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Who Owns Which Superyacht? (A Complete Guide)

Have you ever wondered who owns the most luxurious, extravagant, and expensive superyachts? Or how much these lavish vessels are worth? In this complete guide, we’ll explore who owns these magnificent vessels, what amenities they hold, and the cost of these incredible yachts.

We’ll also take a look at some of the most expensive superyachts in the world and the notable people behind them.

Get ready to explore the world of superyachts and the people who own them!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The ownership of superyachts is generally private, so the exact answer to who owns which superyacht is not always publicly available.

However, there are some notable superyacht owners that are known.

For example, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, owns the Rising Sun, which is the 11th largest superyacht in the world.

Other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Overview of Superyachts

The term superyacht refers to a large, expensive recreational boat that is typically owned by the worlds wealthy elite.

These vessels are designed for luxury cruising and typically range in size from 24 meters to over 150 meters, with some even larger.

Superyachts usually feature extensive amenities and creature comforts, such as swimming pools, outdoor bars, movie theaters, helipads, and spas.

Superyachts can range in price from $30 million to an astonishingly high $400 million.

Like most luxury items, the ownership of a superyacht is a status symbol for those who can afford it.

The list of superyacht owners reads like a whos who of billionaires, with names like Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

While some superyacht owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extravagant amenities.

Some of the most famous superyachts feature swimming pools, private beaches, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and luxurious spas.

In conclusion, owning a superyacht is an exclusive status symbol for the world’s wealthy elite.

These vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million, and feature some of the most luxurious amenities imaginable.

Notable owners include the Emir of Qatar, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Who are the Owners of Superyachts?

From Hollywood celebrities to tech billionaires, superyacht owners come from all walks of life.

Many of the most well-known owners are billionaires, including Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Other notable owners include Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.

However, not all superyacht owners are wealthy.

Many are everyday people who have worked hard and saved up to purchase their dream vessel.

Other notable billionaire owners include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and former US President Donald Trump.

These luxurious vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million.

For many superyacht owners, their vessels serve as a status symbol of wealth and luxury.

Some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, while others have made headlines with their extensive amenities – from swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas.

Many of these yachts are designed to the owner’s exact specifications, ensuring that each one is totally unique and reflects the owner’s individual tastes and personality.

Owning a superyacht is an exclusive club, reserved for those with the means and the desire to experience the ultimate in luxury.

Whether they are billionaires or everyday people, superyacht owners are all united in their love of the sea and their appreciation for the finer things in life.

The Most Expensive Superyacht in the World

When it comes to superyachts, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, certainly knows how to make a statement.

His luxury vessel, the 463-foot Al Mirqab, holds the title of the world’s most expensive superyacht.

Built in 2008 by German shipbuilder Peters Werft, this impressive yacht is complete with 10 luxurious cabins, a conference room, cinema, and all the amenities one would expect from a vessel of this magnitude.

In addition, the Al Mirqab features a helipad, swimming pool, and even an outdoor Jacuzzi.

With a price tag of over $400 million, the Al Mirqab is one of the most expensive yachts in the world.

In addition to the Emir of Qatar, there are several other notable owners of superyachts.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos all own luxurious vessels.

Bezos yacht, the aptly named The Flying Fox, is one of the longest superyachts in the world at a staggering 414 feet in length.

The Flying Fox also comes with a host of amenities, such as a helipad, swimming pool, spa, and multiple outdoor entertaining areas.

Bezos also reportedly spent over $400 million on the vessel.

Other notable owners of superyachts include Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns the $200 million Kingdom 5KR, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who owns the $200 million Rising Sun.

There are also many lesser-known owners, such as hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, who owns the $150 million Aviva, and investor Sir Philip Green, who owns the $100 million Lionheart.

No matter who owns them, superyachts are sure to turn heads.

With their impressive size, luxurious amenities, and hefty price tags, these vessels have become a symbol of wealth and prestige.

Whether its the Emir of Qatar or a lesser-known owner, the worlds superyacht owners are sure to make a statement.

Notable Superyacht Owners

When it comes to the wealthiest and most luxurious owners of superyachts, the list reads like a whos who of the worlds billionaires.

At the top of the list is the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who holds the distinction of owning the most expensive superyacht in the world.

Aside from the Emir, other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

All of these owners have made headlines with their extravagant vessels, which are typically priced between $30 million and $400 million.

The amenities that come with these vessels vary greatly from owner to owner, but they almost always include luxurious swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and spas.

Some owners opt for more extravagant features, such as submarines, personal submarines, and even their own personal submarines! Other owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, but for those who prefer a more showy approach, they can certainly make a statement with a superyacht.

No matter who owns the vessel, it’s no surprise that these superyachts are a status symbol among the world’s wealthiest.

Whether you’re trying to impress your peers or just looking to enjoy a luxurious outing, owning a superyacht is the ultimate way to show off your wealth.

What Amenities are Included on Superyachts?

