inside amelsthe amels newsletterissue 9 · inside amelsthe amels newsletterissue 9 amels 272 Grand...

inside amelsthe amels newsletter issue 9

amels 272Grand Dame

deniKi

sea aXe

Voyage to Antarctica

67 metres of Fast Yacht Support

View from the bridgeInterview with Kommer Damen

amels 27283 meTRes OF eleGanCe

83 metres of Heywood elegance 03introducing the amels 272

Never-ending Commitment 09after-sales, the amels way

View from the Bridge 16Kommer damen offers his opinion

In Splendid Isolation 18 exploring antarctica aboard deniKi

ILONA remastered 34 more than just a refit for an iconic yacht

Raw Beauty 46 a unique portrait of the amels 199

Cutting Edge 50 sea axe redefines the support vessel marKet

in This issue

d i s c l a i m e rall information, specifications, descriptions, and images in this brochure are considered preliminary, non-binding and subject to change by amels. No images herein may be reproduced in any form without 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 crucial part in defining the graceful, feminine curves of her profile. We had some fun

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

a light-hearted, nautical nod to those crustaceans of the deep. Overall, I look upon

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

06

46

amels excellerates

amels 199 unveiled

inside amels 54 inside amels

When the amels 272 is launched, not only will she become the largest in the limiTed ediTiONs range, she will be the largest amels yacht ever built. Tim Heywood seized the opportunity created by the length of the hull to draw one of his sleekest profiles yet, the long decks accentuating the beautiful lines, as well as creating some wonderful outdoor spaces.

although the amels 272 will be the largest model in the limiTed ediTiONs 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 don’t 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 beauTiFullY

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-metre tenDers anD many watertoys

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 owner’s 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 pa 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 AT E r S P o r T S s t o r a g e• T o TA 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 PA d w I T H M A X I M u M TA k E - o f f w E I G H T o f 3 , 0 0 0 K g


AMELS ExcelleratesSuccess can be measured in a number of ways, not just by the balance sheet. Here, the two top men at amels walk us through some of the different programmes and projects that, when added together, all contribute to the healthy financial situation at AMELS.

rob luijendijk

amels 199as the spring 2013 delivery date for the amels 199 has drawn closer, so the market 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 Heywood’s 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. it’s 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 company’s 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 be able to continue investing in people.”

hans van triet

The amels aCademY

FROm sTRenGTh TO sTRenGTh - eVen in The haRd Times

6 inside amels


“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 don’t ask why something broke. Fix first, ask questions later - that’s how we like to work.”

Coens, the after-sales manager, works in close partnership with Gerwin Supheert: “We’re 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 we’re 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 it’s 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 that do remain, are resolved as soon as possible after delivery. Even then, contact with the yacht does not diminish. While every yacht is delivered with one year’s 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. We’re 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 technical problems do arise from time to time, warranty 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 industries, Coens believes AMELS to be the first in the superyacht world to be using this system. “It shows that we’re 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, we’ll 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

The amels yard is used to being busy. For many years it has been operating at 100 per cent capacity, but spring 2012 was an exceptional period, says rob luijendijk. “We delivered five yachts in eight weeks - three new builds and two major refits,” he says. “it was a big peak in activity, but unavoidable if you want to keep to your promises of delivering yachts in time for the yachting season in europe. We delivered every yacht on time and in within budget, which put the organisation under some considerable stress. But it’s a huge achievement for everyone to have contributed to that incredible 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 from the delivery of new yachts such 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 PROGRamamels believes strongly in taking the 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. “it’s 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. it’s about creating a never-ending circle of improvement. a benefit that we learn 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, it’s a good sign that the database is working.”

rob luijendijk

The amels 180 and OTheR ReCenT deliVeRies

inside amels 9

inside amels 1110 inside amels10 inside amels

hiGh COnCePTsTeP 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 ONE’s modern interior marksa new direction for Laura Sessa

The 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 interior represented a different challenge for the rome-based stylist, best known for her breezy mediterranean-influenced style.

