Boat Shipping Cradle Partners

To better serve you for boat shipping cradle service, we form alliances with Logistics Companies, Freight Forwarders, Marinas, Boatyards, Worldwide Ports and Ship lines, Yacht De-Recommissioning Contractors, Structural Engineers, partnering with many other specialized trades people internationally, as well as proudly supporting local supply and services in and around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 

Helman-Bell Cradle is committed to providing you with the best in cradle design and service.  We coordinate with the "sometimes" many contacts involved in shipping your boat overseas. 

From the Yacht Broker, Seller, or Buyer to the Marina where your boat will be loaded; then on to the Port where your boat will be delivered, we maintain communication all the way through the process to ensure your cradle is ready and waiting for your boat.  The receiving Ship Line requires and expects your boat to have a cradle either waiting at the port or to arrive with your boat at the time of loading.  They will not accept receipt of a boat that is not supplied with a cradle or already on a trailer. 

We approach every project with a focus and understand schedule time constraints.  We'll work with you every step of the way from design to completion and delivery.

Jeff Helman

Jeff specializes in oversize boat and yacht shipping with a heavy background in structural code compliance and project management.  In 2005, he received the JD Powers Award for Senior Builder, Quality Assurance.  Jeff will work with you hand-in-hand to achieve the most efficient cradle design, to meet port required specifications, and oversee the construction of your cradle to completion and delivery to the port.

Jim Helman

Jim oversees all operations at Helman-Bell Cradle including design, material supply, and construction of all our boat cradles in addition to being the owner of H&M Builders.  Jim has 20 years experience building to customer specifications for remodeling, building and design.  He brings an enormous amount of talent and attention to detail to each Helman-Bell Cradle design.

Jim served four years in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Mount Whitney.  He also served in a field hospital in Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, from 1990-1991.  His tour included receiving an Overseas Combat Ribbon and a Kuwaiti Liberation Medal.  Having served his country, Jim possesses that Navy “CAN DO ATTITUDE,” in everything he does.

Jim then went on to earn his Bachelors Degree in Art at Millersville University.  He was a public school teacher for 10 years and is very experienced at meeting deadlines and creating large-scale projects from start to finish. From college Jim has seen that lifelong learning and commitment to completion are two of the three successful meanings to life.  The third definition to Jim’s success to life is, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”

Gigi Bell

Gigi has been serving the international shipping community for over 20 years.  Starting out her career on the east coast at age 19 in NYC, working at the WTC with Maersk Line to supporting the west coast and Pacific Rim at Overseas Orient Container Line in Southern California.  Gigi has been dedicated to boat and yacht transport shipping, helping clients send and receive their boats and yachts via land and sea since year 2000. She is versed in many boat makes and models with excellent resources for assisting you with your cradle needs.  Gigi also owns and operates Able Boat Transport.