Inside Amels 2012

8/10/2019 Inside Amels 2012

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INSIDE AMELSTHE AMELS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 9

AMELS 272

Grand Dame

DENIKI

SEA AXE

Voyage to Antarctica

67 metres of Fast Yacht Support

View from the bridge

Interview with Kommer Damen


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AMELS 27283 METRES OF ELEGANCE

tres of Heywood elegance 03UCING THE AMELS 272

ending Commitment 09SALE S, THE A MELS WAY

from the Bridge 16R DAMEN OFFERS HIS OPINION

endid Isolation 18ING ANTARCTICA ABOARD DENIKI

A remastered 34HAN JUST A REFIT FOR AN ICONIC YACHT

Beauty 46E PORTRA IT OF THE AMELS 199

ng Edge 50REDEFINES THE SUPPORT VESSEL MARKET

THIS ISSUE

I M E R

ation, s pecifications, descriptions, and images in this

are considered preliminary, non-binding and subject to

AMELS. No images herein may be reproduced in any

out written permission of AMELS. Version 1.0

The long deck spaces of the AMELS 272 are a striking feature of the design, and form

a crucia l part in defin ing the graceful, feminine curves of her profile. We had s ome fun

with the detailing, for example with the lobster-back grilles on the sundeck, which are

a light- hearted, nautical nod to those c rustacea ns of t he deep. Overall, I look u pon

the AMELS 272 as a classic design which, if she ages at all, will grow old gracefully.

6

6

EXC ELLERATES

99 UNVEILED


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INSIDEAMELS 54 INSIDEAMELS

When the AMELS 272 is launched, not

nly will she become the largest in the

IMITED EDITIONS range, she will be

he largest AMELS yacht ever built. Tim

Heywood seized the opportunity created

y the length of the hull to draw one of

is sleekest profiles yet, the long decks

ccentuating the beautiful lines, as

well as creating some wonderful

utdoor spaces.

Although t he AMELS 272 will b e the largest model in the LIMIT ED EDITI ONS range,

senior designer Jaap van der Velde says the project size is well within the capabilities

and experience of the organisation, as well as the subcontractors and co-makers who all

have extensive knowledge of this scale of project. We are very fortunate that AMELS is

part of the DAMEN Group, and the fact that we work very closely in marine research and

development in ongoing partnerships with universities including the Technical University

in Delft, MARIN and TNO, he says. We have an incredible synergy with these academic

organisations and also with our co-makers and subcontractors, with whom we have built

up a strong understanding and close working relationships over many years.

The big challenge for us at AMELS is that we will never compromise on the aesthetics

of the yacht, says van der Velde. With a yacht of these proportions we dont have to do

that. In so many ways it gives us much more space to work with.

Looking through the design plans for the AMELS 272 fills van der Velde with excitement.

The connection between the interior and the outside living areas will work beautifully.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR AND

THE OUTSIDE LIVING AREAS WORKS BEAUT IFULLY

TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM LEFT: FOLD-DOWN BALCONY AND FOLD-DOWN TRANSOM DOOR COMBINE TO

FORM A LARGE BEACH CLUB THAT OPENS BEAUTIFULLY OUT TO THE SEA. THE WATERSPORTS STORE HOUSES

TWO 11-MET RE TENDERS AND MANY WAT ERTOYS

With a gross tonnage of 2800 GT, the larger scale makes it possible to create many

exciting features on this 83-metre, not least a dedicated owners deck measuring

42m long with total deck area of more than 300 sqm. It means that the five generously

proportioned guest cabins can all be located on the main deck, where they might

otherwise be situated on lower deck. Guests will really appreciate the large windows in

their cabins, and being situated on the same deck and just a few steps away from the

swimming pool, 5.5 by 3.5 metres.

The project has been developed in cooperation with Azure Naval Architects and

DAMEN Research, with Lloyds approval of the construction and on-board systems.

We have created a wonderful spa at

lower deck aft, with a sauna, steam room,

lounging area and folding down terrace

doors, bringing you very close to the

waterline. A perfect place to enjoy the sea

on a hot, sunny day.

There is garage space for two large

tenders of 11 metres each, and lots of

storage space for all kinds of water toys

and SCUBA diving equipment. We have

really enjoyed the design process because

the scale of the AMELS 272 has given us

the freedom to create a yacht that can

offer almost anything you could hope to

experience on a superyacht.

VITAL STATISTICS

A N o w N E r S d E c k - 4 3 M L o N G ,

w I T H o f 3 0 0 S Q M o f d E c k

S P A C E

2 3 0 S Q M o f G u E S T c A b I N S

A 8 7 S Q M b E A c H c L u b

1 3 7 S Q M o f w A T E r S P o r T S

S T O R A G E

T o T A L o f 9 0 0 S Q M o f o u T S I d E

D E C K A R E A

S w I M M I N G P o o L o f 5 . 5 M

b Y 3 . 5 M

H E L I P A d w I T H M A X I M u M

TA kE -o ff wE IG HT of 3, 00 0 KG


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AMELSExcelleratesSess an e mease in a nme ays, nt st y the alane sheet. Hee, the t

op men at AMELS walk us through some of the different programmes and projects that,

hen ae tgethe, all ntite t the healthy inanial sitatin at AMELS.

Rob Luijendijk

AMELS 199

As the Spring 2013 delivery date fo r the AMELS 199 has d rawn clos er, so the marke t has

become increasingly excited to see not just the photos but the yacht herself, says Rob

Luijendijk. More and more people are telling us how much they like Tim Heywoods design,

and what some people might have considered radical is gaining wider and wider acceptance.

In that sense, you could say the AMELS 199 is a futuristic design, but the funny thing is she is

still instantly recognisable as an AMELS yacht. Even though she is markedly different from her

sisterships in the LIMITED EDITIONS range, she shares that long, sleek, elegant profile that

defines every AMELS design.

No one needs reminding how tough the world economic climate has been these past

few years, yet in that time AMELS has gone from strength to strength. With year on year

growth of about 10% per year since 2008, AMELS is now the largest superyacht builder

in the Netherlands. Having been managing director since 2005, Rob Luijendijk has a good

grasp of why AMELS has sailed successfully against the strong currents of a diminished

market. We have the benefit of being part of a large shipbuilding conglomerate, the

DAMEN Group, which is owned by a family that believes in the business of shipbuilding,

is passionate about delivering high quality, and about the value of building a long-term

relationship with a client. This is why some of our clients continue to come back to AMELS

for their next yacht. Luijendijk also has the benefit of a good working relationship with his

chief operating officer, Hans van Triet, who has vast experience in different sectors of the

marine industry. Here, Rob and Hans look at different aspects of the business, and how

they contribute to the wider success of the company.

Walking around the docks with: CEO Rob Luijendijk & COO Hans van Triet

Building a superyacht is a very specific trade. Its not like you can hire people straight out

of school who have just finished studying superyacht construction. So instead, AMELS has

decided to create its own centre of excellence, known as the AMELS Academy. Working in close

cooperation with the De Ruyter Maritime Institute, the AMELS Academy has already enrolled the

first six students for 18 months of study and training.

So how will this new scheme benefit AMELS

and its customers? Hans van Triet explains:

At AMELS we are on a constant drive for

higher quality and greater efficiency, and the

people who go through the AMELS Academy

will already be well versed in the companys

philosophy and high standards before they

even start working for us.

So we have set up a structured, high-level

training programme, and we currently have

some highly motivated people going through

the training. They spend time in many different

departments, design, engineering, production

department and so on. By the end of the 18

months they will be very well qualified. At a

time when other companies have been laying

off staff, we are very pleased to b e able to

continue investing in people.

Hans van Triet

THE AMELS ACADEMY

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH - EVEN IN THE HARD TIMES

6 INSIDEAMELS


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Everything we do is guided by the philosophy that the owners must

enjoy a perfect stay on board their perfect yacht.

This is the principle that governs everything Michel Coens and his

colleagues do in the AMELS after sales department. The owners

must not be concerned by any problems on board, or be troubled

by anything that is broken. We aim to make the owners stay as

comfortable as possible. We dont ask why something broke. Fix first,

ask questions later - thats how we like to work.

Coens, the after-sales manager, works in close partnership with Gerwin

Supheert: Were a young and flexible team. Gerwin has a strong

sailing background working as an engineer on big commercial ships.

I am more from the commercial side, although with a good technical

background too. So were a perfect match.

Everyone at AMELS is motivated by the goal of delivering a yacht on

time, without a single item on the snag list. We hear that its not

untypical for yachts to be delivered with two or three hundred snag

points still to be resolved, says Coens. Resolving those snags could

potentially result in weeks or months of downtime for the owner,

and so we do everything to ensure the yacht leaves the yard with the

smallest snag list possible. IMAGINE and STEP ONE both left the yard

with a five-point snag list, and SEA RHAPSODY with just two, so we are

getting closer to our goal of a clean sheet.

Any snags tha t do re main, are resolved as soon as possi ble after

delivery. Even then, contact with the yacht does not diminish. While

every yacht is delivered with one years warranty, the after-sales

department likes to maintain ongoing contact with every AMELS yacht.

