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Yachts News

12 Feb 2024

US Spending $7 Million a Year to Maintain Yacht Seized from Russian Oligarch

Amadea (File photo: Sukkoria / CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)

The U.S. government said it is spending more than $7 million a year to maintain a superyacht it seized from a sanctioned Russian oligarch, and urged a judge to let it auction the vessel before a dispute over its ownership is resolved.Authorities in Fiji seized the 348-foot (106-meter), $300 million Amadea in May 2022, pursuant to a U.S. warrant alleging it was owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a multibillionaire sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia's activities in Syria and Ukraine.Efforts to auction the yacht are being challenged by Eduard Khudainatov…

27 Apr 2023

Missing Red Sea Yacht Turns Up in Djibouti Safely After Attack

© Matyas Rehak / Adobe Stock

A private yacht with three Russians and two Egyptians on board which had been reported missing in the Red Sea off Yemen turned up in Djibouti on Thursday after what the owner said was an attack by unknown gunmen.The 30 Minutes sent its last signal on Tuesday night off the coast of Jizan, a port in southern Saudi Arabia near the Yemeni border before appearing to go missing, owner Dmitriy Chuguevskiy had told Reuters,"According to the people on board ... they were going in international waters off Yemen. They were attacked from the Yemen side, shot at ...

25 Apr 2023

Yacht Goes Missing in the Red Sea with Five Aboard

© Sergey / Adobe Stock

A private yacht with three Russians and two Egyptians on board has been reported missing in the Red Sea near the coast of Yemen for several days by its owner and the Russian embassy in Saudi Arabia.It was not immediately clear what had happened to the pleasure yacht named 30 Minutes which its owner said was heading to Djibouti to be sent onwards by ship to Dubai.The ship, which its owner said was registered in Panama, was not fitted with the standard AIS ship tracking system which…

20 Apr 2023

Tug and Yacht Collide Near Bay St. Louis, Miss.

(File photo; Sondra-Kay Kneen / U.S. Coastguard)

Three boaters were rescued Wednesday after their yacht collided with a tug near Bay St. Louis, Miss.The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Mobile received a report Wednesday of a 53-foot yacht and a tug vessel pulling two barges were involved in a collision. Sector Mobile watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Station Gulfport 45-foot Response Boat–Medium boatcrew to assist.The response boatcrew arrived on scene, embarked the three boaters from the yacht and transported them to Bay St.

10 Apr 2023

Credit Suisse Wins $41 Million Superyacht Lawsuit Against Saudi Prince

© Yü Lan / Adobe Stock

Swiss lender Credit Suisse has won a $41 million lawsuit against a member of the Saudi royal family over a loan to refinance a super yacht, with London’s High Court ruling there was no viable defense to the bank’s case.Prince Fahad bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud is liable to pay his company Burgundy Sea Ltd’s debts to Credit Suisse, Judge Robert Bright said in a written ruling.The judge had ruled in Credit Suisse’s favor without a trial at a hearing last month, at which the prince and Burgundy were unrepresented…

19 Mar 2023

Saddam's Rusting Yacht Serves as Picnic Spot for Iraqi Fishermen

(Photo: David Stanley / CC BY 2.0)

Capsized in a river in southern Iraq, the rusting wreck of a yacht that belonged to Saddam Hussein serves as a stark reminder of his iron-fisted rule that ended with the U.S.-led invasion two decades ago.The 121-metre (396 ft) "al-Mansur", a symbol of Saddam's wealth and power when it was built in the 1980s, is today a destination for sightseers and fisherman who clamber aboard the wreck to picnic and drink tea."When it was owned by the former president, no one could come close to it…

22 Nov 2022

Superyacht Delivered for NBA Star Tony Parker

(Photo: AvA Yachts)

Infinity Nine, the second of the Kando series of contemporary explorer yachts from AvA Yachts was delivered to its owner NBA basketball star Tony Parker in early November.Atilla Küçükdiker, chairman and founder of AvA Yachts, said, “It is a proud and happy day that we as AvA Yachts team have delivered Infinity Nine! We describe our Kando series yachts as contemporary explorers and Infinity Nine really is a superb demonstration of both contemporary style, inside and out, and superb exploration potential with class-beating efficiency…

14 Nov 2022

UK Navy Rescues Four From Sinking Yacht

HMS Diamond (Photo: UK Royal Navy)

