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Top 15 Superyachts with Helicopters

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Written by Maria Korotaeva

With plenty of various amenities, superyachts offer comfortable and truly opulent travel experience, while yacht helicopters are an essential part of it. Just imagine: you can reach the most remote destinations to explore some hidden gems in the finest yachting locations in the world or land in busy city centres. All that includes total flexibility of point-to-point travelling, getting you to places you need to be at in luxury and style. The magnificent charter yachts nowadays offer the ultimate fun experiences for you and your group, including heli-fishing, heli-skiing and private island dining, due to their capabilities of landing and carrying helipads. Let’s take a look at the top 15 private and charter yachts with helicopters.

1. Amarula Sun (ex. Mine Games)

The incredible 50m charter superyacht Amarula Sun offers everything her guests would wish to have on a charter yacht: a spa pool with a swim-up bar, huge sun pads, BBQ area, gym, Xbox, Playstation, Plasma TV with satellite connection and luxury dining spaces are among her outstanding amenities. Amazing yacht charter experience is guaranteed. The guests have the opportunity of travelling to and from Amarula Sun by helicopter, as her sundeck area can serve as a touch-and-go heli pad. Amarula Sun can sleep 10-12 charter guests and is available for charters in the Bahamas and Florida from US$ 195,000.

Amarula Sun (ex. Mine Games) with helicopter

 2. Cloudbreak

Cloudbreak is certainly one of the most popular superyachts of 2016 . There is no wonder, as the team of acclaimed engineers and designers worked on the naval architecture, as well as her interior and exterior. She is a 72m expedition yacht, capable of cruising anywhere in the world. This head-turning floating masterpiece has some special features including a Jacuzzi, exercise equipment, an elevator operated on all decks, and a large tender garage.  Charter Cloudbreak this summer from €750,000 per week plus expenses.

Motor Yacht Cloud Break – top view. Photo credit @brandondax

 3. Lady Christine

Undoubtedly, the list of the top 15 superyachts and their helicopters has to include a Feadship superyacht. The bespoke Dutch shipyard is best known for building exceptional quality superyachts . Motor yacht Lady Christine is one of those. Not only Lady Christine provides absolute comfort to her guests, but she also has enormous storage space for a rescue boat, a large tender and a small sailing boat. This section of the vessel also serves as a helipad and stores two helicopter fuel tanks.

Lady Christine and helicopter

4. Attessa IV

Upon her re-launch in 2010 Attessa IV became the largest superyacht in North America. She made it to the top 25 largest yachts in the world, and back in 2010 was at the 23rd position. Originally built by  Hayashikane Zosen Kk in 1999 and called Evergreen, she was sold to a new owner in 2007. She underwent an extensive rebuilt by Washington Yachting Group , where she was also extended by 30 feet. Attessa IV accommodates 36 guests, assisted by 21 crew members. This massive five-level yacht measures 100.60 metres and features a helipad on the upper aft deck and forepeak.

Attessa IV. Photo credit @rickyracer

Although Garcon is not an opulent superyacht but a fast yacht support vessel, she deserves the praise for carrying a huge luxurious helicopter, as this is what support vessels are for. Built specifically to serve Lurssen   mega yacht Ace  and to carry her water toys and tenders, Garcon measures 67m LOA.  Garcon also features a fully SOLAS certified helipad with 5,000 kg take-off weight for commercial use. Garson was built and launched in 2012 by Damen Shipyards , and in 2013 was honoured with the ISS Awards of Distinction for Innovation .

Garcon. Photo credit Jeff Brown

Motor yacht Sunrays was launched in 2010 by Oceanco , and in the same year received an award for the “Best Power Yacht over 65 metres” at the ISS Design and Leadership Award Ceremony . Her striking teal coloured aluminium hull is a work of Bjorn Johansson Design , while the interior styling is by famous  Terence Disdale . Sunray’s heavenly interior design is unique, and have an airy and welcoming ambience. Indulge in luxury and add a helicopter ride when booking Sunrays this for charter in the Mediterranean .

Sunrays at Abu Dhabi Yas Marina. Photo @yachthelicopters

If you are into yachts and luxury travelling, you probably know by now that the 155-metre mega yacht Luna is one of the largest yachts with some extraordinary features. She carries a submarine, multipurpose limousines and has not just one, but two helipads. Her 20-metre swimming pool is another wow characteristic. We wish Luna would be available for charter one day, as this expedition yacht could take her charter guests to breathtaking  Galapagos , Alaska and the Pacific .

Luna: Helicopter landing. Photo credit Muscapix

Motor yacht Samar is a 77m steel-and-aluminium luxury motor yacht designed by Laurent Giles and built by Devonport Yachts of England in 2006.  She is a very large and luxurious charter yacht which boasts everything that can be offered on a private motor yacht. Samar is capable of extended global cruising, where her charter guests will never get bored. Samar has a helipad, a large Spa Pool pool, an open bar, large outdoor living areas, a garage, as well as a movie theatre. Accommodation is offered for 12 guests, assisted by a professional crew of 26. Portofino , Naples ,  Capri , Amalfi , Monaco , and France are the places she will be available at for charter in summer 2017. She is available from US$ 650,000 per week plus expenses.

Samar. Photo credit @kdewet

9. Skyfall  (ex. Mi Sueno)

Skyfall is a symbol of a high-quality motor yacht, which features the latest marine technology and exquisite styling. Launched in 2010 by Trinity Yachts , luxury yacht Skyfall measure 58 metres and offers accommodation for a party of 10. Her cabin configuration consists of a master suite, 2 VIP cabins, one double and one twin. Her name comes from the James Bond famous movie series, which implies that this superyacht surely has an outstanding feature. Aboard Skyfall, the guests will have an opportunity to have delicious breakfast prepared by a private chef and continue the day by taking off in a helicopter to explore the best of Mediterranean. The Ionian Islands , Grenadines , Greece , Turkey , East and West Mediterranean , and Croatia is where motor yacht Skyfall will be available for this summer from $275,000 per week plus expenses.

Skyfall. Photo credit @yachthelicopters

10. ICE  (ex. AIR)

Motor yacht ICE became the Superyacht of the Year at the 2006 World Superyacht Awards . No doubt that the title of one the best yachts in the world implies that ICE is a very special vessel. The two famous designers Terence Disdale and Tim Heywood worked on her interior and exterior respectively. The result is the striking exterior profile and divine interior decor. ICE can sleep 14 guests in 7 well-appointed cabins. She has been spotted in various locations with her massive helicopter.

Superyacht ICE. Photo credit Julien Hubert

At 134 metres, motor yacht Serene boasts a huge beam of 18.5 metres. Can you image how much luxury living space is offered on board this beauty? Serene provides a full seven decks of exterior and interior space. With an abundance of amenities, this mega yacht stands out among other luxury yachts. The two helicopter landing platforms, an enormous internal sea water pool, several spa pools, plus storage for a large submarine are some of the superb features. Serene has enough space to accommodate 24 guests and 52 crew members.

Superyacht Serene. Photo credit Mark O’Connell

12. Madame Gu

Madame Gu is a superyacht that has it all for a luxury vacation in style. A helipad, excellent water toys and tenders, a spa pool and a night club guarantee lots of entertainment to her guests. Although Madame Gu is not available for private luxury charters, we still admire this vessel. She was built by Feadship to the design by De Voogt Naval Architects . Her interior is by Andrew Winch . She has 6 lavish cabins to accommodate 12 guests, and 18 crew cabins to sleep 36 crew members. This floating masterpiece was photographed in Port Vell in Barcelona where is always a very welcomed guest.

Madame Gu. photo credit Jeff Brown

 13. Triton

Back in 2004 motor yacht Tritone became the largest composite yacht built in the U.S. upon her delivery. Her capabilities include prolonged cruising distances, as well as cruising in the most distant locations. Triton was built for her owner, who is passionate about sports fishing, deep-sea scuba diving, and water games and various activities. Hence, the yacht was built with an advanced hull laminate schedule utilising carbon fibre to ensure strength and durability. Triton’s red-coloured striking helicopter is seen in the photo of her cruising in the icy waters.