We tend to be on board at least once every month, not only to look at

any problems that might arise, but also to see how the owner is using

his yacht, to anticipate any problems in the future. Operating like this

gives us the means to constantly improve our product. Were very

proactive. For example, we inform our entire LIMITED EDITIONS fleet

about any forthcoming regulations that will affect them. People tell us

this is something that really differentiates AMELS from other shipyards.

When technica l problems d o arise f rom time t o time, war ranty claims

are inevitable. AMELS after sales department is aiming to make the

process of submitting a claim as simple as possible for the client. We

have set up an online web portal, says Coens, where captains, chief

engineers and other crew members can log in.

Although this process has been widely adopted in other i ndustries,

Coens believes AMELS to be the first in the superyacht world to be

using this system. It shows that were not afraid of warranty claims,

but that we like to make the process as easy as possible. It tells our

clients that if something is not working as it should be, well fix it. And

I believe that taking that proactive approach is what has brought us a

lot of repeat customers.

PASSPORTMICHEL COENS STUDIED INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AT THE LOCAL

uNIVErSITY IN VLISSINGEN. HAVING GrAduATEd, HE wENT To work for A

LOCAL SHIPYARD WHICH SPECIALISED IN BUILDING CHEMICAL AND CARGO

coNTAINEr SHIPS. HE joINEd AMELS IN 2001, fIrST IN THE PurcHASING

dEPArTMENT ANd THEN MoVING INTo AfTEr SALES IN 2006.

After-Sales...Michel Coens

he AMELS yard is used to being busy. For

many years it has been operating at 100

er cent capacity, but spring 2012 was an

xceptional period, says Rob Luijendijk. We

elivered five yachts in eight weeks - three

ew builds and two major refits, he says. It

was a big peak in activity, but unavoidable

you want to keep to your promises of

elivering yachts in time for the yachting

eason in Europe. We delivered every yacht

n time and in within budget, which put

he organisation under some considerable

tress. But its a huge achievement for

veryone to have contributed to that

ncredible period of activity.

Not that anyone had much time to rest on

their laurels, as there were still another nine

construction projects still at various stages

of development. We have up to 500 people

working hard to realise those nine projects,

says Luijendijk. Aside from having great

people, we are fortunate to have the best

facilities in the Netherlands, with climate-

controlled facilities which are vital for

achieving the high quality of paintwork

on which we pride ourselves. And being

situated right next to the North Sea really

boosts our efficiency and ability to conduct

sea trials very quickly and with the minimum

of hassle.

Aside f rom the delivery of new yachts s uch

as the AMELS 180, STEP ONE, the major

refit of ILONA was a big but very exciting

challenge. ILONA was the 37th refit to have

been carried out by the dedicated AMELS

Refit Department, and we look forward to

many more, large-scale projects here,

says Luijendijk. For very large projects,

AMELS can make use of the enormous

facilities just 5km away at the DAMEN

Naval Shipbuilding Yard. With the largest

dry dock capable of accommodating yachts

up to 215m long, 30m wide and 46m high,

it is one of the largest such facilities in the

Netherlands.

Hans van Triet

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

AMELS believes strongl y in taking t he

experience from one project and feeding

the knowledge back into the company to

help streamline future projects. Central

to this process is the AMELS Continuous

Improvement Database. Its a very structured

programme that enables everyone in the

organisation to make suggestions for quality

improvement or efficiency improvement, says

Hans van Triet, who set the project in motion.

On average there are 25 new entries per month

into the system. We offer a financial incentive

to anyone who brings in new ideas, and it

is a very lively, active database - not some

bureaucratic, unusable monster.

To give you an example, when people

from the production team travel with the after

sales team out to a boat to help solve any

after-sales issues, they will feed back any

information they have learned from the trip,

back into the database for other staff

at the yard to learn from. Its about creating

a never-ending circle of improvement.

A benefit that we l earn from one yacht can

very often be applied to other AMELS yachts

in build or already in service. When IMAGINE

was delivered with a snag list of just five

points, which were solved within two

weeks, its a good sign that the database

is working.

Rob LuijendijkTHE AMELS 180 AND OTHER RECENT DELIVERIES

INSIDEAMELS 9


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HIGH CONCEPT

STEP ONE BY LAURA SESSA

LAURA SESSA

Based in Rome, Laura Sessa is

recognised for her sensitive combining

of rare woods, natural fabrics, rich

textures, and agreeable geometries.

Her imaginative cultural references and

earthy palette create serene moods

that make owners feel at home. Her

lifetime passion for sailing yachts has

given her a keen insight into the most

efficient use of space on board.

STEP ONEs modern interior marksa new direction for Laura Sessa

he owners were very clear about what they wanted for the interior of STEP ONE, and they

wanted Laura Sessa to design it. However, the owners request for a high-gloss, modern

nterior represented a different challenge for the Rome-based stylist, best known for her breezy

Mediterranean-influenced style.

ut Sessa was undaunted by the prospect, in fact she relished such a new approach. The owners

ke white and all light-coloured woods, so we decided to use light wood throughout the yacht,

ut with a different wood for each deck to give it a unique feel whilst remaining true to the overall

hilosophy of the design. The lower deck is very light, although offset by some dark details.

verything is customised, from the wall-to-wall carpet, to the upholstery, down to every small

etail.

n the sky lounge, the walls are veneered in bleached, curly maple with a high gloss finish, offset by

black skirting in louro faia wood. The bar is finished in polished white onyx inlaid with LED lights,

while the custom-made furniture is covered in Loro Piana fabric from the Gorgona collection. In

ontrast to the bright white bar on bridge deck, the saloon bar on main deck is made from special

lass with the colour custom-created from the black marble, Nero Assoluto, with a high-gloss black

kirting in louro faia wood. Further along on main deck, the walls of the owners stateroom are

ecorated in bleached, curly maple, with a high-gloss finish with details in white mother of pearl

and silverleaf. With aft guest cabins No.3

and 4, the aim was to combine a sense of

sophistication with a natural freshness. The

walls are done in bleached lime tree with

high gloss finish, contrasted by chocolate

lacquered details.

Sessa says she has been fortunate to work

with owners with such a strong sense of

direction. We have been lucky to have come

up with such a correct and well-received

interpretation of their wishes from the very

beginning. The interior of STEP ONE looks

sensational.

ABOVE: MAIN DECK SALOONLEFT: BRIDGE DECK AFTBELOW (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): SKY LOUNGE; MAIN DECK DINING; OFFICE IN THE OWNERS SUITE

0 INSIDEAMELS

See the video of STEP ONE at:

www.AMELS-HoLLANd.coMFILMS
http://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=478&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=478&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=478&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=478&lang=en


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QUIETLY ELEGANT

IMAGINE

Imagine taking delivery of a premium quality superyacht, not just on time, but three

months early. Imagine a snag list of just five simple items, two of which were

solved within a day, the remaining three of which when the yacht concluded at the

end of her first delivery trip. So began the charmed life of IMAGINE, the 65-metre

launched in spring 2011.

As people have come to expec t with all LIMITE D EDITION S models, Tim Heywoo d

has drawn some stunning lines for this AMELS 212. The British designers skill

comes in being able to take the AMELS design brief of a high-volume, big 65-metre

and create a yacht whose streamlined, sleek lines disguise an impressive gross

tonnage of 1503 tons.

The AMELS 212 has been designed to be eye-catching but without being flashy.

Another w ay of putting it might be to desc ribe IMAGINE as having understate d

elegance. The same is true of her interior, drawn by Andrew Winch. By comparison

with some modern tastes, IMAGINEs interior is subtle, calm and soothing. The

aim was to have a soft and non-glossy interior, says the London-based designer.

Where the aim of some yachts is to dazzle, the intention with IMAGINE was quite

the opposite. There is nothing in your

face about the interior.

All the metals are in a matte, bronze

finish. Nothing glares back at you. The

bathrooms are finished in soft, honed

marble. Of course you need a polished

marble for waterproofing purposes, but

as much as possible all the surfaces are

non-reflective.

Winch has enjoyed working with owners

who share his passion for a more subtle

elegance. The owners representative

Yavor Nenov comments: They were very

happy with the initial design that Andrew

presented to them. They then added their

own personal touches, including changing

The ist AMELS 212 t e elivee, Tim Heys steamline extei styling IMAGINE

s the beautiful wrapping around an Andrew Winch interior that responded perfectly to the

nes ishes a living spae esigne nt shing , t enying lie.

SHE WAS DESIGNED TO BE EYE-CATCHING WITHOUT BEING FLASH

2 INSIDEAMELS


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ABOVE: SLIDING CIRCULAR DOOR ALLOWS FOR INDOOR OR AL FRESCO DININGBELOW:THE WARM, RELAXING INTERIOR IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU FEEL WELCOME

ll the stainless steel surfaces to a bronze

nish. This has had the effect of softening

he look, and giving the interior a warmer,

more homely feeling.

he serenity of IMAGINEs interior has been

reated by a careful blend of rare and exotic

woods and stones. Eucalyptus panelling and

otoba floors are complemented by many

ifferent kinds of marble and stone, such

s Breccia Oniciata, Marron Imperial, Blue

yes Granite, Levanto Red, Labrador Antik

nd Pietra Romana. Winch wanted to create

n interior that complemented the warm

nd friendly atmosphere of living on board.

