sailing yacht a

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Sailing Yacht A

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80 m / 262 ft

143 m / 468 ft

73 m / 239 ft

73.5 m / 241 ft

68 m / 223 ft

60 m / 196 ft

67 m / 219 ft

92.5 m / 303 ft

LOA: 142.81 m

Beam: 24.88 m

Draft: 8.00 m

Interior: Philippe Starck

Exterior: Philippe Starck

Hull: Steel

Superstructure: Steel / GRP

Max. speed: 21 knots

Cruising speed: 16 knots

Gross tonnage: 12.558

Project number

“Born from the desire of the owner to push the boundaries of engineering and challenge the status quo of the industry, ‘SAILING YACHT A’ is undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects NOBISKRUG has ever been involved in.”

SAILING YACHT A is the ultimate embodiment of German superyachts built for the 22 nd century.

She is unique.

She is the largest of her kind. She is a masterpiece in every detail. Her name: SAILING YACHT A. She will draw eyes the world over, as no other superyacht has ever done before.

She is sophisticated.

Measuring almost 143 m and a gross tonnage of about 12.600, she became one of the most impressive PYC superyachts in the world in terms of design and technology.

She is innovative.

She is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with unique features such as an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of- the-art navigation systems. The luxury sailing yacht's three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. The mainmast towers 100 m above the waterline.

The smooth, lustrous, silver-metallic surfaces…

…and nearly invisible windows give this yacht a futuristic look. World-renowned Philippe Starck created this unconventional design, which challenges the expectations of conventional aesthetics. NOBISKRUG high-tech building technology made this fascinating design possible.

Steel hull and steel superstructure with high-tech composite fashion plates that can be formed into any shape or size, a technology NOBISKRUG has developed during the past 15 years in co-operation with classification societies and special subcontractors.

Thanks to her striking looks and innovative technology SAILING YACHT A definitely changes the upcoming landscape of the NOBISKRUG fleet as well as the future of supersail.

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SAILING YACHT A – World’s Biggest Sailing Yacht – $600 Million

SAILING YACHT A measures 143 meters making her the world’s biggest sailing yacht.

SAILING YACHT A is far more than a luxury vessel. She is a masterpiece of design and innovation combining sleek metal surfaces with futuristic naval architecture that took over two years to complete.

Launched in 2017, both the interior and exterior of this mega sailing yacht were designed by Phillippe Starck, who calls SAILING YACHT A one of his most high-profile projects.

The superyacht has taken on voyages all around the world and was most recently spotted sailing off the coasts of Gibraltar and Cyprus.

SAILING YACHT A interior

Both the interior and exterior of SAILING YACHT A were designed by Philippe Starck , a French architect known for his wide range of design projects.

He famously worked on the impressive MOTOR YACHT A, and the two iconic vessels share a lot of similarities in their layout and specifications.

Both yachts look incredibly futuristic and are sure to attract attention wherever they go.

While no exact details are known about the interior of SAILING YACHT A, it is rumored that she has an underwater observation pod with 30 cm (1 ft) thick glass located in the keel of the vessel.

This is one of the few parts where design mockups are publicly available, and the style of the interior can be examined.

The observation pod appears to have cream upholstery that stretches across the floor and ceiling of the cabin.

Two large symmetrical glass windows allow guests to view the breathtaking underwater world without even having to leave the yacht.

A third window is located at the bottom of the pod, which lets it feel like a true 360-degree experience and is almost comparable to a submarine.

A small floating side table provides guests with a space to place drinks or snacks in the pod and enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience in this unusual location.

Since the pod is located at the keel of the yacht, the large propellers are most likely visible from the windows suggesting it is most commonly used at anchor.

The superyacht has ten cabins that can accommodate 20 guests as well as a further 54 crew member.

Paparazzi photos and the work of yacht spotters provide a rare glimpse into the interior of SAILING YACHT A.