Owning a superyacht is a sign of wealth and prestige, and many of the worlds most prominent billionaires have their own vessels.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The cost of a superyacht can range from $30 million to over $400 million, but the price tag doesnt quite capture the sheer extravagance and amenities of these vessels.

Superyachts come with all the comforts of home, and then some.

Many owners will equip their vessels with swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, spas, and other luxury amenities.

The interior of a superyacht can be custom-designed to the owners specifications.

Some owners opt for modern, sleek designs, while others prefer a more traditional look.

Many of the most luxurious yachts feature marble floors, walk-in closets, and custom-made furniture.

Some vessels even come with a full-service gym, complete with exercise equipment and trained professionals.

Other amenities may include a library, casino, media room, and private bar.

When it comes to outdoor amenities, superyachts have some of the most impressive features in the world.

Many yachts come with outdoor entertainment areas, complete with full kitchens, dining rooms, and lounge areas.

Some owners even opt for hot tubs or jacuzzis for relaxing afternoons in the sun.

And, of course, there are the jet skis, water slides, and other exciting water activities that come with many of these vessels.

No matter what amenities a superyacht has, it is sure to be an experience like no other.

From the sleek interiors to the luxurious outdoor features, these vessels provide a unique, luxurious experience that is unrivaled on land.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or an exciting adventure, a superyacht is sure to provide.

How Much Do Superyachts Cost?

When it comes to superyachts, the sky is the limit when it comes to cost.

These luxury vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from anywhere between $30 million to over $400 million.

So, if youre in the market for a superyacht, youre looking at an investment that could easily break the bank.

The cost of a superyacht is driven by a variety of factors, including size, amenities, and customization.

Generally, the larger the yacht, the more expensive it will be.

Superyachts typically range in size from 100 feet to over 200 feet, and they can be as wide as 40 feet.

The bigger the yacht, the more luxurious features and amenities it will have.

Amenities also play a significant role in the cost of a superyacht.

While some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extensive amenities.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing a superyacht.

The more amenities a superyacht has, the more expensive it will be.

Finally, customization is another major factor that will drive up the cost of a superyacht.

Many luxury vessels have custom-designed interiors that are tailored to the owners tastes.

From custom furniture and artwork to lighting and audio systems, the cost of a superyacht can quickly escalate depending on the level of customization.

In short, the cost of a superyacht can vary widely depending on its size, amenities, and customization.

While some may be able to get away with spending a few million dollars, others may end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their dream yacht.

No matter what your budget is, its important to do your research and find out exactly what youre getting for your money before signing on the dotted line.

Keeping Superyachts Out of the Public Eye

When it comes to owning a superyacht, some owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

Understandably, these individuals are concerned with privacy and discretion, and therefore tend to take measures to ensure their yachts are not visible to outsiders.

For instance, some superyacht owners opt to keep their vessels in private marinas, away from the public areas of larger ports.

Additionally, some yacht owners may choose to hire security guards to patrol and protect their vessels while they are moored or sailing.

In addition to physical security, some superyacht owners also use technology to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

For example, a yacht owner may choose to install a satellite-based communications system that allows them to keep their vessel completely off-radar.

This system works by bouncing signals off satellites rather than transmitting them, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track the yachts movements.

Finally, some superyacht owners also choose to limit the number of people who have access to their vessels.

For instance, the owner may only allow family members and close friends to board the yacht.

Additionally, the owner may choose to employ a limited number of staff to help maintain the vessel and keep it running smoothly.

These individuals may be required to sign non-disclosure agreements to ensure they do not disclose any information about the yacht or its owner.

Overall, while some superyacht owners may choose to keep their vessels out of the public eye, there are still plenty of other ways to show off the opulence associated with owning a superyacht.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, there are many luxurious amenities that can make a superyacht the envy of any jet setter.

Final Thoughts

Superyachts are a symbol of luxury and status, and the list of yacht owners reads like a who’s who of billionaires.

From the Emir of Qatar’s world-record breaking $400 million yacht to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s vessel with a helicopter pad and on-board spa, the amenities of these luxury vessels are truly stunning.

With prices ranging from $30 million to over $400 million, owning a superyacht is an expensive endeavor.

Whether you’re looking to purchase one or just curious to learn more about the owners and their amenities, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to stay up to date with the superyacht scene.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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Russian Oligarch’s 'Black Pearl' at the Center of Huge Legal Dispute Over His Fortune

By: Scott Way

Pirates weren't the type to write a will, but the one written by a Russian billionaire who owned the Black Pearl is now the focus of an epic estate battle. It seems there is no hiding on the seven seas.

The 350-foot long $200 million Black Pearl sailing yacht was commissioned by Russian oligarch Oleg Burlakov, who passed away in June at age 72. Burlakov was a self-made industrial tycoon with the nickname "The Cement King" who had business dealings across the chemical, aerospace, and energy industries. He was also a patriot and served in the Russian Air Force, then under the USSR moniker, through the 70's and 80's with a distinguished record. Upon leaving the military he invested heavily in the oil industry and eventually took control of one of Russia's biggest national companies, Novoroscement. He also later took the helm of oil exploration company Burneftgaz. When he sold Novoroscement in 2007 for $1.5 billion and Burneftegaz in 2014 for $1 billion, his fortune became massive. Oleg and his wife Lyudmila moved to Canada in 1995, and he was laid to rest in July 2021 in North York, a borough of Toronto. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, and two daughters Elena and Veronica.

