Damen Yachting has delivered the “Rafter”. The 53-metre support vessel has left the shipyard in Antalya and is now taking up its duties as a support unit. “Rafter” is the fourth vessel in the Yacht Support 53 series, which the Dutch have been building for several years. The “white” offshoot of the shipyard giant has the Utilities sector firmly established in the yachting industry and has already completed more than 20 specialist support vessels.
Concept and intended use
The client had the vessel built as an addition to his existing fleet. The owner’s representative, Rob Dolling, explained that there had been a clear vision from the outset as to the role the “Rafter” was intended to fulfil. The vessel was designed with family experiences and quality time together on the water in mind. The collaboration with Damen Yachting was constructive and efficient, which was particularly important given the tight timeframe.
Layout and interior design
The yacht can accommodate eight guests and ten crew members, plus the captain. The interiors have been designed according to the owner’s personal specifications. According to the shipyard, the design combines timeless elegance with influences from the Old English style. The spaces are designed with both functionality and comfort in mind. The design and construction are entirely the work of Damen Yachting’s in-house team.
Deck capacity and loading facilities
The main deck offers over 200 square metres of open space. This area can be used flexibly and configured to accommodate dinghies, water sports equipment and specialist gear. A crane with a 15-tonne lifting capacity enables the launching of large tenders and heavy loads. The reinforced deck is designed for touch-and-go helicopter operations, where helicopters land and take off again without shutting down their rotors.
Yacht Support Hull Shape
The “Rafter” features a so-called axe bow with a vertical stem. The 53-metre-long vessel, which is based on commercial offshore supply vessels built by Damen Shipyards, is designed to ensure a smoother ride in varying sea conditions.
Jan van Hogerwou, Commercial Executive USA at Damen Yachting, described the launch of the “Rafter” as a proud moment for everyone involved. He said the vessel demonstrated the versatility of the yacht support range in the modern superyacht sector. According to the shipyard, the series is aimed at owners who lead an active lifestyle and expect more from their time at sea. The vessels are designed to combine robust reliability with performance and serve as versatile companions to mother ships.
Technical specifications for the “Rafter”
- Length: 53.00 metres
- Interior volume: 498 litres
- Capacity: 8 people
- Crew: 10 crew members plus the captain
- Deck area: over 200 square metres (main deck)
- Crane: 15-tonne lifting capacity
- Helicopter: capable of touch-and-go manoeuvres
- Interior design: Damen Yachting
- Exterior design: Ladies' Yachting
- Design: Damen Yachting
- Shipyard: Damen Yachting Antalya
About Damen Yachting
Damen Yachting is the yacht-building division of the Damen Shipyards Group. The division builds and refits Amels superyachts, Xplorer expedition yachts and yacht support vessels. According to its own figures, Damen Yachting employs around 1,500 skilled workers in yacht building. Together with hundreds of specialist suppliers, the shipyard develops vessels for a range of applications, from adventure and research to leisure.
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