Make way for Jemasa

Epic Refit

Our journey into JeMaSa starts with Captain Juan Koegelenberg who has been with the owners for 20 years and is currently project managing her extensive refit. Juan’s distinguished career began in 1987 with the South African Military Services, where he excelled as an Officer and Instructor at the Mechanised Leaders Wing. After his military tenure, he transitioned from Johannesburg to Cape Town, mastering commercial diving before entering the yachting industry in 1993. Prior to JeMaSa, Juan captained the owners’ previous yacht, SuRi, and brings over 30 years’ experience to the yachting industry.

Going the Distance

We start by talking about the refit itself which includes a vast interior and exterior overhaul, with the intention to elevate her existing structure by transforming her into a luxury explorer yacht. “She’s been stripped right down, completely refitted,” comments Juan, “she’s going to look and feel totally different when she’s finished.” Formerly known as Plan B, JeMaSa’s exterior is distinctive having been originally built as an Australian naval ship in 1973. She is the perfect example of a motor yacht that holds all the military-style qualities of a rugged, durable and robust naval ship, perfectly complemented by the addition of high-end luxury interiors and innovative tech features that luxury travellers look for when choosing a long-range charter yacht.

Natural Interiors

Her new interior will feel bright and light, with textures and colours evocative of organic materials found in nature – the cabin of the main salon is decorated with shell sconces, the tables are finished with a natural wood pattern, and grounded colours of sage green, oatmeal and gentle off-whites run throughout the interior, culminating in an ultra-modern update that will appeal to a broad range of guests. In addition, she’ll be kitted out with a treasure trove of toys, with a special focus on diving. Part of the exterior refit involves a 2m swim platform extension as well as state of the art dive equipment that has been carefully maintained.

No Limitations

Just like her predecessor SuRi, JeMaSa is likely to attract the most curious of travellers, satiating the appetite of those who seek one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable experiences. But a yacht’s charter potential isn’t just down to her features. The yacht’s true potential lies with the owners’ vision, and of course, the experience of the crew. “The owners are very active,” Juan explains, “they often dive twice a day. They’ll go where the charter needs to go.” It’s this ‘up for anything’ optimism that makes JeMaSa so enticing to charter, where the boundaries are almost limitless.

Remote Explorer

What is certain is that JeMaSa is set to become a prime example of true off-grid travel, especially as far-out destinations like French Polynesia rise in popularity, “The owners have been everywhere – Papua New Guinea, Galapagos, Cocos Islands, French Polynesia, Raja Ampat…in the next 1-2 years they’d like to go to the far Northern Islands of Papua New Guinea...they’re always looking for areas they haven’t been.”

After long excursions diving pristine underwater worlds, make sure recovery is on the cards. Wind down in JeMaSa's newly fitted infrared sauna or plunge into an ice bath for an all-round wellness boost.

Crew potential

With such open-minded owners happy for JeMaSa to roam wherever her guests desire, we shifted focus to the crew to learn a bit more about them. “The Chief Engineer from SuRi will join me…we’ve known each other for 11 years, he started as deckhand on SuRi, working his way up and now joining as First Officer on JeMaSa.” And through our conversation it's made clear that there is a mutual respect between Juan and the crew, shown by the number that will be transferring over from SuRi as they embark on a new chapter, "...the crew are highly experienced, very active, with high attention to detail and extensive diving knowledge."

Wow Factor

On JeMaSa you’ll get the utmost professionalism of a large superyacht with a laid-back atmosphere more often found on smaller yachts. “The owners want the wow factor, not just through the destinations but through the exceptional level of service that the crew offer. They work with a strict level of professionalism.” More often than not it’s the crew that transform yachting experiences from something memorable into something absolutely unforgettable, “…the opportunity to explore places ultimately all comes down to the crew,” Juan explains, “…and when we need external specialists like guides for very specific expeditions, we only hire the best out there. As a result, guests who come aboard JeMaSa will always leave having had an incredible time.” And with that, it’s easy to see why JeMaSa already has bookings confirmed for summer 2025 despite not having left the refit yard.

Big Winged New Englander

Of the many unique activities that can be arranged on JeMaSa, there is one that stands out as the ultimate experience - swimming with humpback whales. It’s rare that an opportunity like this arises; the chance to swim next to one of the great gentle giants of the ocean. Humpback whales or Megaptera novaengliae as they are scientifically known which translates to “Big Winged New Englander” are known to migrate to the southern Pacific for breeding season.

Image courtesy of Rodolphe Holler

Lasting Impact

Gracing the presence of a whale in its natural habitat is a true once in a lifetime experience, which Juan claims to be one his greatest, “I’ve been to over 111 countries and this is easily the best thing I’ve ever experienced - in my whole entire life…you’re swimming alongside a whale with eyes that are half a metre long, it’s incredible” The Pacific is a vast expanse of ocean, and with that comes a vast choice of guides for all kinds of adventurous experiences. But swimming with whales? Only 8 people in the whole Pacific are skilled enough to lead this experience, one of which is a specialist guide whom Juan has worked with for many years. So get ready to gear up, because August is whale season.

Image courtesy of Rodolphe Holler