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Top 15 Superyachts with Helicopters

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Written by Maria Korotaeva

With plenty of various amenities, superyachts offer comfortable and truly opulent travel experience, while yacht helicopters are an essential part of it. Just imagine: you can reach the most remote destinations to explore some hidden gems in the finest yachting locations in the world or land in busy city centres. All that includes total flexibility of point-to-point travelling, getting you to places you need to be at in luxury and style. The magnificent charter yachts nowadays offer the ultimate fun experiences for you and your group, including heli-fishing, heli-skiing and private island dining, due to their capabilities of landing and carrying helipads. Let’s take a look at the top 15 private and charter yachts with helicopters.

1. Amarula Sun (ex. Mine Games)

The incredible 50m charter superyacht Amarula Sun offers everything her guests would wish to have on a charter yacht: a spa pool with a swim-up bar, huge sun pads, BBQ area, gym, Xbox, Playstation, Plasma TV with satellite connection and luxury dining spaces are among her outstanding amenities. Amazing yacht charter experience is guaranteed. The guests have the opportunity of travelling to and from Amarula Sun by helicopter, as her sundeck area can serve as a touch-and-go heli pad. Amarula Sun can sleep 10-12 charter guests and is available for charters in the Bahamas and Florida from US$ 195,000.

Amarula Sun (ex. Mine Games) with helicopter

 2. Cloudbreak

Cloudbreak is certainly one of the most popular superyachts of 2016 . There is no wonder, as the team of acclaimed engineers and designers worked on the naval architecture, as well as her interior and exterior. She is a 72m expedition yacht, capable of cruising anywhere in the world. This head-turning floating masterpiece has some special features including a Jacuzzi, exercise equipment, an elevator operated on all decks, and a large tender garage.  Charter Cloudbreak this summer from €750,000 per week plus expenses.

Motor Yacht Cloud Break – top view. Photo credit @brandondax

 3. Lady Christine

Undoubtedly, the list of the top 15 superyachts and their helicopters has to include a Feadship superyacht. The bespoke Dutch shipyard is best known for building exceptional quality superyachts . Motor yacht Lady Christine is one of those. Not only Lady Christine provides absolute comfort to her guests, but she also has enormous storage space for a rescue boat, a large tender and a small sailing boat. This section of the vessel also serves as a helipad and stores two helicopter fuel tanks.

Lady Christine and helicopter

4. Attessa IV

Upon her re-launch in 2010 Attessa IV became the largest superyacht in North America. She made it to the top 25 largest yachts in the world, and back in 2010 was at the 23rd position. Originally built by  Hayashikane Zosen Kk in 1999 and called Evergreen, she was sold to a new owner in 2007. She underwent an extensive rebuilt by Washington Yachting Group , where she was also extended by 30 feet. Attessa IV accommodates 36 guests, assisted by 21 crew members. This massive five-level yacht measures 100.60 metres and features a helipad on the upper aft deck and forepeak.

Attessa IV. Photo credit @rickyracer

Although Garcon is not an opulent superyacht but a fast yacht support vessel, she deserves the praise for carrying a huge luxurious helicopter, as this is what support vessels are for. Built specifically to serve Lurssen   mega yacht Ace  and to carry her water toys and tenders, Garcon measures 67m LOA.  Garcon also features a fully SOLAS certified helipad with 5,000 kg take-off weight for commercial use. Garson was built and launched in 2012 by Damen Shipyards , and in 2013 was honoured with the ISS Awards of Distinction for Innovation .

Garcon. Photo credit Jeff Brown

Motor yacht Sunrays was launched in 2010 by Oceanco , and in the same year received an award for the “Best Power Yacht over 65 metres” at the ISS Design and Leadership Award Ceremony . Her striking teal coloured aluminium hull is a work of Bjorn Johansson Design , while the interior styling is by famous  Terence Disdale . Sunray’s heavenly interior design is unique, and have an airy and welcoming ambience. Indulge in luxury and add a helicopter ride when booking Sunrays this for charter in the Mediterranean .

Sunrays at Abu Dhabi Yas Marina. Photo @yachthelicopters

If you are into yachts and luxury travelling, you probably know by now that the 155-metre mega yacht Luna is one of the largest yachts with some extraordinary features. She carries a submarine, multipurpose limousines and has not just one, but two helipads. Her 20-metre swimming pool is another wow characteristic. We wish Luna would be available for charter one day, as this expedition yacht could take her charter guests to breathtaking  Galapagos , Alaska and the Pacific .

Luna: Helicopter landing. Photo credit Muscapix

Motor yacht Samar is a 77m steel-and-aluminium luxury motor yacht designed by Laurent Giles and built by Devonport Yachts of England in 2006.  She is a very large and luxurious charter yacht which boasts everything that can be offered on a private motor yacht. Samar is capable of extended global cruising, where her charter guests will never get bored. Samar has a helipad, a large Spa Pool pool, an open bar, large outdoor living areas, a garage, as well as a movie theatre. Accommodation is offered for 12 guests, assisted by a professional crew of 26. Portofino , Naples ,  Capri , Amalfi , Monaco , and France are the places she will be available at for charter in summer 2017. She is available from US$ 650,000 per week plus expenses.

Samar. Photo credit @kdewet

9. Skyfall  (ex. Mi Sueno)

Skyfall is a symbol of a high-quality motor yacht, which features the latest marine technology and exquisite styling. Launched in 2010 by Trinity Yachts , luxury yacht Skyfall measure 58 metres and offers accommodation for a party of 10. Her cabin configuration consists of a master suite, 2 VIP cabins, one double and one twin. Her name comes from the James Bond famous movie series, which implies that this superyacht surely has an outstanding feature. Aboard Skyfall, the guests will have an opportunity to have delicious breakfast prepared by a private chef and continue the day by taking off in a helicopter to explore the best of Mediterranean. The Ionian Islands , Grenadines , Greece , Turkey , East and West Mediterranean , and Croatia is where motor yacht Skyfall will be available for this summer from $275,000 per week plus expenses.

Skyfall. Photo credit @yachthelicopters

10. ICE  (ex. AIR)

Motor yacht ICE became the Superyacht of the Year at the 2006 World Superyacht Awards . No doubt that the title of one the best yachts in the world implies that ICE is a very special vessel. The two famous designers Terence Disdale and Tim Heywood worked on her interior and exterior respectively. The result is the striking exterior profile and divine interior decor. ICE can sleep 14 guests in 7 well-appointed cabins. She has been spotted in various locations with her massive helicopter.

Superyacht ICE. Photo credit Julien Hubert

At 134 metres, motor yacht Serene boasts a huge beam of 18.5 metres. Can you image how much luxury living space is offered on board this beauty? Serene provides a full seven decks of exterior and interior space. With an abundance of amenities, this mega yacht stands out among other luxury yachts. The two helicopter landing platforms, an enormous internal sea water pool, several spa pools, plus storage for a large submarine are some of the superb features. Serene has enough space to accommodate 24 guests and 52 crew members.

Superyacht Serene. Photo credit Mark O’Connell

12. Madame Gu

Madame Gu is a superyacht that has it all for a luxury vacation in style. A helipad, excellent water toys and tenders, a spa pool and a night club guarantee lots of entertainment to her guests. Although Madame Gu is not available for private luxury charters, we still admire this vessel. She was built by Feadship to the design by De Voogt Naval Architects . Her interior is by Andrew Winch . She has 6 lavish cabins to accommodate 12 guests, and 18 crew cabins to sleep 36 crew members. This floating masterpiece was photographed in Port Vell in Barcelona where is always a very welcomed guest.

Madame Gu. photo credit Jeff Brown

 13. Triton

Back in 2004 motor yacht Tritone became the largest composite yacht built in the U.S. upon her delivery. Her capabilities include prolonged cruising distances, as well as cruising in the most distant locations. Triton was built for her owner, who is passionate about sports fishing, deep-sea scuba diving, and water games and various activities. Hence, the yacht was built with an advanced hull laminate schedule utilising carbon fibre to ensure strength and durability. Triton’s red-coloured striking helicopter is seen in the photo of her cruising in the icy waters.

Triton and Helicopter

14. Vibrant Curiosity

Another outstanding superyacht built by Oceanco, Vibrant Curiosity is an 85-metre displacement vessel that turns heads at any port. She was photographers in Auckland , New Zealand with her large helicopter a few weeks ago. This giant luxury vessel can sleep 18 guests in 7 beautifully furnished cabins. A professional crew of 26 professionals take care of everything on board. Vibrant Curiosity reaches a top speed of 20 knots and is powered y a pair of MTU 16V 595 TE70 engines.