The crew on IMAGINE are lovely people,

hey are expert at making their guests feel

elaxed, and if the interior helps enhance

hat feeling of relaxation and comfort, then

we can say weve done our job.

Winch enjoyed having a large canvas on

which to draw, and appreciated the large

paces and generous ceiling heights of

he AMELS layout. The yacht features two

IP cabins on the bridge deck, each with

liding-window access to a private balcony.

ANDREW WINCH

By comparison with some modern

tastes, IMAGINEs interior is quite

understated. London-based Andrew

Winch enjoyed responding to the

owners request for a subtle, elegant

interior designed not for show - but

for relaxed and comfortable living.

As Winch p uts it: A beauti ful la dy

is still beautiful even if shes not

wearing any jewellery.N HER FIRST 12 MONTHS, IMAGINE HAD ALREADY SAILED 25,000 MILES

A centrally -located gl ass elevat or makes for easy and elegant access to all p arts of th e yacht,

including the wet feet bar on the sun deck and the large Beach Club located at the stern.

And there is ample storage for a range of beach toys and also for tw o 8.5m tend ers.

What matters most to the captain of a superyacht is: are his guests comfortable, and is

the yacht reliable and easy to handle? British captain Graham Shorrocks is satisfied on all

counts. Shes very well put together, she feels like a ship, he says. And shes very stable.

We did some of her sea trials in the North Sea without the Quantum stabilisers switched on,

and even then the motion was acceptable, but when you have the stabilisers engaged then

she is very steady indeed.

The yacht is also extremely quiet, thanks in part to the specially insulated windows

supplied by German company, Flachglas Wernberg. With the exception of the wheelhouse,

all the windows are double insulated with an air cavity, and they are coated with a heat-

reflective metal film. Where standard yacht glass reduces energy transmission by 30%,

Flachglass Infrastop glass is more than twice as efficient at 65%. In the typical life of a

superyacht, air conditioning accounts for more than 50% of the total power consumption.

So any improvements you can make on insulating the interior have a substantial effect on

energy usage.

Already i n her firs t 12 mont hs at s ea, IMAGINE had travelled 25,000 mi les, extens ively around

the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and back. The owners love their

time on board the yacht, says Nenov. With such a comfortable boat, and a friendly crew, for

them it really does feel like home.

See the video of IMAGINE at:



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View from the bridgeNTERVIEW WITH KOMMER DAMEN

nside AMELS: In 2010 when we last spoke to you, the world was in dire financial straits and

he shipbuilding industry was struggling in many, many ways. You had just completed your

erm as president of the European Shipbuilding Association. Two years on, has the sun come

ut from behind the clouds yet?

Kommer Damen:If you look at world shipbuilding its still in a very difficult situation. The

harter rates are low because I think there is overcapacity in shipping. So all the yards

ngaged in mainstream shipbuilding, building cargo ships, still find themselves in a tough

osition. However all those yards active in many other niches are doing quite well. At DAMEN

we are involved in oil and gas, yachts, military ships and so on, and we have never really

elt the recession. The trouble is that people outside the industry - banks and politicians, for

xample - tend to look at shipbuilding as just one industry thats struggling. But while general

hipbuilding is having a hard time, those of us operating in specialised niches are continuing

o do well.

nside AMELS:The general instability of Europe at the moment and the threat to the future of

he euro single currency - what effect, if any, might that have on the business?

Kommer Damen: I think it has a positive effect because the euro versus the US dollar is

ot increasing any more. I think the instability of the Eurozone is not affecting our clients

ery much. So for those who think in terms of US dollars we have more advantages of this

ituation than disadvantages because we now have a more favoured euro/dollar ratio. Thats

ood for a labour-intensive industry such as we are.

nside AMELS:What predictions would you make for the industry generally over the next

hree years?

Kommer Damen:I expect the total shipbuilding production worldwide will go down, at least

0% or more, especially in China and Korea, and parts of Europe. But thats all cargo ship

elated business Im talking about.

nside AMELS: So whats in store for DAMEN Shipyards?

Kommer Damen: Well we expect to maintain our turnover and production levels and also the

ame level of profitability as it has been for the last years. So we expect an annual turnover

f 1.4 billion euro for the foreseeable future.

nside AMELS: Whats your assessment of the superyacht construction market?

Kommer Damen: I think in general theres also a little bit less demand, fewer contracts if you

ook at it in a broad way. But AMELS is increasing its business. Most of the Dutch shipyards

re also doing well in my view, maybe also the Germans. So I think in general it is not

rowing, but stable.

nside AMELS:AMELS is now the largest superyacht builder in Holland based on orders over

0 metres. To what do you attribute that success?

Kommer Damen:The LIMITED EDITIONS concept is a success. The customer has

onfidence that they will receive a very well constructed yacht, delivered on schedule. They

The head of the DAMEN Group gives an exclusive interview, offering his outlook

on the future of the shipbuilding industry in general, and the superyacht market

n particular.

benefit from a continuing process

of development and refinement. Its a

very successful concept, easy for people

to understand, and the market is

appreciating that.

Inside AMELS:Aside from new-builds ,

AMELS is doing well with refi ts, most

recently with ILONA returning to the yard for

some extensive upgrades. Why do you think

the client decided to come back to AMELS?

Kommer Damen: I think that the client

came back because we were the original

builder and because we have the technical

capability to do this job the best. We could

do it in a very well controlled way, and

it was a complex rebuild that we could

complete in quite a short time.

Inside AMELS: With so much yacht

construction being done more cheaply in

the Far East, how can the higher costs of

building in the Netherlands continue to be

justified ?

Kommer Damen: I had a discussion about

this subject with the CEO of Gucci at the

Davos World Economic Forum. He said that

all Gucci clients expect their products to

be made in Italy. It is not worth risking the

trust with the clients by making their leather

goods in other countries. He was very

clear that Gucci should always be made

in Italy. He was very much straightforward

about this point, very bullish. For the same

reasons I think we should not deviate from

building in the Netherlands because our

clients associate the quality we deliver with

the high level of finishing for which we have

become well known in the Netherlands.

I think clients in our industry associate

the Netherlands and Germany with the

highest quality, and we should not put that

reputation at risk.

PASSPORTKOMMER DAMEN WAS BORN INTO

THE worLd of SHIPbuILdI NG.

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS

OF HIS FATHER AND UNCLE, HE

STUDIED SHIPBUILDING AND NAVAL

ArcHITEcTurE I N THE 1960S ANd,

WITH A LOAN FROM HIS FATHER,

TOOK TH E HELM OF HIS FIRST

INdEPENdENT SHIPYArd IN 1969,

AGEd juST 25. oNE of THE MoST

EXPERIENCED AND RESPECTED

FIGURES IN THE INDUSTRY, HE HAS

BUILT UP THE DAMEN GROUP INTO

A POWERF UL CONGLO MERATE OF

39 SuccESSfuL SHIPbuILdING

coMPANIES, INcLudING AMELS.


10/31

SPLENDID ISOLATION

DENIKIS ADVENTURE TO THE ANTARCTIC

The crew on board DENIKI have eme se t tavelling t exti an emte nes thegle. bt thei latest avente t Antatia as lie nthing they ha attempte ee.

It was during the summer season of 2010 that the owner of

DENIKI had first raised the idea of a trip to Antarctica. Captain

Richard Callaghan had to do his homework first before he could

agree to such an intrepid expedition. Whilst an exciting prospect,

Antarcti ca is not the sort of place y ou can agree to go to o n the

spur of the moment, he says.

So Richard got together with his co-Captain Lawrence Cockx,

and they spent more than a year exhaustively researching the

possibility and viability of sailing an AMELS 171 to the most

remote continent on Earth. We both wanted to do it, but it can be

a dangerous place, says Richard. There was a cruise ship that

sank down there a couple of years ago, and a few fishing boats

sink there every year too, vessels which are purpose built for those

waters.

The AMELS 171, on the other hand, was not designed with the

Antarcti c in mind. T he two captain s along with th e chief engine er

investigated possible modifications to the yacht.

5 2 . 3 0 M E T r E S ( 1 7 1 f E E T )

TI M HE YW OO D

AM EL S

1 3 . 0 k N o T S

4 , 5 0 0 N A u T I c A L M I L E S

1 0 0 . 0 0 0

AL AS KA , ME DI TE RR AN EA N,

C A R I B B E A N , S O U T H A M E R I C A ,

F A L K L A N D I S L A N D S , A N T A R C T I C

L E N G T H O V E R A L L

D E S I G N E X T E R I O R

N A V A L A R C H I T E C T U R E

C R U I S I N G S P E E D

R A N G E

M I L E S S I N c E 2 0 0 7

d E S T I N A T I o N S S I N c E 2 0 0 7

DENIKI PASSPORT

8 INSIDEAMELS


11/31


We looked at everything in detail because

Antarctica isnt somewhere that you want

o have a breakdown. There is no back-up

here, so we looked into all our systems.

n particular we were concerned about the

utput of our water makers and the diesel

elling in the main tanks, due to the cold.

n the end we were satisfied that we didnt

eed to make any modifications whatsoever

o DENIKI. The design of the boat is very,

ery good.