No official footage of cabins or salons has been released, although Starck’s past work suggests that the yacht would be furnished with opulent elements that perfectly combine luxury with style.

Silver and metal decorations play a large role and tie the interior design of the yacht together. 

However, SAILING YACHT A was launched much later than her motorized companion suggesting her interior might be more modern with minimalistic elements rather than lavish furnishings.

Occasional photographs shot through open doors, and portholes show expensive art pieces decorating the interior of the yacht and rather absurd design choices like a set of chairs shaped like large human heads.

The yacht appears to feature a large, open salon with an elevated seating area and symmetrical arches on either side.

While details aren’t known to the public, it is rumored that SAILING YACHT A features a luxurious spa area, a sizable gym as well as an owner’s suite with several rooms that is only accessible via fingerprint.

The massive private area is said to feature a 60-inch television that disappears into the floor as well as a rotating bed. 

Considering she is the largest sailing yacht in the world, it is surprising that SAILING YACHT A can only host 20 guests.

This suggests that there are spacious entertainment areas located on board, including several saloons and ample below-deck space for crew members.

Due to her large size and a small number of cabins, it is assumed that SAILING YACHT A can welcome a large number of day guests onboard for special events and celebrations.

Biggest sailing yacht controversy

It has been the topic of debate that SAILING YACHT A is not the largest yacht in the world but instead the ‘largest sail-assisted motor yacht.

Depending on the definition used, that would make BLACK PEARL the biggest sailing yacht in the world.

The most expensive sailing yacht

SAILING YACHT A is the most expensive sailing yacht in the world and cost an estimated price of US $600 million – a relatively “affordable” price considering her large size and tonnage.

A calculated US $48,000 per ton is considered low in the yachting industry, where European yachts are usually priced at US $60,000 per ton and over.

This average price would bring the value of SAILING YACHT A up to nearly US $800 million. However, due to the fact that the official sales price has not been released to the public, these numbers are mere estimates and cannot be validated officially.

Since the yacht is a custom project and one of a kind, it can be assumed that the total value of SAILING YACHT A lies far higher than her initial price.

In addition to any cost for the crew, supplies, and docking fees, she has annual running costs of US $50-75 million.

SAILING YACHT A is currently not available for sale or charter.

Specifications

SAILING YACHT A is incredibly large for a sailing yacht, and even compared to the longest motor yachts in the world, she would rank in the top ten.

Paired with her unusual futuristic design, this mega sailing yacht has a length of 143 meters (469 ft), a beam of 25 meters (82 ft), and a draft of 8 meters (26 ft) making her a more than an impressive vessel.

SAILING YACHT A was built by Nobiskrug , a German superyacht builder at their Kiel shipyard, and launched in 2017 after more than two years of construction.

To date, SAILING YACHT A is the largest yacht ever built by Nobiskrug and remains their flagship.

It is considered the most complicated project to ever be completed in the sailing industry and gained international media attention on its launch date. It has a total volume of 12.558 tons and is powered by hybrid diesel-electric engines. 

SAILING YACHT A is considered the longest sailing yacht in the world and is more than 36 meters (118 ft) longer than BLACK PEARL, which ranks in second place on the list.

Coincidentally her project name was WHITE PEARL which is a reference to her brilliant white exterior, although it couldn’t have referred to BLACK PEARL since she was only launched in 2018, a year after Melnichenko’s masterpiece.  

Her three-carbon masts stand at an impressive 100 meters (328 ft), making them some of the largest in the world and taller than Big Ben in London.

However, her large size is sometimes also limiting as she struggles to fit underneath most bridges and is therefore constrained to certain routes.

She once passed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with only 20 feet to spare between her masts and the bottom of the famous bridge.

She is rumored to have an electric gimbal crow’s nest, which allows for remote operation and advanced wind measurements. Her sails are all white, and her masts have nearly sickle-like shapes, which add to her striking futuristic appearance.

