When has a billionaire ever done something ordinary? But Ray Dalio has surpassed even that benchmark with his extraordinary superyacht OceanXplorer, capable of exploring the most unreachable places on Earth. The billionaire’s 285-foot converted research vessel is a testament to his dedication to using his wealth for the betterment of the planet. He owns another Umbra Yacht as well, which he probably depends on for leisurely sojourns, but it is the state-of-the-art high-tech ship that’s truly discussion-worthy. There are several impressive elements onboard the explorer ship that was built in 2010 at the Freire shipyard in Spain. She underwent a major overhaul to become the most advanced research vessel in the world and was launched after a two-year rebuild in the Netherlands in 2020. Let’s take a look at this sailing symbol of science and research that pushes the limits of discovery and broadcasts it for the world to see.
OceanXplorer, outstanding and extraordinary –
Most superyachts have an inexhaustible list of luxury amenities like spas, helipads, cinemas, nightclubs, teppanyaki grills, etc. OceanXplorer has it too, but of an entirely different kind. With the sole aim of research and not recreation, this lavish OceanX vessel has impressive elements like four dry and wet marine research labs.
The ship accommodates a crew of 60 and 18 guests who hop aboard to explore the least studied parts of the Indian Ocean or to learn about the deep sea of Antarctica.
The $200 million vessel features a Mission Control central nervous system, wherein, in a movie-like scenario, scientists aboard work on deep-sea discoveries and stunning maps of the ocean floor on cutting-edge media equipment. Data collected from OceanXplorer’s deep-sea vehicles, CTD, and other sensors are input into a centralized mission data management platform.
A top-of-the-line production and media center deliver short-form, episodic, and live content while at sea. The department has high-resolution cameras capable of shooting 8k resolution at nearly 20,000 ft below the sea surface.
There is an arsenal of deep-sea submersibles, helicopters, and drones to deploy research teams and film from the skies. The majestic oceanographic research vessel works on Rolls Royce diesel-electric propulsion with annual running costs of around $20 million. With a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots, the 4,398-ton OceanXplorer is indeed a floating asset designed to better understand and protect our oceans. The vessel is currently cruising in the UAE after sailing from Saudi Arabia.
Ray Dalio is the founder of the world’s largest hedge fund-
The 74-year-old billionaire is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, a hedge fund firm with about $125 billion in assets under management. He is worth $16.5 billion with a solid social media following of 1.2 million on Instagram. The author of the NYT bestseller ‘Principles’ was an ordinary kid from Long Island’s Nassau County. Working as a caddy got him interested in the stock market as a teenager. He bought his first stock at age 13. This passion helped him get accepted to Harvard Business School, from which he graduated in 1973. In 1975, the financial force founded Bridgewater in his Manhattan apartment, which at its peak in 2022, was the world’s largest hedge fund. The businessman has used his immense wealth for the greater good. With Dalio Philanthropies, the Bridgewater Founder and his family have contributed over $1 billion to a wide range of meaningful causes. From ocean exploration, health equity, social entrepreneurship, and education, they have helped an ocean of charitable causes. In 2011, Ray and Barbara Dalio signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.”