Since she was launched we have clocked

p nearly 100,000 miles, averaging about

0,000 miles per year. We have sailed in all

limates, from 40-plus degrees in the Med

o more than minus 20 in Antarctica. And

he boat just copes with it. We have always

ad a lot of confidence in the boat, but we

eally cant test her anymore. DENIKI can

o wherever the owner wants to take her.

With the planning in place, and the huge

mount of red tape, special permits and

ther administration dealt with, the captains

ettled on a passage from December 2011

Richard took every safety measure possible, including hiring an ice pilot with good

experience of navigating these treacherous waters. There is of course a lot of ice, and

very often our cruising speed was down to 7 or 8 knots. You have to be very careful and

you have to assess each bit of ice that you see - whether its multi-year ice, glacial ice or

whether its first-year soft ice that you can push through. Amazingly, DENIKI survived her

icy passage without even a scratch to the paintwork.

There were strict rules about everyone wearing proper thermal clothing and life jackets at

all times on deck, not that people needed much reminding of this. Of course you expect

Antarctica to be cold, but it was a really debilitati ng cold at times - so co ld that you just

wanted to get back inside as soon as you could and certainly the idea of falling in the sea

did not bear thinking about.

So, for all the inherent risks, was the journey to Antarctica really worth it? For Richard,

and everyone else on the trip, it was the voyage of a lifetime. To see a pack of killer

whales hunting two humpback whales, moments like those were amazing. At one point

it seemed the humpbacks were trying to use DENIKI as protection from the killer whales

and the humpbacks didnt want to move too far away from the boat, so the hunt was

really unfolding around us. To see the penguins and their chicks hatching was amazing.

They are really comical. The interesting thing is, the wildlife isnt scared of people. You

can walk right next to penguins and they just look at you. To stand right next to a penguin

with her chicks - and for them to be happy with that - thats something quite special.

The visit inside the volcanic caldera of Deception Island, and the chance to enjoy a

volcanic bath in the great outdoors, was another high point. The great thing was that

the owner made sure the crew had a chance to enjoy the experience too, says Richard.

to January 2012. December through to January is the prime window for Antarctica, says

Richard. You get almost 24 hours of daylight and also the best wildlife at that time.

Although both captains had planned the voyage together, only one would get t he opportunity

to captain DENIKI for the journey south. Richard was fortunate enough for the Antarctica

trip to fall during his watch. The consolation for Lawrence was that he had at least been the

captain for DENIKIs Alaskan adventure two years earlier.

The first major challenge of the voyage south was Drake Passage, the 500-mile stretch of

gale-swept water that separates Antarctica from South America. I had allowed a lot of

time to wait in Ushuaia for a good weather window to get across, and that paid dividends.

We had a fantastic crossing in very light winds and it took us just two days to cross to

King George Island says Richard. It wasnt quite so good coming back up north, though.

We had 40 knots of wind and 4 to 5 metre seas on the beam, which DENIKIs big stabiliser

fins handled very well, and we made it to the Falkland Islands without any trouble. We were

careful and fortunate to avoid any really monstrous conditions which are so common, but the

weather certainly let us know we were in the Drake Passage and we wouldnt have wanted it

to deteriorate much more.

Once they arrived in Antarctica, the scenery took everyones breath away. Words can

barely describe the other-worldliness of this remote continent: The best way I can

describe it is if you took any sign of human inhabitation out of the Alps and then filled

it up with water. Its beautiful, absolutely superb. Its just totally wild and unspoilt; the

absolute silence is incredible, with the occasional rumble of a glacier calving somewhere.

You really get the feeling you are on your own, and you certainly wouldnt want to be in

that environment in a boat that you didnt have total faith in.

All these moments were such once-in-a-

lifetime opportunities for all of us, and it

was a privilege for all of us to be involved.

Thats the great thing about working for

an owner with such a spirit of adventure.

It was his idea to go, no one elses. On

average there seems to be just one super

yacht per year going to the Antarctic,

which I suppose isnt that surprising. The

logistics are immense, the safety issues

are very real, but DENIKI excelled herself

in the toughest of conditions. As for the

yachts next big adventure, well, a visit

to Spitsbergen and the Arctic has already

been discussed.

JUST ONE SUPERYACHT PER YEAR GOES TO THE ANTARCTIC

MAIN PICTURE LEFT: DENIKI REQUIRED NOMODIFICATIONS FOR THE BITTER CONDITIONS

ABOVE: THE WI LDLIFE WAS SPE CTACULA RABOVE RI GHT: VENTURI NG ON DECK WAS NO T TO BE

UNDERTAKEN LIGHTLY, OR FOR TOO LONG

RIGHT:A POLA R CHRI STMAS


12/31


ILONA ON TOUR

AROUND THE WORLD

Even before ILONA was launched in 2004, the yachts experienced

owners had already circumnavigated the globe four times. But the

globetrotting hasnt stopped, or even slowed down. In just the first

seven years at sea, the 73.7-metre AMELS yacht, designed by

Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD), had completed a staggering 148,000

nautical miles. Thats the equivalent of almost six circumnavigations.

When she originally departed the AMELS yard on her maiden voyage

south for Gibraltar, she averaged 16 knots over 3,500 nautical miles.

Along the way she en countered a Force 8 north-wes terly gale, but

with her four fin stabilisers working as expected, the captain said

she handled beautifully even in the very worst of the gale-force

conditions. Stopping off briefly in Gibraltar for the owners to board,

the yacht sailed on to Israel for a three-week cruise.

And so t he busy life of IL ONA began, an d has cont inued ever since.

Since her launch in 2004, the AMELS 73.7-metre hassailed an extraordinary distance

7 3 . 7 M E T r E S ( 2 4 2 f E E T )

R E D M A N W H I T E L E Y D I X O N L T D

AM EL S

1 4 . 0 k N o T S

6 , 0 0 0 N A u T I c A L M I L E S

1 4 8 , 0 0 0

TO O MA NY TO ME NT IO N!

L E N G T H O V E R A L L

D E S I G N , I N T E R I O R & E X T E R I O R

N A V A L A R C H I T E C T U R E

C R U I S I N G S P E E D

R A N G E

M I L E S S I N c E 2 0 0 4

d E S T I N A T I o N S S I N c E 2 0 0 4

ILONA PASSPORT

2 0 0 4

2 0 0 4 / 2 0 0 5

2 0 0 5

2 0 0 5

2 0 0 5 / 2 0 0 6

2 0 0 7

2 0 0 7 / 2 0 0 8

2 0 0 8

2 0 0 9 / 2 0 1 0

2 0 1 0

2 0 1 0 / 2 0 1 1

2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2

2 0 1 2

THE MANY EXCITING DESTINATIONS:

M E D I T E R R A N E A N S U M M E R S E A S O N

v i s i t i n g F r a n c e , S p a i n , G r e e c e a n d I t a l y

TR IP TO AU ST RA LI A

v i a B a r b a d o s , P a n a m a C a n a l , T a h i t i a n d N e w C a l e d o n i a

TR IP BA CK TO TH E ME DI TE RR AN EA N

v i a M a l d i v e s a n d S e y c h e l l e s


G r e e c e , I t a l y a n d F r a n c e

W I N T E R

H e r t z i l l i a M a r i n a , I s r a e l

S U M M E R M E D I T E R R A N E A N S E A S O N

F r a n c e , S p a i n , G r e e c e , C r o a t i a a n d T u r k e y

W I N T E R

S e y c h e l l e s

M E D I T E R R A N E A N S U M M E R

I t a l y , F r a n c e a n d S p a i n

W I N T E R

t h e C a r i b b e a n


I t a l y a n d F r a n c e

W I N T E R I N M A R S E I L L E

W I N T E R A M E L S R E F I T

M E D I T E R R A N E A N S U M M E R

F r a n c e , I t a l y , S p a i n , L o n d o n O l y m p i c s a n d C r o a t i a

22 INSIDEAMELS


13/31

24 INSIDEAMELS24 INSIDEAMELS

LONAS TRAVELS HAVE TAKEN HER TO ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBEPICTURES (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT):SYDNEY HARBOUR, CORFU, ST LUCIA, THE

corINTH cANAL, THE ATHENS 2004 oLYMPIcS,

ANd THE LoNdoN 2 012 oLY MPIcS

One of the high points in her first summer

eason was a visit to the Olympic Games

n Athens, where the owners hosted a

uncheon for 94 guests atop their tent-

overed helipad on the large aft deck.