Aside from his wealth and economic pursuits, Burlakov was also considered an eco-sailing pioneer for his work developing the Black Pearl , which he commissioned in 2010. The unique sailing yacht is widely considered an engineering feat due to both its size and self-sustaining construction. The ship carries three carbon fiber masts with over 31,000 sq ft of sail area, and has a maximum speed of 30 knots (35 mph) under wind power. The sails themselves absorb solar power to run the ship's electronic systems. The ship's builder, Oceanco , claims the Black Pearl can cross the Atlantic unsupported without burning any fossil fuel (although it does have diesel engines as backups).

But despite his wealth and influence Burlakov's death has triggered one of the biggest estate battles in human history. His first will, allegedly written in 2004, gave his entire fortune to his wife and daughters. However, three years ago Burlakov was accused of infidelity and he and his wife Lyudmila were in the midst of divorce proceedings at the time of his death. Now, a mysterious second will has emerged that favours Burlakov's sister and brother-in-law. The second will is apparently a two-page handwritten document written in a notebook that was discovered after Burlakov's death.

The assets in dispute include more than just the Black Pearl . There is also a $100 million mansion in Monaco, a private jet, and an estimated $4 billion in cash. The legal battle is taking place in court in Monaco, Italy, but focuses on a series of meetings between Burlakov and his wife and daughters in London in 2018. There, the family claims, Burlakov began a fraudulent scheme to hide his wealth and put it in the hands of his brother-in-law Nikolai Kazakov. According to Lyudmila and the daughters, Oleg claimed an agreement had always been in place with Kazakov for the bulk of his wealth. The meetings in 2018 didn't come to a resolution, and now with the appearance of a handwritten second will that favours Kazakov, the legal battle is just starting to set sail.

As for the Black Pearl , she is the second largest sailing yacht in the world behind fellow Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko's 469-foot Sailing Yacht A (although they were both set to get bumped down by Jeff Bezos' rumored 500-footer ). She was built by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, who also built Sailing Yacht A and are rumoured to be building the Bezos yacht. The ship is equipped with a unique propulsion system that harnesses solar energy generated while under sail, meaning it rarely needs to use its diesel engines to power its internal systems or provide propulsion. Each of her three carbon fiber masts is a staggering 229 feet high, and her custom-built DynaRig sails can be set in just seven minutes. Below deck there is room for 12 guests, a spa swimming pool, a hot tub, a cinema, and a beach club.

As for the legal proceedings, things are just heating up as Oleg's mistress Sofia Shevtsova has now entered the fray. The 27 year old Russian woman is threating to have Burlakov exhumed for a DNA sample to prove he fathered her child. If that proves true, Shevtsova will also be entering the legal battle for a share of the fortune.

You can get a great inside look at the story of the Black Pearl in the video below:

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10 Superyachts Owned By The British Elite In 2017

Though many of us associate Superyachts with Russian and Middle Eastern owners, it is actually a reported fact that Britain own the second largest share of the world’s Superyachts… We’ve put together a list of just some of the Superyachts owned by Britians elite, along with their owners.

1. The Hinduja family and Param Jamuna IV

Prakash Hinduja is one of the richest people in the world. Together with his brothers, he owns the Hinduja Group and has a net worth of $16.2 billion! Th e Hinduja family business gained it’s elite status through banking, telecom, energy, media and technologies. Param Jamuna IV is the name of one of their rumoured Superyachts. She’s a 48.31m motor yacht and was custom built in 2013 by Rossinavi in Viareggio, Italy. Her beautiful interior and exterior design were forefronted by Team 4 Design.

2. Kirsty & Ernesto Bertarelliand Vava II

These two are probably the UK’s power couple in when it comes to Superyachts owned by Britians elite. They have a net worth of $16.9 billion. Former Miss UK and songwriter Kirsty Bertarelli and Biotech tycoon turned Capital giant Ernesto Bertarelli are the proud owners of the 97m Superyacht Vava II.  It’s rumored to cost £250,000 to just fill the tanks of this beast!

3. Philip Green and Lionheart

Now, Sir Philip Green is the owner of the £100 million, 90m Benetti Superyacht named ‘Lionheart’. Despite his other yachts being available for charter, Lionhart remains off of the market.

4. Leonard Blavatnik and Odessa II

Despite his Russian/American origin, Blatnavik now resides in London. And with an estimated net worth of $18.5 billion, he is one of the city’s wealthiest elite residents. He is also an active philanthropist through his Blavatnik Family Foundation. Leonard Baltnavik is the owner of the Nobiskrug 37.8m Odessa II.