Vibrant Curiosity in Auckland. Photo credit CharterWorld

15. Pegasus VIII  (ex PEGASUS V, PRINCESS MARIANA)

At 78.60 metres, luxury motor yacht PEGASUS VIII provides a lot more than you would think. Her amazing interior layout includes a large salon with sophisticated decor, a cinema theatre, formal and casual dining spaces, as well as other great living areas. There are five lavish cabins to accommodate 12 guests. Those who love water activities will love the beach club of Pegasus VIII, which can be “flooded” and therefore provides the easiest access to the water with embarkation and disembarkation inside the yacht. Pegasus VIII is ideal for charter with family and kids . The 12m swimming pool with an underwater light, six wave runners, jet-skis and tenders will add extra enjoyment when on a charter vacation. The helipad on board also transforms into a golf driving range. Secure motor yacht Pegasus for charter in the Italian and French Rivieras this summer, from US$ 650,000 per week plus expenses.

Pegasus VIII. Photo credit @yachtmasters

You can view a great selection of luxury yachts available for charter here . To find out more or to make a booking, please contact our friendly charter brokers . They will be able to assist you with all enquiries, as well as provide impartial advice and professional service. With the Mediterranean yachting season being just around the corner, superyachts are booking up very fast. Check out the 2017 Mediterranean charter specials and 10 brand new superyachts for charter .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Top 15 Superyachts with Helicopters".

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65m GREEN EXPEDITION

The Green Expedition is a collaboration between designer Dennis Ingemansson and with the German based Ned Ship Group, known for their experience with zero emission yachts and solar powered boats.

She is a true green yacht with eco-friendly features such as hybrid solution, skysail, solar cells, wave turbines and onboard recycling systems. Whether you’re going through rougher areas like Antarctica or Alaska, or sailing through enormous waves in Barents Sea, she is built to endure. All equipment is stored indoors, and there is no risk of losing the helicopter or tenders during stormy weather. The steel hull construction has been assigned a ICE 1A classification to handle ice.

The solar cell area covers 150 square meters, and the helicopter platform can be converted to add an additional 60 square meters of solar cells. The skysail allows for energy efficient movement together with the retractable wind turbines.

The Captain’s deck is designed as an ultra-modern penthouse, where guests can enjoy dinner and mingle with a 360 degrees ocean view. For exploration, the diving center features submarines and a decompression chamber, making it a green expedition icon.

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: LENGTH OVERALL:  65,00m / 213ft BEAM:  14m / 46ft DRAFT:  3,50m GROSS TONNAGE:  1400 GT ICE CLASSIFICATION:  1A Class MATERIAL:  Steel hull and a composite superstructure ENGINE TYPE:  Hybrid Power System POSITION:  Dynamic Position System GREEN FEATURES:  Up to 210 square meters area of solar cells + retractable wind turbines + skysails + onboard recyclable systems + retractable wave turbines MAX SPEED:  15 knots NAUTICAL RANGE:  6000nm at 12 knots GUESTS:  8 guests in 4 guest’s room + 4 guest’s in double owner suite CREW:  12 up to 20 Crew + 1 Captain (possible for customization) HELICOPTER HANGAR:  Eurocopter 135 or similar size / maximum heli length 11,00m HULL COLOUR:  The vessel is available in a variety of colours. Idea & Design Developments by Dennis Ingemansson 2011-2018

Sales / Costs / Build Process / Green Engineering Calculations by Egon Faiss of German NedShip Group 2001-2018 [email protected] | +49-170-8143052

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The Best Helicopters For Superyachts

Airbus ach145.

Just commissioned a beautiful new  superyacht with a helicopter deck ? Whether you're new to the aerial world or an experienced buyer, our guide to the best helicopters for superyachts will give you plenty of options for your next purchase...

Compact in size, this helicopter’s small footprint and large, flexible cabin make it the aircraft of choice for on board. The ACH145 can carry eight to ten passengers depending on desired configuration, transporting guests to shore in style. Choose between a standard or VIP interior designed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, or bring your along your own designers. One superyacht owner enlisted the help of London-based design studio Harrison Eidsgaard for two ACH145 helicopters delivered earlier this year. The ACH145 is also the heli of choice for 182.9 metre  REV Ocean , soon to be the largest superyacht in the world, and for 66 metre support catamaran  Hodor ( pictured ).

Leonardo AW169 helicopter

Leonardo’s AW169 helicopter is expanding into new VIP markets. The versatile twin-engine, medium-weight helicopter puts safety first with a crash-resistant airframe, fuel system and seats. It has the latest touchscreen avionics and expansive glass for maximum visibility, plus one engine inoperative (OEI) capability. The cabin can carry five to eight passengers depending on layout and is as luxurious as any jet. There are separate cabin-cockpit air conditioning systems and a wireless cabin control and entertainment system. The variable speed main rotor feature improves efficiency in flight and keeps noise levels to a minimum. At 48 feet in length the AW169 isn't small but if you can find the space you'll be rewarded with a max range of 440 nautical miles. Expect to pay around $8.5 million.

Image courtesy of Andrew Griffiths/Lensaloft Photogrpahy

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

The 505 Jet Ranger X is a lightweight helicopter that offers speed and manoeuvrability well suited to tight landing spots. It has a fully integrated glass flight deck and Garmin G1000H avionics suite with twin 10.4in LCD screens, which makes for enjoyable, safe piloting. The sleek Italian-designed cabin can carry up to four passengers or be configured for cargo by removing the quick-disconnect rear cabin seats or co-pilot seat. The flat floor cabin design and large rectangular baggage compartment allows for plenty of onboard luggage. If you’re after something nippy and practical, it’s a great choice. You'll pay around $1 million.

Leonardo AW109 Trekker helicopter

Despite a pedigree that dates back to the original AW109, when the company was known as AugustaWestland, the light twin-engine AW109 Trekker still looks fresh and purposeful. Making its European debut at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, the AW109 Trekker is capable of carrying up to six passengers in a quiet cabin with luxurious seating that can be arranged in various configurations. It has a range of 450 nautical miles, an altitude ceiling of 16,000 feet and a 175mph cruising ability with fixed landing skids. At 42 feet in length, it’s more suited to gigayachts than mere superyachts, but all that fuselage area does make the ideal blank canvas for an eye-catching paint job. Leonardo has an in-house customisation division, so no two helicopters are created the same. From $4.2 million.

Airbus H175 VIP

The first of Airbus' super-luxe H175 VIP helicopters was delivered in 2016 with Arsenal football club shareholder Alisher Usmanov reportedly installing one on board 156 metre  Lürssen Dilbar . The luxury helicopter can seat eight and has a customisable interior by Pegasus Design meant to rival the finest investment-worthy private jets. Dimmable panoramic windows, mood lighting, TV screens and WiFi all come as standard in the soundproofed cabin and, while Airbus have not disclosed an exact price, the H175 helicopter is thought to be in the range of $20-25 million.

Sikorsky S-76D helicopter

If you have a large family (or lots of friends) the S-76D commercial helicopter could be for you. Capable of carrying up to 13 people, the S-76D is also the helicopter of choice for heads of state, air ambulances, and search and rescue missions. The "D" model is powered by 1,050 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines, providing increased horsepower compared to its siblings, without increasing fuel consumption. Executive and deluxe configurations feature a cockpit cabin divider, tinted windows, leather upholstery and retractable boarding steps.

Looking for a helicopter with a royal seal of approval? Sikorsky is the current heli of choice for the British Royal Family.

Airbus H160 helicopter

If you want to be at the cutting edge of helicopter design, put your name down for the recently unveiled H160. It features a fully composite airframe, twin Turbomeca Arrano turboshafts and a shrouded tail rotor for silent travel. It will carry 12 passengers and cruise at 185mph for 500 miles. First deliveries are due in May 2020, POA.

Robinson R44 helicopter

One of the most popular full-sized, entry level helicopters – almost 6,000 have been sold. Powered by a single six-cylinder piston engine, it carries four people, cruises at 135mph, and has a range of 350 miles. In 1997 Jennifer Murray used one to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by heli. It costs from $375,000.

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Green Expedition: The 65m luxury eco yacht that can seamlessly sail through Antartica

• Stef Bottinelli

Green Expedition has been designed for total luxury at sea, whilst respecting nature, thanks to its impressive green credentials

Born from a collaboration between designer Dennis Ingemansson and the German Ned Ship Group, who specialise in zero emission yachts and solar powered boats, Green Expedition is a stunning 65m yacht with some truly impressive green credentials.

Green Expedition’s eco-friendly features boats solar cells, skysail, wave turbines and onboard recycling systems.

