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Forward Mast exception w/ Bow Helipad

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by bigboatguy, Oct 1, 2025.

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  1. bigboatguy

    bigboatguy New Member

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    Hello,

    Having a debate with a friend - I thought there was a design exemption on yachts with a bow helipad not needing a foremast while anchored overnight. Case in point Liva O.

    Can anybody provide clarification?
  2. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    She has a foremast in the middle of the foredeck, like on many yachts I guess it is removable...
  3. bigboatguy

    bigboatguy New Member

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    I guess I was misinformed then - thanks for the clarification
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yep; Removable or collapsible.
  5. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    All of these yachts with bow helipads ...and anything with a bow helipad will likely be above 50-meters therefore required to have a steaming mast. For aesthetics and practicality permanent steaming masts have been pretty much replaced by telescopic/collapsible masts which at the touch of a button...retract into the deck and the head of the mast blends in flush with the deck/helipad. On large superyachts these masts are 3-stage masts and some are stayed and non-stayed designs.

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  6. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    Some of these lights go even pass just being a structure to house your 'all-round' anchor light and your steaming nav light. Some manufacturers have deck floodlights in the flushfit head portion. See this example below.

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  7. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    But in conclusion, if you see a yacht 50 meters and above and no visible steaming mast. IT HAS ONE just it is in the retracted position whether it is on a boat with a forward helipad or not...it will be incorporated somewhere on the foredeck.. These examples showing, "Lionheart", "OKTO" and "Yalla".

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  8. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    On some yachts like the AMELS Limited Edition 171 and above models they have their lights in the foredeck crane. So even though it is not a telescopic/collapsible design, the 'mast' still stows away horizontal to the deck so you can't see it when it is not in use.

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  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Outstanding updates brother. Thank you for further examples.
    YachtForums likes this.
  10. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    +1
  11. bigboatguy

    bigboatguy New Member

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    Above and beyond what I expected as a response - thank for putting in the time and detail! The drawings especially tickle the engineering side of my brain :)
  12. wwch

    wwch Member

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    plus another one