5. James “Jim” Ratcliffe and Hampshire II

Ratcliffe has made his living in the chemical industry and now boasts a net worth of $5.5 billion. Not only does he own the 78.5m Hampshire II, he also previously owned a 56m Feadship motor yacht, by the same name.

6. Joe Lewis and Aviva

Joe has a tidy net worth of $5.3 billion and runs the Tavistock group. The group have their fingers in many pies, including UK football club, Tottenham Hotspur. Joe Lewis is a man after our own heart who chooses to reside in Lyford Cay, Bahamas. He is  the owner of  the Abeking & Rasmussen, 98m Superyacht Aviva.

7. Richard Branson and Necker Belle

You may well have heard of Necker Island, and you will certainly have heard of Britain’s 9th richest man, Richard Branson. But have you heard of his Superyacht, Necker Belle? Necker Belle is one of the few elite luxury sailing catamarans in the world and has been dubbed as the “floating version” of Necker Island.

8. James Dyson and Nahlin

We all know how James Dyson made his fortune. But, just in case you don’t, let us tell you that if you’ve ever used a Dyson vacuum, you have a lot to thank him for! His 91m Superyacht Nahlin is a real thing of class. This is one of the largest classic yachts in the world.

9. The Barclay Brothers and Lady Beatrice

Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay are twin brothers who are most famous for owning the Telegraph Media Group. They also own stakes in the London Ritz hotel, and the beautiful 60m custom motor yacht, Superyacht Lady Beatrice – Which was named after their mother.

10. Charles Dunstone and Shemara

Last, but most certainly not least, we have Sir Charles Dunston and his Superyacht Shemara. The businessman is worth $2.1 billion, and his yacht has a kind of legendary history. It was rescued from turning into a rotting mess by Dunstone about five years ago and brought back to its former glory. Talking about its glory days, this yacht was notorious for holding some of the most scandalous political parties of the early 20th century.

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£3bn fortune and Black Pearl superyacht at heart of oligarch’s bitter battle over will

An oligarch’s £150 million superyacht named the Black Pearl and his £3 billion fortune are at the centre of a bitter international feud which has torn his family apart.

When Oleg Bourlakov died from Covid in June, the 72-year-old left behind an unfinished divorce battle with his wife Loudmila and a raging battle over brother-in-law and business partner Nikolai Kazakov’s stake in his fortune.

The billionaire , who made his money through energy and cement in Russia , was married to Mrs Bourlakova for 47 years but their marriage collapsed three years before his death when she learned he had a mistress in her twenties who claimed to have had his child.

Mrs Bourlakova, 70, with her daughters Elena and Veronica, claims she fell victim to “fraud on an epic scale” when her husband — facing a costly divorce — allegedly planned to hide his assets and hand vast sums over to Mr Kazakov.

Since his death, the family are now locked in another dispute over the ultimate fate of his fortune, including the 107-metre Black Pearl and a £75 million home in Monaco.

Mr Bourlakov, a former Air Force officer who survived an assassination bid in 2018 when shots were fired at his car, had a showdown meeting with his wife in London in April 2018 when he allegedly first suggested Mr Kazakov had a stake in his £3 billion fortune and the divorce pot would have to be halved.

Helen Davies QC, for Mrs Bourlakova, said the businessman later claimed he had “debts in the hundreds of millions of dollars which further reduced the value of the Bourlakov family’s assets,” the High Court heard. “These statements were lies, which Mr Bourlakov confected in order to obtain Mrs Bourlakova’s assets and retain the vast majority of the family’s assets.”

The legal fight over his estate is now accompanied by a row over his dying wishes. Mr Bourlakov’s 2004 will left everything to his wife, but a second handwritten will from 2019 — on two pages of a notebook and leaving his fortune to the Kazakovs — has been found.

Mrs Bourlakov and her daughters claim the document is “a forgery and/or invalid” and are challenging it in court proceedings in Monaco.

At the High Court, Mr Kazakov and his wife dispute allegations of fraud, and say Mrs Bourlakov used underhand tactics to get her hands on disputed assets from the marriage.

The legal dispute began in Monaco in December 2018 when Mrs Bourlakova filed for divorce and division of the family assets, and she later brought an £8.6 million compensation against the Kazakovs in the UK courts. The Kazakovs argue the feud should be decided in its entirety in Monaco, the “centre of gravity” for the dispute.

Mr Justice Trower is due to rule at a later date whether Mrs Bourlakova’s High Court claim against the Kazakovs and five linked companies can go ahead in London.

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By SuperyachtNews 22 Dec 2020

Black Pearl: paving the way to a sustainable future

Captain of 107m black pearl, chris gartner, reveals the yacht’s impact on the superyacht market since its delivery….

Delivered in 2018, the 107m  Oceanco Black Pearl has been lauded as a trailblazing vessel, featuring forward-thinking technological systems with a focus on sustainability. In a conversation with SuperyachtNews.com , Captain Chris Gartner discusses this unique project’s impact on the market, which he prefers to refer to as an ‘auxiliary-powered sailing ship’ because of the stigma attached to sailing yachts in the superyacht industry.