The solar panel area covers 150 square meters, and the helicopter platform can be converted to add an additional 60 square meters of solar cells. The skysail allows for energy efficient movement together with the retractable wind turbines.

The yacht is built with sturdiness and durability in mind and its steel hull construction has been assigned a ICE 1A classification to handle ice. Green Expedition can in fact sail through difficult icy areas like Antarctica and Alaska, and choppy seas. For safety, during storms and bad weather, all equipment such as tenders, toys and even the helicopter can be moved from the aft part and stored to a protected area to be designed with the owner.

The yacht sleeps up to eight guests, four in four cabins and four more in the large master cabin, four crew, two officers and one captain. The captain’s deck is designed as an ultra-modern penthouse, where guests can enjoy dinner and socialise whilst enjoying an impressive 360 degrees ocean view.

The yacht also boasts a diving centre with submarines and a decompression chamber.

Technical specifications: LENGTH OVERALL: 65,00m / 213ft BEAM: 14m / 46ft DRAFT: 3,50m GROSS TONNAGE: 1400 GT ICE CLASSIFICATION: 1A Class MATERIAL: Steel hull and a composite superstructure ENGINE TYPE: Hybrid Power System POSITION: Dynamic Position System GREEN FEATURES: Up to 210 square meters area of solar cells + retractable wind turbines + skysails + onboard recyclable systems + retractable wave turbines MAX SPEED: 15 knots NAUTICAL RANGE: +6000nm at 12 knots GUESTS: 8 guests in 4 guest rooms + 4 guests in double owner suite CREW: 4 Crew + 2 Officers + 1 Captain HELICOPTER HANGAR: Eurocopter 135 or similar size / maximum heli length 11,00m HULL COLOUR: The vessel is available in a variety of colours.

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Super High: The Ultimate Guide to Yacht Helicopters

The perfect way to soar your yacht to new heights.

Wide-open waters? Check. Great company? Check. Your sparkly new superyacht? Double-check. There can only be one thing missing in this picture: an impressive helicopter for the ultimate grand entrance.

When you’ve already invested so much into the yacht of your dreams, there’s got to be a little extra room (literally) for a special delivery—you. Read on to discover all of our tips and tricks for your very own tantalizing yacht helicopter.

1. Easier Access

Your yacht is the most lavish way to travel in style, right? So why bother adding one more mode of transportation to your already fully capable vessel, you may be asking yourself. The answer is in the air! Having a helicopter on your superyacht allows you to get to places you never thought possible. While there may not always be a place to dock your yacht in certain luxurious locations, having a helicopter onboard allows you access to even the most exclusive spots. You’ll be able to visit so many more destinations on your well-earned journeys—the sky’s the limit.

Navigate to hard-to-reach locales with this yacht charter: OCTOPUS | 414′ Lurssen

2. Destination: Transportation

Having a helipad onboard your superyacht isn’t just about reaching the most beautiful destinations in the world, although that’s reason enough. It also serves a seemingly obvious need: arriving at your megayacht to begin with. Have a meeting in the city but the yacht is docked at the bay? Hop into your helicopter for a straight shot flight to your weekend getaway, with zero hassles along the way. Having the added transport option makes everything seamless from beginning to end, no matter where you’re coming from or where you’re going.

Transport yourself with ease with this superyacht: BOLD | 279’ SilverYachts

3. Glorified Grandeur

Your megayacht is your pride and joy, as it should be. It was no easy feat to attain such a vessel, and having a helicopter aboard only drives that point home. With an aircraft aboard your yacht, the luxury reaches new heights. The upscale feel, exclusive usability, and added ease all bring your adventures to a caliber of their own. There is nothing like a personal helicopter aboard a superyacht to up the wow factor.

Cruise in style with this yacht charter: PLANET NINE | 240′ Admiral Yachts

4. A Whole New View

While endless views of the open water can be a sight for sore eyes, having a helicopter onboard brings on a whole new perspective. Enjoy the best of both worlds with views from both the sea and sky. A perfect vacation has a little of everything, and you’re getting just that with the limitless aerial views in the finest destinations around the globe. Sightseeing will take on a whole other level when your altitude rises!

See the sights with new eyes with this yacht charter: SURI | 208′ Halter Marine

5. Taking Sports to the Extreme

No matter what your sport of choice, a helicopter aboard your mega yacht will only add to the fun and adventure. Big on scuba diving? Get to your dive site with the ease of your helicopter. Love photography? The aerial shots from above will be unmatched. Thrilled by cliff diving? Reach cliff tops with a quick flight. Interested in whale watching? Soaring the skies will give you an eagle eye’s view to spot all sorts of marine life. Even piloting can become a reality and your newest hobby. Every interest can truly be appeased with an aircraft at bay.

Get your game on with this superyacht: TIME OFF | 182′ Support Yacht Damen Yachting

6. Time Is on Your Side

We all know that time is money. With fully packed schedules, every minute is precious. Having a helipad on your superyacht saves so much time that would otherwise be wasted—be it in traffic, at the airport, or getting to your destination. With the ease and flexibility of helicopters, you and your guests can promptly reach your yacht’s location at an unimaginable speed. If flying directly from a city, time that would have been spent in endless traffic is spared. If picking you or your guests up from a nearby airport, the comfort and speediness are unparalleled. Transit times are severely reduced, allowing more time to sit back and relax.

Maximize your time with this yacht charter: SUNRAYS | 280′ Oceanco

7. Safety First

One of the biggest and most important benefits of having a helicopter easily available aboard your superyacht is for safety reasons. With very clear FAA safety regulations for helicopters, this mode of transportation proves to be one of the safest options for getting to and from your vessel. In addition, having a helicopter available in the event of an injury or a passenger getting sick is a critical benefit. Being able to evacuate a guest in an emergency may even be the difference between life and death. Even on vacation, accidents can happen. With the safety of travelers at the top of mind, these advantages are of the utmost importance and can ensure a safe and pleasant trip.

Travel with peace of mind with this yacht charter: AIR | 265′ Feadship

8. Specialized Design

Helipads add a sense of wonder and aesthetic to your superyacht. However, it doesn’t stop at good looks. Shipbuilders work together with aviation pros and designers to find the ideal location to place a helipad. Teams work by the Commercial Yacht Code of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to meet all necessary standards during construction. With a large amount of space needed to place a helicopter landing deck on a superyacht, attention to detail and impeccable design are paramount. You’ll know you’ve got the best of the best.

Transform big dreams into reality with this yacht: PROJECT METAVERSE | 207’ Delta

No matter how you look at it, having a helicopter on your superyacht changes the game. A helicopter ups the ante in all arenas, from fun to design to safety. Make sure your yacht includes this high-class feature. Contact a Denison yacht broker to upgrade your yacht and you’ll be flying high, too.

Speak with a Superyacht Specialist:

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Yacht-Helicopter Combinations: A Growing Trend In Luxury Travel

Can you imagine gliding over azure waters aboard a sleek, sophisticated yacht, with the sun casting a golden hue over the endless expanse of the sea? Now, envision the exhilarating freedom of taking to the skies at a moment’s notice, soaring above the ocean, exploring remote islands, or arriving in style at a secluded beach. This fantasy is now a reality with the latest trend in luxury travel: yacht-helicopter combinations. 

This elite pairing offers a journey unlike any other, blending serene yachting leisure with the thrill and versatility of helicopter flight and transcending traditional exploration and comfort boundaries. This trend isn’t merely about owning two high-end modes of transportation but creating a seamless, immersive experience that caters to your desires. 

You’re not just moving from point A to point B; you’re crafting an adventure that’s as boundless as the skies and as intimate as the hidden coves accessible only by water. Ready to explore this mode of supreme luxury? This guide is here to ensure every detail of your luxurious retreat is meticulously crafted for a flawless and breathtaking journey.  

• Finding The Perfect Luxury Yacht Service 

Your journey begins with selecting a luxury yachts service like YACHTZOO , which seamlessly integrates helicopter travel, ensuring a perfect blend of sea and sky. The key is to find a provider that grasps the nuances of such an experience and goes beyond mere transportation to offer a journey tailored to your unique desires. 

When considering such services, exploring their fleet’s versatility and the experiences they offer is crucial. From intimate sunset flights providing breathtaking aerial views of the coastline to seamless transfers to remote destinations, the ideal service should offer a spectrum of options to elevate your journey on the sea and in the air. 

• The Art of Seamless Integration 

Achieving seamless yacht and helicopter travel integration requires meticulous planning and understanding of both modes. It’s not just about having a helicopter pad on a yacht; it’s about ensuring that every aspect of the experience, from takeoff to landing, is smooth, safe, and utterly luxurious. 

