London may not come to mind as a megayacht mecca. After all, you’ll find skyscrapers, not sandy beaches. But, it’s home and/or the business center for many owners, plus brokers. So, Amels took the newest Damen Yacht Support delivery, Game Changer, there last week to promote the still-new support concept to experienced and new buyers alike.
While Yacht Support projects can serve as shadow vessels, they’re designed and engineered for more than extra stowage and staterooms. The 227-foot (69.15-meter) does have 2,691 square feet (250 square meters) of deck space. She also accommodates for 22 crew and staff. But, Rose Damen, Amels’ commercial director, says most of Game Changer’s visitors commented on the helicopter operations and stowage. The LY3-certified helideck means Game Changer allows far more than the typical touch-and-go operations. It can hold a 5-ton helicopter, which is far larger than the norm and suited for landing in broader weather situations. Furthermore, Game Changer has a below-decks hanger to protect the helicopter. And, there’s a fueling station down here, containing about 2,642 gallons (10,000 liters).
Due to Damen’s experience with offshore vessels, the heli operations take a stricter approach to safety, including firefighting. (Damen is Amels’ parent company, focused on defense, shipbuilding, and engineering. The Yacht Support line draws largely from Damen’s Sea Axe offshore vessels.) “Many in the industry are re-examining accepted practice and rethinking the level of risk that we are asking owners to accept for their family and friends,” she relates.
This is not to say, however, that visitors dismissed the creature comforts. The 38-foot (11.5-meter) beam lends itself well to the onboard dive center. Fittingly, it includes a decompression chamber. (On a side note, the Yacht Support series can even include a hospital.) Game Changer totes a dive-support tender, too, along with plenty of other toys. In general, the Yacht Support projects can take several PWCs, RIBs, tenders or chase boats, and even a personal sub. Furthermore, they’re capable of carrying motorcycles and other vehicles. Even with all of these, there’s still abundant room for long-term provisions and stores.
Speaking of long, Game Changer is capable of long range, too. Amels says she sees 4,500 nautical miles at 16 knots. Top speed is 22 knots, so she can voyage ahead and scout out locations in plenty of time for an owner’s primary yacht to arrive.
Game Changer is available for sale, via Amels.
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