. But the wait will be worth it, as Robb Report discovered earlier this week, one of the first media outlets to step on board.
“It’s the Swiss army knife of ships,” says project director George Gill, noting it’s neatly divided into two halves. The rear section includes nine science laboratories, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) rated for 19,600 feet, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and a Triton 7500 submersible capable of bringing three passengers to depths of more than 7,000 feet. There’s also an AI species identification system for collecting research samples and sonar for mapping the seabed down to 26,200 feet.
By contrast, the forward section is devoted to a luxurious guest experience. REV Ocean has one of the largest owner’s apartments ever designed on a yacht, a cavernous sea-level beach club, an underwater observation deck with full-height inclined windows, two pools, plenty of water toys, a spa and even a Padel court.
Roekke assembled a team of maritime experts to oversee the complex project, starting with Nina Jensen, former Secretary General of World Wildlife Federation Norway. She is now CEO of the REV Ocean Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Roekke with the goal of “creating solutions for a healthier ocean.” Norwegian yacht designer Espen Øino, who designed Roekke’s private yacht Skat, is responsible for REV’s industrial-looking exterior, while Jonny Horsfield of H2 Yacht Design did the interior.
The project has taken seven years of stop-and-start construction at Norwegian shipyard VARD in Ålesund, says operational director Oystein Mikelborg, who spent 10 years overseeing the construction of the Norwegian Polar Institute’s ice-class vessel RV Kronprins Haakon before joining the REV team. “The ship was too heavy to be efficient, so we increased buoyancy by adding some length, removed the plunge pool deck and lowered the vessel’s center of gravity to improve stability,” Mikelborg told Robb Report during a tour, before REV Ocean moves to Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen to have its interior completed.
This isn’t the first time REV has increased in length. It started on paper at 476 feet and then grew to 535 feet. The the design was then pushed to 590 before finally reaching 639 feet. “We’ve added a lot of functionality that wasn’t there before,” says Mikelborg.
REV will run in research mode most of the year, hosting 34 scientists who will collaborate on science-for-solutions projects, such as restoring critical habitats that can also absorb C02 and addressing the global issue of microplastics.
The remaining time will be for private charters, managed by Burgess Yachts and expedition specialists Joro. These charters will operate in biodiverse areas such as Antarctica and the Galapagos. A fleet of tenders and water toys, two helidecks, and a dedicated dive room will guarantee guests will have everything they need.
The weekly charter price is expected to be about $4 million. Roekke, who signed Bill Gates’s Just Giving pledge to donate 50 percent of his billion-dollar fortune to fund education and ocean research, has donated the exclusive use of the vessel to the REV Ocean Foundation. “REV is a research and expedition vessel with a yachting element, but the power in the initiative lies in the combination of the two different worlds,” Jensen told Robb Report. “Having a functional platform to invite the top 10 percent of the planet in terms of wealth and power will ultimately help find solutions to the ocean’s problems.”
The vessel has already grabbed the interest of director and ocean explorer James Cameron, Netflix and Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible production team. Its maiden voyage in January 2027 will surely make a sizable splash in the yachting world.
But before then, here are 13 features, big and small, we loved about the mighty REV Ocean.
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Launching From the Moon
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation REV is built around a 25- by 16-foot “moonpool”—a hatchery in the hull that allows for the launch and recovery of its remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and three-person submersible. “Even when REV is surrounded by ice or high winds, which would prevent us from reaching water by using cranes over the side, scientists still have access to open water via the moonpool,” says operational director Oystein Mikelborg. “That gives giving us a much bigger weather window to carry out important research.”
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The Midnight Zone
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation DSV Aurelia, a Triton 7500, will be the world’s deepest-diving acrylic submersible that is capable of reaching depths of more than 7,000 feet. It can take three scientists or charter guests into the heart of the underwater “midnight zone” with no sunlight. At these depths, guests can sight rare angler fish and giant squid, or even discover new species.
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Master Mariner
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation The vast primary suite—one of the largest on any charter yacht—includes two separate VIP cabins for Roekke’s sons, a lounge area, a dining area, and an open galley. The owner’s bed sits on a raised platform looking out to sea with the best views on board. It’s flanked by his-and-hers bathrooms, with direct access forward to a private pool, glass-bottomed plunge pool, Jacuzzi, and helipad for yacht transfers.
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Family Planning
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation On the main deck, multi-generational groups of up to 30 charter guests will reside in 15 ensuite guest cabins, including two VIPs that have interconnecting rooms to create family suites. Every cabin has views to sea and direct access to a TV lounge, library, dedicated gaming room, and a large five-decked atrium with an elevator connecting all guest decks.
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Ground Control to Major Tom
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation If the laboratories are the lifeblood of REV and the guest areas the heart, the mission-control room is the brains. Here, live feeds from the ROV and submersible are viewed on multiple screens, enabling scientists and guests to watch exciting discoveries in real time. There is a separate survey room for seabed mapping with systems mounted in a gondola below the keel.
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Squid Games
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation The rear trawling system for pelagic sampling is the first of its kind on any yacht. It features 9,800 feet of trawl wires to reach vast depths, and an eco-harvesting system for live catch-and-release of biomass and fish. It also uses AI facial recognition that siphons off selected fish into the wet lab below, releasing others back into the ocean.
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Please Be Seated
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation The 30-seat lecture auditorium doubles as the mother of all onboard cinemas with a Dolby Atmos sound system and comfy seating. There is a separate media editing suite for videography and a classroom for collaborative and educational sessions.
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Top Observation Deck
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation REV Ocean‘s top observation deck sits 70 feet above sea level. Its full-height windows give an unincumbered view of the surrounding waters, ideal for whale watching or spotting other marine life. Large sofas and dining areas also make it a sociable hub. Three large skylights create a window to the stars—and the dreamiest place to sight the Northern Lights.
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Never at Sea Without a Padel
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation When in charter mode, the large container deck aft transforms into a large, portable Padel court, allowing civilized racquet play even when cruising the most remote destinations or ice floes.
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Food for Thought
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation Food takes a starring role on any yacht charter, and REV’s culinary offering doesn’t disappoint with more than 7,500 square feet of interior dining space. It includes, of course, a glass-fronted, walk-in wine cellar. Designed with input from owner Roekke’s personal chef, it has a dedicated bakery for all-important morning pastries, as well as multiple fridges and freezers for months of provisioning. It’s also supported by preparation galleys on every deck to ensure food is served efficiently wherever guests are dining.
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Welcoming Wellness
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation Located on deck 7, the wellness area features running machines and gym equipment that can be moved outdoors for open-air fitness. There’s also a steam room, treatment center for massages and a post-pamper relaxation room. The sea-level beach club allows for post-heli-skiing yoga sessions by the water’s edge.
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Artistic Insight
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation Roekke has curated 180 pieces of statement artworks produced by Norwegian artists. Each sculpture, painting and photograph relates to the sea, nature or marine conservation. A musical installation in the glass elevator will play the sounds of the ocean, while the underside of the suspended staircase (pictured) features a backlit painting of a kelp forest.
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Making a Splash
Image Credit: REV Ocean Foundation REV’s two swimming pools—one forward, one aft—bring a party vibe to the setup, even surrounded by ice floes. Both are large enough to host large groups or cool off in warmer climates while getting a morning workout.
