Due to customer requests, the Sea Axe Yacht Support boats marketed by Amels will offer helicopter hangars.
As a reminder, the Sea Axe Yacht Support vessels are built by Amels’ parent company, Damen. Akin to shadow boats, they serve supportive roles in carrying more toys, fuel, staff, and even helicopters. The name Sea Axe comes from the Axe Bow, a vessel created by Damen. The design has a knife-like bow and a hull engineered for consistency of speed and reliable performance, including fuel efficiency, regardless of weather conditions.
Amels has sold three Sea Axe Yacht Support vessels to megayacht owners since first marketing them in 2010. Another four are in build. The new helicopter hangar is showcased on the Sea Axe 6711 model, measuring 220 feet (67 meters). The biggest benefit is that it protects the helicopter. Continuous exposure to salt air and possible wind-driven spray is a concern for some owners and their crew.
Amels has an animation on its website showing how the heli hangar works. In brief, when the helicopter lands on the Sea Axe 6711, the center section of the helipad lowers. Once it’s securely below decks, hatches to each side above it (part of the original helipad) close it off.
Amels will adapt the hangar to accommodate helicopters up to the size of a Eurocopter AS365. The maximum take-off weight that that platform can accommodate is 11,023 pounds (5,000 kilograms). The hangar complies with both the Large Yacht Code LY3 standards and MCA requirements.
As another option, the Sea Axe 6711 can feature a dive center here instead. It measures nearly 490 square feet (45.5 square meters). Not just a gear-stowage and bottle-refill area, it can include a decompression chamber certified to Lloyds standards. Four divers can sit, or two can be laying down.
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