The Damen YS5009 motor yacht AXIS has some very impressive statistics: she stretches to an impressive 55 metres (181ft). With a hefty 6,000hp in the engine room split across four engines, AXIS can easily propel itself up to 20 knots and cruise up to a very healthy 5,000 nautical miles.
There's a massive aft deck with a hangar and space for a plethora of water toys, from tenders and jet skis to submarines. It's a must-see if you appreciate robust engineering and a love for exploration, so read on to see what this $16 million support vessel is like.
Damen YS 5009 Key Facts
- LOA 55.5m
- Model Year 2016
- Cabins 3
- Crew 6
- Max Speed 20 knots
- Status Discontinued
- Yacht Type Support Vessel
- Use Type Oceangoing
- Vessel M/Y Axis
Review Video
In terms of design and build, the YS5009 is a pioneer in the Yacht Support sector. Launched in 2009 with the first hull, motor yacht PURSUIT, with its distinct Axe Bow. This bow design, developed by Damen in collaboration with the Netherlands Delft University under Dr Lex Keuning, has been a very successful design for offshore support vessels. The Axe Bow has a deep forefoot and a narrow entry into the water, a combination that significantly reduces slamming of a ship in rough seas.
The impact of this design was proven with the successful deployment of 18 commercial vessels, across patrol, oil-rig supply, and offshore operations. These ships deliver consistent speed, smooth handling, and impressive fuel economy, even in heavy weather. Damen recognised the Axe Bow's potential for the superyacht support market, addressing the demand for reliable support vessels among superyacht owners.
Since then, eight more YS5009 models have been built, including AXIS in 2016.
After viewing AXIS at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, she joined a fleet to support the owner's current yacht GIGI. She needed to accommodate two submarines, a dive centre, and an ICON A5 aircraft to serve two roles: treasure hunting for Spanish ships off the Northern Bahamas and helping environmental research, e.g. studying plastic content in the ocean and observing fish migration patterns.
AXIS also helped her owner in rejuvenating Walker’s Cay as a superyacht marina, contributing to the area’s financial health. After Hurricane Dorian in 2019, it proved invaluable in relief efforts, transporting supplies to the hardest-hit areas.
Hanger
This space used to store an Icon A5 seaplane, and - with some adjustments - could even house a helicopter. Now, it's being used as a living area packed with features. No surprise, there's masses of cooling space on the starboard side, perfect for serving guests if you're hosting a deck party. There's also an ice cream machine and a massive TV - it had to be to fit this space. The headroom in here is ridiculous given its previous use, and the windows provide fabulous views and natural light when the shutter's open, making it a very bright and airy space. It's a working space too as this is primarily a crew boat; there are washing machines, cleaning kit storage, and space for supplies and spares.
Main Deck Accommodation
Although primarily designed with crew living in mind, there is still space for guests and the owner to enjoy when onboard with two double cabins. In the saloon, there's a well-appointed bar, complete with bar stools and plenty of countertop space, and the galley, as well, is impressively spacious. Designed for crew use but adaptable enough to double as an additional bar area if you fancy. Cooling appliances and a dishwasher are integrated smartly, making it a flexible area. Moving through, you'll find a dorm-style room with four bunks, handy for housing fishing buddies for a weekend.
A large TV is on the wall opposite a comfortable sofa - a nice place to unwind and it's very spacious.
As you move forward, the accommodation is more about function than the usual superyacht opulence, but there’s plenty to like. Each has a small double bed, a bunk, a TV, and storage. The ensuite bathrooms offer separate shower cubicles and are comfortably spacious.
Crew Accommodation
AXIS supports up to 11 crew members, across four cabins. The engineer's cabin is conveniently situated right up the stairs, for the right person to have quick access to essential areas. The crew mess is the hub when off duty, equipped with a TV, microwave, decent cooling space, and an overview system to monitor operations.
Sleeping quarters feature mirrored double bunk cabins on both sides, offering plenty of space for rest. Forward access leads to the bow locker, while a watertight door connects to the engine room.
The bridge onboard AXIS is awesome; initially designed for offshore support, its professional and commercial nature is evident right away. The three fully adjustable helm seats offer a wonderful position in front of a suite of screens. All are configurable with navigation, Time Zero software, radar, and other nav systems and the inwardly raked windscreens provide a fabulous view over the pointed bow.
The central chair's armrest features four throttles for the four engines. The outer ones are connected to the rudders for steerage, while the middle ones manage power. Those 1,500hp Caterpillar engines propel the yacht to a top speed of 20 knots, with a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 10 knots. It's a vessel designed for swift journeys and long distances.
