Envision, The World’s First
Environmentally Friendly Mega Yacht
Where Technology Meets the High Seas!
By Devon Julian
From the moment you set your eyes on this yacht it is hard
and work began at the Riviera Yacht Center in Riviera
to believe. Step inside, take the tour, and you will really be
Beach, Florida, just five mile from RGF’s headquarters.
in awe. Just what is “Envision”? She is an environmentally
RGF maintains a full staff of over 100 engineers, design-
friendly mega yacht, perhaps the world’s first. Envision, a
ers, electricians, welders, carpenters, pipefitters, instru-
110′ aluminum motor vessel, is the brainchild of the RGF
mentation technicians, painters, etc. Work proceeded from
Environmental Group in West Palm Beach, Florida. RGF
bow to aft and mast to keel. The vessel was basically
was founded in 1985 by the owner and CEO Ron Fink. The
stripped to a bare aluminum hull. A 5′ bow extension and a
company has invented over 500 environmental products.
5′ aft stairway to the sea increased her length to 110′. The
RGF’s mission is to provide the world with the safest air,
salon and galley windows were enlarged and softened with
water and food without the use of chemicals. Envision is a
rounded ends. Hurricane and bullet-proof glass composite
floating showroom of RGF products, and over 50 are in use
was used for safety, soundproofing and reduced solar load.
on this vessel.
High density foam core insulation was used to triple the
How was the Envision concept conceived? The RGF
original insulation and sound proofing.
team’s mission was to build the world’s first environment
friendly mega yacht. A keyword in any environmental pro-
gram is sustainability. With that in mind, the team decided
to renovate an older tired aluminum yacht and recycle her
into a world-class enviro-friendly mega yacht.
Lady BeBe was a 100′ Broward charter boat out of
St. Croix, USVI, owned and operated by the owner of BeBe
Clothing Stores. RGF purchased the boat in August 2004.
She was hunkered down for a couple of Florida hurricanes
The RGF team’s mission was to build the
world’s first environment friendly mega
yacht.
Envision staging being built
The original wiring was replaced, as was the entire
main electrical panel. Mechanically she was rebuilt from rud-
ders to stabilizers to engines to generators to transmissions.
All new navigation was installed, as well as most controls.
The upper deck was extended 8′ aft to accommodate
an 8′ diameter pool/hot tub with an innovative clear bottom
providing water-diffused sunlight to the lower aft deck during
the day, and a water-diffused light show at night.
Envision’s upper deck extension and Stairway to the Sea
A massive U-shaped teak bar dominates the upper
deck. The addition of a radar arch and pipe mast opens the
upper deck as a major entertainment area.
One of RGF’s technologies is PHI® or Photohydroion-
Upper deck hot tub with the “Thongbrella” shade and
ization, a light-based electromagnetic energy that destroys
porthole bottom
odors, mold, bacteria, viruses and airborne organics. PHI® is
used by most Fortune 500 food processors as a food, air and
water sanitizer, and in many buildings for air purification.
RGF’s PHI® technology is used by the U.S. military and other
federal agencies, as well as major cruise ship lines for control
of mold, bacteria and Norwalk Virus.
Envision was equipped with PHI®-based systems for
water, air, food, laundry, sewage, exhaust and bilge treatment
resulting in a mega yacht with the purest air, water, food,
sewage, laundry and bilge in the world. Just step aboard and
Just what does PHI® do for a yacht? First is mold and odor
control, it is gone. Just walk on board, your olfactory will never
deceive you. Second is food safety and shelf life extension: up
to 40% extended shelf life for food treated with PHI®.
Water from the pool/hot tub to the potable holding
tank is crystal clear and pure. Nothing can ruin a soak in a hot
tub like chemicals. The hot water opens your pores and the
bromine or chlorine is readily absorbed into your skin as well
Envision’s engine room water treatment system
as the hot vapors entering your lungs. This is precisely why
your nose will tell the story, or better yet remove the cap on the
Envision’s hot tub is equipped with PHI Technology using
holding tank – no odor, not a cover up, just zero odors. Try the
friendly oxygen based oxidizers to maintain crystal clear and
bilge; again, no odor. The engine room is unbelievably pleas-
pure water.
ant to visit.
fruits and vegetables which eliminates chlorine and pesticides.
The refrigeration unit eliminates refrigerator odors and bacte-
ria and increases food shelf life.
APS Air Purification System in Envision’s engine room
Next is safety. PHI® is not a passive system. It is an
aggressive system that sends out hydro peroxides and hydro
ions into the room, which aggressively kills bacteria, molds,
odors and viruses. Tests show a room with PHI® will kill 78%
Envision underway
during sea trials per-
forming beyond ex-
pectation. Trim fins
provide extra lift at
low RPM
Food Pure, a PHI®
system that has been
approved by the USDA
and FDA for commercial
Fortune 500 food com-
panies, provides safer food and increases shelf life.
PHI® Units are installed in the trash compactor for
odor and bacteria control, and also the ice makers, where
mold and the deadly Listeria bacteria are destroyed. Airborne
cooking grease is broken down to an oxidized white powder
for easy and odor-free disposal. Cooking and grease odors
are eliminated.