Safety is paramount in this sophisticated duo. Your chosen service must uphold the highest safety standards for yachting and aviation, ensuring peace of mind as you transition between sea and sky. This includes experienced pilots and crew, impeccably maintained equipment, and a thorough understanding of the unique challenges posed by marine and aerial environments. 

• Environmental Considerations And Sustainability 

As you indulge in the opulence of yacht-helicopter travel, it’s essential to consider the environmental impact of such an experience. Leading providers in this niche are increasingly focused on sustainability, implementing eco-friendly practices to ensure that your journey isn’t only opulent but also responsible. 

This commitment to the environment can manifest in various ways, from using advanced, fuel-efficient engines to integrating renewable energy sources on board. Responsible operators will also adhere to strict environmental guidelines, ensuring that the natural beauty you came to enjoy remains pristine for future generations. 

Beyond safety, the aesthetics and functionality of the yacht and helicopter must be in harmony. The design should reflect a cohesive luxury aesthetic, with interiors and exteriors blending seamlessly. This extends to the service and amenities provided on board, ensuring that whether you’re cruising the waves or soaring above them, your experience is spectacular. 

• Customized Itineraries: Crafting Your Unique Journey 

One of the most exhilarating aspects of yacht-helicopter travel is the ability to customize your itinerary. Imagine having the freedom to explore hidden treasures inaccessible by traditional means, from secluded beaches to remote islands, each offering unique allure. 

A service that excels in yacht-helicopter combinations will work closely with you to design an itinerary that reflects your interests and desires. Whether it’s adventure, relaxation, exploration, or a blend of all three, the goal is to create a journey that is uniquely yours, unbound by conventional limits. 

This level of customization also extends to experiences both on the water and in the air. The possibilities are vast, from gourmet dining under the stars on a deserted island to adrenaline-pumping aerial tours of rugged coastlines. 

• The Future Of Luxury Travel 

Yacht-helicopter combinations represent the zenith of luxury travel, offering unprecedented freedom, customization, and exclusivity. As this trend continues to evolve, expect even more innovative integrations of technology, design, and service, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in luxury travel. 

The fusion of yachting and helicopter travel is more than just a trend; it’s a transformative experience that redefines the essence of exploration and leisure. It’s about charting your course, whether the tranquil waters below or the expansive skies above, in a journey as unique as you are. 

In Conclusion  

Yacht-helicopter combinations aren’t just an emerging trend in luxury travel; they’re a testament to the boundless possibilities of modern exploration. This unparalleled experience offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to traverse the seas and skies with elegance, speed, and unmatched freedom. As you consider embarking on this exquisite adventure, remember that the essence lies in the seamless integration of comfort, safety, and bespoke experiences, all tailored to your desires.  

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Superyacht Helipads on Charter: What You Need to Know

By Editorial Team |   Last Updated 4 November 2021

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A helipad is the ultimate luxury convenience for anyone in a hurry to start their dream yacht charter vacation, yet although it seems these days every self-respecting superyacht boasts a helipad - or two - few are actually commercially certified for helicopter landings. So, the question remains: is a non-certified helipad just a waste of space on a yacht charter?

To clear things up, we have compiled our guide on everything you need to know about superyacht helipads, as well as some of the best charter yachts already equipped with fully-certified helicopter platforms for those wishing to kick off their luxury yacht charter in style.

In this article:

A commercially-certified helipad is a must

Can you use a non-certified helipad on a yacht charter, private helipads, ‘touch and go’ helipad, charter guest benefits, 6 stand-out superyachts with a fully-certified helipad, 1. la datcha, 2. cloudbreak, 3. madsummer, 5. flying fox, interested in booking a luxury yacht charter.

For this classification, a superyacht helipad must be constructed and operated in line with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3) Annex 6, which is basically the technical standards for helicopter landing areas, or helipads. 

This code sets out the basic rules governing the design, construction and operation of a helipad, which includes important factors such as a yacht’s load bearing capacity, obstacle clearance, consideration of airflow, safe access points, lighting, permanent deck markings and relevant crew training on helicopter operations. 

The responsibility for the survey and certification process for a helipad intended for commercial use is shared between the yacht’s registered flag state, the classification society and an aviation inspection body, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ). 

All in all, it doesn’t leave much wiggle room for winging it.  

In a nutshell, no. 

Helicopters are not permitted to touch down on a non-certified helipad onboard a yacht that is being used commercially, i.e. for charter, unless for a medical emergency such as the evacuation of sick or injured passengers.

A helipad or helideck is considered a commercial operation if used to either;

• Receive commercial charter helicopters, or
• Transport charter guests 

Therefore, even a yacht being used privately by its owner cannot receive a commercial charter helicopter if the helideck is not certified.

The ICAO have also weighed in on this point, stipulating that “all commercial air transport helicopters should land on certified helipads which must be built according to certain standards”. 

Private helipads onboard a yacht adhere to less stringent rules and therefore do not have to meet the commercial standards for certification. 

We find many owners are keen to incorporate a helideck, so long as it doesn't compromise the overall aesthetic of the yacht

That's not to say that non-certified helipads aren’t safe, as for the most part they will have been designed with the regulations in mind. However, more often a yacht’s visual appeal is advocated over the practicalities of helipad design. Chris Wood, a helidecks operations manager with Safeguard Helidecks Certification agrees: “We find many owner's are keen to incorporate a helideck, so long as it doesn't compromise the overall aethestic of the yacht."

This snazzy term has become synonymous with luxury superyachts, although it technically has no meaning. For clarity's sake, unless specified ‘touch and go’ helipads are not certified and therefore cannot be used for commercial operations i.e. yacht charters, with the exception of medical emergencies. 

This can cause some confusion, especially as these types of helipads are often highlighted as a stand-out feature when marketing a yacht for charter.

A certified helipad onboard a yacht is a major bonus for yacht charterers wishing to expedite their travel time and arrive in style. Other advantages include;

• Quick and easy access to and from the yacht 
• Avoids wasting time in heavy traffic
• Avoids lengthy tender rides to yachts out on anchor
• Provides an opportunity for guests to explore their surroundings further
• Ideal jumping off point for extreme sports such as heli skiing
• Useful for corporate charter events
• Safe and comfortable transportation option

We are seeing huge demand from yacht owners wanting to get their private helipads commercially certified for yacht charters

As for non-commercial helipads, it can also be used for medical emergencies.

In conclusion, a fully operational helideck is an increasingly desirable feature onboard a charter yacht, which has led to a growing demand for helipad certification. Chris Woods at Safeguard Helidecks Certification confirms this is one of their biggest growth areas: "We are seeing huge demand from yacht owners wanting to get their private helipads commercially certified for yacht charters". 

So, although there are currently only a handful of charter yachts offering certified helipads right now, the future looks bright.

We have hand-picked a selection of top-rated superyachts equipped with a commerical landing platform for the ultimate luxury yacht charter.

Launched in 2020 to much acclaim, this stellar 77-metre explorer yacht is perfectly tailor-made for unique yacht vacations in far-flung destinations across the globe.

Located on her main deck aft, La Datcha’s helipad provides the perfect launching base for her two commercially-registered B3 Squirrel helicopters, designed by her adrenaline junkie owner with heli-skiing adventures and heli-ops in mind.

As well as an autonomous capability of up to 40 days at sea, she also boasts a raft of technology-rich gadgets, extensive wellness area, luxurious interiors and a toy chest overflowing with water-based and onshore exploration gear, including 2 snow scooters and a 3-person submarine.

Delivered out from the eminent German shipyard Abeking and Rasmussen in 2016, this voluminous 75-metre explorer yacht has a large dedicated aft commercial helideck for her custom Bell 429 Global Ranger, whilst still leaving ample deck areas for charter guests to exclusively enjoy. 

CLOUDBREAK offers an array of superlative amenities from her glass-enclosed winter garden to her fantastic alfresco cinema which converts into a nightclub, complete with DJ booth, lighting and state-of-the-art sound system! She also boasts a vast wellness centre with sauna, plunge pool, gym and massage area, as well as a qualified onboard beautician and personal trainer for the ultimate onboard luxury experience.

Launched in 2019, this award-winning 95-metre luxury yacht boasts all the hallmarks of meticulous craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from a Lurssen yacht.

MADSUMMER has a large helipad platform on her foredeck, fully-certified for helicopter operations and bunkering. She also houses a fully-equipped hangar in her bow for helicopter storage. On top of this, guests keen to explore their destination can do so on the yacht's very own Husky seaplane and 11-meter limo tender.

With exquisite Laura Sessa interiors showcasing a colour palette of primary hues, vast alfresco social areas, dedicated cinema suite and extensive wellness facilities, this spectacular charter yacht is an eternal crowd pleaser.