Triton and Helicopter

14. Vibrant Curiosity

Another outstanding superyacht built by Oceanco, Vibrant Curiosity is an 85-metre displacement vessel that turns heads at any port. She was photographers in Auckland , New Zealand with her large helicopter a few weeks ago. This giant luxury vessel can sleep 18 guests in 7 beautifully furnished cabins. A professional crew of 26 professionals take care of everything on board. Vibrant Curiosity reaches a top speed of 20 knots and is powered y a pair of MTU 16V 595 TE70 engines.

Vibrant Curiosity in Auckland. Photo credit CharterWorld

15. Pegasus VIII  (ex PEGASUS V, PRINCESS MARIANA)

At 78.60 metres, luxury motor yacht PEGASUS VIII provides a lot more than you would think. Her amazing interior layout includes a large salon with sophisticated decor, a cinema theatre, formal and casual dining spaces, as well as other great living areas. There are five lavish cabins to accommodate 12 guests. Those who love water activities will love the beach club of Pegasus VIII, which can be “flooded” and therefore provides the easiest access to the water with embarkation and disembarkation inside the yacht. Pegasus VIII is ideal for charter with family and kids . The 12m swimming pool with an underwater light, six wave runners, jet-skis and tenders will add extra enjoyment when on a charter vacation. The helipad on board also transforms into a golf driving range. Secure motor yacht Pegasus for charter in the Italian and French Rivieras this summer, from US$ 650,000 per week plus expenses.

Pegasus VIII. Photo credit @yachtmasters

You can view a great selection of luxury yachts available for charter here . To find out more or to make a booking, please contact our friendly charter brokers . They will be able to assist you with all enquiries, as well as provide impartial advice and professional service. With the Mediterranean yachting season being just around the corner, superyachts are booking up very fast. Check out the 2017 Mediterranean charter specials and 10 brand new superyachts for charter .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Top 15 Superyachts with Helicopters".

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65m GREEN EXPEDITION

The Green Expedition is a collaboration between designer Dennis Ingemansson and with the German based Ned Ship Group, known for their experience with zero emission yachts and solar powered boats.

She is a true green yacht with eco-friendly features such as hybrid solution, skysail, solar cells, wave turbines and onboard recycling systems. Whether you’re going through rougher areas like Antarctica or Alaska, or sailing through enormous waves in Barents Sea, she is built to endure. All equipment is stored indoors, and there is no risk of losing the helicopter or tenders during stormy weather. The steel hull construction has been assigned a ICE 1A classification to handle ice.

The solar cell area covers 150 square meters, and the helicopter platform can be converted to add an additional 60 square meters of solar cells. The skysail allows for energy efficient movement together with the retractable wind turbines.

The Captain’s deck is designed as an ultra-modern penthouse, where guests can enjoy dinner and mingle with a 360 degrees ocean view. For exploration, the diving center features submarines and a decompression chamber, making it a green expedition icon.

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: LENGTH OVERALL:  65,00m / 213ft BEAM:  14m / 46ft DRAFT:  3,50m GROSS TONNAGE:  1400 GT ICE CLASSIFICATION:  1A Class MATERIAL:  Steel hull and a composite superstructure ENGINE TYPE:  Hybrid Power System POSITION:  Dynamic Position System GREEN FEATURES:  Up to 210 square meters area of solar cells + retractable wind turbines + skysails + onboard recyclable systems + retractable wave turbines MAX SPEED:  15 knots NAUTICAL RANGE:  6000nm at 12 knots GUESTS:  8 guests in 4 guest’s room + 4 guest’s in double owner suite CREW:  12 up to 20 Crew + 1 Captain (possible for customization) HELICOPTER HANGAR:  Eurocopter 135 or similar size / maximum heli length 11,00m HULL COLOUR:  The vessel is available in a variety of colours. Idea & Design Developments by Dennis Ingemansson 2011-2018

Sales / Costs / Build Process / Green Engineering Calculations by Egon Faiss of German NedShip Group 2001-2018 [email protected] | +49-170-8143052

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Boat of the Week: Inside Malcolm Forbes’s Iconic ‘Highlander,’ Once the Ultimate ’80s Party Yacht

This bannenberg-designed 162-footer hosted everyone from rock stars to world leaders. after a major refit, she's now looking for a new owner., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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If these teak decks could talk. Paul McCartney tinkling the ivory keyboard. Elizabeth Taylor sunning herself on the top deck. Margaret Thatcher discussing world peace with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Harrison Ford taking a turn at the wheel.

Back in the 1980s, an invitation from Forbes magazine owner and consummate bon vivant , Malcolm Forbes, to join him aboard his beloved superyacht The Highlander was a reason for celebration.

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And Forbes was a master when it came to celebrating. His first of many Fourth of July parties aboard The Highlander , anchored off Governors Island in New York Harbor, saw the world’s greatest movers and shakers piped aboard by tartan-clad Scottish bagpipers.

Joanne de Guardiola’s interior design is light and sometimes whimsical, as opposed to Highlander ‘s previous formal, corporate look.  Courtesy IYC

There on the yacht’s decks were the likes of Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli, Henry and Nancy Kissinger, David and Peggy Rockefeller and Brooke Astor. More than 150 Maine lobsters and 30 pounds of Scottish smoked salmon were reportedly flown in to feed the elite crowd.

During the five years Forbes owned the yacht, before his death in 1990, she traveled the globe; everywhere from then Communist China, to Bora-Bora, to Thailand, the Philippines and Alaska.

Launched in 1985, this was the last of five Forbes-owned yachts named The Highlander, after his family’s Scottish roots. But this one was unique. Designed by world-renowned designer Jon Bannenberg and built in Holland by Feadship , her dark green hull—said to be the color of dollar bills—stretched 162 feet bow to stern.

Malcolm Forbes used The Highlander , which traveled around the world, to entertain political leaders, celebrities and other billionaires.  Courtesy John Barrett/Celebrity Archaeology/The Mega Agency

“She was nicknamed ‘The Ultimate Capitalist Tool’ for good reason,” the yacht’s current owner, New York-based interior designer Joanne de Guardiola told Robb Report . “Anyone who was anyone stepped aboard at some time during the ’80s.”

De Guardiola and her husband, investment banker Roberto de Guardiola, bought The Highlander from the Forbes estate back in 2012. And just as she’d done with the couple’s previous Feadship, the classic 159-foot Audacia , de Guardiola commissioned a top-to-bottom refit, this time with Florida’s Derecktor Shipyards.

“We had no thoughts of buying another yacht; we loved Audacia. But back in 2012, we had heard The Highlander was for sale and I went to take a look. She was not in great shape, but as a huge fan of Jon Bannenberg’s designs, and knowing her amazing history, we couldn’t resist,” she said.

The yacht was built by Feadship and designed by Jon Bannenberg, the father of modern yacht design. The original dark-green exterior was said to be the color of a dollar bill.  Courtesy Jim Raycroft

The exhaustive, two-year refit took the steel and aluminum superyacht down to the studs. The yacht was extended by 12 feet to add a swim deck and rear “garage” for water toys; the top deck was lengthened. Effectively doubling its size, and the master stateroom was moved to where the observatory used to be.

The entire interior was redesigned and refitted with more modern materials and finishes. Out went the padded leather ceilings, the somber, dark green carpets and ornate Chippendale antique chairs; in went bleached-white Anigre paneling, wide-planked dark wood flooring, and brightly colored pop art.

One especially jaw-dropping feature de Guardiola created was the stunning, open-tread marble staircase from salon to upper deck. That and the new, glass-enclosed sky lounge with its disco vibe and blue onyx floor.

The top deck nearly doubled in size during Highlander ‘s two-year refit.  Courtesy IYC

“The yacht didn’t really suit a family’s needs—she was really designed for Malcolm Forbes-style corporate entertaining,” says de Guardiola. “And if you wanted to splash in the water, you had to jump over the sides. Mr. Forbes didn’t like to swim.”

But de Guardiola is quick to add that her primary focus with the refit was evolving and not compromising Jon Bannenberg’s iconic design. “That’s what attracted me to the yacht in the first place.”

Mechanical improvements included the installation of Quantum zero speed stabilizers and full rebuilds for the trusty 900 hp Detroit Diesels. They still give the yacht a top speed of 18 mph, cruising at an easy 14 mph with transatlantic capability.