But sessa was undaunted by the prospect, in fact she relished such a new approach. “The owners like white and all light-coloured woods, so we decided to use light wood throughout the yacht, but with a different wood for each deck to give it a unique feel whilst remaining true to the overall philosophy of the design. “The lower deck is very light, although offset by some dark details. everything is customised, from the wall-to-wall carpet, to the upholstery, down to every small detail.”

in the sky lounge, the walls are veneered in bleached, curly maple with a high gloss finish, offset by a 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 contrast to the bright white bar on bridge deck, the saloon bar on main deck is made from special glass with the colour custom-created from the black marble, Nero assoluto, with a high-gloss black skirting in louro faia wood. Further along on main deck, the walls of the owner’s stateroom are decorated 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 owner’s suite

10 inside amels

See the video of STEP ONE at:

www.AMELS-HoLLANd.coMfilms

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

QuieTlY eleGanTimaGine

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 expect with all limiTed ediTiONs models, Tim Heywood has drawn some stunning lines for this amels 212. The British designer’s 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 way of putting it might be to describe imaGiNe as having understated elegance. The same is true of her interior, drawn by andrew Winch. By comparison with some modern tastes, imaGiNe’s 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 first AMELS 212 to be delivered, Tim Heywood’s streamlined exterior styling of IMAGINE is the beautiful wrapping around an andrew winch interior that responded perfectly to the owners’ wishes for a living space designed not for showing off, but for enjoying life.

she was desiGned TO be eYe-CaTChinG wiThOuT beinG FlashY

12 inside amels


AboVe: sliding circular door allows for indoor or al fresco diningbelow: the warm, relaxing interior is designed to maKe you feel welcome

all the stainless steel surfaces to a bronze finish. This has had the effect of softening the look, and giving the interior a warmer, more homely feeling.”

The serenity of imaGiNe’s interior has been created by a careful blend of rare and exotic woods and stones. eucalyptus panelling and Jotoba floors are complemented by many different kinds of marble and stone, such as Breccia Oniciata, marron imperial, Blue eyes Granite, levanto red, labrador antik and Pietra romana. Winch wanted to create an interior that complemented the warm and friendly atmosphere of living on board. “The crew on imaGiNe are lovely people, they are expert at making their guests feel relaxed, and if the interior helps enhance that feeling of relaxation and comfort, then we can say we’ve done our job.”

Winch enjoyed having a large canvas on which to draw, and appreciated the large spaces and generous ceiling heights of the amels layout. The yacht features two ViP cabins on the bridge deck, each with sliding-window access to a private balcony.

andRew winCh By comparison with some modern tastes, imaGiNe’s 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 puts it: “a beautiful lady is still beautiful even if she’s not wearing any jewellery.”in heR FiRsT 12 mOnThs, imaGine had alReadY sailed 25,000 miles

a centrally-located glass elevator makes for easy and elegant access to all parts of the 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 two 8.5m tenders.

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. “she’s very well put together, she feels like a ship,” he says. “and she’s 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%, Flachglas’s 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 in her first 12 months at sea, imaGiNe had travelled 25,000 miles, extensively 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:




View from the bridge inTeRView wiTh KOmmeR damen

Inside AMelS: in 2010 when we last spoke to you, the world was in dire financial straits and the shipbuilding industry was struggling in many, many ways. You had just completed your term as president of the european shipbuilding association. Two years on, has the sun come out from behind the clouds yet?Kommer Damen: if you look at world shipbuilding it’s still in a very difficult situation. The charter rates are low because i think there is overcapacity in shipping. so all the yards engaged in mainstream shipbuilding, building cargo ships, still find themselves in a tough position. 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 felt the recession. The trouble is that people outside the industry - banks and politicians, for example - tend to look at shipbuilding as just one industry that’s struggling. But while general shipbuilding is having a hard time, those of us operating in specialised niches are continuing to do well.

Inside AMelS: The general instability of europe at the moment and the threat to the future of the 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 not increasing any more. i think the instability of the eurozone is not affecting our clients very much. so for those who think in terms of Us dollars we have more advantages of this situation than disadvantages because we now have a more favoured euro/dollar ratio. That’s good for a labour-intensive industry such as we are.

Inside AMelS: What predictions would you make for the industry generally over the next three years?Kommer Damen: i expect the total shipbuilding production worldwide will go down, at least 20% or more, especially in china and Korea, and parts of europe. But that’s all cargo ship related business i’m talking about.

Inside AMelS: so what’s in store for dameN shipyards?Kommer Damen: Well we expect to maintain our turnover and production levels and also the same level of profitability as it has been for the last years. so we expect an annual turnover of 1.4 billion euro for the foreseeable future.

Inside AMelS: What’s your assessment of the superyacht construction market? Kommer Damen: i think in general there’s also a little bit less demand, fewer contracts if you look at it in a broad way. But amels is increasing its business. most of the dutch shipyards are also doing well in my view, maybe also the Germans. so i think in general it is not growing, but stable.

