Stella Maris Rocks Yet Another Final

The 72m (236ft) Stella Maris continues her strong season for awards and has become yet another finalist, in the ISS (International Superyacht Society) design awards 2013. Last month at the Monaco Yacht Show she was awarded the prestigious RINA Green Plus Platinum Certificate which is awarded to megayachts that reduce the environmental footprint well beyond the minimum levels required by current international regulations.

"We are very proud of this award," said Cristiana Longarini, director of VSY, during the awards ceremony held at the Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo in occasion of the "The Superyachts" book launch party "as it acknowledges the course the shipyard have taken from early construction and helps support a new pathway that sees us engaged not only in the development and application of technologies with reduced environmental impact but also in structured programs of integrated sustainability."

Stella Maris was one of the "not to be missed" yachts of this year's Monaco Yacht Show. She is designed by Espen Oeino in collaboration with Laurent Giles Naval Architects and Michela Reverberi was responsible for the interior design. She is VSY's flagship and measures in at 72m and 2,114 gross tonnes.

The WOW Factor on 72m "Stella Maris"

VSY have confirmed that their 72m (236ft) flagship Stella Maris is one of four megayachts in the world to have a fully certified helideck, many have helidecks but few are certified. She is also one of the smallest megayachts to have obtained her certified helideck by the HCA (Helideck Certification Agency).

Landing on the helideck of a megayacht is a challenge and carries serious risks. Not many people know that the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Large Commercial Yacht code (LY2) has been modified to increase the security and standards so that security during take off and landing keeps accidents and injury to a minimum.

Her helideck is approved for a Eurocopter EC 135 that can land  and take off by day or night and also has the option of a side landing depending on weather conditions. Once the helicopter is gone, the deck can be transformed into a magnificent dining area, sun deck or a hosting area for those all important parties.