One of Highlander ‘s lounges.  Courtesy IYC

With kids in mind, Highlander —de Guardiola dropped the “the”—is brimming with water toys. Everything from Waverunners, Seabobs, banana floats and kayaks, to Malcolm Forbes’ much-loved, Ferrari-red 22-foot Donzi speedboat. Sadly, his other favorite, a custom-built Cigarette Racing powerboat, is no more. After being fully restored during the refit, the boat caught fire while Highlander was anchored off the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

“My husband was just heading off with our daughter and friends when the fire broke out,” de Guardiola says. “Everyone ended up in the water but were okay. It was one cool boat. It ran at over 60 mph.”

Since the refit, the de Guardiolas have taken friends and family all around the Mediterranean, hanging out at the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival, and hitting most of the Greek islands. Winters were in the Caribbean. Typically, they spent eight to 10 weeks a year aboard.

A young Harrison Ford, taking the wheel of Highlander , was one of many celebrity guests in the 1980s.  Courtesy The Highlander Archive

So why the decision to sell? De Guardiola says she’s looking for her next project: “As with my interior design work, I love the intellectual challenge of a makeover. It’s also time. We feel we’ve been good custodians. Now someone else should enjoy her.”

Highlande r is listed with IYC in Fort Lauderdale for $8.5 million.

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Sailing Green With Sunreef’s Zero-Emission Hydrogen Superyacht

Sunreef Yachts gave seafarers a better look at its revolutionary Zero Cat concept, a catamaran that sails on hydrogen and produces its own power. 

Sunreef Yachts is leading the market for semi-custom luxury catamarans while establishing itself as a key player in eco-friendly and sustainable yachting. The Polish yard first teased sailors with its hydrogen and solar powered catamaran last July. 

Carbon-Free Luxury Sailing

Yachts have long been the symbols of the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and wealthy. But as concerns about climate change continue to intensify, questions arise on how yachts impact the environment. 

A superyacht like the Zero Cat is usually defined as a privately owned vessel with at least 78 feet  in length. And there are over 9,300 of these vessels sailing on the oceans that’s valued at more than $54 billion . 

Along with ships, superyachts contribute significantly to carbon dioxide emissions, which are often overlooked as they’re released at sea. 

According to industry data, a superyacht emits more than 7,000 tonnes of CO2 a year – considering it has a helicopter pad, pools, and submarines. To put that in perspective, the emission is over 1,500x more than how much a family car emits. 

With this data, maritime construction yards are also put under the spotlight by environmentalists to do something about their pollution. 

Sunreef acted fast by introducing its revolutionary superyacht concept – the Zero Cat . It just released the first renders of this highly awaited multihull. 

The concept yacht has stairways at the back of each hull, leaning toward the water, and a wraparound lounge at the outside helm. It also appears to have an alfresco lounge.

With this sleek superyacht design, Sunreef’s goal is to develop a sustainable sailing yacht with self-sufficient and unlimited range non-sail propulsion. 

At the heart of this zero-emission luxury catamaran is the green energy that sets it apart from other superyacht models. 

Zero-Emission and Safe Hydrogen Fuel Cell 

According to the yard, Zero Cat runs on an engine that uses a hydrogen fuel cell which powers the superyacht. It also comes with a reformer that can transform methanol into hydrogen.

The fuel-cell system producing clean energy will electrically power the propulsion as well as the hotel load, Sunreef said. With this green technology, the catamaran will generate no carbon emissions and oxides.

Without an engine powered by burning oil, the superyacht will also sail with little noise and vibrations for a quiet and smooth ride. 

What’s more unique about Zero Cat is its ability to create additional green energy through its hydro generators and solar cells, which Sunreef refers to as a “solar skin”. 

The solar skin is not unique to the concept yacht but has been on Sunreef’s other models. It’s wrapped around the superyacht’s bodywork and can continuously produce solar energy so long as the sun shines. 

There’s also a bonus in sailing with Zero Cat: no need for high-pressure hydrogen storage on board. It means yachting would be safe, as opposed to the hydrogen stigma created by the 1937 Hindenburg crash.

And that stigma seems to be erased now that hydrogen fuel cells are hitting the market big time. 

Not only is the hydrogen-powered system getting attention in maritime but is also gaining traction in road fleets.

A leading company focusing on zero-emission vehicles, First Hydrogen Corp. , shocked the market with its unbeatable fuel-cell EV (FCEV) trial results. The company’s FCEV vans trial with SSE Plc cleared 630km of range, almost double that of traditional EVs. The hydrogen vehicles also boast a 5-minute refuel time, similar to gas-powered vehicles. 

With its massive success in the first trial, First Hydrogen will open up fleet trials to additional commercial opportunities. This is in response to growing interests from parcel delivery or logistics companies wanting First Hydrogen’s FCEV for express deliveries. These operation trials will start soon late Qtr 3 and Qtr 4 this year. 

The demand for zero-emission vehicles and vessels has started to spike as governments and companies worldwide are racing to net zero emissions . And hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising solution for a cleaner and greener power source.

Sunreef Yachts still has a lot to do before its Zero Cat concept becomes a real superyacht sustainably sailing. But by combining hydrogen energy and other renewable power sources on board the yacht, it holds the promise for a luxurious but carbon-free getaway on the sea.

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Superyacht Helipads on Charter: What You Need to Know

By Editorial Team |   Last Updated 4 November 2021

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A helipad is the ultimate luxury convenience for anyone in a hurry to start their dream yacht charter vacation, yet although it seems these days every self-respecting superyacht boasts a helipad - or two - few are actually commercially certified for helicopter landings. So, the question remains: is a non-certified helipad just a waste of space on a yacht charter?

To clear things up, we have compiled our guide on everything you need to know about superyacht helipads, as well as some of the best charter yachts already equipped with fully-certified helicopter platforms for those wishing to kick off their luxury yacht charter in style.

In this article:

A commercially-certified helipad is a must

Can you use a non-certified helipad on a yacht charter, private helipads, ‘touch and go’ helipad, charter guest benefits, 6 stand-out superyachts with a fully-certified helipad, 1. la datcha, 2. cloudbreak, 3. madsummer, 5. flying fox, interested in booking a luxury yacht charter.

For this classification, a superyacht helipad must be constructed and operated in line with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3) Annex 6, which is basically the technical standards for helicopter landing areas, or helipads. 

This code sets out the basic rules governing the design, construction and operation of a helipad, which includes important factors such as a yacht’s load bearing capacity, obstacle clearance, consideration of airflow, safe access points, lighting, permanent deck markings and relevant crew training on helicopter operations. 

The responsibility for the survey and certification process for a helipad intended for commercial use is shared between the yacht’s registered flag state, the classification society and an aviation inspection body, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ). 

All in all, it doesn’t leave much wiggle room for winging it.  

In a nutshell, no. 

Helicopters are not permitted to touch down on a non-certified helipad onboard a yacht that is being used commercially, i.e. for charter, unless for a medical emergency such as the evacuation of sick or injured passengers.

A helipad or helideck is considered a commercial operation if used to either;

• Receive commercial charter helicopters, or
• Transport charter guests 

Therefore, even a yacht being used privately by its owner cannot receive a commercial charter helicopter if the helideck is not certified.

The ICAO have also weighed in on this point, stipulating that “all commercial air transport helicopters should land on certified helipads which must be built according to certain standards”. 

Private helipads onboard a yacht adhere to less stringent rules and therefore do not have to meet the commercial standards for certification. 

We find many owners are keen to incorporate a helideck, so long as it doesn't compromise the overall aesthetic of the yacht

That's not to say that non-certified helipads aren’t safe, as for the most part they will have been designed with the regulations in mind. However, more often a yacht’s visual appeal is advocated over the practicalities of helipad design. Chris Wood, a helidecks operations manager with Safeguard Helidecks Certification agrees: “We find many owner's are keen to incorporate a helideck, so long as it doesn't compromise the overall aethestic of the yacht."

This snazzy term has become synonymous with luxury superyachts, although it technically has no meaning. For clarity's sake, unless specified ‘touch and go’ helipads are not certified and therefore cannot be used for commercial operations i.e. yacht charters, with the exception of medical emergencies. 

This can cause some confusion, especially as these types of helipads are often highlighted as a stand-out feature when marketing a yacht for charter.

