Dutch superyacht builder Amels has sold a Damen-built Sea Axe 6711, a 67-metre Fast Yacht Support vessel, which is due for delivery in spring 2014. It has many similarities to Garçon, the Sea Axe 6711 that was exhibited at the Monaco Yacht Show earlier in the year – although there are some striking differences, too. In co-operation with yacht management company Imperial, this latest Sea Axe is being constructed with an extensive dive area, designed specifically for scuba-diving expeditions.



The platform is also being equipped with an LY2-certified helipad, with a maximum take-off load of 5,000kg and a D value (diameter) of 14. This makes the helipad sufficient to accommodate a Eurocopter Dauphin or Agusta Grand, for example. The working deck will be equipped with a crane with a maximum working load of 6.6 tons at a reach of 16.6 metres. Put simply, the crane is strong enough to safely manoeuvre a large tender such as a 12-metre J Craft Torpedo weighing 11 tons.

“One of the things that owners and captains noted about Garçon at the Monaco Yacht Show was the potential dual-purpose of a vessel like the Sea Axe. They can see the potential as a support ship to a superyacht, particularly the opportunity to win back valuable luxury space on the mothership, because much larger tenders and a greater selection of watertoys can be stowed with ease on the Sea Axe. But some are also excited by the concept of owning a high-performance expedition vessel, and the decision to fit a customised scuba-diving centre on this latest Sea Axe 6711 project is an example of how versatile this kind of vessel can be,” says managing director Rob Luijendijk. The unique bow and underwater body shape enable the Sea Axe to reach speeds between 18-25 knots in all sea states, making this a fast and dependable support ship – whatever the weather.

For a video of Garçon in action, click here.