Yacht helicopters and helicopter tenders represent a small but interesting element of executive helicopter operations.
Of yacht-borne helicopter owners two of the most well known are Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Roman Abramovich who, between them, own a tidy selection of yachts and associated helicopters.
PAUL ALLEN
MD900 asigned to the MY Meduse
MD902 N906AF ascribed to the MY Tatoosh
S76C N76AF assigned to the largest of Allen's vessels, the MY Octopus
Rear quarter view of the MY Octopus
N76AF departs Octopus
N76AF departs Octopus while moored in Reykjavik harbour
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH
Aruban registered EC135 assigned to the MY Ecstasea
EC145 aboard MY Pelorus
Luxembourg registered EC155 now P4-HEC
The MY Pelorus
The 'Abramovich's Navy' as it is often referred to also includes the
MY Sussurro which is utilised as a 'guest' ship and the
MY 'Le Grand Bleu' which he presented as a gift to his longtime friend Eugene Shvidler.
The 'Abramovich Navy' has a recent edition in the form of the
MY Eclispse which currently ranks as the world's largest private yacht being some 11 meters longer than the MY Dubai.