Damen “Sea Axe” Yacht Support Vessel

Axe Bow Makes Vertical Entry To Tag-Along Sector

AMELS announces a new concept to meet the growing demand for support vessels
among large-yacht owners. DAMEN Shipyard has adapted its exclusive AXE BOW
Concept, already applied commercially to Fast Crew Supply Vessels,
to a new SEA AXE Fast Yacht Support Vessel.

The AXE BOW is a proprietary design created jointly by DAMEN and the Ship Hydromechanics Department of Technical University of Delft under the direction of Prof. J. A. Keuning. Significant input was contributed by captains and chief engineers of AMELS yachts in a recent conference held in Amsterdam. DAMEN has delivered about 15 such vessels, 33 and 50 meters LOA, and has about as many on order, for use in patrol, oil-rig supply, and other offshore duties where speed, easy motion, heavy weather reliability, and economy are prime.

The SEA AXE is purpose-built vessel, not a conversion. The 50-meter hull, with 9.2-meter beam, is identical to that of DAMEN working boats, with finer finish and interior. It delivers speeds up to 28 knots, depending on payload. Damen is already building two SEA AXE Fast Yacht Support vessels, one of which is set for delivery to an owner in December 2009.

The SEA AXE is a fully classed vessel requiring a crew of just six, so it is ideal in the charter trade to accompany the primary yacht. It can also be a handy support vessel for very large sailboats such as J-Class yachts, whose capacity for sail inventory, crew, and supplies is severely limited. SEA AXE development began in 1995 with TU Delft studies of the effect of hull lengthening on efficiency, operability, and operating costs. Tank tests of bows with fine sections and a deep forefoot resulted in the AXE BOW, which reduces vertical acceleration and slamming in heavy weather, causes of seasickness and crews having to slow down. The AXE BOW is also more efficient in smooth water, has better seakeeping in large waves, and resists broaching. The SEA AXE has a true AXE BOW, and should not be confused with yachts that merely have fine bows.

The 50-meter SEA AXE—with a 30-meter open deck and 250 tonnes of deck-cargo capacity—relieves the mother ship of space-consuming stowage. It can carry a helicopter, large tenders, water toys and their specialized fuels. The SEA AXE can be fitted with a dive center, extra refrigerator/freezer capacity, dry stores room, and quarters for extra crew, pilots, the owner’s staff, security, or a dive instructor. With transatlantic range at 18 knots, it can handle the mother ship’s pre- and post-cruise logistics, scout anchorages, shuttle guests, take fishing or diving excursions. It also keeps the mother yacht “clean and green” by disposing of grey/ black water and trash.

The SEA AXE and the LIMITED EDITIONS AMELS 199 will be introduced at AMELS’ “TCentral” stand during the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2009. AMELS is an exclusive yacht-building member of the Dutch DAMEN Shipyards Group, consisting of more than 35 shipyards and marine-related companies throughout the world. DAMEN, a family owned company, employs over 6,000 people and has an annual turnover of approximately € 1.6 billion.

For more information contact:

AMELS B.V.
Koningsweg 2, 4381 NA Vlissingen
P.O. Box 84, 4380 AB Vlissingen
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)118 48 50 46
www.Amels-Holland.com

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