Inside AMelS: amels is now the largest superyacht builder in Holland based on orders over 50 metres. To what do you attribute that success?Kommer Damen: The limiTed ediTiONs concept is a success. The customer has confidence 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

in particular.

benefit from a continuing process of development and refinement. it’s 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 refits, 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 SHIPbuILdING. following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, he studied shipbuilding and naval ArcHITEcTurE IN THE 1960S ANd, with a loan from his father, tooK the 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 powerful conglomerate of 39 SuccESSfuL SHIPbuILdING coMPANIES, INcLudING AMELS.

sPlendid isOlaTiOndeniKi’s adVenTuRe TO The anTaRCTiC

the crew on board deniKi have become used to travelling to exotic and remote corners of the globe. but their latest adventure to Antarctica was like nothing they had attempted before.

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, antarctica is not the sort of place you can agree to go to on 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 antarctic in mind. The two captains along with the chief engineer investigated possible modifications to the yacht.

5 2 . 3 0 M E T r E S ( 1 7 1 f E E T )t i m h e y w o o da m e l s1 3 . 0 k N o T S4 , 5 0 0 N A u T I c A L M I L E S1 0 0 . 0 0 0a l a s K a , m e d i t e r r a n e a 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 ta r c t i c a

l e n g t h o v e r a l ld 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 ec r u i s i n g s p e e d

r a n g eM I L E S S I N c E 2 0 0 7

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

Deniki passport

ph

oto

cre

dit

: b

en

ha

rve

y &

de

nik

i c

rew

18 inside amels


“We looked at everything in detail because antarctica isn’t somewhere that you want to have a breakdown. There is no back-up there, so we looked into all our systems. in particular we were concerned about the output of our water makers and the diesel gelling in the main tanks, due to the cold. in the end we were satisfied that we didn’t need to make any modifications whatsoever to deNiKi. The design of the boat is very, very good.

“since she was launched we have clocked up nearly 100,000 miles, averaging about 20,000 miles per year. We have sailed in all climates, from 40-plus degrees in the med to more than minus 20 in antarctica. and the boat just copes with it. We have always had a lot of confidence in the boat, but we really can’t test her anymore. deNiKi can go wherever the owner wants to take her.”

With the planning in place, and the huge amount of red tape, special permits and other administration dealt with, the captains settled 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 it’s 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 debilitating cold at times - so cold 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 didn’t 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 isn’t 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 - that’s 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 the 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 deNiKi’s 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 wasn’t quite so good coming back up north, though. We had 40 knots of wind and 4 to 5 metre seas on the beam, which deNiKi’s 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 wouldn’t have wanted it to deteriorate much more.”

Once they arrived in antarctica, the scenery took everyone’s 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. it’s beautiful, absolutely superb. it’s 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 wouldn’t want to be in that environment in a boat that you didn’t 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.

“That’s the great thing about working for an owner with such a spirit of adventure. it was his idea to go, no one else’s. On average there seems to be just one super yacht per year going to the antarctic, which i suppose isn’t that surprising. The logistics are immense, the safety issues are very real, but deNiKi excelled herself in the toughest of conditions. as for the yacht’s 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 no moDifications for the bitter conDitions

AboVe: the wilDlife was spectacularAboVe rIGht: Venturing on Deck was not to be

unDertaken lightly, or for too longrIGht: a polar christmas


ilOna On TOuRaROund The wORld

even before ilONa was launched in 2004, the yacht’s experienced owners had already circumnavigated the globe four times. But the globetrotting hasn’t 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. That’s 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 encountered a Force 8 north-westerly 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 the busy life of ilONa began, and has continued ever since.

Since her launch in 2004, the AMELS 73.7-metre has sailed 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 lt da m e l s1 4 . 0 k N o T S6 , 0 0 0 N A u T I c A L M I L E S1 4 8 , 0 0 0t o o m a n y t o m e n t i o n !