A certified helipad onboard a yacht is a major bonus for yacht charterers wishing to expedite their travel time and arrive in style. Other advantages include;

• Quick and easy access to and from the yacht 
• Avoids wasting time in heavy traffic
• Avoids lengthy tender rides to yachts out on anchor
• Provides an opportunity for guests to explore their surroundings further
• Ideal jumping off point for extreme sports such as heli skiing
• Useful for corporate charter events
• Safe and comfortable transportation option

We are seeing huge demand from yacht owners wanting to get their private helipads commercially certified for yacht charters

As for non-commercial helipads, it can also be used for medical emergencies.

In conclusion, a fully operational helideck is an increasingly desirable feature onboard a charter yacht, which has led to a growing demand for helipad certification. Chris Woods at Safeguard Helidecks Certification confirms this is one of their biggest growth areas: "We are seeing huge demand from yacht owners wanting to get their private helipads commercially certified for yacht charters". 

So, although there are currently only a handful of charter yachts offering certified helipads right now, the future looks bright.

We have hand-picked a selection of top-rated superyachts equipped with a commerical landing platform for the ultimate luxury yacht charter.

Launched in 2020 to much acclaim, this stellar 77-metre explorer yacht is perfectly tailor-made for unique yacht vacations in far-flung destinations across the globe.

Located on her main deck aft, La Datcha’s helipad provides the perfect launching base for her two commercially-registered B3 Squirrel helicopters, designed by her adrenaline junkie owner with heli-skiing adventures and heli-ops in mind.

As well as an autonomous capability of up to 40 days at sea, she also boasts a raft of technology-rich gadgets, extensive wellness area, luxurious interiors and a toy chest overflowing with water-based and onshore exploration gear, including 2 snow scooters and a 3-person submarine.

Delivered out from the eminent German shipyard Abeking and Rasmussen in 2016, this voluminous 75-metre explorer yacht has a large dedicated aft commercial helideck for her custom Bell 429 Global Ranger, whilst still leaving ample deck areas for charter guests to exclusively enjoy. 

CLOUDBREAK offers an array of superlative amenities from her glass-enclosed winter garden to her fantastic alfresco cinema which converts into a nightclub, complete with DJ booth, lighting and state-of-the-art sound system! She also boasts a vast wellness centre with sauna, plunge pool, gym and massage area, as well as a qualified onboard beautician and personal trainer for the ultimate onboard luxury experience.

Launched in 2019, this award-winning 95-metre luxury yacht boasts all the hallmarks of meticulous craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from a Lurssen yacht.

MADSUMMER has a large helipad platform on her foredeck, fully-certified for helicopter operations and bunkering. She also houses a fully-equipped hangar in her bow for helicopter storage. On top of this, guests keen to explore their destination can do so on the yacht's very own Husky seaplane and 11-meter limo tender.

With exquisite Laura Sessa interiors showcasing a colour palette of primary hues, vast alfresco social areas, dedicated cinema suite and extensive wellness facilities, this spectacular charter yacht is an eternal crowd pleaser.

Delivered by Spanish yard Freire to her owner in 2011, This custom expedition yacht has made clever use of her wide foredeck helipad, which converts to a vast sundeck area with an array of sumptuous loungers when not being used as a landing platform for helicopters.

NAIA is uniquely both a luxury yacht and a state-of-the-art research vessel, boasting a submarine hangar for deep exploration, high-tech research facilities and an onboard laboratory.

For those looking for a little indulgence, she also offers a fully-equipped glass-panelled gym and swimming pool, huge penthouse-style Owner’s deck offering sensational views, main salon that converts to a cinema suite and an impressive array of toys, including a 5-person submarine capable of depths of up to 525 feet.

This impressive Lurssen yacht boasts not just one but two certified helipads, located on her top deck and bow, and both intentionally left clear so that charter guests can come and go as they please.

At 136 meters (446 ft) FLYING FOX is also the largest superyacht available for charter, and the most expensive!

Her stand-out features are endless; a stunning mezzanine-style salon, 12-meter swimming pool, lavish cinema suite, 400 m2 multi-level wellness spa – featuring a cryo-sauna, extensive Owner’s deck and observation lounge, to name a few of her onboard highlights.

Another award-winning turn from the German shipyard Lurssen, KISMET has two certified helipads; one on her bridge deck, which can be converted into a sumptuous alfresco lounging area, and another located on her foredeck, which is also marked out for a half-court basketball game!

This sleek 95m/312ft luxury yacht is assuredly masculine, both outside and in. From the sculpted jaguar on her bow to her luxuriant Art Deco-inspired black and gold interiors – based on a brief of ‘champagne and caviar’, she exudes glamour and style everywhere you turn.

Stand-out features include a stunning mosaic-tiled swimming pool with an adjacent elevated Jacuzzi offering sweeping vistas, aft deck fire pit with an integrated waterfall feature, double-height main salon and sports bar with full-height video walls so there’s no need to miss the game, plus innovative green features for environmentally-conscious charterers.

Choosing a yacht with a fully-certified helipad gives you a world of itinerary options that would otherwise not be achievable, allowing you and your broker to prepare some amazing and memorable experiences for the perfect yacht charter vacation.

With the list of charter yachts featuring commercial helipads growing each year, with many being retrospectively certified, be sure to check back. In the meantime, browse the current selection of  yachts equipped with a commercial helideck .

If you’d like to learn more about any of the yachts mentioned, or interested in booking a luxury yacht charter , please contact your yacht charter broker .

In short it depends.

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FEATURED SUPERYACHTS IN THIS ARTICLE

136m Lurssen 2019

95m Lurssen 2019

95m Lurssen 2014

77m Damen Yachting 2020

75m Abeking & Rasmussen 2016

74m Freire Shipyard 2011 / 2014

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Super High: The Ultimate Guide to Yacht Helicopters

The perfect way to soar your yacht to new heights.

Wide-open waters? Check. Great company? Check. Your sparkly new superyacht? Double-check. There can only be one thing missing in this picture: an impressive helicopter for the ultimate grand entrance.

When you’ve already invested so much into the yacht of your dreams, there’s got to be a little extra room (literally) for a special delivery—you. Read on to discover all of our tips and tricks for your very own tantalizing yacht helicopter.

1. Easier Access

Your yacht is the most lavish way to travel in style, right? So why bother adding one more mode of transportation to your already fully capable vessel, you may be asking yourself. The answer is in the air! Having a helicopter on your superyacht allows you to get to places you never thought possible. While there may not always be a place to dock your yacht in certain luxurious locations, having a helicopter onboard allows you access to even the most exclusive spots. You’ll be able to visit so many more destinations on your well-earned journeys—the sky’s the limit.

Navigate to hard-to-reach locales with this yacht charter: OCTOPUS | 414′ Lurssen

2. Destination: Transportation

Having a helipad onboard your superyacht isn’t just about reaching the most beautiful destinations in the world, although that’s reason enough. It also serves a seemingly obvious need: arriving at your megayacht to begin with. Have a meeting in the city but the yacht is docked at the bay? Hop into your helicopter for a straight shot flight to your weekend getaway, with zero hassles along the way. Having the added transport option makes everything seamless from beginning to end, no matter where you’re coming from or where you’re going.

Transport yourself with ease with this superyacht: BOLD | 279’ SilverYachts

3. Glorified Grandeur

Your megayacht is your pride and joy, as it should be. It was no easy feat to attain such a vessel, and having a helicopter aboard only drives that point home. With an aircraft aboard your yacht, the luxury reaches new heights. The upscale feel, exclusive usability, and added ease all bring your adventures to a caliber of their own. There is nothing like a personal helicopter aboard a superyacht to up the wow factor.

Cruise in style with this yacht charter: PLANET NINE | 240′ Admiral Yachts

4. A Whole New View

While endless views of the open water can be a sight for sore eyes, having a helicopter onboard brings on a whole new perspective. Enjoy the best of both worlds with views from both the sea and sky. A perfect vacation has a little of everything, and you’re getting just that with the limitless aerial views in the finest destinations around the globe. Sightseeing will take on a whole other level when your altitude rises!

See the sights with new eyes with this yacht charter: SURI | 208′ Halter Marine

5. Taking Sports to the Extreme

No matter what your sport of choice, a helicopter aboard your mega yacht will only add to the fun and adventure. Big on scuba diving? Get to your dive site with the ease of your helicopter. Love photography? The aerial shots from above will be unmatched. Thrilled by cliff diving? Reach cliff tops with a quick flight. Interested in whale watching? Soaring the skies will give you an eagle eye’s view to spot all sorts of marine life. Even piloting can become a reality and your newest hobby. Every interest can truly be appeased with an aircraft at bay.