With the owners knowing they would be

pending so much time on board ILONA,

he was equipped to operate as a home

rom home. At the time of her launch, she

et the industry standard for technology,

nnovation and elegance. Her living spaces

were generous, with a 33-metre-long upper-

eck suite dedicated wholly to the owners,

with bedroom suite, dining area, massage

oom, gymnasium, observation lounge, and

ffices equipped for global communications

nd video conferencing.

Below decks accommodation was created

or up to 18 guests in six cabins, and 28

rew and staff in 13 cabins. And situated

n the tank deck is a 14-seat cinema with

urround-sound audio and a guest gym.

Of course priorities change as life goes on,

nd the owners found they needed more

Suffice it to say that the owners are

delighted with the refit, and in particular

the new swimming pool, measuring

10m by 3m, with a variable depth floor

capable of lowering to a maximum 1.5m

deep. Owners representative David

McQueen marvels at the engineering

involved in creating the pool. The pool

draws in up to 40,000 litres of sea water,

and can be filled in an hour. The water

is then cleaned and purified through an

advanced filtration system, and can be

heated to 6 degrees above its original

sea temperature in just an hour. There

is a hydrojet for creating swimming

resistance, and LED lighting allows you

to light up the pool with any colour of

the spectrum.

McQueen pays tribute to RWD and AMELS

in being able to execute such a complex

refit in just eight months, minimising the

down time of a yacht that loves to travel

the world. The refit has given ILONA a

fresher look, and AMELS did a fantastic

job, del ivering ILO NA on time and to the

standard we wanted.

guest space on board, as well as a swimming pool. Commissioning another

boat might have been an option, but was never seriously considered,

according to RWD who said the owners loved this yacht too much to

consider moving on to another. And so discussions moved on to how

ILONA could be modified and enlarged according to the owners wishes,

but thats another story, which you can read about on page 34.

INSIDEAMEL S 25


14/31

INSIDEAMELS 27

Compared with most yacht builders, AMELS is unusual in having

an autonomous, in-house design department. Vital for any good

design is a separately operating department, which can operate

apart from any restricting influences, says Hans Konings. And

while we love to design beautiful yachts, we will never allow

form to compromise function. Form and function must work

hand in hand.

We believe in true customer satisfaction by designing and building

a ship that is as finished as a piece of jewellery. By thinking,

feeling and acting like our client, we reach our goal. The outcome

should be a yacht that satisfies in every way - technically reliable,

aesthetically pleasing and personalised to the client's wishes.

Like his colleagues, Konings is focused on a cycle of never-ending

improvement. AMELS offers a top quality product based on

a proven platform, using our knowledge and experience from

previous builds. All the good elements go forward to the next

project or, if possible, are improved. We use Grade A suppliers,

top designers and all the experience of the AMELS heritage,

supplemented with new ideas and products.

Konings encourages input from clients and likes involving them

as much as possible in the design process. A LIMITED EDITIONS

yacht is designed in such a way that specific client requests and

ideas can be quickly translated into new interior designs, change

of construction and deck layout, without affecting the ships

performance, stability or technical installations.

We believe that by being part of our product, by feeling, thinking

and acting like our clients, we are able to improve the yacht. We

can gather knowledge from our client, by whom we mean not only

the owner, but all who are involved in the build: the broker, the

technical consultant, the owners representative and the captain

and his crew. Only by consulting with everyone who is involved

with the yacht at some level, can we get closer to creating the

perfect yacht. We never forget that we are responsible not just for

creating the perfect product, but for doing everything we can to

deliver the perfect yachting experience for the owner.

PASSPORTHANS KONINGS TRAINED AS A MERCHANT NAVY OFFICER, ALTHOUGH

HIS FIRST JOB AT SEA WAS SAILING CRUISE SHIPS FOR THE WORLD-

rENowNEd HoLLANd AMErIcAN LINE. A fEw YEArS LATEr I wAS

INTRODUCED TO BUILDING NEW SHIPS AT THE YARD OF FINCANTIERI

IN ITALY. THErE I bEcAME VErY INTErESTEd IN SHIPbuILdING ANd

IT bEcAME fAr MorE SATISfYING THAN SAILING SHIPS, HE SAYS.

THEN IN 2 003 HANS wAS offE rEd A ro LE AT AM ELS AS Pro ducTIoN

coordINATor. HE HAS bEEN wITH THE coMPANY EVEr SINcE, ANd IN

2012 HANS bEcAME HEAd of dESIGN.

Where the perfectyachting experience

begins...

Hans Konings, Head of design

Vlissingen:seven centuries of shipbuildingWith Vlissingens perfect location next to the North Sea, this ancient city has been a hub

of shipbuilding for almost 700 years. The painting below shows the bustling harbour of Vlissingen

in 1669 and how it compares with the photo of the modern city today.

THE YARD

In the 14th century shipwrights

started settling in Vlissingen,

which became the first centre of

shipbuilding in the Netherlands.

After the Napoleonic wars

the harbour of Vlissingen

was developed into the most

important yard for the Dutch

navy. When the navy moved out

at the end of the 19th century,

the royal shipyard De Schelde

took its place, giving birth to

the first Dutch submarine and

many famous transatlantic luxury

passenger vessels. Today that

same historic yard, witness to

centuries of master shipbuilding,

is the site of DAMEN Schelde

Naval Shipbuilding and, of

course, AMELS.

CITYLIFE

With the harbours operating as

Vlissingens economic engine,

new people from far and wide

were attracted to this burgeoning

city. Vlissingen was filled with

dockers, coopers, fishermen,

fishmongers, sailors, traders,

and of course shipbuilders. As

the city prospered, so too did

the inhabitants, especially in the

17th and 18th century. Many

impressive houses and mansions

grew up next to the harbour, such

as the mansion of Lampsins or

Dishoeck, both with sandstone

facades. The princes of Orange

owned a superb palace, situated

in the eastern harbour.

HARBOUR

Vlissingen is located on an island,

Walcheren, in the estuary of the

River Scheldt. This is the gateway

to many important cities including

Antwerp , Bruges, Ghent,

Brussels, and even Cologne. In

1304 a Dutch count (Willem III)

started to build a harbour. On

both sides of the harbour arose

a village that became known as

Vlissingen. By the 16th century

the city was overlooking one

of the most important maritime

highways in the world. It was

no surprise to see Vlissingen

become established as one of the

great centres for shipbuilding.

BOULEVARD

he city of Vlissingen dates

ack to the early 14th century.

y the end of the 15th century

e city received permission to

uild fortifications, with the sea

efences constructed not from the

sual brick, but from expensive

andstone, usually reserved for

mportant churches. By the end

f the 19th century the military

mportance of the fortifications

ad subsided, and so the

rtified walls were turned into a

romenade. A tourist boulevard

eveloped, the longest in the

etherlands, and this became a

rime location for luxury hotels

nd houses to be built.



15/31


The uniqueFleetAMELS heritage dates back to 1918, and the yard has been building superyachts to the

highest standards for more than 30 years. The first LIMITED EDITIONS yacht DENIKI,

was launched in 2007. The LIMITED EDITIONS concept offers owners higher quality and

faster delivery, while maintaining plenty of room for customisation.

4YOU

ADDICTION

AIDRE

AMEVI

ARIELA

BEL ABRI

BOADICEA

DENIKI

ILONA

IMAGINE

JAMAICA BAY

KATALINA

KATAMARINO

KERMIT

LA MASQUERADE

LA MIRAGE

LADY ANNE

LADY DUVERA

LADY GHISLAINE

LADY IN BLUE

LADY NAG NAG

LARISSA

LOUISE

MAUPITI

MONTKAJ

MY GAIL III

MY SHANTI

SARAFSA

SARAH

SEA RHAPSODY

SECRET LOVE

SHEERGOLD

SOLEMAR

SPIRIT

STEP ONE

TIGRE D OR

TOINIE

UNITY

WERE DREAMS

SECRET LOVE36.50 metres (120 feet)

KATALINA48.20 metres (158 feet)

LADY DUVERA33.50 metres (110 feet)

JAMAICA BAY42.00 metres (138 feet)

MY GAIL III57.00 metres (187 feet)

LADY GHISLANE55.00 metres (180 feet)

SHEERGOLD42.00 metres (138 feet)

KATAMARINO56.20 metres (184 feet)

MAUPITI46.00 metres (151 feet)

MONTKAJ75.00 metres (246 feet)

TIGRE D'OR50.00 metres (164 feet)

SARAFSA54.50 metres (179 feet)

LOUISE50.00 metres (164 feet)

BOADICEA70.50 metres (231 feet)

TIGRE D'OR52.00 metres (171 feet)

KERMIT49.90 metres (164 feet)

TOINIE52.00 metres (171 feet)

SARAH62.00 metres (203 feet)

SOLEMAR61.50 metres (202 feet)

LA MASQUERADE55.00 metres (180 feet)

AIDR E52.00 metres (171 feet)

AMEV I52.00 metres (171 feet)

ILONA73.69 metres (242 feet)

LADY IN BLUE52.00 metres (171 feet)

LADY ANNE68.50 metres (225 feet)

LARISSA49.30 metres (162 feet)

AMEL S 58 -MET RE58.00 metres (190 feet)

MY SHANTI64.50 metres (212 feet)

DENIKI52.30 metres (171 feet)

LA MIRAGE52.30 metres (171 feet)

WERE DREAMS52.30 metres (171 feet)

LADY NAG NAG52.30 metres (171 feet)

UNITY52.30 metres (171 feet)

BEL ABRI52.30 metres (171 feet)

ADDI CTIO N54.50 metres (177 feet)

IMAGINE64.50 metres (212 feet)

ARI ELA54.30 metres (177 feet)

SPIRIT54.30 metres (177 feet)

SEA RHAPSODY64.50 metres (212 feet)

STEP ONE55.00 metres (180 feet)

4YOU55.00 metres (180 feet)

AMEL S 18 0Under construction





16/31

AMELS exhibition at the local muZEEum

'TheArtof yacht building'It was a chance visit by the director of the

local maritime museum in Vlissingen to the

AMELS ya rd that inspir ed him to organi se

an exhibition that would last for nearly 10

months and attract more than 25,000 visitors.