l e n g t h o v e r a l ld 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 ec r u i s i n g s p e e d

r a n g eM I L E S S I N c E 2 0 0 4

d E S T I N AT 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 12 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 yt r i p t o a u s t r a l i a v i a b a r b a d o s , p a n a m a c a n a l , ta h i t i a n d n e w c a l e d o n i at r i p b a c K t o t h e m e d i t e r r a n e a n v i a m a l d i v e s a n d s e y c h e l l e sm e d i t e r r a n e a n s u m m e r s e a s o n g r e e c e , i t a l y a n d f r a n c ew 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 tu r k e yw i n t e rs e y c h e l l e sm e d i t e r r a n e a n s u m m e ri t a l y , f r a n c e a n d s p a i nw i n t e rt h e c a r i b b e a nm e d i t e r r a n e a n s u m m e r s e a s o 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 ew i n t e r a m e l s r e f i tm e d i t e r r a n e a n s u m m e rf 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 inside amels

24 inside amels24 inside amels

ilOna’s TRaVels haVe TaKen heR TO all CORneRs OF The GlObe pIctureS (clocKwISe FroM top leFt): sydney harbour, corfu, st lucia, the corINTH cANAL, THE ATHENS 2004 oLYMPIcS, ANd THE LoNdoN 2012 oLYMPIcS

One of the high points in her first summer season was a visit to the Olympic Games in athens, where the owners hosted a luncheon for 94 guests atop their tent-covered helipad on the large aft deck.

With the owners knowing they would be spending so much time on board ilONa, she was equipped to operate as a home from home. at the time of her launch, she set the industry standard for technology, innovation and elegance. Her living spaces were generous, with a 33-metre-long upper-deck suite dedicated wholly to the owners, with bedroom suite, dining area, massage room, gymnasium, observation lounge, and offices equipped for global communications and video conferencing.

Below decks accommodation was created for up to 18 guests in six cabins, and 28 crew and staff in 13 cabins. and situated on the tank deck is a 14-seat cinema with surround-sound audio and a guest gym.

Of course priorities change as life goes on, and 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. Owner’s 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, delivering ilONa 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 that’s another story, which you can read about on page 34.

inside amels 25

inside amels 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 ship’s 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 owner’s 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 2003 HANS wAS offErEd A roLE AT AMELS AS ProducTIoN coordINATor. HE HAS bEEN wITH THE coMPANY EVEr SINcE, ANd IN 2012 HANS bEcAME HEAd of dESIGN.

Where the perfect yachting experience begins...

hans Konings, head of design

Vlissingen: seven centuries of shipbuildingWith Vlissingen’s 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 YaRdin 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.

CiTYliFeWith the harbours operating as Vlissingen’s 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.

haRbOuRVlissingen 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.

bOuleVaRdThe city of Vlissingen dates back to the early 14th century. By the end of the 15th century the city received permission to build fortifications, with the sea defences constructed not from the usual brick, but from expensive sandstone, usually reserved for important churches. By the end of the 19th century the military importance of the fortifications had subsided, and so the fortified walls were turned into a promenade. a tourist boulevard developed, the longest in the Netherlands, and this became a prime location for luxury hotels and houses to be built.



The unique FleetAMELS’ 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)

sOlemar 61.50 metres (202 feet)

la masQUerade55.00 metres (180 feet)

aidre52.00 metres (171 feet)

ameVi52.00 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)

amels 58-meTre58.00 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)

addicTiON54.50 metres (177 feet)

imaGiNe64.50 metres (212 feet)

ariela54.30 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)

amels 180Under construction




AMelS exhibition at the local muZeeum

'The Art of yacht building'it was a chance visit by the director of the local maritime museum in Vlissingen to the amels yard that inspired him to organise 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 models were large images of 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 luijendijk said the 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 aPPROVal The Mayor of Vlissingen, René 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: leaTHerleather 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 can’t be too thick, otherwise it just can’t be used for the specific purposes that we need it for when outfitting a luxury interior. also, it’s worth bearing in mind the size of the hide required for a particular job. cattle do not always 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.”


inside amels 33inside amels 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 other’s 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 owner’s 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 owner’s 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.”

Since SPIrIT was delivered in May 2011, the 54-metre amels yacht has already clocked up an impressive mileage. The owner has been sailing extensively, sometimes spending months at a time on board SPIrIT as she traverses the world.

sPiRiT OF eCsTasYnuVOlaRi lenaRd Venice-based design office Nuvolari lenard worked closely with the owner to fulfil his wishes for sPiriT’s spectacular interior. a naval architect and mechanical 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 company’s distinctive style.

