Crewboat owner ‘reimagines’ cabins to compete with helicopters

Inspired by the aviation industry, Bourbon Mobility said its future vessel cabins will be developed with three levels of comfort: business class, premium and eco. Peugeot Design Lab is creating cabin layouts for optimal safety, VIP comfort seats and ergonomic storage. The first business class cabin will be operational in mid-2020.

“We have chosen Peugeot Design Lab for its expertise in brand identity, interior design and industrial development, particularly in the fields of the maritime and transport industries”, said Bourbon Mobility chief executive François Lesle. Mr Lesle said Bourbon Mobility wants to offer its vessel services as “an alternative to helicopter transport: safer, more reliable, more comfortable and cost-efficient”.

When it comes to safety, said Bourbon Mobility, passengers will benefit from handles on seats, making it easier to move about the cabin in rough seas. Large aisles will encourage a smooth flow of traffic, two large screens will display safety messages and life vests will be visible and easily accessible.

The comfort level is similar to an airline’s business class in a constrained offshore environment. Passengers travel in ergonomic reclining seats with ample legroom equipped with vertical supports, deep headrests and calf rests. Large windows allow for increased natural light.

Passengers also benefit from closed storage and overhead cabin lighting. Each chair back has a tablet stand and USB plug, allowing passengers to use wifi and entertainment services, offered on demand. The visual identity of the cabin is highlighted by warm, light wood and smooth metal.

“Similar to the research Peugeot conducted to reinvent the interior of its latest models, we wanted to improve user experience for Bourbon Mobility passengers”, said Peugeot Design Lab director Arnault Gournac. “Passengers will be pampered with ergonomic storage and comfort fit seats that are both soft and supportive, as well as high-quality materials and assembly. These key design elements will be the signature identity of the future cabins”, said Mr Gournac.

Bourbon Mobility expects the first prototype of a long distance, 36-m crewliner vessel, equipped with a business class cabin for 46 passengers, will be delivered in early 2020. Future cabins will be built directly onto existing vessels in a ’plug & play’ mode, starting from mid-2020.

Bourbon Mobility operates high-speed, aluminium-hulled Surfer-class crewboats that can accommodate 20 to 90 passengers and travel at speeds up to 40 knots.