SUPERYACHT PROTECTION
Superyacht protection – Bullet resistant and blast proof armour solutions
Our armour can merge seamlessly with your yacht interior. It is hidden behind the façade and interior fit-out. We can design and manufacture bespoke protection for numerous areas: Master suite and crew areas, armoured doors, safe rooms / citadels, internal wall protection and tender protection.
Over the past few years we at ASL GRP have seen a rise in requirements for superyacht armouring. Choosing which armour system and selecting the areas to protect, are very customer specific. The protected area can be already established by the owner and rep, designer or fit-out company. It may vary from a single safe room, master suite, armouries, wheelhouse, crew area, key operational areas, or simply the area in which most time is spent in.
A key part of the evaluation and design process that ASL GRP offer, can be to help establish the key cruising areas, areas of operation of the vessel and then to assess which will likely be the most beneficial positions to armour and level of protection required.
Your yacht is no-doubt unique to you. Your style and your tastes. ASL GRP’s armour and protection systems are manufacturered bespoke to your vessel and requirements. There is no comprimise on the aesthetics of your interior.
Which areas to armour?
It is not practical to armour an entire vessel – particularly when we look at the scale of a superyacht. Therefore the more common route is to create an armoured space to where the owner and his family or guests can retreat in the event of an attack in order to remain secure until help arrives. This could be the entire master suite, a bathroom or a similar space.
The armouring of a superyacht structure only makes sense if any relevant glass windows also match the ballistic protection of the wall/door armour. Specialist glass is required for this, but here the weight penalties can be more severe.
Project Management
• Initial discussions to determine potential threat levels – ASL GRP’s technical team and ballistic consultants are able to advise.
• ASL GRP team survey the vessel to assertain material choice.
• The ASL GRP team take templates of required protected areas, any ballistic weakpoints in the design highlighted, and any potential installation difficulties.
• CAD drawings are created and if required, sent to customer for confirmation. A render of the finished project may also be supplied.
• Protection panels and parts are manufactured at ASL GRP’s production site.
• ASL GRP’s team of engineers install the finished armour products.
• Your internal fit out team are then able to finish the interior in accordance with the yachts’ style.
Ballistic Threat Levels
We can supply our protective materials in varying weights and thickness, dependent on the level of protection required.
Some of our materials lend themselves better to certain requirements. Following a brief survey of a vessel, our team can advise which materials are best suited to different areas of the vessel.
Our materials can accommodate ballistic protection levels from small-arms fire up to armour-piercing (AP) rounds. The most common protection levels for a marine application are BR4+ up to BR7. These include the AK-47 Kalashnikov and other automatic weapons commonly used by modern day pirates or terrorists.
The table opposite displays our range of armour protection options and the ammunition rounds against which they typically protect.
We understand the need for privacy and that your requirements will be unique to your vessel. Please call our Sales Director for an initial discussion: +44 (0)1983 400730 or email: sales@aslgrp.com
Frequently asked questions
Can bullet-proof protection be installed as part of a refit?
Absolutely. ASL GRP can work with shipbuilders to ensure our armour is encorporated at the correct stage. It is beneficial for the ASL GRP team to be involved in the refit at the earliest stage possible so allowances for ballistic walls or flooring do not hinder the interior team. If you are a designer looking to encorporate armour into your next yacht or tender project, ASL GRP can also manufacture 3D moulded protection to replace what would be original parts.
What does your armour protect against?
We use a range of materials for our armour. These materials are independently tested at certified venues in the UK, to specific threat levels including: BS. EN. 1063, N.I.J 0108.01 and STANAG 4569. This means we can protect against rounds from small hand guns, AK47 fire and our highest levels of armour can protect against sniper rounds. Our materials also protect against blast and fragmentation that can be caused by a blast. Please see our ballistic data tables and testing pages for more information.
What areas of a superyacht do you armour?
It is preferable to have the master suite and crew area protected. It is always a good idea to armour an area that can be locked-down and has access to emergency communications. We can work with the owner, captain, shipbuilder/designer to determine which areas of the vessel would be most benefit from being armoured.
Can my design/build team fit the armour themselves?
We install the armour – this way there are no ballistic weakpoints left, and all angles are covered.
Which areas of a tender can you protect?
As weight is such an important factor in armouring a tender, we would look at protecting the vital areas required to keep the vessel moving, so that personnel are able to escape in the event of an attack. Our 3D Moulded Armour or Legion Polyethylene is our best option for tenders, as we can replace original parts of the vessel. So, we would look to protect the engine compartment, console and the wheelhouse.
The Need For Physical Protection Onboard in 2024
“𝙊𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮-𝙨𝙞𝙭 𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙙, 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨, 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙙 85% 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙨.”
Forbes August 2024
