Damen Delivers Luxury Yacht Anchors
Marking a return to production for the high-end yacht industry, Damen Anchor & Chain Factory (AKF) has delivered two galvanized yacht anchors. AKF carried out the fabrication, Class approved testing, and galvanization of the anchors – each weighing 1080kg – within two weeks of receiving the order.
Damen AKF is well known for its large stock of anchors and chains for the commercial shipping industry, but its scope of activities go further than that. The company’s expertise also extends to the manufacture of custom-built towing and heavy lift components, which is supported by the much-respected ISO 3834 welding certification.
Furthermore, AKF personnel possesses the craftsmanship and knowledge from the times that the companyproduced anchors in-house. It is this wealth of experience that is now being drawn upon in response to the increasing demand from clients in the yacht industry for high-end quality anchors made in the Netherlands.
All in-house
“We decided to return to our roots and start producing yacht anchors here in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Production of yacht anchors is for a large part about the small details, and in-house production allows us to be on top of the whole process,” says Laurens van Gelder, Managing Director of AKF.
Production of these two yacht anchors began with delivery of the steel plating from metalworking company Kroon Metal Technology. “And then, within one week of ordering the material, the anchors were ready for Class inspection, weld checking, and proof load testing on our own test benches before delivery to the client,” Van Gelder adds.
“We have four Lloyds-approved test benches for this – where we can carry out proof and break loading from 5 to 2,000 tonnes.”
When fabricating a product for the yacht sector, the quality of the finished product goes well beyond mere functionality. “Looks are obviously very important, so these anchors have a high quality hot-dipped galvanized finish.”
“Over the years the Netherlands has earned an international reputation for high quality yacht building. This tradition is alive and well and we are proud to be part of it,” notes Van Gelder. “Schiedam is notonly the place to go for the best Dutch jenever and gin – it is also where to buy world-class high-end yacht anchors.”