Get your game on with this superyacht: TIME OFF | 182′ Support Yacht Damen Yachting

6. Time Is on Your Side

We all know that time is money. With fully packed schedules, every minute is precious. Having a helipad on your superyacht saves so much time that would otherwise be wasted—be it in traffic, at the airport, or getting to your destination. With the ease and flexibility of helicopters, you and your guests can promptly reach your yacht’s location at an unimaginable speed. If flying directly from a city, time that would have been spent in endless traffic is spared. If picking you or your guests up from a nearby airport, the comfort and speediness are unparalleled. Transit times are severely reduced, allowing more time to sit back and relax.

Maximize your time with this yacht charter: SUNRAYS | 280′ Oceanco

7. Safety First

One of the biggest and most important benefits of having a helicopter easily available aboard your superyacht is for safety reasons. With very clear FAA safety regulations for helicopters, this mode of transportation proves to be one of the safest options for getting to and from your vessel. In addition, having a helicopter available in the event of an injury or a passenger getting sick is a critical benefit. Being able to evacuate a guest in an emergency may even be the difference between life and death. Even on vacation, accidents can happen. With the safety of travelers at the top of mind, these advantages are of the utmost importance and can ensure a safe and pleasant trip.

Travel with peace of mind with this yacht charter: AIR | 265′ Feadship

8. Specialized Design

Helipads add a sense of wonder and aesthetic to your superyacht. However, it doesn’t stop at good looks. Shipbuilders work together with aviation pros and designers to find the ideal location to place a helipad. Teams work by the Commercial Yacht Code of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to meet all necessary standards during construction. With a large amount of space needed to place a helicopter landing deck on a superyacht, attention to detail and impeccable design are paramount. You’ll know you’ve got the best of the best.

Transform big dreams into reality with this yacht: PROJECT METAVERSE | 207’ Delta

No matter how you look at it, having a helicopter on your superyacht changes the game. A helicopter ups the ante in all arenas, from fun to design to safety. Make sure your yacht includes this high-class feature. Contact a Denison yacht broker to upgrade your yacht and you’ll be flying high, too.

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This 575-Foot Superyacht Has Its Own Helicopter Hangar

The hydrogen-powered megayacht features eight decks and a cascading waterfall pool.

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If you’re going to name a yacht after a god, it’d better be big. This 575-foot Acionna megayacht, named for a Gallo-Roman water goddess, fits the bill, as it’s even larger than Oceanco’s Aeolus , which derives its title from the Greek god of wind .

The fantastical vessel comes from UK-based designer Andy Waugh, whose Noveau and Epiphany concepts was previously featured on Maxim.com. According to his website , he has completed eight superyacht projects as a lead designer, and two more are currently under construction.

Along with its sheer size, the scale of which is shown in stunningly illustrated renders, the first thing that captures the eye is terraced superstructure. Acionna features eight decks altogether, including a double-height main saloon with panoramic curved glass overlooking the main aft deck pool.

That area leads down to a swimming platform, which Waugh describes as a central “island” of communal areas surrounded by the pool and accessed via a tunnel aft and a bridge. As with Noveau , Acionna ‘s pool flows down across multiple levels, creating a perpetual waterfall that’s both practical and beautiful. Also aboard is a full-size squash court, helicopter hangar and a 66-foot indoor pool.

Despite its massive stature, Acionna is would ideally be a zero-impact vessel. The only problem is that the technology required for its hydrogen-based propulsion system hasn’t been implemented at this scale.

“She is planned to be powered with hydrogen using a similar system currently being trialed in cruise ships and ferries” Waugh’s website reads. “If the power used to manufacture the hydrogen is purchased from renewable energy sources the yacht could be said to be ‘zero impact.’”

“Until vessels like this one are built there will be no way to increase demand for hydrogen thereby breaking the chicken and egg stalemate of supply and demand.”

Steve Kozloff, designer of the 705-foot-long G-Quest , expressed a similar sentiment in presenting the $1 billion concept, envisioning that it would be powered by the “green fuels of the future”—be it hydrogen, methanol or biodiesel.

“The Acionna concept,” Waugh concludes, ” is for those who see themselves as trend setters and game changers, those who appreciate the zenith of luxury but also want to have a positive impact.”

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YACHTS FOR SALE WITH HELIPAD

Browse yachts for sale with Helipads

Home > Superyachts with helipad

Luxury yachts with helipads

A luxury yacht with a helipad offers complete flexibility. The convenience of owning a yacht with a fully certified helipad can not only increase your time on board but also provides a way to explore uncharted territory and enjoy a yachting experience at its finest. 

When you own or charter a yacht with a helipad, you can fly to your boat, saving considerable time and the potential stress that comes with taking multiple forms of transport. It also makes it easy to reach on-land destinations, from remote terrain to the world’s most elegant cities.

Helipads are generally positioned on the bow of a luxury boat or the aft deck, with careful planning to ensure health and safety regulations are met and that they don’t take up valuable guest space.

From touch-and-go helipads to full-scale helicopter hangars and commercially compliant helipads, here’s what you need to know about buying or chartering a superyacht with a helipad.

Length (ft)

Number of cabins.

• Motor yacht
• 110 m / 361 ft
• OCEANCO - Please enquire
• 18 guests in 9 staterooms

• 107 m / 351 ft

• 105 m / 344 ft

PHATHOM 80M

• 80 m / 262 ft
• TBD - Please enquire
• 12 guests in 7 staterooms

• 74 m / 243 ft
• PROTEKSAN TURQUOISE - Please enquire
• 14 guests in 7 staterooms

STELLA MARIS

• 72.10 m / 237 ft
• VIAREGGIO SUPERYACHTS - 2015

T700 MILANO

• 70 m / 230 ft
• TANKOA - 2028

• 68 m / 223 ft
• TANKOA - Please enquire

CYNTHESIS 180

• Catamaran yacht
• 58.3 m / 191 ft
• 12 guests in 6 staterooms

• 55 m / 180 ft
• HEESEN - 2011

• 51.56 m / 169 ft
• WIDER - 24 months

Nothing matches the prestige of owning a superyacht and joining an exclusive club of yacht owners. A superyacht puts the world at your fingertips, giving you the freedom to travel whenever, wherever all while enjoying a highly exclusive and private experience onboard your own self-sufficient sanctuary. Cruise bluewater havens or explore the world’s most remote regions aboard a luxury yacht with loved ones. YACHTZOO offers an exquisite selection of superyachts for sale. Our luxury yachts for sale are built by the world’s most esteemed shipyards and boast world-class amenities, pioneering cruising technology, and the finest craftsmanship.

Yacht Sales FAQ

What are the benefits of a superyacht with a helipad.

Having a helipad on board a superyacht is a highly desirable feature, especially with charter guests seeking an elevated experience at sea. There are several benefits, including convenience, easy access, privacy, and enhanced peace of mind in the event of an emergency.

Fast & private transportation

The primary benefit of a helipad on a yacht is that it allows for fast and private transportation of guests to and from the boat, avoiding lengthy tender rides and allowing guests to explore their surroundings further.

Ideal for extreme sports

A helipad can also be used for extreme sports, such as helicopter water skiing and heli-skiing, ensuring an incredible experience on the water.

Peace of mind

Having a fully certified helipad also provides enhanced peace of mind. Should there be, for example, a medical emergency, you have complete peace of mind that a swift transfer to a land-based medical centre can be quickly arranged.

Maximise a yacht's potential

A mega yacht with a fully certified helipad is highly desirable and will typically attract a higher resale value. Additionally, yachts with helipads are particularly sought-after charter yachts, enabling owners to maximise their boat’s income potential. Finally, a yacht's helipad can also be repurposed, and the large deck space cleared for a variety of activities, such as a dance floor at night and a recreational space during the day.

How big does a yacht have to be to have a helipad?

Generally speaking, a yacht must be at least 40-metres to accommodate a helipad on the bow. Boats under 40-metres generally do not have space to have a helipad on the bow, but clever design means that it may be possible to accommodate a touch-and-go helipad on the stern.

What is a touch-and-go helipad?