The Art of Yacht Building exhibition at the

muZEEum of Zeeland was the brainchild of

keen maritime historian Wilbert Weber. Even

though the AMELS yard is little more than

half a mile away from the muZEEum, I knew

so little about what went on there. Once I

had seen the scale and magnitude of what

takes place in the yard, I was inspired to put

together the idea of an exhibition about the

art of yacht building.

Superyachts are floating palaces built right

here in Vlissingen, although there were

some people who were hardly aware of the

fact, says Weber. The exhibition provided

an opportunity to gain an insight into the

extraordinary. The ship models showed the

exterior, not only the beautiful design, but

also the layout of the vessel.

Around the mod els wer e large images o f the

yachts interiors, which created an added

wow factor. One of the most popular parts

of the exhibition was the computer simulator

which enabled visitors to go on a virtual tour

of one of the yachts.

The more technically-minded visitors were

impressed by the specially made panels

that showed the way in which the material

was applied layer by layer, or the way in

which the material for the interior has been

chosen. The presence of original parts of

the ships helped the visitors to appreciate

the materials and construction methods

involved, and the actual size of the yachts.

The exhibition also explained the intricate

paint system used by AMELS to create such

a flawless finish, and showed how a teak

deck is laid.

AMELS CEO Rob Luijen dijk s aid th e

company was honoured to be so closely

involved in the exhibition. It was a great

privilege to be invited to help create a

display about superyacht construction, he

said. So many local people work at the

yard and take great pride in what they do.

This gave them an opportunity to share

their world with everyone else in the local

community, and we are glad that it created

so much interest.

MAYOR APPROVALThe Mayor of Vlissingen, Ren

Roep (left in picture with Rob

Luijendijk), was invited to open

the Art of Yachting exhibition. In

his opening speech, the Mayor was

keen to highlight the important link

between the city of Vlissingen and

its strong maritime heritage. He

paid tribute to DAMEN and AMELS

for the strong part the companies

have played, and continue to play,

in the cultural and economic health

of the city.

IN TO DETAIL: LEATHER

Leather is typically sourced from the USA or Italy,

depending on the look and texture required.

Kai Dittmar of Metrica explains the process:

First the interior designer will specify the colour

or material, and will select this from a range of

specialised leather. Once it has been approved by

the designer and owner, we will check that it is

technically possible to use that particular leather.

It cant be too thick, otherwise it just cant be used

for the specific purposes that we need it for when

outfitting a luxury interior. Also, its worth bearing

in mind the size of the hide required for a particular

job. Catt le do n ot alway s come in the desired

dimensions!

But as Kai points out, the real skill comes not only

in selecting the leather but also in the stitching.

The stitching needs to be extremely accurate and

requires experts who are dedicated to perfection,

he says. Even a 2mm stitching error can have a

major and detrimental impact on the appearance.

Horse hair is also very difficult to work with, and

so it is really the expertise of the upholsterers that

ensures that the leatherwork looks perfect.

INSIDEAMEL S 3130 INSIDEAMELS


17/31

INSIDEAMELS 33INSIDEAMEL S 33

SPIRIT was always destined for an adventurous life. In just her first year, the AMELS 177 had

already explored the Caribbean, Columbia, Venezuela and, having traversed the Panama Canal, is

planning an expedition to the wilds of Alaska.

The yacht also acts as a meeting point, a home from home for family and friends to come together

and enjoy each others company in relaxed, comfortable surroundings. With the yacht being used

so extensively, it was critical for the interior to be beautiful and functional for a variety of occasions.

Designer at Nuvolari Lenard, Valentina Zannier, put her heart and soul into creating the interior

of SPIRIT. She was a special project for me, due to the fact that the owner has been involved

for at least 80 per cent of the building process, says Zannier. This relationship and the good

way we worked together helped make his wishes come true. Our themes of inspiration were

natural materials, earth colours, but mainly the way those materials were treated. We opted for

natural surfaces, no high gloss finishes, just a very comfortable and calm interior, tuneful but

also tempered.

Natural oak is the main wood, combined with dark sucupira as accent wood. We selected a dark

wooden plank with a raw surface for the main deck, oak planks for the upper deck and owners

area, she adds. The guest area was pretty different, a combination of a carved maple saddler

leather and soft carpets on the floor.

The fil rouge - the guiding theme - of the interior style has been to combine the natural colours

with simple shapes and shaped joinery, a modern style which was given greater warmth by the

choice of materials. Natural stone has also played a strong role. We used an amazing stone

called quartzite in the owners bathroom. The veins in the stone - and the superb job by the

builders - made this room really special.

Nuvolari Lenard worked with a French designer who provided the lamps and loose furniture.

His style is very cosy and stylish, with bronze, wooden chairs, natural textiles, perfectly matching

the mood of the boat, says Zannier.

But it was the owner who brought the finishing touch of style to his yacht, selecting and providing

some pieces from his large art collection, positioned throughout the boat. This transforms SPIRIT

into an amazing, sophisticated gallery on the water.

Sine SPIrIT as elivee in May 2011, the 54-meteAMELS yacht has already clocked up

an impessive mileage. The ne has een sailing extensively, smetimes spening mnths

at a time n a SPIrIT as she taveses the l.

SPIRIT OF ECSTASY

NUVOLARI LENARD

Venice-based design office

Nuvolari Lenard worked closely

with the owner to fulfil his wishes

for SPIRITs spectacular interior.

A naval a rchitect and mechanic al

engineer, Carlo Nuvolari formed

Nuvolari Lenard with stylist Dan

Lenard in 1992. Together they

share a passion for the sea which

manifests itself in the companys

distinctive style.

See the video of SPIRIT at:



18/31

34 INSIDEAMELS

LONA has been functioning perfectly since her launch in 2004, in which

me she has sailed almost 150,000 nautical miles. However the owner

wanted a major re-design to accommodate some new ideas into his

much-loved yacht. Owners representative David McQueen says: The

wner wanted to have a large swimming pool and a helipad large enough

o take his Agusta 109 Grand New helicopter. And so in August 2011

LONA returned to Vlissingen for an extensive reworking of her interior

nd superstructure.

would be no simple task, if AMELS was to complete such an extensive

efit within the eight-month timeframe agreed. The below-deck helicopter

angar would be removed to make way for the swimming pool with a

movable floor, enabling the pool to be replaced by additional deck space

epending on the needs of the owner and guests. With a variable depth

oor with maximum depth of 1.5m, the 10m x 3m pool can be filled

with 40,000 litres of sea water, which is then purified through a filtration

ystem, says McQueen. The water can be heated to up to 6 degrees

igher than the original sea temperature in just one hour.

Aside from the e ngineering aspect of the refit, there was also the

challenge of making these significant alterations without ruining ILONAs

sleek profile, originally drawn by Redman Whiteley Dixon. RWD project

manager Arne Erdbeer says: ILONA was our first superyacht design for

the company, and so we have always been very proud of her, and very

committed to the owner and his family too. ILONA has quite a distinctive

profile, shes a very recognisable boat, and we didnt want to ruin that.

One of the biggest driving factors in the refit was the owners desire

for an on-board swimming pool. Although an inflatable pool had been

devised for use off the stern of the yacht, this proved impractical. So the

designers worked through many different GAs, exploring various options

for locating the pool and the helipad.

Eventually it was decided to create a new helipad on the sun deck, with

the swimming pool on main deck aft. The aesthetic risk of taking this

route was that the helipad would make ILONA look top heavy. Adding

the additional superstructure to accommodate the helipad would have

affected the lines of the yacht, so we extended the owners deck and

the bridge deck by 3 metres in order to bring the aesthetic appearance

MAIN PICTURE LEFT:HELIPAD WAS RELOCATEDON THE EXTENDED UPPER DECK

LEFT ABOVE:WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY THEHELIdEck...

