The world in your pocket

“Your number is sixteen, so keep quiet” — no, that famous line from “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed” hardly applies here. Although Haze² is indeed the 16th hull in the Darwin Class series of pocket explorers, she is anything but an ordinary project. On the contrary, she has a truly vivid personality.

“We are immensely proud of the Darwin Class; it represents a key achievement for our shipyard. To date, sixteen yachts in this class have been launched, five of them 102-foot models,” says Ennio Cecchini, co-founder and president of Cantiere delle Marche. “When we introduced the Darwin Class in 2010, we combined the generous space and refined design of a superyacht with the robustness of an explorer yacht capable of crossing oceans — all within a compact hull. The market response and the enduring popularity of this highly customizable line have exceeded even our most optimistic expectations.”

Haze²’s owner, British entrepreneur Steve Rigby, first encountered the Darwin range at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival, where he explored a number of expedition projects before ultimately choosing the Darwin 106. Impressed by the build quality and engineering solutions, he was particularly struck by the unusually deep and capacious hulls, large fuel tanks, and ample storage volumes, which would allow him to embark on long solo voyages year-round without the need for frequent refueling or reprovisioning.

CDM co-founder Vasco Buonpensiere describes Rigby as a highly experienced yachtsman, equally comfortable handling motor yachts and sailing boats. He previously owned smaller ISA (Haze) and Swan (Mist) yachts. For the past twenty years, Rigby has led international interior design companies Rigby & Rigby, Helen Green, and Lawson Robb. Although he describes himself as someone who “doesn’t draw but manages projects,” he is deeply involved in their creative development.

Yachts owned by professional designers are always intriguing — individuals who not only have the financial means to commission and maintain a highly customized vessel but also possess a strong creative vision. In such cases, financial capability aligns with professional insight. These instances are not uncommon today. More often, however, it is the client’s spouse or children who take on the interior design, while the main family business funds the project.

“All Darwin models share a common philosophy, yet each is unique and tailored to reflect its owner’s lifestyle,” Buonpensiere adds.

So what exactly was the owner aiming for? His goal was to create a project built on contrast — where the unity and tension of opposites would define the overall concept. Rigby explains it this way: “At the heart of Haze² lies the dual nature of the Darwin yacht: the spirit of an explorer combined with the serenity of a true home at sea. The design is built on contrasts — strength and elegance, formality and informality, precision and comfort. The result is a yacht that harmoniously blends functionality, craftsmanship, and atmosphere, embodying the contemporary evolution of the Darwin line. Haze² is both a design statement and a life experience — a vessel that merges the technical with the tactile, the adventurous with the intimate.”

The owner worked closely with CDM to achieve optimal proportions, styling, and layout. The exterior, developed by Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec, continues the characteristic evolution of the Darwin line.

Among the unique features of the 16th hull is a crane concealed within the sundeck overhang — similar to those on the RJ series — as well as an enlarged wheelhouse windshield for improved visibility.

Overall, Rigby believes that the wraparound glazing on the upper deck and main deck areas has transformed the yacht’s profile, adding lightness and fluidity. “This glazing creates an almost architectural continuity between interior and exterior, visually extending the superstructure and allowing natural light to animate the interiors throughout the day. While the Darwin line has always been known for its robustness and purposefulness, Haze² achieves a more refined visual balance of elegance and confidence, modernity and timelessness,” the owner notes.

With a length of 30.81 meters and a beam of 7.43 meters, the explorer can accommodate up to 12 guests. Two of the five suites feature fold-down Pullman berths, offering flexibility when chartering to families with children. A crew of six is housed in three cabins.

Several outdoor leisure areas are provided, including a foredeck sun lounge, a swim platform aft, and a sundeck Jacuzzi with sunbeds.

The grey hull and blue superstructure were selected from the traditional Rolls-Royce color palette, which the owner appreciates for its complexity and meticulous customization in bespoke automotive orders.

The London-based studio Lawson Robb designed a contemporary interior that appeals both visually and tactilely — the sensory aspect was an important element of the brief. Executed in light tones with abundant wood, brushed bronze, and mosaic details, the designers created an atmosphere of refined modernity. Various veneers, metals, leathers, and wall finishes combine to produce a sense of depth and warmth, while clean lines and seamless transitions enhance the feeling of airiness. A neutral color palette is enlivened by subtle bright accents. Thoughtful lighting — from LED strips tracing architectural curves to sculptural pendant fixtures — further elevates the mood, blending comfort with understated luxury.

The outdoor spaces were conceived as natural extensions of the interiors. Surface treatments echo the restrained elegance of the interior décor, emphasizing proportions, rhythm, and detailing. A mix of soft neutrals and deep metallic tones lends individuality without excess. Accents in burnt sienna, along with teak and brushed stainless steel elements and custom joinery, create a visual dialogue between exterior and interior.

Relaxation areas flow seamlessly into one another thanks to careful consideration of scale, sightlines, and spatial organization. Outdoor furniture and architectural structures were designed to complement each other — robust enough for an explorer yacht, yet refined enough for the most fashionable corners of the Mediterranean.

Although the owners could have curated an extensive art collection on board, they intentionally chose not to turn the yacht into a gallery. The few art pieces present do not distract from the true highlights of the interior: hand-crafted wallpaper, precious wood veneers, and the light sculptures by Vincenzi & Chan made with Murano glass.

Steve Rigby notes that interior ideas often flow from one project to another, and it is quite possible that variations on the Haze² theme will appear in his future endeavors.

The yacht is powered by a pair of Caterpillar C18 Acert engines, each producing 500 kW. The expedition vessel has a top speed of 12 knots and a range of 4,700 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 9 knots. Haze² is intended for both private use and charter and carries the appropriate classification.

“Freedom and the sea are my happy place — and how we will see the world for the rest of our lives,” says the satisfied owner.