While it may be true that such a stigma exists – deriving perhaps from a lack of interesting sailing yacht projects and a slowdown in new build orders – it would be difficult to reconcile Black Pearl with the same sector. In addition to the vessel’s sheer size, its array of innovative features and systems, which are already proving to be invaluable to on-board operations, set it apart from any other vessel on the water today. As well as power regeneration, cutting-edge power management, efficient hull insulation and waste-heat recovery, Black Pearl ’s most notable feature is perhaps its three 70m DynaRig carbon masts.

Inspired by the Maltese Falcon , Black Pearl ’s DynaRig concept was created in consultation with the Falcon ’s original design team, but as an evolution rather than a replica. “We are version 10-plus of the DynaRig,” explains Captain Gartner. “ Black Pearl ’s rig is on another level due to the fact that it has been built with modifications that allow the mast to turn more efficiently, quickly and quietly, and because the systems have been sped up, the boat is much more manoeuvrable. We are also able to hinge down the top three metres of each rig to reduce our air draft, which allows to go under obstacles such as bridges.”

The yacht’s hybrid propulsion system and regeneration mode when under sail allows a significant reduction to its overall carbon footprint. “One of the coolest things about the boat is we can drag the controlled-pitch propellers through the water while sailing, which in turn generates power that goes into our battery storage system on board,” adds Captain Gartner. “We can then cover the house loads through wind power, thus allowing us to shut down all of our diesel-powered generators and engines and run fossil free.”

“One of the coolest things about the boat is we can drag the controlled-pitch propellers through the water while sailing, which in turn generates power that goes into our battery storage system on board...”

Because of the fuel savings that the regeneration system provides, as well as the DyanRig’s ease of use, the Black Pearl has done a lot of sailing since delivery – Captain Gartner estimates around 80 per cent of the time. In fact, on their last trip from Gibraltar to Amsterdam, the yacht sailed 100 per cent of the way from Cadiz to Amsterdam and we were able to regenerate when the conditions allowed.

Most of the technology on board Black Pearl stems from the owner’s commitment to green technology and moving the yachting industry forward. While no new technologies were developed, existing technologies have been taken from different industries and adapted to yachting, and this of course comes with certain challenges. “Anytime you have a brand-new system, you also have trial and error,” says Captain Gartner. “So, we have been working on the systems to try and perfect them and it just gets better and better. Between the DynaRig, propulsion and energy storage systems, it’s really mind blowing and everything is working so well that I know it is going to be the way forward for the industry.” 

Since Black Pearl ’s delivery, Captain Gartner has perceived the market’s reaction to be one of mostly curiosity and captivation. “She really has delivered a statement to the world,” he reflects. “Due to her size, hull shape, rig, efficiency, power regeneration and all the other features that reduce our carbon footprint, the whole industry has been taken aback.” 

While Captain Gartner hopes that Black Pearl will inspire other owners to embrace sustainability and focus on the importance of efficiency in the future, he believes that the yacht’s influence is already evident in the industry. “People are seeing an example of a very large yacht being used in a very efficient way and that wind power can be a good and additional solution to reducing carbon footprint, along with all the other systems we have developed,” he concludes. “It is possible to make these boats efficient and we are leading the way in showing the industry how to do this. I am very excited to see other boats following suit.”

Image courtesy of Black Pearl.

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Late billionaire oligarch’s magnificent $200 million sailing yacht, which was the inspiration for Jeff Bezos’ Koru yacht, is embroiled in an ugly family feud. The 350-foot-long ‘Black Pearl’ has a 4,000-bottle wine cellar, a Napoleon Bonaparte piano, and a cinema sky lounge.

Note from the editor – The story was edited on the 1st of November at 7.20 am (EST) as per the current information we received from the lawyers of the Bourlakov family.

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Snapchat’s CEO Evan Spiegel is the youngest person in history to commission a $200 million superyacht. While in his early twenties, the billionaire ordered the 347-foot-long vessel that has three swimming pools and a spa, making it just perfect to cruise with his supermodel wife.

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55m superyacht IRIS BLUE is delivered to her owners – the first deliver of 2024 for Heesen

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Written by Rachel Kelly

Fresh from her successful sea trials in the North Sea, 55m (180’5”) luxury yacht IRIS BLUE  from Heesen has now been delivered to her new owners. Her exterior was designed by Omega Architects with interiors by Luca Dini Design & Architecture .

Superyacht Iris Blue – Ruben Griffioen

The trials lasted for three days, and she met all the required specifications in challenging conditions with waves of up to 1.7m and winds gusting up to 28 knots. She proved highly responsive, instilling great confidence in her manoeuvrability and robustness.