Envision’s Food Pure in galley
On laundry day you can forget about those unsightly pollut-
ing detergent bubbles surrounding the yacht. PHI cleans the
of sneeze germs at three feet. This also includes the dreaded
clothing as well and possibly better than your favorite deter-
Norwalk Virus and SARS. Independent lab tests for the Cruise
gent. PHI gases are injected into the wash and rinse water for
Industry provided a 99.99% kill of the Norwalk Virus.
an eco-friendly wash. Silver ions are added to the fabric for
The galley is equipped with a PHI water system that
ongoing bacteria elimination.
injects the activated friendly oxidizers into the water to wash
Now, the real challenge: a 20-year old engine room.
The door opens…shazam! Everything is white, clean
Main Salon
Envision leaves the dock for sea trials
me to “Take a whiff”. You guessed it, no odor. The PHI® hold-
ing tank system eliminated the odors. Envision even has clear
Sunbrella bow cushions
hoses on the pump out system, and although I did not stick
labeled, and there is no odor, no fuel, oil, exhaust, bilge or
around for the show, the Captain assured me it will be a clear,
sewage odor; nothing! The white carpeting really set the
odor-free liquid.
stage, chrome and polished stainless steel is everywhere.
Fuel contamination is a constant battle for diesel pow-
RGF’s APS (air purifier system) provides VOC
ered vessels. Diesel fuel grows bacteria and algae that clogs
(volatile organic compounds) Free air VOC’s are the usual en-
filters, injectors and burns with dirty smoke; not something an
enviro-friendly vessel should have. A PHI Fuel Pure System
will continually pump fuel through a PHI cell where the high in-
tensity light based technology kills 99.99% of the bacteria and
algae. A filter then captures the dead organisms providing
longer fuel life and a cleaner and more efficient engine. By
using an electro/mechanical device you eliminate the tradi-
Envision’s new bow
gine room odor problem: fuel, oil, grease, mixed with holding
tank and bilge odors are the culprits.
For Envision’s most impressive act, my RGF host
opened the holding tank cap (which was 1/3 full) and invited
RGF’s custom underwater lights
tional chemical fuel treatments that can effect the sulphur con-
tent of the fuel and possibly cause metallurgical problems.
An RGF US Coast Guard approved Bilge Filter as-
sures no illegal overboard discharge of oily bilge water. The
RGF BOS Bacteria Odor System removes the usual bilge
odors. The BOS System, originally developed for commercial
sewer plants, can be found in each head on the Envision. The
unit is hidden in the cabinet and just a small 1/4” tube feeds the
advanced oxidation gases into the head bowl destroying odors
and bacteria instantly!
What about efficiency? To be enviro friendly, a product
must be efficient. The re-design of Envision included a rounded
transom to aid in handling following seas. Also 1,400 gallon,
split ballast tank system provided 10,000 lbs of ballast, 5,000
lbs each side. This provides a method of providing perfect bal-
ancing for a more stable and efficient ride. Also, a trim
Envision’s “Just For Fun” casino
fin was added to prevent back wash at low speeds. This trim
fin turned out to be better than expected. Not only did she trim
out at 1,600 rpm, the entire stairway to the sea was high and
dry. The balancing is credited for her performance: 14 knots at
1,700 rpm and 55 gph. It will be hard to convince many that 55
gallons per hour is environmentally friendly, but for a 110′ ves-
sel it is quite impressive.
Another impressive feature was the lack of exhaust
smoke. Once again, a RGF technology called Hygenization™
Smoke Reduction, which is a combination of RGF’s hydrogen
ion cannon and REME®
, which reduces the particulate in ex-
haust and destroys many of the gases.
Environmental concerns encompass many aspects.
Most people think of chemical pollution of air and water
contamination. There is also visual pollution.
Recognizing the value of a totally unique mega yacht, Sun-
brella Corporation decided to use Envision as a showplace for
their new line of fabric, which includes furniture, cushions, pil-
lows, bedspreads, headlines, even a wedge-shaped upper
deck shade, which the RGF team promptly nicknamed a
“thongbrella”.
Step into the master stateroom and your are greeted
with an open airy feeling provided by 4 oversized portholes.
The master stateroom is decorated in marble, granite, coral,
Library / guest room
The RGF team was determined to change the profile
into a unique and innovative design. With the aid of CAD,
scores of designs were reviewed, tested and rejected. In the
end, an old-fashioned French curve was used to design the
bow extension. The RGF designers found the French curve
next to an old slide rule in the back of a very old desk draw.
A just for fun casino was installed consisting of gen-
uine Vegas slot machine, poker and roulette wheel. To avoid
“visual pollution”, the casino was built onto a disappearing lift
as was the 42” LCD TV.