It is noteworthy that she is commonly photographed with her sails down, which suggests she might be using her support engines more frequently than true wind power.

With a sail area of more than 3.700m^2 (40.000 square ft), she can reach top speeds of up to 21 knots which is supported by her twin 4895 Horsepower MTU engines .

Her average cruise speed lies at 16 knots, and her total range is estimated to lie at 5320 nautical miles. She features a state-of-the-art sail system that is able to raise and lower the sails and anchors at the touch of a button. 

SAILING YACHT A has a steel hull and composite steel superstructure, which is unusual in the superyacht industry as most shipyards choose aluminum to reduce weight and keep the vessel light.

She currently sails under the flag of Bermuda, which is common for prominent sailing yachts.

During construction, SAILING YACHT A was called project WHITE PEARL, a fitting name for this sizable vessel.

Like her interior, the exterior of SAILING YACHT A was designed by Philippe Starck, although the Dutch studio Dykstra Naval Architects played a role in the naval architecture of the vessel.

They specialize in sailing yachts of all sizes and have been involved in many prominent projects in the industry over the years.

She features eight teak decks with a large swimming pool located in the center and several elevators spread across the yacht.

She is even said to carry a submarine. The main pool is lowered into the deck allowing for additional privacy for the owners.

Her hull has 24 shell doors, which are used to access equipment and provide additional deck space if needed. She is accompanied by four tenders also designed by Philippe Starck and built by Lloyd Stevenson in New Zealand.

Their sleek and elegant design matches that of the main vessel, and they are used for transporting guests and taking them on excursions.

One of the tenders of SAILING YACHT A is a carbon fiber speedboat especially reserved for the owner who can operate the vessel autonomously whenever required without the aid of crew members.

This allows Melnichenko, who is a fan of driving high-speed cars to be independent when staying aboard his luxury yacht. The tender is small but powerful, reaching speeds of up to 53 knots.

The larger tenders can seat up to eight passengers and feature panoramic windows ideal for sightseeing and exploring but are much slower at only 30 knots. 

The aft features a large garage used for storing jet skis, tenders, and other equipment.

High-profile artists such as Snoop Dogg are rumored to have performed here, although detailed evidence of such concerts remains unknown.

Whenever the aft isn’t used for performances or parties, it can be transformed into a swimming platform designed in the yacht’s iconic futuristic style. 

However, despite her cutting-edge design features, SAILING YACHT A surprisingly also includes classic nautical elements. She has a wooden steering wheel that is reminiscent of a pirate ship, although it is not operational.

The captain of the vessel can instead use modern technologies to operate the massive yacht via a small joystick and touchscreen.

There are symmetric extendable balconies that protrude from the bridge of the yacht and allow the crew to have a better view to be able to gauge the dimensions of the immense vessel.

Of course, SAILING YACHT A has a modern underwater lighting system that illuminates the vessel perfectly at night.

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SAILING YACHT A

SAILING YACHT A is an exceptionally unique 2017 build by Nobiskrug, measuring 142.80m (468'6"ft).

She is the ultimate embodiment of German superyachts built for the 22 nd  century.

Measuring almost 143 m and a gross tonnage of about 12,600 GT, she became one of the most impressive PYC superyachts in the world in terms of design and technology.

She is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with unique features such as an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of- the-art navigation systems. The luxury sailing yacht's three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. The mainmast towers 100 m above the waterline.

The smooth, lustrous silver metallic surfaces and nearly invisible windows give this yacht a futuristic look. World-renowned Philippe Starck created this unconventional design, which challenges the expectations of conventional aesthetics.  Nobiskrug high-tech building  technology made this fascinating design possible.

Steel hull and steel superstructure with high-tech composite fashion plates that can be formed into any shape or size, a technology Nobiskrug has developed during the past 15 years in co-operation with classification societies and special subcontractors.

