The 68-meter Abeking & Rasmussen superyacht Aviva has undergone a significant refit at Palumbo Superyachts’ facilities in Marseille, France. This project is considered one of the most important undertaken by the yard in the last eight years.
Commissioned by British businessman and Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis and delivered as the flagship of the German shipyard in 2007, Aviva was recently sold to “another experienced owner” in July 2023. The details of the sale, including the asking price, have not been disclosed. Both the exterior and interior design of the yacht are the creations of Reymond Langton.
The most challenging aspect of the refit, according to Palumbo, was the restoration of the exterior. A fresh paintjob was applied to bring back Aviva’s original beauty and increase her value. Other refurbishments included a complete restoration of the teak on the exterior decks, upgrades to the accommodation and galley, and enhancements to the CCTV, AV, security, and navigation systems.
Additionally, the main engines and diesel generators of Aviva underwent a full overhaul, along with servicing of the propellers, hull tanks, thrusters, and hydraulic systems. CEO Antonio Palumbo commended his team for their hard work and thanked the client for their trust, stating that successful outcomes are achieved through mutual respect and cooperation.
The refit was coordinated among the shipyard’s engineers, technical specialists, and Aviva’s captain and crew. This superyacht is the predecessor to the 98.4-meter Aviva with a distinctive blue hull, also from Abeking & Rasmussen.