Valve billionaire Gabe Newell refitted a 236-foot support yacht into a floating helicopter base for his $500 million research mothership
Published on Nov 07, 2026 at 3:07 PM (UTC-5)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Nov 07, 2026 at 3:07 PM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Valve billionaire Gabe Newell just turned a massive superyacht into a support yacht for marine research and exploration.
Originally launched as a pleasure craft, the yacht is now a floating lab.
Not only that, the vessel is now larger than before.
The reason why Newell converted this yacht
Newell made a fortune with video games, but his main interest and passion right now is marine preservation.
Newell is the founder and owner of a company called Inkfish, which is devoted to marine research and preservation.
He owns a fleet of vessels, but these aren’t designed just to sail and have fun.
In fact, they’re mostly designed to help him with his research.
The latest addition, Indratus, isn’t even his biggest yacht.
This support yacht is now a floating lab
The 236-foot (72-meter) support yacht Indratus (originally built as Game Changer in 2017) was extensively refitted at Oceanco’s facility in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands.
She now serves as a specialized companion vessel to Newell’s growing private marine research fleet, Inkfish.
Specifically, the yacht now acts as a heavy-duty support ship for the organization’s flagship research mothership, Leviathan.
Below: the galley on Leviathan rivals Michelin-starred restaurants
Among other things, she now features a new gray hull, a turquoise trim strip, and an upgraded light superstructure.
The ship was extended by three meters at the stern, which explains why different sources quote either 72 or 69 meters.
On board, you’ll find submersibles, heavy dive gear, and a massive commercial helipad with a below-deck hangar to transport scientists.
This is now a polar support yacht
One detail that was largely overlooked – yet is super important – is that the vessel is certified for polar operations and fully equipped for deep-sea and marine exploration.
The yacht was originally launched as a support vessel, but it is now classified as a commercial work vessel.
And when we say ‘classified’, we don’t mean that’s just the way people talk about it.
That is an actual legal, nautical definition under maritime law.
The 72-meter expedition support yacht had a last known open-market asking price of €49 million ($54 million) before she was sold.
Now, Indratus is part of a $500 million fleet and, presumably, the yacht will not hit the market again anytime soon.
The main difference between a pleasure craft and a work vessel
The difference between a pleasure craft and a work vessel isn’t just a formality.
A pleasure craft is generally subject to lighter safety and registration requirements.
By contrast, a work vessel is subject to rigorous commercial maritime safety codes, inspections, and international standards.
Not only that, it makes a difference when it comes to the crew.
With a pleasure craft, ‘all’ you need is basic competence depending on local laws.
But with a work vessel, crew members often require specific commercial licenses on top of standard qualifications.
So, clearly, Gabe Newell is taking marine conservation and research very seriously.
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Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