See the video of SPIRIT at:



34 inside amels

ilONa has been functioning perfectly since her launch in 2004, in which time 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. Owner’s representative david mcQueen says: “The owner wanted to have a large swimming pool and a helipad large enough to take his agusta 109 Grand New helicopter.” and so in august 2011 ilONa returned to Vlissingen for an extensive reworking of her interior and superstructure.

it would be no simple task, if amels was to complete such an extensive refit within the eight-month timeframe agreed. The below-deck helicopter hangar would be removed to make way for the swimming pool with a movable floor, enabling the pool to be replaced by additional deck space depending on the needs of the owner and guests. “With a variable depth floor 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 system,” says mcQueen. “The water can be heated to up to 6 degrees higher than the original sea temperature in just one hour.”aside from the engineering aspect of the refit, there was also the

challenge of making these significant alterations without ruining ilONa’s 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, she’s a very recognisable boat, and we didn’t want to ruin that.”

One of the biggest driving factors in the refit was the owner’s 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 owner’s deck and the bridge deck by 3 metres in order to bring the aesthetic appearance

MAIn pIcture leFt: helipad was relocated on the extended upper decKleFt AboVe: what was previously the HELIdEck...leFt below: ...HAS Now bEEN TrANSforMEd into a poolAboVe: the refit was completed in eight monthsbelow: rob LuIjENdIjk wITH owNEr’S representative david mcqueen


ilOna 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 we’ll be coming back to amels again.”

amels managing director rob luijendijk was delighted to see such an iconic yacht return to the yard. “ilONa’s 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 ilONa’s 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 owner’s 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 didn’t 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 iconic 73.7m motoryacht ILoNA set sail again in May 2012, after a busy eight-month refit creating a new helipad and a hi-tech swimming pool.

See the video of ILONA’s new helipad in action at:

34 inside amels

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, they’re very friendly and great to work with. They’ve done a wonderful job with ilONa, and the after-sales team have been excellent.

See an interview with Captain Kenan Seginer at:

www.AMELS-HoLLANd.coMfILMS/TESTIMoNIALS




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 owner’s 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 owner’s 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 rémi Tessier design from Paris.

eVOluTiOnsaside from the new amels 272 now being developed, there is plenty of activity and many ongoing developments with the existing members of the limited editions range.

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 access to the sea from the Beach club has been 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 owner’s 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


inside amels 3938 inside amels38 inside amels

When it comes to procurement - the business of sourcing materials 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 don’t 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 can’t 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 bAcHELor’S dEGrEE IN MEcHANIcAL engineering and commerce at the technical university in the hague, and embarKed on a traineeship with damen while still AT ScHooL. “I wAS coNVINcEd THAT I bELoNG IN THE SHIPbuILdING industry, creating something that you can see, feel and touch, and of course something that is very, very dutch!”Smart Procurement

Gert Kaijen

amels 212the view looks wonderful from the inside. With the yacht due for delivery in spring 2014, construction is well under way. as with imaGiNe, delivered in 2011, the interior of the yacht is being designed by andrew Winch, although the layout and styling will be significantly different.

The windows of the amels 212 have been enlarged, especially in the owner’s area. Jaap van der Velde comments: “We have found that some owners prefer to have larger windows, and so we have responded accordingly. With two windows running almost 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.

inside amels 39


hainan RendeZVOusAMELS’ reputation for delivering superyachts of the highest quality 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 company’s brand awareness in China over the coming years.

Delivered in spring 2012, the 212-foot SEA RHAPSODY became thefirst 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 yacht’s construction.

AMELS designer Sjoerd van den Broek comments: “Fulfilling 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 news

eXemPlaRY shiPYaRd

The dutch Health and safety authority has awarded amels a mark of quality that recognises Vlissingen as an exemplary shipyard for its industry-leading approach to health and safety. Hans van Triet said he was proud to see the company being praised for exceeding the standards laid down by the authorities. “The work standards at the yard are very high, and it’s good that the authority has acknowledged the fact that we take a lot of care over our workers. We consider it a vital part of the amels philosophy, because we strongly believe that a contented workforce that is well cared for, will ultimately lead to a better product for our clients.”

Quality:

Visit to china:

environmental responsibility:

suPeRYaChT sPaResTimo 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 huge investment of time,” says dam. “But it’s 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. “let’s 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 check everything and 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 company’s desire to build long-term relationships with the client, as michel coens explains. “if we can help show the yacht’s 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 this 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.”


