Welcoming new and familiar treasures

AMELS AND DAMEN YACHTING ARE STAYING ON TOP OF THEIR GAME IN 2021. WHILE NEW PROJECTS ARE BEING LAID OUT IN THE PIPELINES, OTHER PROJECTS ARE BEING FINALISED. WE’RE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THEIR MOST RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROJECTS.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAMEN YACHTING.

Right at the top of the SeaXplorer range, the magnifcent SeaXplorer 105 combines the very best features of luxury yachting with true explorer capabilities. Damen Yachting’s in-house SeaXplorer design team has combined the feedback and experience from SeaXplorer clients to create the top-of-the-line SeaXplorer yacht. Together with input from exterior design partners at Azure Yacht Design and operational design partners EYOS Expeditions, the concept is an evolution of the best of the previous SeaXplorer 90, SeaXplorer 95, and SeaXplorer 100 designs. Next to the 13m chase boat, the yacht can carry four 8 to 12m tenders stored in the forward garage and tender bays. Among the yacht’s huge collection of toys, she can also carry a submarine, and has a scuba dive deck with watersports centre and waterline embarkment.

The SeaXplorer 105 has a true luxury expeditionsized volume with a gross tonnage of 6,500 and 5,775m2 over her eight decks. She offers large staterooms for 24 guests, including two expansive owner suites, built under PYC rules making her fully charterable. She has huge onboard stores for all provisions, luggage parts, as well as heli fuel, tender fuel, and tanks for 8,000nm (Trans Pacifc) range. As part of the SeaXplorer expedition yacht range, the SeaXplorer 105 shares the unique observation lounge with outside bow point deck – but on a big scale, with 123m2 devoted to enjoying spectacular views. The space includes a bar and multimedia center.

Together with the latest hybrid diesel-electric pod propulsion to reduce the impact on our oceans, the SeaXplorer 105 complies with the IMO Polar Code category B requirements for polar safety and environmental protection. Her hull is built with Polar Class 7 ice strengthening with double-acting stern icebreaking for maximum safety in fast-changing ice conditions. The powerful stabiliser fns retract where diffcult-to-detect ‘growlers’ (truck-sized fragments of icebergs or glaciers) foat beneath the surface – signifcant hazards for yachts with weak hull appendages such as fxed fns. Below deck, the garbage stores and large greywater tanks ensure her zero-discharge operations for long periods between port calls.

The fully certifed twin helideck is suitable for two fast and reliable twin-engine helicopters. Below deck, a weathertight double hangar with hydraulic lift system keeps both aircraft protected from the elements. Two helicopters offer increased fexibility, redundancy, and safety when out of range of rescue services. Plus, in Antarctica, regulations require two helicopters when fying far or landing in the mountains for skiing. Having a 300m2 twin helideck also means the owners can host unprecedented parties for 200 guests with an ultra-lounge layout. There is also plenty of room for an >>

outdoor cinema, full size tennis court or a halfcourt for basketball. Equal in size to the huge twin helideck is the indoor SeaXplorer Spa. In this approximately 300m2 main deck wellness space, sea breezes and the sound of the waves revitalise one’s body and spirit. The indoor Swimming Pool is 8m in length, while the space also includes a gym with folding terrace, whirlpool, steam room and sauna with folding terrace, massage room, hairdresser and beauty salon, and treatment room.

Damen Yachting’s latest 55m Yacht Support Time Off has been launched at the Damen yard in Antalya. Her launch is the ninth of the popular 55m YS 5009 design and following her fnal outftting, will be available for immediate delivery this summer. Time Off follows in the footsteps of her predecessor Gene Chaser with a large multipurpose Main Deck hangar, which is technically ready for stern A-frame installation

and allows for a fexible deck layout. Confgurations can include submersible and dive operations, vehicle garage or workshop facilities, stowage of equipment, space for social engagements or even transport of relief goods. In addition, a number of other new features have also been incorporated into the design, including a new accommodation layout for up to seven guests and four staff plus crew.

Further design and mechanical enhancements also distinguish Time Off from Damen Yachting’s previous Yacht Support deliveries. Yachting features have been incorporated, designed to enhance onboard comfort such as generator sound enclosure, upgraded AV and navigation systems, and updated engine room installations. As with all Yacht Supports, of which sixteen in total have already been delivered in the last ten years, Time Off features unrivalled sea-keeping capabilities thanks to her successful Sea Axe hull form. She is a vessel confgured for fexibility and a blend of adventure and superyacht support functions. For example, the 50m2 area aft, which can be accessed via the Swim Platform, can be tailored to suit onboard needs from a fully equipped dive centre to additional storage and extra activity facilities or even as a laboratory and research area.

The team at Amels and Damen Yachting is delighted to welcome the 52m Amels 180 >>

Limited Editions Grace back to the shipyard where she was originally built in the Netherlands for a reft. Delivered in 2009, Grace stems from the successful Amels 180 Limited Editions design, which originally started as the Amels 171 – a design series of six which, over a period of ffteen years, evolved to the Amels 180 and the delivery of 25 yachts. Eleven years on, and Grace returns to Vlissingen for a four-month reft that will see a number of works take place, including a technical upgrade, complete hull respray, and interior modifcation.

“It’s wonderful to see Grace back at the yard”, says Damen Yachting Sales Manager Michel Coens, who knows the yacht well from her time at the yard during the original build. “Being able to welcome yachts and their crew from the feet back to our yard is always a great honour. There is a real sense of pride in welcoming back one of our own, and also having the opportunity to once again shape a yacht to the owner’s wishes”. He goes on to explain the additional added value of returning to the original builder. “The owner and crew know they are in safe and experienced hands. The entire team know the yacht inside out, which is a big advantage. But as always, the most important elements remain the genuine partnership and strong teamwork with the owner’s team, the crew, and our subcontractors”.

On top of all these exciting developments, the team at Amels and Damen Yachting has confrmed the sale of the second Amels 200 following her launch at the Damen Yachting yard in the Netherlands. This 60m Amels Limited Edition, featuring exterior design by Tim Heywood and custom interiors by Luxury Projects, will now undergo the fnal stages of outftting ahead of her delivery this summer. Not long after the second sale, now also the third Amels 200 sale has been confrmed.

Both 60m Limited Editions designs are an evolution of the Amels 188 and bear the unmistakable exterior design signature of Tim Heywood. Whilst the Amels 200 shares much of the naval architecture, high volume and hybrid electrical power technology as her predecessor, the design also benefts from the additional length. The custom interiors of the second Amels 200 are the work of the Ancona-based design studio Luxury Projects, who were commissioned for the concept interior design for the Amels 200, while the custom Interiors of the third Amels 200 are in the hands of Winch Design.