Amels Yachts

This is the famous video of the high speed approach onto Illona in Nassau. I assume this video is faster than the actual approach speed of the Helo. If not, this pilot would have been pressing his luck. A professional helicopter landing on a small landing spot with no forward missed approach possibility looks different. But this video shows clearly the stupid design of this landing pad. Additionally several safety measures and procedures are disregarded during this approach.

Provided this video is shown in real speed, on my boat, this pilot would have lost his job. You can tell by the face of this passenger in the rear seat, that he was not amused.

Pofessional helicopter pilots are teached to approach a landing spot on the aft deck of a ship with some offset, stop forward motion completely prior reaching a point almost abeam the landing pad and then hower sideways onto the landing spot. Which was difficult on the old Ilona landing pad, as both on the port and starboard side the landing pad was not unobstructed according to LY2. This procedure is even more important, if the ship is in forward motion (with the nose into the wind), as the superstructure of a ship is causing a pretty high amount of turbulence (wash) behind the ship.

Will say, a landing on a small helo deck can be done by real Pro but very carefully and as safe as possible.



There are old pilots and there are bold pilots but no old and bold pilots (old chinese saying ).

I think the best solution to the yacht helicopter storage integration issue is seen on Madame-Gu. It has some downsides (not being able to land on the yacht whilst its moving) but the design keeps the best parts of the yacht for the guests, the hangar/pad is flush with the praised foredeck and it has plenty of space for landing/approach.

The main downside I can see is the small size of the hangar.

Hohum, I do agree with You. This is exactly the the type and construction of a hangar I was trying to explain in my previous posts about the FYS hangar. Sliding roof, the elevator comes up and builds an integral part of the landing deck AND the landing pad is fully usable with the elevator in the up and down position. Plus the elevator shaft can be protected with a safety fence (because the roof does not turn around).





But this yacht is big enough to carry such a long bow and there is enough space in front of the hangar for the covered mooring deck and maybe a rescue boat hangar. And that explains the design of Madam Gu with its almost unproportional long bow section. But she is still a good looking yacht.

And you are right again. If I would try a landing on this deck with my Helo, I would not want this boat to move in any direction during my approach. If have seen a Helo pilot flying backwards during his landing approach but that is far beyond my rotary wing flying skills.

I do not know the flag state of Madam Gu and this helicopter but if they fly under JAR Ops and on a LY3 or commercially classed landing deck like we have to do, this helicopter landing pad arrangement must be a very expensive construction (crew requirements, crew training and certification, fire fighting and ground equipment, water and burning fuel tightness plus flushing fatilities !!). I think, the aft landing deck and hangar on Octupus was cheeper to build.

The LE 171 "Belle Aimee" is now called April.

"Intrepid" is the support vessel to OceAnco's "Infinity".

Additional to those stored in the bow? I have seen seen superyachts of the LE storing their tenders on the aft
upper deck

Elixir is now for charter, Quite quickly after delivery I might add, The listing features many interior pictures... Quite nice for my tastes..