The Dutch shipbuilding group will present its new Sea Axe fast yacht support ship at the Monaco Yacht Show. The design of the vessel, which supplies leisure time equipment, dinghies and even a helicopter, is based on the Axe Bow concept.
In the world of superyachts everything is different. Not only the yachts themselves are getting ever bigger and more luxurious[ds_preview] – since recently owners can also order special supply tenders. These will not only bring the necessary supplies of food, fresh oysters and champagne, but also leisure time equipment such as diving gear, jet skis, sailing boats or even a helicopter. Furthermore, it is possible to explore the next anchorage for the main ship with these tender boats.
Dutch Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem has recently delivered the first fast yacht support (FYS) vessel, the 67 m »Garçon«. The ship of the type Sea Axe 6711 will be introduced to the public in September at the Monaco Yacht Show. Designed by Amels, the steel hull vessel with an aluminum superstructure offers an outside deck area for the placement of »water toys« measuring around 235 m2 and an internal storage area of 140 m2. Up to 21 crew members can be accommodated on the tender. The 130 m2 helicopter deck at the stern is approved for up to 5 t take-off weight.
The »Garçon«, classified and measured with a gross tonnage of 1,128 by Bureau Veritas, is driven by four Caterpillar diesel engines of the type 3512C with 1,425 kW each, acting on a five-blade fixed propeller. The scope of the ship, which is based in Jaluit (a Pacific archipelago of the Marshall Islands), is 4,500 NM at an average speed of 16 kn. For better maneuverability two bow thrusters with a capacity of 150 kW each been have installed. The width of the ship is 11.2 m and the draft is 4 m when fully loaded. For slipping the heavy dinghies the shipyard provides not only heavy-lift cranes on deck but also a tailgate at sea level.
The concept of Damen’s Sea Axe series is similar to that of the offshore supply ships used by the oil industry: a long afterdeck, which can be loaded with variable units, and a front-mounted bridge. The interesting thing about the Sea Axe vessels is their bow. Together with the Delft University of Technology’s Institute of Hydromechanics the Damen yard has been developing a new hull form since 1995.
The result is a sharp, almost perpendicular towering bow that allows a comfortable sea keeping at high speed, even in rough sea conditions. The Sea Axe ships, which are available in three lengths – 38 m, 51 m and 67 m – are running at a speed of up to 28 kn. A second Sea Axe 6711 FYS ship is currently under construction.
Since the 1980s, Damen and the Delft University of Technology have cooperated in a research programme aimed at improving the seakeeping characteristics of high-speed vessels. They researched how it would be possible to build a ship capable of maintaining high speeds in strong winds and heavy seas. For decades this had been a dream of builders of patrol and supply vessels. Damen found the answer during the 1990s: the innovative Enlarged Ship concept (ESC) – on which the highly successful Stan Patrol 4207 and 4708 are based – became reality.
The Enlarged Ship concept marked the starting point for even more innovative solutions. The design philosophy behind this concept was taken further with the introduction of the Axe Bow concept. The latter was developed in the beginning of the 21st century together with the Delft University of Technology, the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Marin) and the US Coastguard. This revolutionary hull shape has unparalleled seakeeping characteristics. The Damen group now holds an exclusive license on the patent.
Based on the Axe Bow concept, Damen has developed the Sea Axe patrol vessels and fast crew suppliers in order to improve operability and for the comfort and safety of the crew. Sea Axe vessels have superior motion behavior and much lower resistance. The Sea Axe concept is also proving itself when it comes to sustainability because of the dramatic reduction in wave resistance. Fuel consumption is cut by 20 % because of the optimization of the hull form in real operating conditions. Consequently, emissions are significantly lower. To date, 25 Axe Bow ships have been sold and 40 are in production.
Since 1991, Amels belongs to the Dutch family-owned Damen Shipyards group and manages the sales and marketing activities for the Sea Axe sector. Moreover, the Damen superyacht construction is carried out by Amels. The Damen Shipyards group is the largest shipbuilding company in the Netherlands and consists of more than 39 shipyards and maritime companies around the world. The family business currently employs over 6,000 people and has delivered 150 ships last year with an annual turnover of around 1.3 bill. €.
Christian Eckardt