Delivered by Spanish yard Freire to her owner in 2011, This custom expedition yacht has made clever use of her wide foredeck helipad, which converts to a vast sundeck area with an array of sumptuous loungers when not being used as a landing platform for helicopters.

NAIA is uniquely both a luxury yacht and a state-of-the-art research vessel, boasting a submarine hangar for deep exploration, high-tech research facilities and an onboard laboratory.

For those looking for a little indulgence, she also offers a fully-equipped glass-panelled gym and swimming pool, huge penthouse-style Owner’s deck offering sensational views, main salon that converts to a cinema suite and an impressive array of toys, including a 5-person submarine capable of depths of up to 525 feet.

This impressive Lurssen yacht boasts not just one but two certified helipads, located on her top deck and bow, and both intentionally left clear so that charter guests can come and go as they please.

At 136 meters (446 ft) FLYING FOX is also the largest superyacht available for charter, and the most expensive!

Her stand-out features are endless; a stunning mezzanine-style salon, 12-meter swimming pool, lavish cinema suite, 400 m2 multi-level wellness spa – featuring a cryo-sauna, extensive Owner’s deck and observation lounge, to name a few of her onboard highlights.

Another award-winning turn from the German shipyard Lurssen, KISMET has two certified helipads; one on her bridge deck, which can be converted into a sumptuous alfresco lounging area, and another located on her foredeck, which is also marked out for a half-court basketball game!

This sleek 95m/312ft luxury yacht is assuredly masculine, both outside and in. From the sculpted jaguar on her bow to her luxuriant Art Deco-inspired black and gold interiors – based on a brief of ‘champagne and caviar’, she exudes glamour and style everywhere you turn.

Stand-out features include a stunning mosaic-tiled swimming pool with an adjacent elevated Jacuzzi offering sweeping vistas, aft deck fire pit with an integrated waterfall feature, double-height main salon and sports bar with full-height video walls so there’s no need to miss the game, plus innovative green features for environmentally-conscious charterers.

Choosing a yacht with a fully-certified helipad gives you a world of itinerary options that would otherwise not be achievable, allowing you and your broker to prepare some amazing and memorable experiences for the perfect yacht charter vacation.

With the list of charter yachts featuring commercial helipads growing each year, with many being retrospectively certified, be sure to check back. In the meantime, browse the current selection of  yachts equipped with a commercial helideck .

If you’d like to learn more about any of the yachts mentioned, or interested in booking a luxury yacht charter , please contact your yacht charter broker .

In short it depends.

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FEATURED SUPERYACHTS IN THIS ARTICLE

136m Lurssen 2019

95m Lurssen 2019

95m Lurssen 2014

77m Damen Yachting 2020

75m Abeking & Rasmussen 2016

74m Freire Shipyard 2011 / 2014

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Yachts with Helipad

Charter yachts are known for offer the best in first-class travel. Wake up each morning in your own private stateroom, and take in the sunrise over the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Adriatic, while a member of the crew brings you a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

Doesn’t get better than that, right? Not to mention, superyachts are laden with amenities, from water toys, to immaculate interiors, and sun-soaked decks, perfect for relaxing. Yet, there’s one feature that’s available on only a select group of charter yachts: Helicopter pads .

A yacht with a helicopter deck opens up a world of travel possibilities. Arrive on your yacht at sea, take a stunning helicopter tour of a nearby wildlife refuge or glacier, or skip the tender on your way to the airport – those are all possibilities aboard a yacht with a helipad.

Super Yachts with Helicopter Pads

Technically, superyachts are fully crewed boats that measure 24 meters or longer (that’s just about 75 feet). That definition doesn’t reflect the times. Superyachts have gotten larger and more opulent than ever, with designers pushing the bounds of what’s possible.

Naturally, yachts with helicopter decks tend to be larger – north of 200 feet. These larger-than-life yachts are some of the most exclusive charter superyachts with helipad access:

The beautiful Solandge is one of the most unique yachts on the market today. Her interior, for example, the work of Rodriguez Interiors and Dolker & Voges, features countless design surprises. The main salon is a stunner. It’s decked out with amethyst walls, gold leaf ceilings, a Bechstein piano and Schonbeck chandeliers with hanging amethyst rose quartz crystals. Yet, the centerpiece is an art glass sculpture, “The Tree of Life,” that stretches 50 feet high and is bedazzled by 1,000+ points of light.

Outside, Solandge shows her sheer size. She boasts a sexy beach club, a gold and white bar, a spa pool and a dance floor, among other opulent luxuries. Of course, you’ll find the helipad outdoors, too, as well as a sprawling sun deck and lounge. The yacht is maintained by a crew of 29 and can accommodate 12 guests in eight large cabins.

Originally built by Icon in 1974, Legend underwent its most recent refit in 2016. The ship isn’t a traditional motor yacht. Rather, she’s a fully certified Class 1 ice-breaking ship, and more recently has been turned into a luxury explorer yacht.

Legend is definitely one-of-a-kind. Inside and out, she offers the best in luxury yachting. The ship accommodates up to 26 guests – in total luxury – in her 13 staterooms. There’s a master suite, two VIP suites, as well as 10 different staterooms.

The yacht is built for exploration. In addition to her commercial helipad, Legend features her very own submarine. Plus, adding to the undeniable allure is a gym, Balinese spa and sauna, a Jacuzzi, a movie theater, and a swimming pool. Legend is maintenance by a crew of 19, as well as a 10-member expedition crew, including doctors, ice pilots, expedition leaders and naturalists.

NAIA was built by Freire Shipyard in 2011, and she offers an abundance of space for relaxing and entertaining. Spread across four decks, the yacht has six guest suites and a master suite, the latter of which takes up the entire “penthouse” level and includes a private deck. A central spiral staircase connects all of the decks, and the master suite is accessible through an elevator that goes as low as the sundeck.

As for the common areas, NAIA has plenty of areas for guests to choose from, including a cinema room. The main saloon is both inviting and intimate, with ultra-comfortable plush couches and a chic contemporary décor. A dining table can seat up to eight people, and is surrounded by a smaller sitting area, a small bar and plenty of artwork. Outside, charter guests onboard will find casual seating and bar areas, al fresco dining, another bar, a Jacuzzi, and plenty of places to sunbathe.

Built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2016, Cloudbreak is a truly world-class expedition yacht. The exterior design of Cloudbreak is the work of Espen Oeino, and the Scandinavian-inspired interior design was completed by Paris-based Christian Liaigre. After undergoing four years of development, this custom-built mega yacht is finally on the market, and it offers a world of adventure.

In addition to her helipad, the yacht has a fully stocked garage of water toys, including scuba equipment, jet skis, and numerous kayaks, paddle boards and kite surfing rigs. Inside, though, the yacht is a show stopper. With accommodations for up to 12 guests, as well as amenities like a spa with sauna, swimming pool and beach club, Cloudbreak is designed for relaxing excursions.

Enigma XK was first built by Richards Shipbuilders in 1987, and last refit in 2013. Previously named Norna, this yacht is the work of Vitruvius and Philippe Briand, who completed its interior and exterior design, respectively.

The sleek interior is marked by cream and white tones, light woods, lit flooring, and a glamorous aesthetic. There is a full-scale wellness and fitness center onsite, and this boat was named “Best Yacht Conversion” winner of The World Superyachts Award in 2014. Perfect for adventuring through ice-filled waters, Enigma XK offers plenty of toys for exploring, including a 9-meter Limo tender, an R.I.B. tender, a rescue tender, two Zodiac tenders, multiple wave runners, SCUBA diving and snorkeling equipment, a dive compressor, water skis, a wake board, tow toys, inflatable pontoons and more.

SuRi was built by Halter Marine/Yacht Escort Ships International in 1978, and later refit in 2016. An ideal yacht for travel with family and friends, SuRi is the brainchild of its owner. Its décor is both comfortable and contemporary, with expansive cabins and elegant living areas. Plus, the yacht boasts a fitness center, a massage room, and even a “Windows to the Sea” section of the yacht, where travelers can get a glimpse of all of the colorful fish swimming around them.

Outside, guests can dine al fresco on the sun deck, relax in the Jacuzzi, sunbathe, or enjoy a sunset cocktail in front of a backdrop of amazing views. If you’re a more adventurous charter guest, the water toys onboard SuRi won’t disappoint. In addition to the helipad, there are bikes, snorkel equipment, surfboards, kayaks, fishing gear, diving equipment and even a 35-foot Stan-Craft mahogany speedster. On SuRi, the choices are endless.

