Where the Sky Meets the Sea The top decks of vessels were traditionally not very clean spaces due to the smoke/soot from the stacks and were therefore used as work areas, for storage of lifeboats etc. Modern exhausts are now fitted with excellent filtering systems and often exit on the hull side reducing noise and contamination. This trend has consequently allowed the top deck to become an ideal place for guests to enjoy the sun and have a Spa in a secluded ambiance away from the noise and passing traffic on the quays. There are many constructive solutions to Spa systems depending on the space available and the usage of the decks. Every one of the 15 Spa projects completed by Astilleros de Mallorca, have been different in one way or another. As a rule there are three basic design possibilities: A Spa situated in the bow, the midship area or at the stern. The bow option was chosen for Blue Attraction, Libertad, Mary Jean, Jamaica Bay and Lady Georgina. The centre or mast option was considered best for Ontario, and the stern option was chosen for Passion and Sarha, taking advantage of the removal of boats and helicopters giving a structurally solid base with which to create a very useable area.
To design the installation of a Spa there are several areas to be considered as the stability of the vessel could be seriously affected. From the structural point of view it is important to know the ideal re-enforcement needed under the superstructure as the weight of a full Jacuzzi is quite considerable. Often using an existing boat deck where the structure has already been modified to take the weight is a good option. A Spa also needs to adapt to its level automatically when several guests simultaneously enter it and return to its original level once these guests exit. This set up, with the pre-heated compensation tanks etc., needs to be fitted and dealt with by experienced personnel to assure a quality product, worthy of a superyacht. |  | m/v Sarha, heli-deck converted to an ample sun deck |
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Spa option as fitted on Mary-Jean. Onboard this yacht the original deck area above the wheel house was used for different satellite communications domes, TV and other antennas. All these antennas where removed to a new mast, and an alloy structure was made to incorporate the Jacuzzi together with two lateral cushioned solarium areas. A new stainless steel railing was installed with perspex windbreakers. All conforming to MCA height regulations. |  | Bow sun pad and Spa, on top of the wheelhouse of Mary-Jean. | | | |
|  | The new aft sun deck on Passion | | Stern option as fitted to M/Y Passion and M/V Sarha.
The top deck of this yacht was dedicated to tender storage and included a two ton lifting crane. The changes in design were spectacular,after the decision was taken to drop the tenders to the lower deck thus eliminating the crane and substituting it for an overhead sliding davit. This left the top deck free for the construction of a Spa for six people, surrounded with an ample sunbathing area. | | |
| An essential complement to the deck solarium installation is an awning that is not always an easy design. Its structures must be sufficiently strong to resist adverse weather conditions, especially when the vessel is underway, without the need to keep taking it down, except perhaps for major ocean passages. An old helicopter deck that was no longer used was converted into an ample sun deck area in which a Spa was installed in the centre with some alloy seating and bar furniture. Over this area a complete awning was made to protect the area, side to side. | | Aft Sundeck on M/V Sarha |
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Refit & Repair 