From his beginnings as an apprentice cabinetmaker, Rémi 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 instruction or 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 owner’s expectations.”

in TO deTail: sTeelall the steel used in the construction of an amels 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, it’s 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 inside amels

thIS pIcture: main saloonbelow leFt: sun decK forward

bottoM leFt: guest suite

What the experts say...We ask for opinions about AMELS from owner’s representatives and captains.

Owner satisfaction

The owners have really enjoyed their first year sailing with imaGiNe. The yacht has already travelled more than 25,000 nautical miles, from her successful spring 2011 delivery in Vlissingen, on to Palma and through the mediterranean for an extended period in Turkey. The yacht spent her first winter in the caribbean before returning to the mediterranean in February 2012 and another trip to Turkey, which has become a favourite spot for the owners.

imaGiNe has proven very stable, very quiet and really does feel like the ‘home from home’ that the owners had wished for. They had very clear ideas about what they wanted the interior of imaGiNe to be, and andrew Winch had the creativity and experience to interpret their wishes so beautifully. she really is a wonderful way for the owners, their family and friends, all to explore the world together.

even after such extensive sea miles in the first 12 months, imaGiNe looks as beautiful and as perfectly finished as the day she left the yard. it is a testament to the care and pride that amels takes in every aspect of the project. any problems we have had with the yacht, the amels after sales service team have always dealt with swiftly and with the minimum of fuss. The owners, the captain and the crew, all enjoy an excellent personal relationship with the people at amels. They are really easy and friendly to deal with, and we look forward to working with them again on future projects.

YAVor nenoVowNErS’ representativeimagine

Never too much trouble i worked as the owner’s 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 doesn’t push its people to the limit. everyone is working in a friendly, relaxed environment. i’ve 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 didn’t get pushed into making rash decisions or rushing things, because amels was always way ahead of schedule. We also did some crew training with amels, and we were trained in all aspects of running the yacht, which is something that you won’t 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. i’m very pleased with the shipyard; they’re 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 won’t 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 it’s just a nice atmosphere, it’s a nice work process. inevitably 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 imperial’s 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 haven’t had a late delivery yet. We are proud of having such a reliable partner as amels, whose values and constant striving for perfection are close to our own.

They have a good after-sales team in place and everything’s followed up. They do whatever they can to assist, and it’s not been unknown for after-sales to jump on an aeroplane and deliver some new lights directly to the yacht. so yes, they’ve got a good organisation and they’ll do whatever they can to keep the boat running perfectly at all times, fixing any problems as quickly as possible.

Client-focused With OceaN independence (Oci), every project begins by determining the client's requirements, signalling the start of an adventure. Oci look at all the client's needs and then research the market for the builder that can deliver a yacht that takes into account the design, the intended use of the vessel and the cruising areas the client requires. Often this research process brings Oci to amels as the best match for the client's needs. amels offer construction of the highest standard and an assured investment value for every new build. The quality of their yachts is superb, due to their commitment to continuous improvement. Their client-oriented team is always ready to listen and advise on all of the client's needs. Building a large yacht is a highly complex construction process, reflected in the multi-million dollar investment in each creation, and amels are experts in their field. in parallel with the amels team, Oci believe that owners benefit from personal on-site representation by OceaN management (Ocm) to keep communications on commercial and technical matters straightforward and regular. Oci has worked on a number of projects with amels; two 171 limiTed ediTiONs, Were dreams and ladY NaG NaG and the amels 212 sea rHaPsOdY, all delivered on time and within budget to their delighted owners, and all subsequently managed on a day-by-day basis by Ocm. in all our dealings with amels they have proven to be one of the most capable shipyards we have worked with, both in their technical and organisational approach. The team at amels keep their promises, are highly professional and down-to-earth which provides almost a family feeling at the yard. They have created an environment which, coupled with their outstanding yachts, brings clients back time and again, and reassures new buyers that they will be able to fulfil their yachting dream.

DAnIel KÜpFerocean management

nIcK FlAShMAn, new builds supervisorimperial

bernhArD FrIeDrIchcAPTAIN 4You

44 inside amels inside amels 45

See more interviews at:

www.AMELS-HoLLANd.coMfILMS/TESTIMoNIALS


46 inside amels

has an unfinished yacht ever looked so beautiful? legendary yachting photographer carlo borlenghi captures the raw essence of Tim Heywood’s beautiful design for the curvaceous AMELS 199 as she emerged into daylight for the first time....

Raw beauTY


at amels we don’t usually reveal images of a yacht in its unfinished state, but this time we couldn’t resist. even as a rough sculpture before any fairing or painting, the first hull of Tim Heywood’s amels 199 design looked stunning. We hope you agree!