A touch-and-go helipad is a type of landing pad for helicopters that allows for quick take-offs and landings without stowing the aircraft on the yacht. It is becoming increasingly common on luxury superyachts and can be a significant bonus for yacht charterers, providing a quick and convenient way to access the vessel. Having a touch-and-go helipad on a yacht can also increase a boat's resale value and charter potential.

Can a yacht have more than one helipad?

Yes, it is possible to have more than one helipad on a yacht, depending on its size and layout. Multiple helicopter decks are often found on the world's largest mega yachts and expedition vessels, allowing for multiple helicopters to be stored at the same time. Having two helipads or more can be especially useful for vessels that accommodate a large number of guests or crew members who may need to travel to different locations at the same time.

What other amenities will a yacht with a helicopter deck have?

As helicopter decks are typically found on larger vessels, you'll also benefit from an enhanced selection of amenities. The world's finest superyachts typically boast voluminous beach clubs, swimming pools, spa facilities, cinema rooms, fully equipped gyms, VIP suites, and spacious salons and deck areas. They also typically boast a garage filled with tenders and a fantastic selection of water toys, including jet skis, water skis, inflatables, diving equipment, kayaks, submarines, and more.

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YACHTZOO has access to the finest yachts with helipads for sale and charter. Our yachts are built by the world's finest shipyards and boast enviable amenities and luxurious interiors for an enhanced yachting experience. Whether you are seeking a charter yacht with a helipad or wish to buy a boat with a helicopter pad, contact our team of yacht brokers today.

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The 1980s heyday of Malcolm Forbes' The Highlander

It was the party boat everyone wanted to be on, owned by the man everyone wanted to be friends with. Daniel Pembrey talks to the family of Malcolm Forbes and crew about what it was like to receive an invite.

"That night I start out of my sleep at 3am when a huge log thunnngs into our hull,” wrote author and political satirist Christopher Buckley in his 12-day travelogue of the Amazon – the cover story for Condé Nast Traveler ’s inaugural edition in 1987. 

“I walk forward in the hailstorm of insects and stand awhile as Highlander’s searchlight sweeps back and forth across the water. No lights on either shore. The Virginian is behind us, slaloming through the logs...”

The Feadship -built Highlander belonged to Forbes magazine owner Malcolm Forbes, a high-wattage personality famed for his lavish lifestyle and unashamed self-promotion, who filled the yacht with art, threw celebrity parties and used the boat as a power base to schmooze the elite (both avid readers of, and advertisers in, his magazine). He took charge of the Forbes family business when his brother Bruce died young of cancer in the mid 1960s and built the namesake magazine into a brand worth billions.

Named in honour of his Scottish roots, The Highlander became almost mythical in the 1980s as one of the most sociable boats of its type ever conceived – the designer being Jon Bannenberg . The 1980s New York power elite lapped up invitations to functions aboard when she was docked at Pier 60 in Manhattan, but guests came from further afield: Prince Charles, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, the Reagans and President and Mrs George H W Bush, to name a few.

Yet it was on the Amazon that she really proved her mettle. The previous (fourth) Highlander – which by 1987 was called the Virginian – was now in the possession of fellow American media magnate and billionaire John Kluge, a friend of Forbes’s, and these two boats were making the Amazon expedition in convoy.

Buckley, who was invited along by Forbes, recorded the river narrowing and, at times, The Highlander “steering so close to the bank we can peer deep into the jungle. A curious and not unpleasant sensation, doing that while sitting amid a Gainsborough and a Toulouse-Lautrec, air-conditioned and sipping Bloody Marys.”

The jolt of the submerged trees driven into the well-built steel hull woke the rest of the guests, including the ex-king of Bulgaria (aboard The Highlander ) and the ex-king of Greece (aboard the Virginian ). Buckley absorbed the unfolding drama. “Later that afternoon, sitting in the fantail salon with the wonderful dioramas of whaling scenes and shipbuilding, I hear a bang-bang-BANG underneath,” he wrote. “Minutes later the crew are pulling up the floorboards and frowning. Half an hour later they’re donning wetsuits.”

For it wasn’t only tree trunks that The Highlander needed to navigate. Branches, vines and other vegetative matter were getting wrapped around the propellers driven by the twin GM 900-horsepower diesel engines.

Forbes’s son Christopher (“Kip”) is the middle child of five (between Steve and Bob, and younger siblings Tim and Moira). The boys have all worked in the family business. Recalls Kip: “The ex-king of Bulgaria was scrutinising a model of The Highlander [the fifth one, which they were aboard]. Pop liked to display these models in that fantail salon. The ex-king pointed at the model’s stern and said, ‘Have you tried reversing the propellers?’ We looked at each other, then did as he suggested, and it worked – to the great relief of the crew.”

In arranging the trip, Forbes, 67 at the time, had been inspired by Jacques Cousteau’s trek through the Amazon five years before. Forbes was an exuberant risk-taker, personally as well as professionally. He’d been awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for service as a machine gunner in Europe during the Second World War. Hot-air balloons, Harley-Davidsons; helis and a 727; acquiring Fabergé eggs and other collectables, not to mention homes in Manhattan, New Jersey, London, France, Morocco and Fiji: this was a man who lived life to the full. Traversing the Amazon by pleasure yacht was unheard of at the time but that did not faze him. In undertaking such adventures, he never forsook comfort. He ruled “comfort in its widest sense – for guests and crew alike – is as important as the engines and navigation equipment”.

Buckley paints a vivid picture of the vessel and how it functioned. “The topmost deck is a solarium, as if a Bateau-Mouche had been grafted on top. [On the lower deck] there are four guest suites in addition to Malcolm’s master suite, with its whirlpool and steam bath and Spanish-galleon rear picture window. I draw Burgundy. Others are Blue, White and Gray. The king of Bulgaria says: ‘It’s clever. This way no one is offended by being given ‘cabin number four’.”

Meals in this most remote of locations included one with slices of beef rolled around horseradish cream on fried toast, caviar atop blue cheese, brie en croute, fresh cakes and “a beautiful split of icy cold German dessert wine”, specified Buckley. And yet key was the crew, whom Buckley summed up as being “without exception, exceptional”.

He singled out Glenn Ellison, the bagpipe-playing second steward who turned out to be from New Jersey. Ellison got up every morning before dawn to practise his bagpiping on the top deck. “He says the villagers come down to the water’s edge and clap and dance. It’s really something.”

Buckley would conclude: “Malcolm is an antidote to the horror stories about extreme wealth. He’s generous as hell and he likes to have fun.” Says Kip, today: “The whole point was that if you could afford the yacht, you could afford the time. The idea was not to go fast; it was to share and savour the experience.”

It was paradoxical therefore that the fifth Highlander grew out of Forbes spotting the Bannenberg-designed Azteca , commissioned by media baron Emilio Azcárraga Milmo at Feadship’s yard in the Netherlands. Feadship CEO Henk de Vries recalled an awestruck Forbes saying to his father Bieb de Vries, “I think I want one like that.” Azcárraga was a man who enjoyed speed; he went on to commission Eco, which also drew on the design of Azteca and remains one of the fastest yachts of her size.

Two other features made Azteca (and so The Highlander ) such a statement, besides the beauty and strength of line (for which Bannenberg was renowned) and the length ( Azteca 47 metres, The Highlander 50 metres). One was the way in which the hull stepped up amidships to form the bulwarks of the upper deck, allowing for full beam – around nine metres – interior space. The other was the use of glass on the upper deck, letting light flood in and equally letting guests see out.

The design choice for the fifth Highlander was all the more noteworthy because the previous Highlander yachts built by Feadship had conformed to such classical shapes. These, too, were beloved by the Forbes family. The third Highlander , launched in 1967 and featuring a “canoe stern” that scooped out of the water, “is as pretty a yacht as you’ll ever see”, says Tim, the youngest brother. “The stern of the fifth Highlander remained slightly rounded,” points out de Vries – a man adept at understanding his clients’ longings.

She also had a closed transom. Combined with moving the main galley and the owner’s stateroom to the lower deck, it created an unusual amount of space on the main and upper decks for her true purpose, as “a platform for Forbes”, remarks Andrew Winch, who was part of Bannenberg’s London design team at the time of the build. “The Highlander was like a greenhouse through which you could see New York City – the meeting place of the world, certainly at that time.”