Luxury deck features on board IRIS BLUE

Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, the designer of the original series, carried out the restyle for this hull and had this to say. “As much as we love our original design with the vertical windows, we felt it was time to make an evolutionary step,” says Frank. “We opted for a larger expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass, without mullions in the main saloon. Then, we took the opportunity to give a slightly more aggressive look to the profile by using continuous sheets of tinted glass. The horizontal lines stretch the optical length and balance the air draft. The result is beautiful: we retained the family look and feel but gave it an elegant touch.”

Motor yacht IRIS BLUE

The updated layout now offers a 78sqm owner’s stateroom with private terrace on the starboard side, a larger sundeck with a bar and spa plus a wide central atrium with main staircase and crew companionway.

Niels Vaessen, Heesen CEO, comments: “We have worked with Omega and Luca Dini on creating a yacht that meets the refined tastes of clients who appreciate Dutch quality with a shortened delivery time. IRIS BLUE is a wonderful addition to our fleet, and we wish the Owners and her crew many days of happy sailing”.

We echo the sentiment and wish her owner’s well on their travels.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "55m superyacht IRIS BLUE is delivered to her owners – the first deliver of 2024 for Heesen".

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Who owns the superyacht docked outside the 2024 Venice Biennale?

The sea pearl has been a looming presence along the water during this week's preview.

The Sea Pearl docked near the entrance of the Venice Biennale © The Art Newspaper

Visitors walking along the water to the 60th Venice Biennale pavilions from St Mark's Square during this week’s preview have undoubtedly noticed the massive yacht docked near the entrance to the Giardini. The ship, called the Sea Pearl, is reportedly owned by Indian-born Indonesian billionaire Sri Prakash Lohia.

Lohia is the billionaire chairman and founder of Indorama Corporation, and made his fortune in petrochemicals and textiles. He has a large collection of lithographs and rare books. His daughter-in-law, Aarti Lohia, leads the SP Lohia Foundation and is a significant collector of contemporary South Asian art . Aarti Lohia is serving as this year’s British Council ambassador for the Venice Biennale, with John Akomfrah’s British pavilion. On 16 April, Aarti Lohia threw a reception onboard the Sea Pearl to support fundraising efforts, the British Council confirmed. The SP Lohia Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ship is more than 82 metres long, according to its maker Abeking & Rasmussen , and photos and videos show multiple decks and an onboard pool. The yacht can reportedly accommodate around a dozen overnight guests in seven cabins and features include a gym and cinema.

During the 2011 edition of the Venice Biennale, mega collector Roman Abramovich docked his 115-metre boat Luna near the Giardini, a move that agitated locals and spurred the then-mayor to threaten a new “oligarch tax” on oversized yachts. For the following edition in 2013, the British pavilion artist Jeremy Deller referenced the incident with a mural of the British social reformer William Morris chucking the superyacht into the Venetian lagoon. The Sea Pearl was joined by another superyacht on 18 April.

This year’s British pavilion by Akomfrah deals with, among other topics, the environment and climate change. A 2021 report by Indiana University researchers found luxury yachts with features like helipads and submarines can burn thousands of tons of CO2 a year, and the team described the ships as “by far the worst asset to own from an environmental standpoint”. Venice, built on more than 100 small islands, is uniquely vulnerable to rising tides and other effects of climate change.

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The Renowned Yacht Pearl

She won many races for the marquis of anglesey, written by john collins.

The yacht Pearl , which was built at Colchester Hythe in 1820 for Henry William Paget, the Marquis of Anglesey, who as the Earl of Uxbridge had a leg shot off as the commander of the British cavalry at Waterloo.

Presumably finding peacetime life boring after a very active Army career, he decided to take up yacht racing.  With the seas now free of enemy privateers and press gangs, this was becoming a fashionable rich man’s pastime.  Not a man who liked losing, and having plenty of money, the Marquis of Anglesey wanted the very best, fastest yacht that had ever been built. He soon learned that the man to build such a yacht was the Colneside shipbuilder Philip John Sainty, and was determined to get him.  Sainty was a builder of fast boats: fruit schooners and fishing smacks that needed to get their perishable cargoes to market in peak condition, and fast Revenue cutters able to chase and catch the smugglers who were depriving the Government of much-needed customs revenue.  As a sideline he also built fast boats for the smugglers that that clientele hoped would be able to evade those vessels of his more official customers.

At the time when Henry Paget decided to buy his new yacht, Sainty was in Chelmsford gaol, for smuggling.  Paget was determined to get him out to build his super-yacht.  The wily Philip Sainty said that he could build the boat, but would need the help of his brother and a cousin, who knew his trade secrets, but were unhappily also in prison for smuggling.  The Marquis got all three of them out of prison, possibly with a bit of influence, but more probably by paying some hefty fines.

The yacht, named Pearl , was completed in June 1820, and seems to have been all that her proud owner hoped she would be.  She won races and set the standard for racing yachts for decades.  She measured 113 ton by the old method of measurement, and was 68 feet in length.  Her owner moved her from London to Southampton, then the centre of the yachting world, and never did sell her.  He died at the end of 1854, and the Pearl was not sold until 1856.