Built in 2018 by Golden Yachts, O’Ptasia is a stunning superyacht that features a wide array of world-class amenities. The yacht features a high-end contemporary aesthetic inside, including sleek and spacious salons and expertly appointed guest staterooms. She accommodates up to 12 in 11 rooms, including a master suite, VIP stateroom, as well as a variety of double and twin cabins.

Her exterior is a masterpiece of nautical engineering. Featuring expansive decks, including a sizable beach club and breezy sun deck, the yacht is a floating five-star hotel. You’ll find all of the amenities onboard: A spa, an outdoor bar, sun deck Jacuzzi and much more.

The ice-classed explorer yacht Planet Nine was built in 2018 by Italian shipyard Admiral Yachts. Built for explorations in the far corners of the world, no expense was spared on her construction. Inside, the yacht is the epitome of opulence.

Designed by London-based Milnaric, Henry and Zervudachi (MHZ), the superyacht has a full range of luxury amenities: Modern staterooms, including a master suite that takes an entire deck, a panoramic observation deck, and an immaculate dining area.

Yet, the ship is certainly designed for exploration. Outside, the yacht’s most recognizable feature is the helipad, which features a garage just below. Additionally, you’ll find everything on board for a high-seas adventure, including two 32-foot tenders, 120-inch cinema, steam room, sauna and a spacious beach club.

Charter Yachts with Helicopters

Looking for something a bit more compact? It’s true that a 200+ foot yacht isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, if you’d like to charter a helicopter-equipped yacht, there are plenty of options in the 130- to 200-foot range. Here are a few of our favorites:

With sleek exterior styling and a timeless interior, Skyfall offers the best in Caribbean yachting. The yacht was built in 2010, but underwent a complete refit in 2015. Today, she’s gorgeous inside and out.

Her interior features an “urban contemporary” aesthetic, with notes of Buddhist Zen, and you’ll notice when you step on board. Featuring an array of unique materials, including petrified tree trunks as well as a Tiger’s Eye bar in the sky lounge, the yacht is designed for entertaining (with space for up to 12 guests).

Outside, Skyfall offers plenty of deck space. Her sun deck features a splash pool, and there’s space for alfresco dining on the aft deck, a beautiful skylounge, and a panoramic balcony.

Tommy is a luxury motor yacht built by Benetti in 1995. It underwent its last refit in 2014 and boasts an interior and exterior design by Terence Disdale and Stefano Natucci, respectively. This yacht is large enough to host a cocktail party for up to 100 guests.

The interior of Tommy is both elegant and classic, with cream and burnt orange tones, and light wood cabinets and paneling throughout. The main salon is large and comfortable and comes with plush sofas and impeccable décor. There is a formal dining area, as well as a club-style sky lounge with a games table and a flat screen TV.

Outside, guests will find spots for alfresco dining, a sun deck, multiple bar areas, a central spa pool, multiple sunbeds, and of course, the helipad. From the swim platform, guests have access to countless water toys, including: a 5.8-meter Novurania Tender, a 5.8-meter Novurania Tender, two two-person Kawasaki Wave runners, water skis, a wakeboard, tows and plenty of snorkeling gear. Tommy can accommodate up to 12 guests.

True North offers the ultimate oasis of luxury for your Australia or Southeast Asian expedition. The yacht, which was built in 2005, is fully equipped for explorations. She features six tenders, as well as her own Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter.

On-board, the experience is incredible. True North features a spacious layout, with accommodations for up to 36 guests. The yacht includes 18 rooms, including 10 double cabins and 8 twins, and she’s designed for fun exploring the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll find a variety of water toys and equipment including: Dive compression, dive equipment, a jet ski, and plenty of fishing gear.

Built in 2006, Tango is a luxury superyacht that charters primarily in Australia. With accommodations for up to 8 guests, Tango offers complete comfort on the open seas. The yacht features a deck Jacuzzi, as well as beautiful sun deck.

Looking to enjoy the waters? Tango offers a full array of water toys including a jet ski, paddleboard, kayaks, fishing equipment and snorkel gear. She’s also equipped with two tenders, and of course, the helipad.

Smallest Yacht with Helicopter Pad

An on-board helipad traditionally means a spacious yacht. Yet, there are a number of boats that accommodation copters, but have a smaller footprint. If you’re headed out with a small group, but want the luxury of a helipad, these yachts are perfect:

They say big things come in small packages, and that’s certainly true of Flying Fish. This yacht – built in 1991 and refit in 2010 – offers the perfect platform for small-ground adventures. She sleeps up to 8 in four rooms, including a stunning master suite. And her interior features a chic, upscale décor and plenty of deck space for entertaining.

Plus, the yacht’s wide array of toys including scuba equipment, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment and sea kayaks. She’s equipped with a fully certified helipad – perfect for a low-key Barrier Reef excursion.

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Boat of the Week: Inside Malcolm Forbes’s Iconic ‘Highlander,’ Once the Ultimate ’80s Party Yacht

This bannenberg-designed 162-footer hosted everyone from rock stars to world leaders. after a major refit, she's now looking for a new owner., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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If these teak decks could talk. Paul McCartney tinkling the ivory keyboard. Elizabeth Taylor sunning herself on the top deck. Margaret Thatcher discussing world peace with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Harrison Ford taking a turn at the wheel.

Back in the 1980s, an invitation from Forbes magazine owner and consummate bon vivant , Malcolm Forbes, to join him aboard his beloved superyacht The Highlander was a reason for celebration.

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And Forbes was a master when it came to celebrating. His first of many Fourth of July parties aboard The Highlander , anchored off Governors Island in New York Harbor, saw the world’s greatest movers and shakers piped aboard by tartan-clad Scottish bagpipers.

Joanne de Guardiola’s interior design is light and sometimes whimsical, as opposed to Highlander ‘s previous formal, corporate look.  Courtesy IYC

There on the yacht’s decks were the likes of Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli, Henry and Nancy Kissinger, David and Peggy Rockefeller and Brooke Astor. More than 150 Maine lobsters and 30 pounds of Scottish smoked salmon were reportedly flown in to feed the elite crowd.

During the five years Forbes owned the yacht, before his death in 1990, she traveled the globe; everywhere from then Communist China, to Bora-Bora, to Thailand, the Philippines and Alaska.

Launched in 1985, this was the last of five Forbes-owned yachts named The Highlander, after his family’s Scottish roots. But this one was unique. Designed by world-renowned designer Jon Bannenberg and built in Holland by Feadship , her dark green hull—said to be the color of dollar bills—stretched 162 feet bow to stern.

Malcolm Forbes used The Highlander , which traveled around the world, to entertain political leaders, celebrities and other billionaires.  Courtesy John Barrett/Celebrity Archaeology/The Mega Agency

“She was nicknamed ‘The Ultimate Capitalist Tool’ for good reason,” the yacht’s current owner, New York-based interior designer Joanne de Guardiola told Robb Report . “Anyone who was anyone stepped aboard at some time during the ’80s.”

De Guardiola and her husband, investment banker Roberto de Guardiola, bought The Highlander from the Forbes estate back in 2012. And just as she’d done with the couple’s previous Feadship, the classic 159-foot Audacia , de Guardiola commissioned a top-to-bottom refit, this time with Florida’s Derecktor Shipyards.

“We had no thoughts of buying another yacht; we loved Audacia. But back in 2012, we had heard The Highlander was for sale and I went to take a look. She was not in great shape, but as a huge fan of Jon Bannenberg’s designs, and knowing her amazing history, we couldn’t resist,” she said.

The yacht was built by Feadship and designed by Jon Bannenberg, the father of modern yacht design. The original dark-green exterior was said to be the color of a dollar bill.  Courtesy Jim Raycroft

The exhaustive, two-year refit took the steel and aluminum superyacht down to the studs. The yacht was extended by 12 feet to add a swim deck and rear “garage” for water toys; the top deck was lengthened. Effectively doubling its size, and the master stateroom was moved to where the observatory used to be.

The entire interior was redesigned and refitted with more modern materials and finishes. Out went the padded leather ceilings, the somber, dark green carpets and ornate Chippendale antique chairs; in went bleached-white Anigre paneling, wide-planked dark wood flooring, and brightly colored pop art.

One especially jaw-dropping feature de Guardiola created was the stunning, open-tread marble staircase from salon to upper deck. That and the new, glass-enclosed sky lounge with its disco vibe and blue onyx floor.

The top deck nearly doubled in size during Highlander ‘s two-year refit.  Courtesy IYC

“The yacht didn’t really suit a family’s needs—she was really designed for Malcolm Forbes-style corporate entertaining,” says de Guardiola. “And if you wanted to splash in the water, you had to jump over the sides. Mr. Forbes didn’t like to swim.”

