Click for Nordhavn Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Abeking Click for Westport Click for Walker

Forward Mast exception w/ Bow Helipad

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by bigboatguy, Oct 1, 2025 at 4:47 AM.

  1. bigboatguy

    bigboatguy New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2024
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Hello,

    Having a debate with a friend - I thought there was a design exemption on yachts with a bow helipad not needing a foremast while anchored overnight. Case in point Liva O.

    Can anybody provide clarification?
  2. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2004
    Messages:
    5,384
    Location:
    Sweden
    She has a foremast in the middle of the foredeck, like on many yachts I guess it is removable...
  3. bigboatguy

    bigboatguy New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2024
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Vancouver
    I guess I was misinformed then - thanks for the clarification
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    14,045
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Yep; Removable or collapsible.
  5. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2006
    Messages:
    29,088
    Location:
    Caribbean
    All of these yachts with bow helipads ...and anything with a bow helipad will likely be above 50-meters therefore required to have a steaming mast. For aesthetics and practicality permanent steaming masts have been pretty much replaced by telescopic/collapsible masts which at the touch of a button...retract into the deck and the head of the mast blends in flush with the deck/helipad. On large superyachts these masts are 3-stage masts and some are stayed and non-stayed designs.

    Attached Files:

    Capt Ralph and YachtForums like this.
  6. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2006
    Messages:
    29,088
    Location:
    Caribbean
    Some of these lights go even pass just being a structure to house your 'all-round' anchor light and your steaming nav light. Some manufacturers have deck floodlights in the flushfit head portion. See this example below.

    Attached Files:

  7. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2006
    Messages:
    29,088
    Location:
    Caribbean
    But in conclusion, if you see a yacht 50 meters and above and no visible steaming mast. IT HAS ONE just it is in the retracted position whether it is on a boat with a forward helipad or not...it will be incorporated somewhere on the foredeck.. These examples showing, "Lionheart", "OKTO" and "Yalla".

    Attached Files:

  8. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2006
    Messages:
    29,088
    Location:
    Caribbean
    On some yachts like the AMELS Limited Edition 171 and above models they have their lights in the foredeck crane. So even though it is not a telescopic/collapsible design, the 'mast' still stows away horizontal to the deck so you can't see it when it is not in use.

    Attached Files:

  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    14,045
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Outstanding updates brother. Thank you for further examples.
    YachtForums likes this.
  10. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    20,764
    Location:
    South Florida
    +1
  11. bigboatguy

    bigboatguy New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2024
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Above and beyond what I expected as a response - thank for putting in the time and detail! The drawings especially tickle the engineering side of my brain :)