Aft of the helm station, the bridge has a dedicated navigation area, perfect for the captain and crew to spread out charts and do paperwork. One of the highlights is the enormous screen, one of the largest I've seen on any bridge. The bridge also has work areas equipped with a printer and laptop setup, bathed in light from the glazing overhead. The all-around view is exceptional, with cameras providing additional oversight. Storage is plentiful, and this space is as functional as it is impressive.
If you're after hot tubs and sun pads, you're reading the wrong review. But if you want a deck capable of carrying tenders, toys, and other adventure equipment then there's little that can touch this.
The possibilities on the aft deck are endless, and it's easy to see why this space is a major draw for potential owners. You've got a helipad, designed for touch-and-go operations with a takeoff capacity of 3,700kg. The railings all pop out, transforming it into a clear landing zone. But it doesn’t stop there. It's a playground for toys, as shown by the pair of Triton subs stationed on board.
These subs can dive for up to 12 hours and have four days' worth of spare oxygen onboard - ideal for the current owner's treasure-hunting exploits in the Bahamas. They also weigh 8 tonnes each and the deck has a crane installed with an 18-tonne lift capacity, handling tenders, vehicles, or even shipping containers.
Beyond its role as a toy storage zone, the aft deck can be used as a socialising space. There are enormous grills here and throw down a couple of bean bags and flexible furniture arrangements, the space can turn into a massive party platform.
Upper Aft Deck
The side doors leading out from the bridge feel like bank vaults, rock solid and secure. This space is completely clear during the day but at night a projector screen can be opened up for movie nights at the highest point of the boat with JL Audio speakers integrated. You can also lean over the railing for a good view of the enormous aft deck below.
Just before the engine space, there's the dive centre onboard AXIS. Air compressors are ready to top up scuba tanks and supply oxygen to the onboard submersible. Very necessary with all the toys & tenders onboard, a petrol station is also tucked away in the corner, stocking 6,000 litres (1,600 gallons) of petrol as well as a shore power converter.
Through a watertight bulkhead, the engine room houses four 1,500hp Caterpillar engines in their signature yellow. The two inboard engines focus solely on propulsion, while the outboard ones, canted at an angle are for the rudders and just for steering. There are also three 99kW generator units giving a good supply of power for the domestic loads and power-hungry deck equipment such as the crane.
Moving forward, you'll find access to the fin stabilisers and a fuel polishing system plus sewage treatment and a water maker that produces 14 gallons of fresh water per minute. Self-sufficiency is the name of the game here. The fuel transfer station is another clever touch, allowing fuel to be moved across five tanks with a combined capacity of 196,000 litres (60,760 gallons).
On AXIS, they've converted a spare fuel tank into a walk-in freezer, chilled to -19 degrees; this yacht is equipped with all the kit.
Our Verdict
Support vessels are all the rage these days. AXIS was ahead of the curve when it launched in 2016 and it’s a fully loaded, ready-to-go support vessel that can take you on any adventure you’ve got in mind. There's a photo in the accommodation that perfectly encompasses what this boat is about. It shows AXIS rafted to the mothership and the owner's sportfisher with the Icon A5 plane flying overhead. With commercial levels of engineering built in and the incredibly flexible deck spaces the possibilities are endless with a boat like this.
Reasons to Buy
- Massive aft deck with a helipad
- Outstanding range
- Commercial bridge design
- Robust construction
Things to Consider
- Utilitarian rather than luxurious
- No owner's suite
- Deep draft
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Specifications
- Builder Damen Yachting
- Range Yacht Support
- Model YS 5009
- Length Overall 55.5m
- Beam 9.25m
- Draft(full load) 3.2m
- Hull Steel
- Cabins 3
- Berths 8
- Crew 6
- Yacht Type (Primary) Support Vessel
- Use Type (Primary) Oceangoing
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 196,000 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 30,000 Litres
- Engine Model 4x Caterpillar 3512C C02
- Engine HP 1521
- Engine economic speed 10 knots
- Engine max range (speed type) 5000 (nm)
Damen YS 5009 Layout
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Flybridge
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![Flybridge Damen YS 5009]()
The aft deck can play host to multiple vessels/toys or be cleared to become an epic party platform
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Main Deck
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![Main Deck Damen YS 5009]()
The guest accommodation is arranged forward on the main deck
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Lower Deck
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![Lower Deck Damen YS 5009]()
The generous crew accommodation is arranged forward on the lower deck
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