But de Guardiola is quick to add that her primary focus with the refit was evolving and not compromising Jon Bannenberg’s iconic design. “That’s what attracted me to the yacht in the first place.”

Mechanical improvements included the installation of Quantum zero speed stabilizers and full rebuilds for the trusty 900 hp Detroit Diesels. They still give the yacht a top speed of 18 mph, cruising at an easy 14 mph with transatlantic capability.

One of Highlander ‘s lounges.  Courtesy IYC

With kids in mind, Highlander —de Guardiola dropped the “the”—is brimming with water toys. Everything from Waverunners, Seabobs, banana floats and kayaks, to Malcolm Forbes’ much-loved, Ferrari-red 22-foot Donzi speedboat. Sadly, his other favorite, a custom-built Cigarette Racing powerboat, is no more. After being fully restored during the refit, the boat caught fire while Highlander was anchored off the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

“My husband was just heading off with our daughter and friends when the fire broke out,” de Guardiola says. “Everyone ended up in the water but were okay. It was one cool boat. It ran at over 60 mph.”

Since the refit, the de Guardiolas have taken friends and family all around the Mediterranean, hanging out at the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival, and hitting most of the Greek islands. Winters were in the Caribbean. Typically, they spent eight to 10 weeks a year aboard.

A young Harrison Ford, taking the wheel of Highlander , was one of many celebrity guests in the 1980s.  Courtesy The Highlander Archive

So why the decision to sell? De Guardiola says she’s looking for her next project: “As with my interior design work, I love the intellectual challenge of a makeover. It’s also time. We feel we’ve been good custodians. Now someone else should enjoy her.”

Highlande r is listed with IYC in Fort Lauderdale for $8.5 million.

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Articles Top 5 Helicopters for Superyachts

The world of private helicopters has presented an unparalleled level of efficiency for the most discerning superyacht owners.

Radically reducing journey time from shore to ship, and ensuring you arrive in ultimate style and privacy, superyachts and helicopters are a match made in heaven. Here’s our top five from the ever-growing range of superyacht helicopters to choose from. 

1 Airbus ACH145

Perhaps offering the most natural synergy between helicopter and yacht is the Airbus ACH145 . With a small footprint ideal for a superyacht helipad, and a flexible cabin able to transport eight to ten guests in airborne luxury, this rotorcraft is unquestionably a top choice to adorn the deck of any superyacht. With over eight possible configurations, the ACH145 offers the industry’s most versatile cabin for the ultimate passenger experience. From the stunning interior choices Airbus provide, to a VIP fit out from a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz offering the style and class synonymous with the German luxury car brand, this superyacht helicopter combines best-in-class comfort with a staggeringly quiet ride which enables sightseeing from above or mid-air business meetings to take place unhindered by rotor noise. The helicopter of choice for the upcoming largest superyacht in the world, 182.9m REV Ocean, the AHC145 combines impressive performance with the latest in safety equipment, including advanced autopilot systems to offer the complete superyacht helicopter package that guarantees a safe and comfortable flight.

2 Airbus ACH160

Superyacht helicopters must strike a fine balance between speed, comfort, and style. From affording passengers enough interior volume to ensure a comfortable flight, to being compact enough to fit on the deck of a yacht, designing such a piece of machinery is no small feat. The company responsible for designing the most capable helicopters for the job to date is Airbus, and with their all new ACH160 they have raised the bar yet again. Bringing the cutting edge of helicopter design to the fore, a composite airframe, impressive fuel efficiency, and a whisper-quiet ride thanks to a shrouded tail rotor, and Blue Edge rotor blade design, the ACH160 carries 12 passengers to the deck of their superyacht in total comfort. While its large side windows create a light flooded cabin to illuminate the stunning interior concept from renowned superyacht designer Harrison Edisgaard, the ACH160 also embraces new technology to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. A truly innovative product that is a far more sustainable mode of transport compared to its traditionally designed counterparts, the ACH160 is the height of aerial style and sophistication.

3 AW109 Trekker

From the renowned Agustawestland the AW109 Trekker is the first ever fully Italian-built helicopter to be mass produced. With its best-in-class lifting capability and impressive range of 447NM, the AW109 Trekker offers an unmatched level of utility for a light-weight superyacht helicopter. Accommodating six passengers in a spacious and versatile cabin, the AW109 effortlessly transports its guests wherever they wish. A brilliantly soundproofed and elegantly styled interior affords passengers a quiet and comfortable ride, so a short hop from ship to shore, or visiting a remote island destination further afield is effortless. Boasting wide sliding doors for easy access, an extended baggage compartment so guests can bring all the luggage they desire, and rugged skid landing gear for true go anywhere capability, this helicopter brings a new dimension to life at sea. Able to explore even the hardest to reach destinations with complete peace of mind thanks to state-of-the-art safety features, the AW109 is the perfect addition to any explorer superyacht big enough to accommodate this 42-foot beauty.

Designed for short-medium flights and touchdowns in tight spaces, this helicopter is ideal for any superyacht platform. As one of the most compact five-seat helicopters on the market, the Bell 505 punches well above its weight. Packing an integrated glass flight deck, and Garmin G1000H avionics suite with twin 10.4in LCD screens into a five-seat platform is a truly masterful piece of helicopter design. While compact, with a main rotor just 11.2m wide and fuselage only 13m long, the Bell 505 does not forgo comfort. A luxurious and open Italian-designed interior, and glass cockpit, affords passengers an uninterrupted view to admire their yacht from a new angle in total comfort.  An ideal helicopter to fit on any superyacht platform, the lightweight design provides impressive performance and versatility. While the two bladed rotor is an effective solution to offer powerful lift and limit drag, the quick release seats, flat floor, and large baggage compartment provide a great option for transporting luggage or supplies from land to sea. Stylish, sporty, and practical, superyacht helicopters don’t get much better.

5 Bell FCX-001

Still just a concept but one of the most exciting prospects in the aviation industry, the Bell FCX-101 is a crescendo of technology yet to make it into helicopter production. A window into the future of what your superyacht helicopter may, one day, look like, this rotorcraft is touted to be powered by a hybrid propulsion system and incorporates a revolutionary anti-torque system within the tail boom rendering the tail rotor obsolete. The FCX-001 presents a significant step change in what helicopter design can be. By combining the benefits of the proven turboshaft engine with the rapidly evolving world of electric propulsion, a new level of efficiency could be achieved. Debuted at the Heli-Exbo 2017, this stunning concept utilises the bleeding edge of heli design in every area. From the pilot using augmented reality in the cockpit for near autonomous flying, to morphing rotor blades that adapt to different flight scenarios, and an ingenious interior with modular flooring design for the most versatile cabin ever, this gull winged rotorcraft for the future is set to change the landscape for superyacht helicopter transport forever.

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More From Forbes

Feadship launches world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered superyacht.

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Feadship's Project 821 uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to provide clean, emission-free power to ... [+] the yacht in certain situations

Now that Project 821 has emerged from a massive build shed in The Netherlands, few superyacht shipyards can say they’ve made a “bigger” commitment to using alternative energy sources in a superyacht than Feadship .

That’s because this new, 390-foot-long superyacht (designed by RWD with owner’s representation by Edmiston ) can provide carbon-emission-free power from hydrogen while cruising between harbors or, to power the yacht’s the entire hotel load for up to a week without noise or carbon emissions.

"The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world," said Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director / CEO Royal Van Lent Shipyard. The large size of the proposed yacht made it a good candidate to explore pure green hydrogen as the fuel-cell source. For those captivated by cutting-edge innovations, this yacht presents an opportunity for potential acquisition as it showcases the pinnacle of modern technological advancements.”

Feadship's Project 821 is the first superyacht to be powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology in ... [+] certain situations.

Although hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars and fuel cells are not new, nothing like this has been built in the yachting sector. And since there were no regulations for hydrogen storage and fuel-cell systems at class, flag-state or even IMO level, Feadship sought out expert partners from allied industries, Edmiston and Lloyd's Register to develop the appropriately scaled equipment, protocols and safety regulations simultaneously.

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"The value of the research as well the development of class and flag safety regulations for an entirely new type of energy generation is an advancement we are proud to have made available to all," Verkuyl said. Next year, for example, two long-route Norwegian passenger and car ferries will enter into service utilizing the system that Project 821 has pioneered.

According to advance reports Project 821’s fuel cell technology can provide an entire week's worth of silent operation at anchor or emission-free propulsion at 10 knots while leaving harbors or cruising in protected marine zones. Project 821 also features the most efficient waste heat recovery system yet developed.