Thanks to her striking looks and innovative technology SAILING YACHT A was unquestionably the most anticipated delivery of 2017. She definitely changes the upcoming landscape of the Nobiskrug fleet as well as the future of supersail.

“Born from the desire of the owner to push the boundaries of engineering and challenge the status quo of the industry, ‘SAILING YACHT A’ is undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in.” Holger Kahl, Nobiskrug Managing Director. 

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Sailing Yacht A is the largest motorsailer in the world

143m of awesomeness

She's one of the most impressive private superyacht's out there. We can love it or hate it for her looks, but she's a great feat of engineering.

The 143m motorsailer belongs to Andrey Melnichenko, a Russian businessman that also own M/Y A.

Sailing Yacht A was designed by Philippe Stark and was built by German yard Nobiskrug. Delivered in February 2017, S/Y A has made appearances in Monte Carlo and the Med.

Sailing Yacht A is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts, with unique features such as underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of-the-art navigation systems.

The story of Sailing Yacht A is not without controversy. The vessel was impounded by the Gibraltar Port Authority just after the launch over claims by Nobiskrug of a disputed payment. The financial situation was settled and the vessel was later released.

The motorsailer is easy to spot due to its three large masts. These are the tallest freestanding composite structures in the world. The center mast stands at 91m tall, a fraction shorter of the height of Big Ben. The masts are designed to sustain 90 knots of wind. The composite masts were built in the Great Britain, while the sails are made by an American company.

The yacht is built from steel hull and steel superstructure with high-tech composite fashion plates.

Nobiskrug’s managing director, Holger Kahl said: “Born from the desire of the owner to ‘push the boundaries of engineering and challenge the status quo of the industry’, “Sailing Yacht A” is undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in.”

No official numbers have been communicated, but it's believed the total build costs for S/Y A are around $400 million. Also, the cost of operating this ship is estimated at $40 million a year.

Since its launch, S/Y A turns heads in any harbor. She was seen in Monte Carlo alongside M/Y A, the other yacht owned by Andrey Melnichenko, but also in the waters close to the island of Formentera in Spain. Here was spotted by UFC Lightweight champion Conor McGregor. The fighter was on a yacht holiday after losing the fight with Floyd Mayweather. He took to Instagram to document his spotting of S/Y A.

That was a mad scene. I only posted "race to the next yacht" two days ago and then this one pulls up right out my back garden. The biggest one of all. This is an eye opening level of opulence to witness first hand. To me, it is truly motivating. I'm starting to think I don't have a wealth belly just yet. I'm more just rich fat now. I must keep eating. I wonder if my lunch is ready. Happy Tuesday A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Sep 12, 2017 at 3:02pm PDT

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Sep 12, 2017 at 11:03am PDT

Sailing Yacht A has eight decks and more than 4,400 square meters of sails. The propulsion system includes two MTU diesel engines of 4,896 hp each and two electric motors of 4.300 kW each.

The yacht uses a digital control system with touch-sensitive sheet of black glass that allows the crew to raise and lower sails or the anchor with a simple swipe. The guests can also enjoy an underwater observation pod and a large swimming pool with a retractable roof. S/Y A has a 54 people crew.

During sea trials, the motorsailer achieved a top speed of 20 knots without the use of sails. The cruising speed is 16 knots and has a transatlantic range of 5,320 nautical miles.

Take a look at this stunning video of Sailing Yacht A and Motor Yacht A:

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Sailing Yacht A: Everything You Want To Know

The sailing yacht known as A was built between 2015 and 2016 by German yacht makers Nobiskrug based on designs by French architect Phillippe Starck that seemed to have made use of some naval architecture for inspiration. It currently holds the record for being the world’s largest sailing yacht, though, to be fair, it is technically a sail-assisted motor yacht as it is fully capable of moving under its own power rather than relying on the sails. 

Who Owns Sailing Yacht A?

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, a man who made his fortune thanks to a coal company and a chemical company, is the owner of Sailing Yacht A as well as its older sister yacht the Motor Yacht A. Melnichenko has French designer Philippe Starck design both of the vessels for him. 