In 1873 the Pearl was later sold to Benjamin Nicholson (yacht builder) of Gosport, registered Portsmouth, and altered from a cutter to a yawl.   Nicholson was a founding partner in the famous yacht building firm of Camper & Nicholson of Gosport.  Later in 1873 she was resold to George Bishop of Twickenham.  This owner died in 1883, and executor, James Bishop of Newbury, sold her in 1884 to Warrington Baden-Powell of London, Portsmouth.

Her end finally came in 1902 when the Register was closed  with the explanation, “Broken up.”

Comments about this page

It would appear my 3rd Great grandfather was Master of this boat for the Marquise

“0ld man” Philip John Sainty is my grt grt grt grandfather. He and (his last wife out of 3) Elizabeth Sainty nee Pullen – had my Grt Grt Grandmother Rosina Sainty ( she married Joseph Wade of E. Donyland ) I would love to see any portraits of Philip Sainty the elder ? K. Q./ Millett / Hempstead /Wade / Sainty .

Hello Kathleen Lovely to get this email from you. Philip Sainty is obviously one of our great characters in Wivenhoe’s history. I am very sorry that I am not aware of any portraits of him. Peter Hill

Last year we visited the Marquis’s house Plas Nwydd (National Trust) on the Menai Straits. There are two paintings of the Pearl in the Marquis’s bedroom.

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The super-fast 77m superyacht Silver Fast

SilverYachts ’ distinctive range of fast, slender superyachts reaches further levels of refinement with the arrow-like 77 metre, Silver Fast .

Silver Fast 's origins

It seems to be an unwritten rule in superyachting that bigger is better as yachts get taller and fatter, packed to the gunwales and beyond with vast acres of deck and floor space at every level. Well, rules, unwritten or otherwise, are there to be broken and Guido Krass, owner of SilverYachts, has a big enough hammer to do it.

A German industrialist, Krass is clearly no follower of convention. His philosophy from the start was to build slender, lightweight yachts that would travel very economically at high speeds through challenging conditions, requiring a higher length-to-beam ratio than is commonly accepted. The intention was to create craft with exceptional performance, tremendous range and very capable seakeeping.

Knowing what a hard sell that might be on paper, he took the unusual step of creating a shipyard and building the yacht first, before seeking a buyer. It gave him other advantages too, removing deadlines and freeing budget constraints. “We wanted to build something of outstanding quality,” he says.

Espen Øino was the naval architect charged with turning that dream into a reality. What he came up with was a semi-displacement shallow draught design that espoused the lightweight slender concept. “There is actually nothing revolutionary about the design,” Øino says. “Fifty years ago before the kind of ultra-high output (and consumption) diesels that we’re used to today, high length:beam ratio was the route to high speed. And an easily driven hull has many other benefits, chiefly great efficiency and excellent seakeeping.”

Silver Fast ’s build

As if a maverick approach to design and marketing wasn’t enough, the commissioning of such a craft was equally free thinking. European yards struggled with the concept so Krass looked to Australia, a country with huge experience in fast aluminium ferries and high speed commercial and military craft.

“They build boats that operate consistently and reliably in all weathers and at high speed – they have a huge amount of know-how in this field,” says Krass. What the Australians lack is experience of custom yacht building, so he brought in experienced shipwrights from Europe to ensure a standard of finish that matched his requirements.

The build process was kept simple – conventional shaftdrive, well-designed systems and large technical spaces. “Our philosophy throughout the whole project was KISS: keep it stupidly simple,” says Krass. “A lot of commercial expertise went into creating a craft designed with the operator and owner in mind, not simply the easiest way for the yard to put it together.”

It’s a brave and free-thinking approach and one that appears to be working for him: the yacht you see here is the fourth in a decade from the yard based in Henderson, near Perth, Western Australia.

SilverYachts’ narrow, fast design

The concept remains constant across the quartet: rather than padding out the beam and extending the height, Silver yachts are shapely low-profile darts. Subtle is not often a word associated with €80 million, 77 metre yachts but it applies here. Silver Fast , which is currently for sale , stands out among a sea of bright white superyachts by being low, narrow and very sleek.

There is more than a nod to executive jet aircraft design here, with a rounded raked fuselage-like superstructure. The all-aluminium construction is unsullied by stripes or other cosmetic adornments – there is a purity to the aesthetic that is rare in craft of this calibre. Although almost identical in profile to 2012 sistership Smeralda , the simple step of finishing the yacht in a single dark shade of metallic silver rather than the previous twin tone colours makes a massive difference, suggesting quiet confidence and allowing the design rather than the colour scheme to hold sway.

But it isn’t just the look that lends itself to aircraft comparisons; this yacht fulfils the lightweight brief too. The gross tonnage of under 1,000GT is half that of some yachts of comparable length. Partly, of course, that’s because the pared-back beam and height mean there is physically less yacht. But a large part of the weight saving is thanks to the aluminium honeycomb construction of much of the interior.

