TheOne #14 - Bespoke, Bertazzoni

M A H O G A N Y

I S S U E

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[ BESPOKE ]

VERTICAL

SENSATIONS

by Bianca Ascenti

Whether they’re minimal or Baroque, on board lifts have now become essential design elements. Sector leader Bertazzoni Lift Marine & ICM Marine produce custom made lifts that are manufactured entirely in house

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n 2006 Benetti revolutionised the on-board lift concept with the

brands, the two companies work in perfect harmony on custom-made

launch of the megayacht Galaxy. From that time on they acquired

products that can respond to the tastes of clients from the Middle

a new prestige, transformed from simple and almost always hidden

East, Asia, America and the Mediterranean with total expertise. This

transport units to fully-fledged elements of design. This new aspect

is clear from the number and status of the clients who commission

of yacht decor is made by Bertazzoni Lift Marine & ICM Marine,

increasingly elegant, sophisticated lifts for their megayachts. While

brand leader in the sector with now over 150 units sold, including lifts,

Benetti has made circular lifts its trademark on its pleasure craft,

luggage lifts and dumbwaiters. The companies also boast a packed

other famous yards like Ferretti Group, VSY, Baglietto, Codecasa,

order book. Young, but backed by a great deal of experience built up

Rossinavi, Perini Navi, Columbus Yacht and Gulf Craft now also

over years of working for civil industry, including prestigious hotel

use lifts – albeit with different layouts - as furnishing elements as

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The circular lift is a distinctive element on Benetti superyachts.

On board the 67-metre Seasense it has a more rigorous, formal look on the main deck (left), but is more sparkling and original on the sun deck

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[ BESPOKE ]

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Owners can choose from a large number of shapes and an even wider range of materials, including solid gold and eel skin for almost endless

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personalisation opportunities. On this page, three stages in the rise of the pop-up model, which appears “by surprise� from a unit

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well as highly-functional pieces of equipment. The pop-up lift - a version produced exclusively Bertazzoni Lift Marine & ICM Marine - has been extremely successful, appearing as if by magic from a table or unit on the Sun deck. Lifts made for yachts must, of course, respect legislative standards, but they offer an almost infinite range of personalisation opportunities - a wide variety of shapes, and materials ranging from leather, eel skin and chamois to select fabrics and solid gold, not forgetting opulent marbles and fine crystal. From pure minimalism to the most florid Baroque, everything is possible so long as the choices are in line with the yacht’s weight and interiors – there’s even a “light” version with aluminium risers. Making marine lifts, though, is no easy task – the operating system is subject to more stress and attack from corrosive agents like seawater than it is on land. As a result experience and materials quality play a crucial role. Bertazzoni Lift Marine & ICM Marine manufacture everything - cabins, doors, controllers etc - in house, and carry out stringent safety tests and checks on every individual component. They also train crew engineers, giving them the ability to take measures in the event of temporary difficulties. The painstaking nature of this work is clearly demonstrated by the fact that a yacht lift takes four times as long to install as a lift on land. Bertazzoni & ICM follows the client every step of the way, from the design stage to sea trials and post-installation. And to close the circle, the Vertec Marine division has just been launched to provide post-sales assistance. Operational 24/7 throughout the world, the company has a staff of highly-qualified technicians posted at the ports most frequently visited by megayachts, as well as personnel who are available at all times on a toll-free number and can carry out day-to-day repairs and maintenance. On board elegance and safety includes lifts, too. www.bertazzoniascensori.com 133