How Big is Sailing Yacht A?

As mentioned, this is actually the largest sailing yacht in the world and it truly is immense. It earned the title of largest sailing yet specifically because of the length which clocks in at a stunning 468.5 feet. Not only is it the longest sailing yacht as a result of that, making it over 50 feet longer than its closest competitor, it qualifies as one of the largest yachts period, sailing or motor powered. It’s the 11th largest yacht in the world if you also include motor yachts.

Even aside from length, the stats are pretty remarkable. The masts, which are very hard to miss, are also gigantic. The main mast stands at over 100 meters or 300 feet tall. The entire boat has a listed height of 328 feet. That makes the A taller than the Tower of London or Big Ben. 

The vessel is just over 81 feet wide and has a gross tonnage of 12,558 gt. The sails measure an incredible 3,747 square meters or 40,332 square feet. The sails can be controlled with an in-boom furling system. It also features a gimballed crow’s nest, accessible by an elevator, 60m high in one of the curved, carbon masts.

So It’s the Largest Sail Assisted Motor Yacht?

Technically, yes. There is not really a distinction made for more people between sail-assisted and sailing yacht.

Why Is it Called Sailing Yacht A?

Sailing Yacht A’s owner was being a little crafty when he came up with the name for the vessel. Like his earlier motor yacht, which is also called A or Motor Yacht A, Sailing Yacht A got the name it has so that it will always appear at the top of boat registry lists. It’s kind of like when businesses used to call themselves something like AAAA+ Plumbing so they’d be at the top of the page in the phone book, back when people still used phone books. 

What is the Interior of Sailing Yacht A Like?

As you can imagine, there’s a lot going on in this massive yacht. To start, it’s a full eight decks. These can be accessed throughout the yacht with either a number of elevators or the free-floating spiral staircases. It’s rumored that there are cabins for at least 20 guests, plus a master suite on board.

There are oval windows throughout the vessel that are almost impossible to see from outside as they’re covered in a one-way film that allows passengers to look out but prevents anyone from looking in. Some of the rooms have floor to ceiling windows that simply can’t be seen from outside. It’s rumored that the master suite has a rotating bed and is presumably of a significant size as the master suite in the smaller Motor Yacht A was 2,500 square feet.

In terms of luxury amenities there’s plenty to choose from. The yacht has an underwater observation pod right in the keel with windows to the sides and below. The glass is one foot thick to ensure it can handle the pressure. It offers a view of the props in action which is unique and unlike observation windows you’d likely find on any other boats. And unlike many yachts which have launch vessels or jet skis in the garage, this one has a three-man submarine you can take out for fun as well as four tenders.

Melnichenko is known for throwing lavish parties – he’s had Lennie Kravitz and Snoop Dogg perform on board Motor Yacht A for him and his guests, and even had Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera perform at his wedding some years ago, so it’s safe to assume the sailing yacht also features an extravagant party room as well. 

A crew of up to 54 operate the vessel and much of that can be done easier than you’d think. Touch screen controls can power and maneuver the vessel at the touch of a button. Even the sails can be raised and lowered with electronic controls and a single person operating them. 

In addition to the piloting of the ship, the crew run the yacht’s internal power plant, a professional galley the size of a kitchen you’d expect to find in a hotel, and other guest services like laundry and so on. These services and features are maintained across two of the boat’s 8 decks.

Much like any other yacht of this size, there is a helipad on the deck, and you can also find a large pool in the center of the deck as well. There are two other pools and all three are said to have current-generating technology to give them a more realistic ocean feel. As in his previous yacht, one of the pools has a glass floor so that you can see up into the pool from the deck below.

Many of the internal features have been kept under wraps as few people have had a chance to go on board the yacht. One particularly odd feature that has been noticed, however, is a chair on deck shaped like a giant, human head. Other glimpses of the interior have also shown off things like a large hot tub which has storage underneath it for a number of lifeboats, and the stunning blue navigation lights that line the exterior from bow to stern, just along the waterline.