A U.K. Royal Navy warship assisted in the rescue of four people from a yacht that was taking on water and at risk of sinking in the English Channel near the Isle of Wight.Last week, the Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond answered a Mayday call from a civilian yacht that was taking on a significant amount of water while sailing from Beaulieu River in the New Forest toward Honfleur in France.Diamond was in the area after leaving its home port and coordinated and conducted the rescue operation…

08 Nov 2022

Derecktor Sets World Record for Largest Yacht Haul-out

Coral Ocean is hauled out of the water for service at Derecktor Ft. Pierce. Measuring 73 meters long and weighing nearly 1,300 tons, Coral Ocean is the largest yacht ever to be hauled using strap lift technology anywhere in the world. (Photo: Derecktor Ft. Pierce)

As yachts continue to increase in size, so does Derecktor Shipyards’ commitment to servicing them, the company said.It was in 2021 when Derecktor again unveiled the world’s largest mobile boat hoist, but this time at its brand-new shipyard at the Port of Fort Pierce. With a 1,500-ton capacity, the massive lift can safely haul boats up to 75 meters in length out of the water for service or refit.Most recently, the 1,500-ton machine at Derecktor Ft. Pierce hauled Coral Ocean, a 73-meter superyacht launched in 1994 by Lürssen.

07 Nov 2022

UK Suspends 'National Flagship' Yacht Project

(Image: U.K. Government)

Britain won't proceed with building a new national flagship to promote business and trade interests around the world, defense minister Ben Wallace said on Monday, ending one of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pet projects.The ship was announced in May 2021 to host trade shows and negotiations, but tendering of contracts had not been completed.Wallace said that the project had been scrapped as he was prioritizing building ships to detect threats to cables on the seabed in…

26 Oct 2022

Simrad Debuts HALO 2000, HALO 3000 Radars at FLIBS

Image courtesy Simrad

Simrad Yachting unveiled two of its new radar products this week: the Simrad HALO 2000 and HALO 3000. HALO 2000, starting at $6,399, and HALO 3000, starting at $8,499, both feature higher power pulse compression and improved detection ranges to offer the most powerful Simrad HALO radars on the market. Other key integrations like Bird+ Mode, ZoneTrack and support for Dangerous Target Alerts provide users even more technical and safety benefits. The new HALO radars are on display…

24 Oct 2022

Spain Moves Yacht Linked to Russian Oligarch After Payments Stop

Spanish authorities moved a luxury yacht linked to the sanctioned head of Russian defence group Rostec after the shipyard where it was berthed stopped receiving payments for its repairs, a transport ministry source said.The multi-million-dollar Valerie was transferred to a marina last month, the source and other officials said, highlighting the logistical challenges authorities have faced managing vessels being held across Europe because of sanctions imposed over Russia's military actions in Ukraine.Spain ordered the ship "frozen" - meaning the vessel can not be used or sold - in March, saying it was acting on European Union sanctions.

22 Sep 2022

Marine Group Boat Works: Standing Steady on Four Legs

(Photo: Marine Group Boat Works)

Ask anyone working in the shipyard business, and they’ll tell you balancing yacht, commercial and government vessel repair work concurrently is no easy task. Add a bit of new construction to the mix, and you’ve got Marine Group Boat Works (MGBW), a Chula Vista, Calif. shipyard that has seemingly mastered the balancing act.“There are a few tricks to the trade,” said MGBW president Todd Roberts, a Cal Maritime graduate with a U.S. Coast Guard license for vessels up to 1,600 tons. “The biggest thing we do is run an extremely clean, environmentally friendly operation. . .

15 Sep 2022

Russian Billionaire Sues French Customs for Seizing His Yachts

A Russian billionaire is suing French authorities in an effort to win back access to two of his yachts, arguing customs officials did not have the right to immobilize them despite him being on an EU sanctions list, his lawyer said on Thursday.Alexey Kuzmichev, one of the main shareholders of Russia's Alfa-Bank, who was sanctioned by the EU in March for his ties to President Vladimir Putin, appealed the seizure of his ships "La Petite Ourse" and "La Petite Ourse II", held in the Cote D'Azur towns of Antibes and Cannes, respectively."If you own an asset for your personal use, like a yacht, you have the right to make use of it even though it's frozen"…

08 Jul 2022

Bulk Carrier Aids Rescue of Injured Solo Sailor

(Photo: AMSA)

A bulk carrier assisted in the rescue of an injured mariner sailing solo off the coast of Australia.After receiving a distress beacon from a 10-meter yacht with a 70-year-old solo crew member located 167 kilometers east of Double Island Point, Qld., the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) diverted the Malta-flagged merchant vessel Skiathos to the yacht's location.The 229-meter-long Skiathos found the yacht and brought the vessel alongside.AMSA tasked the Melbourne-based Challenger jet and a Brisbane-based CHC helicopter to attend the scene…