Master stateroom
sea glass and 9 different woods and veneers. Over 20 species
of woods and veneers were used onboard. All exotic wood
were purchased through World Panel Products Inc. which as-
sures that all the exotic species were farmed and proccesed
to avoid deforestation of our environmentally sensitive rain-
forests. the master also has an environmental friendly fire-
place for those “cold” south Florida nights. Needless to say
the fireplace is all electric but you literally have to touch the
flame to be sure its not real. The master head is equipped with
a massive 6’ x 6’ twin shower head marble and sea glass
shower. The sink is molded colored glass that perfectly
matches the deep purple sea color of the Atlantic meeting the
shallow turquoise water of the Bahama Bank just off West
End, Bahamas.
Dust mites are a serious environmental problem. Ap-
parently they live off our dead skin which is constantly flaking
Master stateroom
age closed cell memory foam that literally seals out dust mites
avoiding another serious environmental problem. Of course
the master king size is also an oversized custom made 15”
thick memory foam mattress for an environmentally friendly
night’s sleep. Two spacious guest staterooms, one port and
the other starboard, are equipped with all the amenities of a
first class hotel, large closet, make-up table, LCD TV,
Port and starboard guest staterooms
DVD,CD, shower, jaccuzi,
memory foam mattress
and of course the purest
air possible. A redesign of
the lower deck included a
library with an over sized
porthole for extra lighting
and more of an open feel.
The library includes a wet
bar, refrigerator,LCD TV,
DVD, CD and video games
and converts to a double
bed.
off, a pleasant thought! The dust mites themselves aren’t the
The plans called
problem it’s their droppings that create a dust that can aggra-
for an underwater lighting
vate allergies. Traditional mattresses can have 2/3 of it’s
and video system. The
weight being dustmite feces, another pleasant thought. Envi-
lighting presented the team
sion’s 10 mattresses and 42 cushions are made of a space
with some challenges. First
Port entrance art center
was the rounded stern swim platform and second was suitable
commercially available aluminum housings. One of the advan-
tages of having a first
class factory of craftsman,
is you simply design, en-
gineer, fabricate and in-
stall your own. Four
10,000 hour LED super
bright underwater lights
were installed and work
beautifully.
Details were not
overlooked anywhere.
Even the powder room
features coral stone walls,
marble floors, and woven
wood door. In addition a
PHI Odor /
Lower hall art center
Bow cocktail table
virovision is a realistic, practical ap-
proach that helps preserve all our nat-
Before
ural resources: water, air, food and
energy. The concept, developed by
RGF Environmental Group, provides a
facility with safe, purified air, water and
food. The process encompasses a
broad spectrum of natural, non-chemi-
cal oxygen and light source based en-
vironmental technologies, combined
with conservation for a total eco
friendly, yet sustainable environment.
Resorts, hospitals, cruise ships,
yachts, food processors, and restau-
rants are embracing this program. The
benefits include a safer environment;
After
Bacteria System is built into the head
eliminating the need for a noisy ex-
haust fan. Custom crown molding, de-
signed and fabricated by RGF, is found
throughout…even in the helm. The
salon crown molding consists of 12 in-
dividual pieces and includes a low
noise and draftless heating and air
conditioning duct. The RGF team im-
ported a container of farmed teak for
many teak projects. Teak is laminated
and clearcoated in the massive 8’ x 8’
upper bar, the aft deck table seats 8
and the bow cocktail area features a
laminated teak surfboard table.
Every available space was
used to improve the visual environment. Two art centers oc-
cupy unused space. The mermaid includes underwater illumi-
Envision’s upper deck teak bar
nation and recirculation pump which feeds water to her shell
providing a pleasant water feature at the port entrance.
12 piece crown molding with built-in HVAC vent
RGF awarded Envision its Envirovision Award. En-
lower utility costs, reduced liability and civil lawsuits, elimina-
The formality of some mega-yachts can be intimidating. Aside
tion of environmental compliance liability, reduction of em-
from being environmentally friendly, a visit to this mega-yacht
ployee sick time, all resulting in improved public image and
will leave you with a fresh and easy feeling, and a level of
enhanced quality of the overall facility.
comfort that makes you want to return for another breath of
fresh air.
Port guest room
Starboard guest room
“EnviroVision is a realistic, practical approach to provide a vessel with the purest
possible water, air and food without the use of chemicals.”
EnviroVision is a realistic, practical approach that helps preserve all our natural resources: water,
air, food and energy. The concept, developed by RGF Environmental Group, provides a facility with
safe, purified air, water and food. The process encompasses a broad spectrum of natural, non-
chemical oxygen and light source based environmental technologies, combined with conservation
for a total eco friendly, yet sustainable environment. Resorts, hospitals, cruise ships, food proces-
sors, and restaurants are embracing this program. The benefits include a safer environment; lower
utility costs, reduced liability and civil lawsuits, elimination of environmental compliance liability,
reduction of employee sick time, all resulting in improved public image and enhanced quality of
the overall facility.
Devon Julian
is a freelance writer from Burleigh
Heads on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Devon holds a journalism degree from
Loyola University Baltimore, Maryland.
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.
Beach, FL 33404 U.S.A.
1101 West 13th Street Riviera
(800) 842-7771(561) 848-1826fax: (
) 848
561
9454
www.rgf.com
RGF manufactures over 500 environmental products
Copyright ©RGF 2006