Motor yacht Flying Manta in Bangor
Photo: Robert MorrowBuilt by the Australian shipyard NQEA Yachts in 2004, motor yacht Flying Manta is a 42-metre semi-displacement vessel featuring naval architecture by Glanvilles Naval Architects, whilst Furniture Manufacturers of Australia (FMCA) and Liz Forsyth are responsible for her interiors. Having started life out as the 36.6-metre Ophelia, the yacht received an extension at her stern section for a larger cockpit area designed for deep-sea fishing. She is also one of the smallest yachts in the world with full helicopter landing capabilities and features a special sundeck aft section that folds upwards during landing and takeoff operations for maximum safety. Here she is captured recently off Bangor in Northern Ireland.