29 May 2022

Fire Engulfs Superyacht in British Marina

© Vadimsadovski / Adobe Stock

Fire ripped through a superyacht in southwest England on Saturday, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky and briefly releasing the burning vessel to drift across its marina.Police and fire officials said the 85 foot (26 meter) yacht in Torquay, Devon, was "well alight" and the fire brigade said the vessel contained about 8,000 liters of diesel fuel, prompting local areas and nearby beaches to be cleared."Due to levels of smoke and fumes we are asking residents in the area to keep their doors and windows shut at this time," Devon & Cornwall police said.

09 May 2022

Italy Seizes Luxury Yacht Scheherazade Linked to Putin

The Italian government ordered police on Friday to impound a luxury yacht worth some $700 million that has been linked in the media to Russian President Vladimir Putin.The sleek, six-deck Scheherazade had been undergoing repairs in the Italian port of Marina di Carrara since September, but recent activity at the dockside suggested that the crew might be preparing to put to sea.A source with direct knowledge of a weeks-long investigation into the vessel said police believed the owner was Eduard Khudainatov, the former chief of Russian energy giant Rosneft who is not currently a target of EU sanctions.In a statement announcing the seizure order…

05 May 2022

Fiji Seizes Russian Oligarch Kerimov's $300M Yacht

Authorities in Fiji have seized a $300 million yacht of Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov at the request of the United States, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday, as Washington and its allies press Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.A Fiji court had ruled on Tuesday that the United States can seize a Russian-owned superyacht, weeks after it arrived and was impounded by police. Authorities in various countries have seized luxury vessels and villas owned by Russian billionaires in response to sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a special military operation.Kerimov was sanctioned by the United States in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine. He has also been sanctioned by the European Union.The U.S.

04 May 2022

United States Can Seize Russian Superyacht, Fiji Court Rules

Fiji court ruled on Tuesday that the United States can seize a Russian-owned superyacht, 21 days after it arrived and was impounded by police, as the United States and its allies press Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.U.S. authorities assert that the luxury vessel, the Amadea, is ultimately owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.The U.S. Justice Department's Taskforce KleptoCapture has focused on seizing yachts and other luxury assets to put the finances of Russian oligarchs under strain in a bid to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

04 Apr 2022

Russian Oligarch Vekselberg's Superyacht Seized in Spain

Spanish police on Monday impounded a superyacht belonging to Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg on behalf of U.S. authorities, the first time the United States has seized property belonging to a Russian oligarch since its invasion of Ukraine in February.Valued at more than 90 million euros ($99 million), the 78-metre-long "Tango" (255 ft) was seized in a shipyard on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, the Guardia Civil police and the U.S. Justice Department said in parallel…

22 Mar 2022

Ukraine's Zelenskiy Urges Italy to Seize Yacht Believed to Belong to Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Italy on Tuesday to seize a mystery yacht worth some $700 million that has been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.In an address to the Italian parliament, Zelenskiy said Putin and his wealthy backers often went to Italy on holiday and should have all their assets frozen to put pressure on them to end the invasion of Ukraine."Don't be a resort for murderers. Block all their real estate, accounts and yachts - from the Scheherazade to the smallest ones," he said, referring to a superyacht that is moored in the Italian port of Marina di Carrara.The sleek, six-deck vessel has two helicopter landing pads and can host up 18 guests and 40 crew.

22 Mar 2022

Russian Billionaire's Yacht Detained in Gibraltar

A luxurious super-yacht linked to the owner of Russia's largest steel pipe maker, who is currently under British and European Union sanctions, docked in Gibraltar on Monday and was then detained by the authorities.Western sanctions on Russian oligarchs over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine have triggered an exodus of luxury yachts from Europe in recent weeks, with several heading towards the Maldives, which has no extradition treaty with the United States.Reuters TV footage showed the "Axioma", believed to be owned by Dmitrievich Pumpyansky, owner of steel group TMK, moored at Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula…

21 Mar 2022

Yacht Linked to Russian Oligarch Docks in Turkey

A superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich docked in the Turkish tourist resort of Bodrum on Monday, after skirting the waters of European Union countries which have sanctioned the oligarch over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Abramovich was among several wealthy Russians added last week to an EU blacklist, and EU governments have acted in recent days to seize yachts and other luxury assets from them.World governments are seeking to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation".Last week, Abramovich flew into Moscow after leaving Istanbul in his private jet.

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