There was a point where Tim Heywood wondered if amels would allow him to depart from the more classic lines of the clipper bow in favour of something more radical. “i’m so pleased that amels did decide to go with my preferred design for the amels 199,” says the British designer. “Now that we have seen her emerge into daylight for the first time, i don’t think anyone could ever regret that decision. she looks like nothing else, and she looks stunning.”

Heywood believes the innovative design is absolutely in step with the way many modern owners are thinking. “increasingly there are some clients who really want to stand out and make a statement with their yacht, and it is great that amels recognised that desire with this design.”

The combination of round, feminine curves juxtaposed with hard edges is set to turn heads

wherever she sails. and life on board will be very nice too, with a number of exciting features and many opportunities for extensive customisation.

Here is just a small selection of the stand-out features on the amels 199:• Largeowner’ssuitewithbigroundwindows• TwoVIPsuitesonbridgedeck• Threelower-deckguestsuiteswithdirectaccesstoverylargebeachclub• Openingfold-downbulwarksonportandstarboardsides,providinggreatviews for the 14-person dining/ meeting room • Greataccommodationforthecaptainand14crew,makingforveryhighlevelsofservice• Largeobservationwindowsinthecontrolroomintotheengineroomofferareal spectacle for guests who have a technical interest in motor yachting• Two8-metretendersstoredintheforeship

top: a renDering illustrating the finisheD yachtbottom leFt: Displaying her gentle anD harmonious cambersbelow rIGht: the unique tumblehome of the scimitar bow is clearly shown here

The amels 199 hull Gleams in The TwiliGhT

To see more spectacular images by Carlo Borlenghi of Tim Heywood’s design, go to:

www.AMELS199.coM

http://www.amels199.com

traditionally built to a low standard, yacht support vessels have been slow to gain acceptance in the demanding superyacht world. but the encouraging response to the dAMEN SEA AXE range marketed by amels suggests that times are changing, as the market starts to see the appeal of a powerful and graceful support vessel for the mother ship.

rob luijendijk believes the market for support vessels has been slow because they have failed to live up to client expectations. “The low performance of most support ships, and also the fact that many are quite ugly and finished to a low quality - all these factors have meant superyacht owners have tended to look the other way,” says the managing director of amels. “We wanted to address all those shortcomings by offering a support ship that is capable of carrying large and valuable items safely, is fast in all weathers, and looks every bit as good as she performs.”

RaPid ResPOnsesea TRials FOR The FiRsT 67m sea aXe

and so the sea aXe FYs (Fast Yacht support) range was launched, firstly with the 37-metre and 50-metre models, of which two are already in active service. in summer 2012 the first 67-metre sea aXe 6711 was delivered, with a second hull already in build. One of her first duties was to sail to the

inside amels 51

inside amels 53

monaco Yacht show and, as luijendijk points out: “anyone who saw the sea aXe 6711 in monaco against the backdrop of so many luxury yachts would understand what we mean when we say the sea aXe fits into the superyacht environment beautifully. The sea aXe is not an embarrassment to be hidden out of view - her angular beauty and yacht-quality finish make her look right at home in monaco - or any other luxury destination.”

This first sea aXe 6711 has been customised according to the requirements of the client, the owner of a large luxury superyacht. For example the deck has been fitted with a helipad capable of supporting a large helicopter with maximum take-off weight of 5000kg and is fully sOlas certified for commercial use. The deck design is modular, with an optional hangar to protect the helicopter and any water toys such as tenders, jet skis and sailing dinghies from the worst of the elements.

The unique bow and underwater body shape of the sea aXe design enables it to maintain high average speeds in all sea states, making this a fast and dependable support ship - whatever the weather. different engine configurations are available, but if speed is of the essence, then the sea aXe 6711 is capable of delivering up to 25 knots of boat speed. she is not just a work horse, however. Great care has also been taken with the aesthetic design and high quality finish of the ship. The bridge interior is finished to superyacht standards and the exterior is painted to the same quality as a superyacht. and, as in the case of this first order of the sea aXe 6711, there is an option to finish the deck in hard-wearing but good-looking Bolidt artificial teak.