Silver Fast ’s layout

The layout, bar a couple of changes, is essentially the same as Smeralda . A sundeck tops the yacht with its horseshoe of sofa around two tables, complemented by a central bar area and a spa pool aft. Loose Paola Lenti furniture adds a little flexibility and colour, while a three-stack mast above sees all the navigation scanners, domes and antennae colour coded a uniform black.

The next deck down is given over wholly to the owner. The master cabin is vast and offers expansive views through the forward windows.

A quirky indoor sunpad, accessed up a few steps, sits forward of the berth, offering a very private place to read or watch the yacht entering or leaving port. To the rear of the deck is the owner’s lounge, with sliding doors opening onto a private terrace. A sweeping staircase links to the VIP guest accommodation on the main deck, comprised of three spacious doubles.

The well-lit saloon truncates in a cosy media lounge at the rear of this level, featuring well stocked shelves behind a deep comfortable sofa and flatscreen TV. You pass through this area on your way to the “winter garden”. Dividing the accommodation from the large aft cockpit, it’s so named because the floor-to-ceiling glass panels that surround it ensure a clement climate regardless of the cool night outside. It’s equally useful in the 40-degree heat of an Abu Dhabi afternoon. Two large circular tables infill to create a massive dining area for 20.

And in more temperate climes every glass panel retracts to finish up stacked and hidden from view.

A large tender garage fills the lower deck beneath the touch and go helicopter pad on the foredeck, with space for two 7.7 metre tenders (custom built by SilverYachts in matching metallic silver) to be launched via gullwing doors. Eight crew cabins are found on the lower deck, along with the rest of the guest accommodation: four large en suites. Two further crew cabins sit aft of this lower-deck guest space – perfect for nannies or security.

The beach club has benefited from the tenders being mounted forward, as well as the length stretch from 73 to 77 metres between hulls two and three. A steam room, sauna, massage area and hairdressing station surround space for exercise, complete with a recess in the floor to take a running machine. The sloping aft wall is actually the transom of the yacht – itself a mere button-press away from lifting to gain access to the “beach” – the large teak-laid swim platform complete with more Paola Lenti furniture.

The interior design of Silver Fast

While the layout is very close to that of Smeralda, the execution is quite different. Designed by the same company – Vain Interiors of Germany – the most obvious variation is in the finish. Where bulkheads of the former boat were high-gloss walnut, Silver Fast is finished in a more self-effacing open-grain teak. The rather formal full-length saloon sofas have been usurped by more intimate areas formed of four smaller sofas complemented by comfortable club chairs around a pair of low marble-topped tables, giving greater versatility. Greys and browns predominate, lending a gently masculine aura set off perfectly by white framed monochrome prints. Staircases are clad in stitched mid-grey leather matched by the handrails, and carpets are of grey silk.

It’s a timeless décor that feels cosy without being cloying, confident without ever being brash.

Sea trialing Silver Fast

But all this form is nothing without function and a 3am start (timed around customs clearance and to avoid disturbing crew leave) for an 80-mile run to Dubai represents an ideal test at sea. We slip out of Abu Dhabi and head north west into the darkness. The bridge is a haven of order and, above all, quietness. The engineering on this new hull has been tweaked to incorporate extended shaft-lines, a new propeller design and tuned engine mounts, which combine to give the sensation of being pulled along by an invisible thread from a ship just over the horizon. Only the tachometers in the headlining give any clue that the two MTU 16V 4000 engines are running at 1,400rpm for a log reading of 18 knots. Some 112,000 litres of diesel give us about 4,500 nautical miles at this speed. Despite the semi-displacement hull there is zero sensation of bow lift, as the slender entry slices effectively through the rolling swell. The reality matches the concept perfectly: the experience completely embodies Krass’s concept and Øino’s execution.

With a top end of nearly 30 knots this is a fast boat – fast flat-out, fast at cruise. The benefit is clear: a cruise of 18 knots gives a 50 per cent increase in range compared to conventional yachts that typically cruise long distance at 12.

“To put that in perspective, we gain 150 miles over a conventional yacht for every 24 hours at sea,” the captain says.

Silver Fast’s potential owner

SIlver Fast is currently for sale , but what kind of owner is SilverYachts going after with this new breed of yacht?

“We’re appealing to a new breed of buyers with this yacht,” says Krass. “Every buyer so far has been under 40. People buy these yachts because they fulfil a niche for covering ground which extends the range of a week’s charter considerably or allows an owner to travel further within a specific time-frame. Shallow draught means that when they get there, they can get into bays or harbours that other 80 metre yachts can’t get near. So they have a boat that will allow them to do what they want when and where they want to do it.”

SilverYachts’ Middle East agent Hisham Abushakra sums it up perfectly: “You buy a Range Rover because it does everything well. It will operate as well in the Arctic as it will in the desert. You can drive it at 100mph on the freeway, park it outside Raffles Hotel and it will fit in. This yacht is like that. What do you want to do with your yacht this week? Cover distance, cruise slowly, explore off the beaten track, sail into Monaco, entertain friends and family, charter? Whatever you want, this yacht will do it.”

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