 


 





  


 


  


   





  


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he number of so-called super-yachts – luxury boats over 30m in length – is growing steadily. In this segment alone, around


6,000 vessels are sailing the world’s oceans, and the trend is rising. For smaller motor yachts and sailboats, the number of units sold annually reaches into the hundreds of thousands. Added to this, the variety is growing: from super-yachts with onboard helicopters to eco-catamarans with electric propulsion, and from nostalgic wooden schooners to high-gloss luxury vessels with full marble interiors. Safety at sea is paramount, however, and in


the event of an uncontrollable leak or massive fire, for example, the vessel would need to be abandoned safely. There therefore needs to be sufficient space in lifeboats or on inflatable life rafts, which are often stowed away discreetly. This is where specialised outfitters come in, such as Yachtsupport BV from Nijkerk in the Dutch province of Gelderland. Founders Henk Bruinekool and Goof Baijense combine over 30 years of experience in yacht building with state-of-the-art equipment, including digital 3D planning and water-jet cutting machines. In their large workshop with rear water access, they develop custom solutions, primarily in metal construction. In addition to their own patented flooring systems for crew quarters and


38  


technical compartments on vessels, their range of precisely manufactured, bespoke solutions also includes hatches, or side hatches. “These hatches must open quickly in an emergency, but at the same time the


structure must not tear under its own weight," explained Bruinekool. The company was already using hydraulic


dampers to slow the load, however the models weren’t adjustable and the piston rods bent.


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