LEFT BELOW:...HAS Now bEEN TrANSforMEdINTO A POOL

ABOVE: THE REFIT WAS COMPLETED IN EIGHTMONTHS

BELOW:rob LuIjENdIjk wITH owNErSREPRESENTATIVE DAVID MCQUEEN


LONA REMASTERED

CAN YOU PLEASE BUILD ME A 10-METRE SWIMMING POOL?

The boss is very happy, and any work we need

doing in the future, for sure well be coming

back to AMELS again.

AMELS managing dir ector Rob Luijen dijk was

delighted to see such an iconic yacht return

to the yard. ILONAs refit was a big project

that needed completing in a short time, but

we finished it as promised. Having looked

through the original construction plans, we did

everything possible to minimise ILONAs time

at the yard. For example the deck extensions

were pre-manufactured in advance.

One of the added benefits of the refit was to

create more outdoor living space on the bridge

deck and the owners deck, as Arne Erdbeer

explains. Now the owner has an extended

aft deck which includes a private jacuzzi. The

bridge deck has dining and sitting areas that

it didnt have before, and this is proving to be

a very versatile space. All in all, ILONA has

better outdoor living spaces than before.

But it was when the owner sent a short

SMS message from his mobile phone that

everyone involved in the project knew it really

was mission accomplished: Thanks! Just

completed 50 laps of the pool!

The ini 73.7m mtyaht ILoNA set sail

again in May 2012, ate a sy eight-mnth

efit creating a new helipad and a hi-tech

simming pl.

See the video of ILONAs new helipadin acti on at:

34 INSIDEAMELS

back into balance, says Erdbeer. We also used metallic grey paint to reduce the visual impact

of the helideck, and the overall result is that the yacht, despite all the changes, looks every bit as

streamlined and well-proportioned as before.

With the design agreed, the refit went ahead as planned, with all tasks completed and the yacht

delivered on schedule for her relaunch on 16 May 2012. Captain Kenan Seginer oversaw the work

at the AMELS Yard and commented: I really like AMELS, theyre very friendly and great to work

with. Theyve done a wonderful job with ILONA, and the after-sales team have been excellent.

See an interview with Captain Kenan Seginer a

www.AMELS-HoLLANd.coMfILMS/TESTIMoNIALS
http://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=466&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=466&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=466&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=466&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=465&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=465&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=465&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=465&lang=enhttp://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=466&lang=en


19/31


With a new project in build, the successful LIMITED EDITIONS AMELS 180

model continues to develop and improve. Three large fold-down balconies have

been added, two in the main saloon and one in the owners suite. The hull has

been stretched in her aft ship, creating room for a larger beach club, a longer

deployable, submerged swimming platform, and with the main saloon extended

by 30%. A Touch & Go helipad has been added, with a maximum take-off

weight of 2000Kg. Interior space is enhanced by a wide-body sky lounge, and

the owners suite has been customised to include an office, bathroom and

dressing room, with a total area of 73 sq metres. This will be the first AMELS

yacht to have a full custom interior design by Rmi Tessier Design f rom Paris.

EVOLUTIONSAside from the new AMELS 272 now being developed, there is plenty of activity and many

nging evelpments ith the existing memes the LIMITED EDITIONSange.

AMELS 180

Senior designer Jaap van der Velde explains some of

the significant changes to the design of the AMELS

199. We have been able to create access to the sun

deck via the central staircase, rather than accessing it

from the outside. This has been achieved by creating

two wings on either side of the sun deck, connected

by a roof. The length of the aft deck and bridge deck

have been extended, creating larger exterior decks.

And acce ss to t he sea from the Beach Cl ub has be en

improved with the addition of a swimming platform

which can be lowered below the water. Van der Velde

adds: There is also an important functional change

to the foredeck; on the original plans we had a jacuzzi

and sunbed; now we have a jacuzzi but also the

possibility of a helipad.

Due for delivery in spring 2016, the first LIMITED EDITIONS AMELS 242 project has fully

commenced. Her 1,725 Gross Tonnage has given Tim Heywood the opportunity to give the

yacht a very long aft deck, and room for a large swimming pool, 6.5m by 3.5m. One level

higher is a dedicated owners deck with 240 square metres of luxury space and plenty of room

for al fresco dining. Other features include a Touch & Go helipad and a large, full-beam spa

with a fold-down balcony at water level. A different window arrangement makes for a subtle

but significant change to the aesthetics, in addition to creating more light in her airy and

generously proportioned interior spaces.

AMELS 242

AMELS 199

Watch a video of the AMELS 199:

www.AMELS-HoLLANd.coMLIMITEd EdITIoNS/AMELS 199


20/31


When it comes to procureme nt - the business o f sourcin g materia ls

and services from other companies - Gert Kaijen has three clear

objectives. First it is about quality, next it is about relationships,

and third is pricing, he says. The quality of the products and the

relationship with your supplier or co-maker must be absolutely

right before you move on to pricing.

Even if pricing is the third priority, Kaijen is very focused on

securing the best materials for the right price. We have learned

the hard way, sometimes from making the wrong decisions, he

says. But we have the benefit of being able to apply very high

levels of customisation within the LIMITED EDITIONS range whilst

also enjoying good economies of scale because we can order

multiple units.

Our purchasing power comes from the pedigree of the AMELS

brand; people want to work for AMELS. Our buying power gains

additional strength from being part of the DAMEN Group, which

for example is the largest buyer in the world of Caterpillar marine

engines. Caterpillar is just one of many premium suppliers and

co-makers that we have been working with for a long time, says

Kaijen. We have built up good, long-term relationships with

companies like Metrica, Heinen & Hopman, Imtech, YPI, Reintjes,

Rubber Design, to name a few.

Kaijen says subcontractors dont last long unless they measure up

to consistently high standards and benchmarks set by AMELS. We

maintain a high level of quality, and if a subcontractor cant keep

up with us, then they have to go.

Part of those high standards are managed within a measure of total

quality management called QLIFT - Quality, Logistics, Innovation,

Flexibility, Total Cost. It was developed by DAMEN in conjunction

with AMELS, explains Kaijen. We use QLIFT at AMELS, and

because it ensures our work practices are operating at a high level,

we require our subcontractors to adopt QLIFT practices too.

PASSPORTGErT kAIjEN EArNEd A bAcHELorS dEGrEE IN MEcHANIcAL

ENGINEERING AND COMMERCE AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE

HAGUE, AND EMBARKED ON A TRAINEESHIP WITH DAMEN WHILE STILL

AT ScHoo L. I wA S coNVINcE d THAT I bELoNG I N THE SHI PbuILdI NG

INDUSTRY, CREATING SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SEE, FEEL AND TOUCH,

AND OF C OURSE SO METHING T HAT IS V ERY, VER Y DUTCH!Smart ProcurementGert Kaijen

AMELS 212

the view looks wonderful from the inside.

With the yacht due for delivery in spring

2014, construction is well under way.

As with IMAGINE, de livered in 2011, the

interior of the yacht is being designed by

Andrew Winch, although the layo ut and

styling will be significantly different.

he windows of the AMELS 212 have been

nlarged, especially in the owners area.

aap van der Velde comments: We have

ound that some owners prefer to have

arger windows, and so we have responded

ccordingly. With two windows running

lmost floor to ceiling in the master suite,

With a top speed of 17 knots and a range

of 5,000 nautical miles, the AMELS 212

has been designed as a go-anywhere

yacht whose capabilities match her

aesthetic beauty.

INSIDEAMEL S 39


21/31


HAINAN RENDEZVOUS

AMELS repu tation for delivering superyachts of the highest q uality is well

established in most parts of the world. But the concept of superyachting has

barely been introduced to China, let alone such a young market appreciating the

difference in quality between one builder and another. So AMELS has embarked

on a mission to raise awareness of high-quality superyacht construction in the

Chinese market, and to introduce its LIMITED EDITIONS range to one of the

fastest growing regions in the world. AMELS put on a very successful display at

the Hainan Rendezvous, with ongoing plans to increase the companys brand

awareness in China over the coming years.

Delivered in spring 2012, the 212-foot SEA RHAPSODY became the

first superyacht in the world to be awarded a Green Passport by Lloyds

Register. The Green Passport - or Inventory of Hazardous Materials -

was devised as a result of the Hong Kong International Convention of Safe

and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009. Qualification for the

Green Passport requires the builder to put together a highly detailed list

which identifies and locates all the materials that have been used in the

yachts construction.

AMELS desig ner Sjoer d van den Broek comm ents: Ful filling all the

requirements for the Green Passport has entailed a very large effort

from AMELS over the past three years, and also for all the suppliers

and contractors involved in building the AMELS 212. Hopefully

she will sail for more than a hundred years, but at the end of her

life on the sea, her materials can be recycled in a controlled and

environmentally responsible manner. In future all AMELS

yachts will have a Green Passport.

