Engineering is not just a set of drawings. It is the art of making the impossible buildable.
Smooth Sailing.
— 02 / The Persona —
Mark Hiemstra / Founder & Lead Engineer
Founder
The Bridge Between Concept and Construction.
With over 10 years of specialisation in exterior yacht engineering, Mark Hiemstra has built his reputation not in the office, but on the shipyard floor. His philosophy is simple: engineering only has value when it can actually be built.
Before founding Praevus Solutions, Mark identified a recurring gap in the industry: the constructability gap. Technically correct drawings that could not survive contact with the reality of a working shipyard. Beautiful designs that ignored the physics of fabrication.
Praevus was founded with a single mandate: to close that gap. Every drawing, every calculation, every decision is tested against one fundamental question: can this actually be built, on time, on budget, and to standard?
— 03 / The Philosophy —
Our engineering thrives on
applied at every stage of the project
Precision
Every drawing is buildable. Every dimension is field-tested. We leave nothing to interpretation.
Innovation
We apply advanced composites, modern glazing systems, and integrated AV/IT where steel no longer suffices.
Execution
Our engineers are present on the shipyard floor. Not just behind a desk, but guiding delivery from concept to launch.
— 04 / The Technical DNA —
Core Competencies.
The technical domains where Praevus has built its reputation, and where constructability is non-negotiable.
MGN 681 (M) Compliance
Full compliance engineering for commercial yacht operations under the MCA's large yacht code. Safety, structure, and stability resolved from first principles.
Composite Superstructures
Advanced fibre-reinforced engineering for superstructure design. Weight reduction, structural integrity, and production feasibility in a single integrated package.
Glass & AV/IT Integration
Structural glazing systems and full AV/IT infrastructure coordinated within the engineering scope. Not bolted on as an afterthought.
Project Lead & Scope Control
Owner representation and lead engineering management. Keeping complex, multi-disciplinary projects aligned on budget, schedule, and technical standard.
— 05 / The Methodology —
The Engineering Process.
Three phases. One integrated discipline. Zero compromise on constructability.
Analysis
A_01Defining the Challenge
Every project begins with a rigorous technical audit. We identify structural constraints, regulatory requirements, and production realities before a single line is drawn.
Synthesis
B_02Multidisciplinary Engineering
Exterior design, structural engineering, glazing, composites, and AV/IT are developed as a single coordinated system, not as separate silos.
Realization
C_03On-Site Guidance & Delivery
Our engineers are present on the shipyard floor throughout production. We resolve issues in real-time, ensuring that what was designed is precisely what gets built.
Ready to go beyond paper?
Let’s discuss how our engineering expertise can bring your most complex yachting projects to life.