It wasn’t only about high living and power projection. She proved a remarkably effective way of driving advertising sales at Forbes. Many of the guests were CEOs of the biggest corporations and these high-powered gatherings were also family affairs, with Malcolm Forbes’s sons stepping up to meet and greet guests. “One time, I looked up and saw CEOs of six different US airline companies talking together,” says Kip. “Where else would you find that?” He adds: “Pop used to say that guests would come aboard with their own ideas of why they were there but, once on board, they were ours.”

For the arriving guests, quilted ceilings and fat Plexiglass handrails competed for attention with historic panelling and clan tartan. Yet the real genius of Bannenberg’s design lay in his ability to envisage and provide for, the way in which the world’s most powerful and famous people enjoyed moving around this space. “Six people aboard was comfortable,” recalls Kip. “Yet 60 would feel spoiled.” Concurs Tim: “Of course, a yacht is its own special environment, very different to any boardroom or hotel function room, but there was something about the way that boat was designed for circulation. It had these smaller seating areas and private spaces that weren’t too conspicuously private, where people could linger while never prompting the reaction: ‘Look at those two off there on their own, talking.’ It was about bringing interesting people together and then letting serendipity take over. It made business and socialising lively, relaxed and distinctively pleasurable. People wanted in.”

Much was happening behind the scenes, seamlessly. “We had a lot of ‘steadies’ on the crew,” says Paul Engle, who captained the boat in the late 1980s. “They’d done it before and knew exactly what they were doing: how to behave, when to be available to guests and when to give space. The dining room could be closed off with pocket doors for a private meal, or opened up for a buffet service, in which case it removed the constraints on how many we could accommodate for an evening function. Although the galley was below, we had a pantry on the main deck next to the dining room. Everything always seemed to run very smoothly.”

All the people interviewed for this article recall the “tour”. There were different versions of the tours given to guests, varying according to the guest’s interests, but what they all had in common was that they flowed, like the space itself. Says Engle: “There were certain features guests were always interested in: the models in the fantail salon [where the ex-king of Bulgaria made his observation about the propellers], or the light box in the ceiling of the dining room – in fact a stained glass door from the Royal Yacht Osborne.”

The photo-filled rose gallery near the guest entrance proved popular, too. “The portraits there were pretty diverse: Malcolm with the widow of General MacArthur, or with Mick Jagger, or with the King of Jordan... It set an engaging tone as people entered the boat,” Engle says.

If tours descended to the lower deck, it was usually to see the master stateroom with its five-person marble steam room and galleon picture window, which had prompted a fun exchange between Kip and Johan de Vries, Henk’s uncle. “We were arguing in favour of a window at the back there, and the Feadship team didn’t think it architecturally sound,” recalls Kip. “I then pointed out the large oil painting, hanging in the office in which we were meeting, depicting the capture of the Dutch fleet by the French army in 1794, and observed that at some point the Dutch knew how to fenestrate the stern of a ship.”

Executives from the nascent tech industry enjoyed seeing the engine room, with its twin GM power units, while celebrities – including Harrison Ford at the height of his Indiana Jones and Star Wars megastardom – preferred the upper level wheelhouse.

The toys, dramatically arranged in different parts of the boat, added to the sense of adventurous fun. There were the Harley-Davidsons that Malcolm rode frequently, and the Cigarette and Donzi speedboats that had been lowered on to the Amazon, prompting Buckley to fear that his excursion party might be mistaken for a band of drug runners. But the coup de théâtre was a gold-and-green coloured Bell Jet Ranger helicopter named Highland Fling. “Uplit, it lent the boat a particular night signature, backdropped by those lights of Lower Manhattan,” says Winch.

The Highland Fling wasn’t just for show. Recalls Engle: “One time it was dispatched to pick up 50 bottles of Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion perfume from Bloomingdale’s so as to provide impromptu gifts for a party aboard, for which Taylor was the guest of honour.” The helicopter deck had been added almost as an afterthought. Kip recalls Malcolm having the idea while staying at Amsterdam’s deluxe Amstel Hotel, the day after the Feadship contract was signed. This first change order required rapid recalculations of the superstructure’s strength. In the early to mid 1980s, helipads were still relatively rare on yachts. Feadship’s naval architect Frits de Voogt worked closely with Forbes’s pilot, developing the platform. “He gave me a lot of feedback, especially on the need for platforms to be situated higher up,” says the 96-year-old de Voogt.

The yacht’s dark green colour was considered from the beginning. “Because the fifth Highlander had a bigger superstructure, it was important for the profile not to look top heavy,” says Kip. “All the previous Highlanders had been white, so we really were breaking with tradition, but Jon Bannenberg presented a series of hand-rendered drawings to Forbes at the 60 Fifth Avenue boardroom, showing that all white wasn’t going to work. He did it so calmly and logically that it was never a question.”

Forbes embraced the dark green colour, the same colour as dollar bills, and Bannenberg burnished his sales credentials. “The guy was just never off-key,” says Kip. “We wished we had him as a Forbes sales executive, working on the boat.” Bannenberg would separately design Forbes’s stunning green-and-gold liveried Boeing 727 bearing the ironic words “FORBES Capitalist Tool” on the tail.

Forbes was at the peak of his entertaining powers in the mid to late 1980s. Forbes magazine had become a powerhouse brand, thanks in no small part to its Rich List, created in 1981. The list fitted perfectly with the wealth-focused mores of the times. It answered irresistible questions – who had it and how did they earn or get it? – and it would help the magazine earn a fortune in advertising – making money from the phenomenon of making money. It also elevated Malcolm to the position of ringmaster among an initially reluctant super-rich who couldn’t afford to ignore the list any more than they could afford to ignore the functions aboard The Highlander . New York’s social elite was entranced.

“Went to Malcolm Forbes’s birthday on board his party yacht The Highlande r,” recorded Tina Brown, in her book Vanity Fair Diaries. The Vanity Fair editor described how “as we purred down the Hudson River in Malcolm’s pale mahogany floating crib, billions of dollars stroked each other’s egos over lobster and champagne”.

That evening, the Highland Fling made a star turn. “Malcolm’s son, Steve, landed on the boat in a helicopter. We all went on to the upper deck to watch it come in, our hair whipped by its landing. The propellers whirled dangerously,” wrote Brown. “You go first,” [her husband] Harry [Evans] said to Murdoch, and Rupert laughed. Some of the guests (Barbara Walters, Larry Tisch, Betsy Bloomingdale) were very much of that time; others were timeless, namely: “Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall,” wrote Brown. “He sat on Fran Lebowitz’s knee, singing ‘Happy Birthday, Dear Malcolm’ in that insanely famous croak.”

Forbes would die three years later in 1990, in New Jersey, of a heart attack – but not before staging the biggest party of his life: a 70th birthday weekend in Morocco, for which guests were flown in by chartered Concorde, a 747 and a Lockheed Tristar, as well as “The Tool” (727); 300 Berber horsemen performed a cavalry charge, ending with them firing their muskets into the air.

The boat stayed in the family for another two decades. “I have great memories of working with Dickie [Bannenberg, Jon’s son] when we ‘redecorated’ The Highlander in the late 1990s,” says Kip. In 2012 it was finally sold by Bradford Marine Yacht Sales (where Engle went on to work) to investment banker Roberto de Guardiola and his wife Joanne.

Much has changed since the late 1980s. While there’ll never be another showboat like The Highlander , its legacy lingers on. De Vries says its ethos of impeccable service is still found on boats today – “like on some of the Eastern airlines, where service seems to be more of a vocation or a calling. You get a similar feeling on a boat such as Savannah : that feeling of stepping into a warm bath.”

And there’ll never be another Malcolm Forbes. The way in which he saw the world was unique. Tim concludes: “Pop didn’t see business as an end in itself. He saw the purpose of business as being to bring pleasure and reward, to the more people, the better. To him, that was the point of capitalism, and indeed that was the point of it all.”

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Lloyd Werft and Stay Sea Design launch Albatross concept

The ‘green yacht’ design would make use of wind, solar and seawater for operation

Lloyd Werft

By Alex Smith | 23 September 2022

Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven and Stay Sea Design have launched a new ‘green yacht’ catamaran concept, Albatross, that will use wind, solar and seawater to operate.

The concept would split operations into a harbour/anchor mode and a sea/sailing mode. While in harbour/anchor mode, energy would be generated by six methanol fuel cells of 200 kilowatts each, assisted by five wind turbines and 1150 square metres of solar panels equipped with a 4-megawatt lithium-ion battery.