AboVe: the sea aXe 6711 was built at the Damen shipyarDbelow: garcon successfully completing her sea trials in hollanD

The 67-meTRe GaRÇOn TRaVellinG wiTh sPeed and GRaCe

sPeCiFiCaTiOnsSeA AXe 6711 FYS

l o a : 6 7 . 1 5 Mb e a m : 1 1 . 2 Mg r o s s t o n n a g e : 1 1 2 8 T o N N E Sc r e w : 2 1r a n g e : 4 5 0 0 N A u T I c A L M I L E S AT 1 8 k N o T Sd e c K s pa c e : 2 3 5 M ² ( e x c l u d i n g h e l i p l a t f o r m )i n t e r i o r d e c K s t o r a g e : 1 4 0 M ²f u l l s o l a s h e l i pa d :5 0 0 0 k G TA k E - o f f w E I G H Te n g i n e s : 4 X c AT E r P I L L A r 1 4 2 5 k ws p e e d : 1 8 - 2 5 k N o T S


Watch the SEA AXE 6711 on her sea trials:



The YardThe AMELS facilities in Vlissingen are among

the largest and most technically advanced ship

building yards anywhere in Europe.

YArD SpecIFIcAtIonS

c o n s t r u c t i o n h a l l # 1dry docKLENGTH: 145.00 METrESbrEAdTH: 20.00 METrES

c o n s t r u c t i o n h a l l # 2dry docKLENGTH: 204.00 METrESbrEAdTH: 22.00 METrEs

c o N S T r u c T I o N H A L L # 3LENGTH: 75.00 METrESbrEAdTH: 22.00 METrES

c o N S T r u c T I o N H A L L # 4LENGTH: 75.00 METrESbrEAdTH: 22.00 METrES

f i t t i n g - o u t q u ay # 1120.00 METrES

f i t t i n g - o u t q u ay # 2220.00 METrES

f I T T I N G - o u T Q u AY # 3120.00 METrES



The last few seasons at the amels yard have never been busier, with multiple projects under construction at any one time. all have been delivered on or ahead of schedule, in plenty of time for each owner to start enjoying a comfortable, trouble-free life on board his dream yacht. Here we feature a selection of those yachts.

The 54m ariela was built for an experienced owner who loves sailing, and specified a number of unique features for the yacht, not least an enormous 2,500 litre jacuzzi swim bath. another 54m, sPiriT, is contemplating an expedition to alaska, having already clocked up an impressive mileage since her delivery in may 2011. Two 55m yachts were delivered in spring 2012, sTeP ONe and 4YOU, both with full-beam sky lounges. sTeP ONe is fitted with a touch-and-go helipad just above the wheelhouse.

in just her first 12 months at sea, the 65-metre, imaGiNe, had already sailed 25,000 miles since her spring 2011 delivery. another 65-metre, sea rHaPsOdY, was delivered a year later, at a spectacular unveiling ceremony before 600 guests.

Some of the recent yachts to emerge from the yard

dReams TO RealiTY

top leFt: arielaAboVe: step onebelow: 4youbelow leFt: spirit

inside amels 59

in TO deTail: sTONeselecting the perfect stone for a yacht’s interior is not a straightforward process. Typically it’s the owner’s designer who will select the marble, and it might involve visits to many different parts of the world to find the stone with the right colours, veins, patterns, translucence for the project. Kai dittmar from metrica says italian marble still ranks among the most desirable of all types of marble, but that other marbles from africa and the americas are also very much in demand. “The stone has such beautiful variations from region to region, which is why we organise dedicated visits to the source of the stone. You go with the designer to choose the slat of stone that you think will work. You don’t know the patterns and the veins in the stone develop through the block until you cut it, so it can mean going through tons of material until you find the perfect section. it’s a long sampling process.” Once the right stone has been found, then comes the delicate task of cutting it to just 20mm thick, and then down to as little as 5mm or even 3mm, at which point it is delicately attached by special glue to an aluminium honeycomb panel in order to save weight on board.

AboVe: imagine in the meDiterraneanbelow: sea rhapsoDy sets sail

A spectacular musical christening for SEA RHAPSODY

inside amels 59

60 inside amels

amelsKONiNGsWeG 24381 Na VlissiNGeN

PO BOX 844380 aB VlissiNGeNTHe NeTHerlaNds

T +31 118 485002F +31 118 485004e [email protected]

www.amels-holland.com

inside amelsthe amels newsletterissue 9 · inside amelsthe amels newsletterissue 9 amels 272 Grand...

Documents

Transcript of inside amelsthe amels newsletterissue 9 · inside amelsthe amels newsletterissue 9 amels 272 Grand...