Meanwhile, with five decks above the waterline, two below, and additional mast yet to be attached, the yacht’s height is commanding. For example, the owners' deck is 121-feet above water. Yet the proportions of the exterior profile created by RWD are flowing, modern and elegant

The full owners' deck above the bridge is essentially an apartment with two bedrooms, twin bathrooms and dressing rooms, a gym, a pantry, two offices each with a fireplace, and a living room. However, the owner accommodation extends beyond a single deck. A unique and completely private vertical corridor extends to the lower deck. This includes both a spacious staircase lined with bookshelves and display nooks and an owners' elevator.

At each deck level, there are inviting private lifestyle destinations to savor such as a coffee corner and games niche on the bridge deck, a library on the main deck, and a private dining room with a sea terrace and adjacent ensuite stateroom on the lower deck. It creates, in essence, a secluded four-level townhouse-by-the sea within the much larger yacht.

Feadship's Project 821 is nearly 400-feet-long.

Jan-Bart Verkuyl says fuel cells will play an important role for yachts in the years to come considering their superior efficiency, low particle emissions and low noise radiation. "We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquified hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution. Future innovations on fuel cells and onboard reforming of methanol to hydrogen are on the near horizon. For Feadship, the bottom line is that the decarbonization of Feadship's upstream process such as our extensive use of aluminum produced in a more environmentally sensitive way and the production of net-zero carbon-free fuels or hydrogen carriers deserves utmost priority."

Jamie Edmiston (Chief Executive) also shares his experience with this project. "The brief was to build the greenest and most environmentally advanced yacht ever built, without compromise. It was a huge challenge, but one that the team has embraced and delivered on. The yacht we see today, designed by RWD and built by Feadship is without doubt the best yacht ever built. I am proud to have been involved since the inception of this idea.”

Charlie Baker (Director) adds “RWD are immensely proud to have been involved in such a forward-thinking project, as a collaboration alongside Feadship and Edmiston. We hope it inspires other projects to think differently in the future.”

I hope so too!

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A Boat Designed to Be a Breath of Fresh Air

The creators of the latest vessel from Azimut Yachts went to great lengths to reduce its emissions, but even they won’t call it green.

By Ian Volner

Reporting from Milan

This article is part of our Design special section about water as a source of creativity.

In the middle of Milan Design Week last month, in the middle of the Bagni Misteriosi — a historic bathing complex in the Porta Romana neighborhood — the Italian luxury shipbuilder Azimut Yachts hosted an unusual exhibition. It was a celebration of the company’s latest offering: the Seadeck 6, which made its debut last year and features interiors by the design team of Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez.

Having been lowered into the facility by crane, the nearly 60-foot vessel was set afloat in an outdoor swimming pool. There it bobbed, traversed by hordes of well-coiffed guests while a concealed apparatus shrouded it in bursts of atmospheric steam. Surreal, elegant, not a little absurd, it was a scene straight out of Fellini, with overtones of Werner Herzog’s boat-hoisting epic “Fitzcarraldo.”

But the thing that made it most unusual? “Azimut wanted to make this the most sustainable boat on the market,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “We tried to do that.”

The ultimate playthings for the ultrawealthy, high-end pleasure craft would not seem optimal candidates for greening. Yet a growing number of manufacturers and designers are trying to change that, producing yachts both large and (comparatively) small assembled from fewer and less carbon-intensive materials, requiring a fraction of the power to run and drawing more of their energy from renewable sources.

In a peculiar twist for an industry uniquely exposed to supply-chain shocks and the vicissitudes of geopolitics (the loss of the once-lucrative Russian market continues to smart), global brand leaders appear to be making the move toward energy efficiency of their own accord, rather than in response to any explicit demand from their clientele.

“We will have to see if the world is ready,” said Giovanna Vitelli, Azimut’s chairwoman, as she stood aboard the Seadeck 6 during its not-quite maiden, not-quite voyage.

It is an approach that entails some risk. In January, Silent Yachts — an Austrian solar-electric catamaran company with facilities in Fano, Italy — was reported to be approaching bankruptcy amid problems with both its corporate parent and a key subcontractor. A former client stepped in to rescue the brand from insolvency, yet challenges remain. In a recent interview with the trade publication Superyacht News, the company’s new chief operating officer, Fabrizio Iarrera, spoke of the “costs associated with creating an entirely new market.”

Still, the push toward more sustainable yachting appears to be barreling forward, part of a broader shift in the role of design in the industry. Seven years ago, Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture in New York — known for its plush hotel interiors for the hospitality magnate Ian Schrager — was invited by Azimut’s sister company Benetti to develop a new yacht concept, the Oasis. It was one of the rare instances in which Benetti, founded in 1873, had sought out collaborators with no previous maritime experience, and all parties took it as an opportunity to import a set of values they viewed as lacking in the boating world.

According to Enrico Bonetti, the architecture firm’s co-founder, boat design previously favored grand spaces that no one actually liked. “There’s always this big table nobody’s using, then you step into another place with shiny things,” he said. “We didn’t follow that.” With its open, airy living space, wood paneling and notable lack of gold leaf, the Oasis represented a more humane vision for the yacht of the future, one constrained by at least the appearance of refinement and reserve, though it was ritzy nonetheless.

That low-key tendency is very much in line with the decarbonization campaign now underway at Azimut and other builders. In recent years, design studios like Zaha Hadid Architects and Pininfarina have turned out yacht proposals that pair sleek visuals with reduced reliance on fossil fuels; later this year, Yves Béhar, the Swiss-born product and furniture maestro, will unveil his own take on the trend — a catamaran designed for an as-yet unnamed manufacturer. “It’s essentially an E.V.,” said Mr. Béhar, who was also in Milan for the design fair.

Underlying the designer eco-yacht phenomenon is the intuitive sense, as Antonio Rodriguez put it, that “silent luxury” is fast displacing opulence. Where previous generations of yachters sought to flaunt their wealth, today’s owners may be less keen to draw attention to their own affluence. In reducing their carbon footprint, boatmakers are hoping to lure customers eager to reduce their profile, while still allowing them to ply the seven seas in style.

The Seadeck 6 certainly does that. With a crisp, white exterior — the work of the veteran yacht designer Alberto Mancini — the ship sleeps up to eight in three below-deck cabins. Topside, guests can sprawl in fore and aft lounges, or take lunch prepared in a semi-concealed galley, served on an elegant foldout table. The interior palette is muted, the contours soft, and everywhere, Ms. Vitelli said, the intention was to let people “feel close to water” rather than immuring them in an oceangoing penthouse.

Relatively speaking, the Seadeck’s ecological credentials are also impressive. Nearly every feature has been retooled for minimal environmental impact: replacing the customary teak deck with sustainably sourced cork; covering the walls and upholstering the seating with organic and recycled materials; even sealing the hull with something the company refers to as an ‘eco-gel finish.’” Most important, the craft incorporates a still-novel (for marine propulsion) hybrid engine, capable of a top speed of 33 knots with the ability to navigate about 200 miles offshore — enough for a quick spin from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas.

Add it together, and the company claims the Seadeck 6 and its larger cousin, the 71-foot Seadeck 7, achieve an operational carbon output 60 percent that of comparable vessels.

It’s a start, but only that. A comparative analysis with a similarly sized Azimut product — coupled with statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency — suggests that the cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau would contribute roughly 4,400 pounds of carbon dioxide on the Seadeck 6, well over what the average American produces in a month.

And then there are the more immediate costs: around $2.8 million for the Seadeck 6 and $4.25 million for the Seadeck 7. Ms. Vitelli said the company hopes that enough buyers will come aboard to make price reductions possible in future.

A lot is riding on these hopes. Elsewhere in Milan, at the giant exhibition hall of the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, a talk session with a group of yacht experts underscored the stakes: During the panel, Stefano de Vivo, the chief commercial officer of the luxury yacht brand Ferretti Group, presented a slide showing Italy’s dominance in the custom-yacht sector, with domestic manufacturers taking a large share of the $9 billion global marketplace.

Mr. de Vivo declared sustainability essential to shipbuilding’s ongoing success and spoke of a general convergence with the design field at large. “As a shipyard, we’ve had to become less ‘marine,’” he said.

Back at the Bagni Misteriosi, mariners did seem in somewhat short supply, as various design lovers and Salone personalities (including the celebrated architect Michele de Lucchi, who helped create an on-site installation for Azimut) swanned around the bathhouse garden and its waterborne centerpiece. As an image of an ecologically sensitive future, the spectacle seemed off the mark — but then the Seadeck’s creators are careful not to make any overly sweeping claims as to whether their yacht, or any yacht for that matter, can truly be deemed an ecological asset.

“We don’t really like the word ‘sustainable,’” Mr. Rodriguez said. “We prefer to say it’s ‘conscious.’”