In driving/sailing mode, propulsion would instead be generated by four main engines of 1800 kilowatts each, coupled in pairs to two gearboxes for a 1000-kilowatt motor attached to a controllable pitch propeller system. The engines would be powered using conventional marine gas oil, though fuel consumption would be reduced by a rigid wing system that could deliver approximately 1200 kilowatts of power in fair winds.

Six box coolers would replace a conventional pumped cooling system, saving approximately 70 kilowatts of power per hour. In addition, the companies have carried out an analysis of possible energy consumers onboard the ship, which they will allow them to achieve 90 kilowatts of power saving though the correct selection and placement of equipment.

The ship would feature spaces including a swimming pool platform, a beach club, gym, spa and several dining areas for up to 14 guests, though interior layouts can be adapted for customer needs. Up to 46 crew can be accommodated in mainly single and double cabins, and crew amenities include a lounge, an outside recreation area and a gym.

Albatross would feature two separate tender garages, equipped with four tenders and four jet skis. Each tender garage incorporates two rapid charging units with a charging time of around 20 minutes but will also be equipped for diesel-powered tenders. Each would be equipped with two shell doors and two gantry cranes, allow launching procedures on either the inboard or outboard side of both hulls. A wave breaker arrangement could also be used to create a moon pool effect between the two hulls, reducing swell and sea noise.

A helicopter deck and landing area also features in the design, and would be equipped with fast-charging unity for possible electrically-driven helicopters, as well as facilities for conventional aviation fuel-powered aircraft.

Tags: Lloyd Werft     wind     Stay Sea Design     solar

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Articles Top 5 Helicopters for Superyachts

The world of private helicopters has presented an unparalleled level of efficiency for the most discerning superyacht owners.

Radically reducing journey time from shore to ship, and ensuring you arrive in ultimate style and privacy, superyachts and helicopters are a match made in heaven. Here’s our top five from the ever-growing range of superyacht helicopters to choose from. 

1 Airbus ACH145

Perhaps offering the most natural synergy between helicopter and yacht is the Airbus ACH145 . With a small footprint ideal for a superyacht helipad, and a flexible cabin able to transport eight to ten guests in airborne luxury, this rotorcraft is unquestionably a top choice to adorn the deck of any superyacht. With over eight possible configurations, the ACH145 offers the industry’s most versatile cabin for the ultimate passenger experience. From the stunning interior choices Airbus provide, to a VIP fit out from a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz offering the style and class synonymous with the German luxury car brand, this superyacht helicopter combines best-in-class comfort with a staggeringly quiet ride which enables sightseeing from above or mid-air business meetings to take place unhindered by rotor noise. The helicopter of choice for the upcoming largest superyacht in the world, 182.9m REV Ocean, the AHC145 combines impressive performance with the latest in safety equipment, including advanced autopilot systems to offer the complete superyacht helicopter package that guarantees a safe and comfortable flight.

2 Airbus ACH160

Superyacht helicopters must strike a fine balance between speed, comfort, and style. From affording passengers enough interior volume to ensure a comfortable flight, to being compact enough to fit on the deck of a yacht, designing such a piece of machinery is no small feat. The company responsible for designing the most capable helicopters for the job to date is Airbus, and with their all new ACH160 they have raised the bar yet again. Bringing the cutting edge of helicopter design to the fore, a composite airframe, impressive fuel efficiency, and a whisper-quiet ride thanks to a shrouded tail rotor, and Blue Edge rotor blade design, the ACH160 carries 12 passengers to the deck of their superyacht in total comfort. While its large side windows create a light flooded cabin to illuminate the stunning interior concept from renowned superyacht designer Harrison Edisgaard, the ACH160 also embraces new technology to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. A truly innovative product that is a far more sustainable mode of transport compared to its traditionally designed counterparts, the ACH160 is the height of aerial style and sophistication.

3 AW109 Trekker

From the renowned Agustawestland the AW109 Trekker is the first ever fully Italian-built helicopter to be mass produced. With its best-in-class lifting capability and impressive range of 447NM, the AW109 Trekker offers an unmatched level of utility for a light-weight superyacht helicopter. Accommodating six passengers in a spacious and versatile cabin, the AW109 effortlessly transports its guests wherever they wish. A brilliantly soundproofed and elegantly styled interior affords passengers a quiet and comfortable ride, so a short hop from ship to shore, or visiting a remote island destination further afield is effortless. Boasting wide sliding doors for easy access, an extended baggage compartment so guests can bring all the luggage they desire, and rugged skid landing gear for true go anywhere capability, this helicopter brings a new dimension to life at sea. Able to explore even the hardest to reach destinations with complete peace of mind thanks to state-of-the-art safety features, the AW109 is the perfect addition to any explorer superyacht big enough to accommodate this 42-foot beauty.

Designed for short-medium flights and touchdowns in tight spaces, this helicopter is ideal for any superyacht platform. As one of the most compact five-seat helicopters on the market, the Bell 505 punches well above its weight. Packing an integrated glass flight deck, and Garmin G1000H avionics suite with twin 10.4in LCD screens into a five-seat platform is a truly masterful piece of helicopter design. While compact, with a main rotor just 11.2m wide and fuselage only 13m long, the Bell 505 does not forgo comfort. A luxurious and open Italian-designed interior, and glass cockpit, affords passengers an uninterrupted view to admire their yacht from a new angle in total comfort.  An ideal helicopter to fit on any superyacht platform, the lightweight design provides impressive performance and versatility. While the two bladed rotor is an effective solution to offer powerful lift and limit drag, the quick release seats, flat floor, and large baggage compartment provide a great option for transporting luggage or supplies from land to sea. Stylish, sporty, and practical, superyacht helicopters don’t get much better.

5 Bell FCX-001

Still just a concept but one of the most exciting prospects in the aviation industry, the Bell FCX-101 is a crescendo of technology yet to make it into helicopter production. A window into the future of what your superyacht helicopter may, one day, look like, this rotorcraft is touted to be powered by a hybrid propulsion system and incorporates a revolutionary anti-torque system within the tail boom rendering the tail rotor obsolete. The FCX-001 presents a significant step change in what helicopter design can be. By combining the benefits of the proven turboshaft engine with the rapidly evolving world of electric propulsion, a new level of efficiency could be achieved. Debuted at the Heli-Exbo 2017, this stunning concept utilises the bleeding edge of heli design in every area. From the pilot using augmented reality in the cockpit for near autonomous flying, to morphing rotor blades that adapt to different flight scenarios, and an ingenious interior with modular flooring design for the most versatile cabin ever, this gull winged rotorcraft for the future is set to change the landscape for superyacht helicopter transport forever.

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Damen Sells First Yacht Support Vessel With Fully-Enclosed Helicopter Hanger

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Illustration courtesy Damen/AMELS

Damen Shipyards says it has just sold its first mega-yacht support vessel with a fully-enclosed helicopter hanger.

That’s right, some people have so many toys that they when cruising on their super yacht they actually need another support vessel just to carry it all; things like tenders, jet skis, submarines and, of course, helicopters.

The Yacht Support series was developed by Damen in cooperation with Dutch luxury yacht builder AMELS and is based on Damen’s commercially produced high-speed Sea Axe patrol and offshore support vessel design, but tailored to the needs of private owners just looking to cut loose and have a good time.

“The owner’s team came to us with a lot of client-specific customizations for what was then our 67-meter platform,” explains Damen Product Director Mark Vermeulen. “They put a lot of thought into how the owner would like to operate the Yacht Support vessel in combination with the mother yacht. This has created new possibilities within the design, resulting in an extremely high-end yachting experience. Now we’ve put a lot of that client feedback into the updated design – the SEA AXE 6911.”

In addition to the helicopter hangar, the extended 69-meter platform also includes a dedicated helicopter workshop below deck, a well-equipped dive center, 250 square meters of deck space for tenders and toys, and 110 square meters of below deck storage. At approximately 1,200 gross tonnes, the vessel is also large enough to accommodate 22 crew and staff while sailing at 20 knots.

The new vessel is scheduled for delivery in June 2016 from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem in the Netherlands and will be the fifth Yacht Support vessel to be delivered since DAMEN and AMELS introduced the revolutionary new concept to the superyacht market in 2009.

Here’s a video on one of the Yacht Support vessels already delivered:

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