AMELS introduces Lloyds Green Passport

AMELS YARD N EWS

EXEMPLARYSHIPYARD

he Dutch Health and Safety Authority

as awarded AMELS a mark of quality that

ecognises Vlissingen as an exemplary

hipyard for its industry-leading approach

o health and safety. Hans van Triet said

e was proud to see the company being

raised for exceeding the standards

aid down by the authorities. The work

tandards at the yard are very high,

nd its good that the authority has

cknowledged the fact that we take a lot

f care over our workers. We consider

a vital part of the AMELS philosophy,

ecause we strongly believe that a

ontented workforce that is well cared

or, will ultimately lead to a better product

or our clients.

Quality:

Visit to China:

Environmental Responsibility:

SUPERYACHT SPARES

Timo Dam started up Superyacht Spares

in 2003 with the aim of providing the

most comprehensive catalogue of spare

parts in the industry, to be a one-stop

shop for any imaginable replacement

part. Superyacht Spares has been a vital

partner for AMELS ever since. We like

to think of our service as a guarantee

of a trouble-free sailing experience.

The partnership with AMELS is special

because for every yacht that they build,

we build a spare parts catalogue, check

what's available in terms of spare parts,

and guarantee that what we provide is

right, every time.

This is no small task. It takes us two to

three months to build a catalogue for each

AMELS yacht , which is a hug e investme nt

of time, says Dam. But its fantastic

Timo Dam

to be able to help, and nice to see the

system working.

The idea is that whatever gets lost, worn

out or broken - no matter how large or

small - Superyacht Spares will be able

to source a perfect replacement in the

shortest possible time. Lets say you need

to order a deck phone; well you could go

to a supplier and place the order. But if for

some reason that phone doesn't fit on your

system, you have ordered the wrong part.

You have made the error, it's your risk. We

take away that risk. That is the deal with

AMELS, we c heck eve rything a nd set up

a highly detailed catalogue. This gives our

clients to go anywhere in the world with their

yachts, knowing that wherever they are, and

whatever they need, we will find the quickest

way to get the replacement part to them.

Extra service:Crew TrainingThe AMELS Crew Training programme is an initiative that again

illustrates the companys desire to build long-term relationships

with the client, as Michel Coens explains. If we can help show

the yachts captain and crew how to operate the systems on

board in the way that they were designed, it can only help us

too. For example our engine rooms are designed in a certain way, and

if we can educate the engineer about the way it has been designed to

work, it will be easier for him to maintain, easier to repair. Rather than

just give them the manual, we like to give them the training , and t his

eliminates problems from arising further down the line. With the training

situated next to the shipyard it is possible to undergo all STCW 95

training in Vlissingen. It benefits them, it benefits us, and ultimately and

most importantly, it creates a better experience for the owner.


22/31


From his beginnings as an apprentice

cabinetmaker, Rmi Tessier has established

himself as one of the pre-eminent interior

designers in the superyacht world. The Paris-

based designer has now drawn a stunning

interior for an AMELS 180 currently in build

at Vlissingen.

Tessier enjoyed being given a free rein by the

owner to design the interior without instructionor restriction. I wanted to achieve a minimalist,

but warm and comfortable environment, says

Tessier, with three-dimensional line matching,

so that the ceiling, walls, and floor are all

connected together in terms of architecture, in

some senses inspired by Japanese architecture.

Tessier describes the styling as totally timeless,

very pure, natural, very clean, very flush, with

simple lines but a dynamic shape, and a very

restricted palette of materials, naturally treated.

He concludes: We had to work to a very short

timescale, but I think we achieved a very high

level of design development that met with the

owners expectations.

IN TO DETAIL:STEEL

All the steel u sed in the cons truction of an AM ELS

hull must meet or exceed the requirements for

marine-grade steel as specified by Lloyds Register.

We like to use more steel than required by Lloyds,

says Jaap van der Velde, because we are not

searching for the limits of weight saving. It is more

important for an AMELS yacht to have long life,

to be strong and to have better noise absorption

qualities. Corrosion is not a problem, thanks to

the quality of the paintwork applied to all AMELS

yachts. The exterior and inside of the hull is painted

by hand. For example a 54-metre yacht requires

35 painters working full time for seven months on

the exterior, another 20 painters on the inside,

excluding the interior living spaces. The process

requires 12,000 litres of paint and 13,500 litres of

filler, so the steel is very well protected from the

elements. For the stainless steel, its the perfect

finish that makes the difference, according to van

der Velde. We like to work with companies who

have the heritage, the knowledge and the highly

experienced craftsmen who can weld, polish

and finish a piece of stainless steel until it looks

perfect.

The art of interior design, from Paris:

FIRST PROJECT

WITH REMI TESSIER

42 INSIDEAMELS

THIS PICTURE: MAIN SALOONBELOW LEFT: SUN DECK FORWARD

BOTTOM LEFT: GUEST SUITE


23/31

What the experts say...We ask for opinions about AMELS from owners representatives and captains.

Owner satisfaction

he owners have really enjoyed their first year sailing with

MAGINE. The yacht has already travelled more than 25,000

autical miles, from her successful spring 2011 delivery in

lissingen, on to Palma and through the Mediterranean for an

xtended period in Turkey. The yacht spent her first winter in the

Caribbean before returning to the Mediterranean in February 2012

nd another trip to Turkey, which has become a favourite spot

or the owners.

MAGINE has proven very stable, very quiet and really does feel

ke the home from home that the owners had wished for.

hey had very clear ideas about what they wanted the interior

f IMAGINE to be, and Andrew Winch h ad the creativity and

xperience to interpret their wishes so beautifully. She really is

wonderful way for the owners, their family and friends, all to

xplore the world together.

ven after such extensive sea miles in the first 12 months, IMAGINE

ooks as beautiful and as perfectly finished as the day she left the

ard. It is a testament to the care and pride that AMELS takes in

very aspect of the project. Any problems we have had with the

acht, the AMELS after sales service team have always dealt with

wiftly and with the minimum of fuss. The owners, the captain

nd the crew, all enjoy an excellent personal relationship with the

eople at AMELS. They are really easy and friendly to deal with,

nd we look forward to working with them again on future projects.

YAVOR N ENOVowNErSREPRESENTATIVEIMAGINE

Never too much trouble

I worked as the owners representative and captain for the

construction of 4YOU, and the building process was just fantastic.

It was a big learning experience for me. AMELS did an excellent job

throughout - from planning to execution. Anything we asked for, they

found the answer. Any issues we had, they resolved the problem.

They never said no, they always looked for a solution, and everything

we asked for was done to the finest and best quality I could ask for.

Whenever I am at the yard, you get the sense that AMELS doesnt

push its people to the limit. Everyone is working in a friendly, relaxed

environment. Ive seen other shipyards where they put people under

pressure and the outcome is not as good because people are being

rushed into doing things. AMELS is very different.

In the case of 4YOU, the project was finished before the delivery date

of 1 June and we had really a relaxing time towards the end. We didnt

get pushed into making rash decisions or rushing things, because

AMELS was always way ahead of schedule. We al so did some crew

training with AMELS, and we were trained in all aspects of running the

yacht, which is something that you wont find at many shipyards.

When the yacht was delivered we had a snag list of maybe four or

five items, all of them very minor, and all of them dealt with when we

arrived at our first destination in the Mediterranean. The warranty and

after sales process is excellent, and I have no complaints. Im very

pleased with the shipyard; theyre wonderful people.

Great Attitude

I know from my experience as a captain of an AMELS yacht that they

make a fine vessel - a proven hull design, good sea-keeping qualities

and for exceptional value for money. Now as New Builds Supervisor

for Imperial, I know that Imperial has so many repeat clients because

the owners are happy with that value. We have already delivered

LA MIRAGE, UNITY (built as ADDICTION) and BEL ABRI.

Currently at Imperial we are overseeing the builds of three yachts,

yet to be named but yard numbers, 462, 463 and 5501. The finish

of an AMELS yacht is extremely good, as you would expect of a

premier northern European yard. When you look at the price, say,

for a 55-metre yacht and the high quality and equipment levels - you

wont find anything better anywhere, in my opinion.

What makes AMELS stand out is the great attitude. The atmosphere

at the shipyard and their attitude towards people like me - in our

position as technical managers on behalf of the owner - well its

just a n ice atmosphe re, its a nice work process. I nevitably there

are going to be differences of opinion but they are always dealt with

amicably and professionally.

Working for Imperial, I am very proud of Imperials endeavour

to provide the client with the highest standards of any service.

Managing projects with AMELS, we can be sure that all the projects

will be delivered on time and on budget. We havent had a late

delivery yet. We are proud of having such a reliable partner as

AMELS, who se values and constan t strivin g for per fection ar e close

to our own.

They have a good after-sales team in place and everythings followed

up. They do whatever they can to assist, and its not been unknown

for after-sales to jump on an aeroplane and deliver some new lights

directly to the yacht. So yes, theyve got a good organisation and

theyll do whatever they can to keep the boat running perfectly at all

times, fixing any problems as quickly as possible.

Client-focusedWith OCEAN Independence (OCI), every project begins bydetermining the client's requirements, signalling the start of an

adventure. OCI look

Inside Amels 2012

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