Multi-million-pound yacht squeezes under bridge with less than half a foot to spare

A gigantic superyacht has been captured barely squeezing under a low bridge as it headed to a port in the north of Holland for sea trials. 

The ‘Galactica’, a whopping 265ft long superyacht built by Heesen, was launched from the southwestern city of Oss in the Netherlands at the start of January to make its way to the northern port city of Harlingen for final outfitting and tests on the open seas.

In order to reach its final destination, the incredible machine is forced to make a painstakingly slow journey through Holland’s tiny canals and rivers.

But although negotiating the slim channels is no easy feat, bridges are the biggest danger facing such a huge craft – something which the boat’s crew quickly came to realise on January 8 when the boat almost became stuck under a railway bridge near Den Bosch.

Pictures have emerged of Galactica manoeuvring right up to the bridge, before barely scraping underneath with less than six inches to spare.  

But Heesen project coordinator Arjan Veldman was confident the vessel would reach its final destination safely.

‘The press and public that were watching from the river bank didn’t understand all the precise measuring operations we conducted,’ insisted Veldman. 

‘We’ve been going through locks and under bridges like this for over 40 years!’

Incredible pictures show a superyacht seemingly scraping under low bridges – with less than six inches of clearance. Dutch shipbuilders Heesen were this month tasked with transporting the 80m boat MY Galactica from its shed in Oss to the North Sea for sea trials

In order to reach its final destination, the incredible machine is forced to make a painstakingly slow journey through Holland’s tiny canals and rivers. But although negotiating the slim channels is no easy feat, bridges are the biggest danger facing such a huge craft – something which the boat’s crew quickly came to realise on January 8 when the boat almost became stuck under a railway bridge near Den Bosch (pictured)

Heesen project coordinator Arjan Veldman was confident the vessel would reach its final destination safely. ‘The press and public that were watching from the river bank didn’t understand all the precise measuring operations we conducted,’ insisted Veldman (concerned bystanders are pictured watching the vessel scrape underneath the bridge)

The astounding vessel also comes complete with a certified heli-pad and a garage, which will contain a custom limousine, and the yacht’s four engines can produce an eye-watering 19,000 horsepower

Although Heesen’s flagship yacht never made contact with the bridge, it was initially forced to turn back, as the water levels in the River Maas were too high for the boat to pass underneath.

Galactica continued on its journey after waiting for the water levels to recede, but only just managed to scrape underneath without scuffing the paintwork. 

‘After seeing these photos, my family and friends are still mocking me and asking if I need a tape measure to take with me to work,’ Veldman jokingly told Forbes.

The superyacht then continued on its journey along the River Maas, only to get stuck yet again on January 10, according to Dutch newspaper BN De Stem, when water levels were too high for it to squeeze under another bridge near Heusden. 

Sara Gioanola, Heesen PR & Press Office Manager, said a voyage such as this takes 3-4 months of preparation, with many permits and certificates required to pass through Holland’s complex network of rivers and canals.

Previously known as Project Cosmos, the all-aluminium flagship ‘Galactica’ was first unveiled at the end of 2020 and upon completion of final outfitting and sea tests will become Heesen’s flagship model.  

According to Boat International, the Galactica will be the fastest aluminium yacht in her size class upon completion, and was sold in March 2018 to an anonymous buyer for an undisclosed sum – although yachts of similar size are typically sold for tens, if not hundreds, of millions of pounds.

Superyachts of Galactica’s size are typically built of steel, but the Galactica’s aluminium construction helps to save weight and boost its top speed. 

Previously known as Project Cosmos, the all-aluminium flagship ‘Galactica’ was first unveiled at the end of 2020 and upon completion of final outfitting and sea tests will become Heesen’s flagship model

The 265ft long yacht has drawn considerable attention in the Netherlands, with many bystanders in disbelief that a vessel of such size can manoeuvre through the nation’s canals

The Galactica contains accommodation for up to 12 guests split across six cabins, including a main deck master suite, bridge-deck VIP and four lower deck cabins. The crew quarters will also sleep a staff of 19 people. 

The astounding vessel also comes complete with a certified heli-pad and a garage, which will contain a custom limousine, and the yacht’s four engines can produce an eye-watering 19,000 horsepower.

The biggest Heesen yacht currently in operation, the ‘Galactica Super Nova’ is a comparatively small 229ft long.