The security features on the boat have not been disclosed, for obvious reasons, but Melnichenko previous yacht was rumored to feature everything from bomb proof glass to fingerprint scanners for enhanced security at key entry points. 

Was Sailing Yacht A Seized?

In March, 2022, Sailing Yacht A was seized by Italian authorities in the Port of Trieste after Andrey Melnichenko was placed on an EU sanctions list following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many Russian billionaires who have had ties to President Vladimir Putin had sanctions levied against them which resulted in assets being frozen or confiscated all over the world.  

For unknown reasons, A was placed back in the water in June 2022 after being in dry dock for a few months. It was officially listed as being at anchor at that time with no further details about why the change in status. Melnichenko had stated at the time that he was going to contest the seizure of the luxury yacht but it’s unknown when or if that happened. 

What Did Sailing Yacht A Cost?

Billionaires don’t always like to share their expenses with the world and  Andrey Melnichenko is no different. He has not disclosed what he paid for the mega yacht and the yacht makers built it with a very thorough non-disclosure agreement in place that prevents them from sharing any of the particulars. 

The fact that there has been no officially confirmed price tag doesn’t mean there hasn’t been some solid speculation about the price which has yet to be refuted. According to most sources, the yacht likely cost its owner somewhere in the neighborhood of €530 million which, at the time, probably worked out to around $578 million to $600 million US.

How Fast is Sailing Yacht A?

The props on the yacht are powered by twin MTU 20V 4000 ML73 main diesel engines or by electric motors or even by both together. It runs up to 2,050rpm, giving 2,800kW, and makes use of four generators instead of five to cut down on the overall weight.  The generators are able to run down to 1,050rpm when it’s appropriate. Something called Superimposed System Controller (SSC) is able to constantly recalculate the optimal speed and determine the best combination of generators to use from moment to moment. This ensures optimal fuel and power usage while also limiting noise and vibration. 

The result of all of this engineering is that the yacht has a cruising speed of 16 knots and a top speed of 21 knots. 

The Bottom Line

Sailing Yacht A is the largest sail-assisted yacht in the world and, although the price is just speculated to be around $600 million, it’s clearly one of the most expensive yachts in the world as well. The exterior design is sleek and subtle and is able to hide many features including shell doors and windows while the interior spans 8 decks and has room for 54 crew and up to 20 passengers on board. The boat was seized by Italian authorities in 2022 and it’s unknown if or when the owner will get it back. 

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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Italian Police Seize Russian Oligarch Andrey Melnichenko’s 468-Foot ‘Sailing Yacht A’

The list keeps growing with the impoundment of "sailing yacht a" and suspicion that "scheherazade" might be connected to vladimir putin., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

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Italy’s finance police seized one of the world’s most iconic sailing yachts, owned by a Russian oligarch. Andrey Melnichenko’s Sailing Yacht A , with an estimated value of $578 million, was impounded in dry dock at the Port of Trieste, according to a statement from the Guardia di Finanzia. Melninchenko was sanctioned by the European Union on March 9 as part of a group of Russian oligarchs who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin following its Ukraine invasion to discuss the potential economic impact of EU and American sanctions.

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Melnichenko owns the major fertilizer producer EuroChem Group and SUEK, a coal company. He also owns the 390-foot Motor Yacht A. A spokesperson said in a statement that Melnichenko has nothing to do with politics and that he has removed himself from the board of Eurochem and SUEK after the EU sanctioned him. “He has no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine. He has no political affiliations,” said the statement.

US intelligence officials have also said they are trying to link the Scheherazade , a $700 million superyacht in dry dock in Italy, to Putin. The New York Times reported that the US government has made no definite conclusions about the yacht’s ownership, but believe it could be owned by the Russian president. The yacht’s captain, Guy Bennett-Pearce, told the Times that Putin had no stake in the yacht, but declined to name the owner. Bennett-Pearce said he would provide Italian police with documents that divulged the owner’s name. The Italian Sea Group, which owns the shipyard where Scheherazade is dry docked, said that, based on “checks carried out by relevant authorities,” the yacht is “not attributable to the property of Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

Roman Abramovich, who owns Solaris. last week was placed on the UK sanctions list.  Courtesy of Lloyd Werft

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich was also added to the UK sanctions list days after he announced the sale of the football club. Abramovich, who owns a string of supercars and several private jets, also owns the superyachts Solaris and Eclipse. Solaris is reportedly sailing towards Israel, where Abramovich has dual citizenship.

On March 3, France’s finance ministry said that it had impounded Amore Vero , a yacht owned by Igor Sechin, CEO of Russian oil giant Rosneft. The EU had sanctioned Sechin earlier that week, calling him one of Putin’s “most trusted and closest advisors, as well as his personal friend.” German authorities also detained the 512-foot superyacht Dilbar in Hamburg, owned by Alisher Usmanov. Reports said the crew was fired last week. On March 5, Italian authorities impounded two yachts, Lena and Lady M , owned by Gennady Timchenko and Alexei Mordashov, respectively.

On Friday, the US State Department placed Viktor Vekselberg on its sanctions list. Two of Vekeselberg’s luxury assets, an Airbus A319-115 jet and his yacht Tango , were identified as “blocked property.”

The superyacht Scheherazade was impounded in Italy during an investigation to uncover whether it is owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Video Still/YT

The seizures have prompted the superyacht industry to distance itself from the oligarchs. Italian yacht builders Sanlorenzo and Azimut both released statements that they have limited exposure to Russian clients, and none are on the sanctions list. Heesen Yachts released a statement that two Russians sitting on its supervisory board of directors have resigned their positions. The builder said Heesen is 100-percent Dutch-owned company and that Pavel Sukhoruchkin and Pavel Novoselov had nothing to do with its day-to-day operations.

Ownership of many Russian yachts is often hidden by shell companies in tax havens like the Cayman Islands. They are not only hard to trace, but actually seizing and selling them could present a legal quagmire that could take years to resolve.

Some are wondering whether seizing the oligarchs’ private yachts and jets will work. “Sanctions are another example of the West doing what it does best, which is just throwing a lot of cash at the problem and hoping it gets solved,” Olga Chyzh, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto, told the Washington Post. “However sad they are to let go of their Western assets, oligarchs have even more to lose if Putin is no longer there to protect them.”

Eclipse is another yacht owned by Roman Abramovich.  Robb Report File

In the meantime, some oligarchs are taking their yachts to destinations like the Maldives , the Seychelles and Dubai, which have no extradition treaties with the US and EU. Dubai has become a favorite destination for Russian tourism and wealth.

Alex Finley, a former CIA officer, has been tracking the yachts from Barcelona. Using the hashtag “Yacht Watch,” she posts updates on Twitter for Russian-owned superyachts.

“For me, the yachts are a big, easily recognizable symbol of the more serious side of this [Russian invasion]: These are people who support a dictator, and have been supporting him in carrying out destabilization operations against democracy, while at the same time coming here and taking all the benefits of the exact same democracies they were destabilizing,” Finley told the Washington Post.

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How to Charter a Boat

If you want to sail off into the sunset, at least temporarily, you need to understand how to get aboard first.

By Lauren Sloss

This time of year, it’s an inevitable thought: Life would be that much better out on the water. Specifically, on a boat.

Even if you have neither a boat nor boating experience, it’s never been easier to make your nautical dreams come true — whether you want a day trip on your local lake or a fully staffed multiday voyage in a far-flung locale. Here are the initial questions that will help you plan an adventure on the water.

Whom are you traveling with?

Thinking about the size and dynamic of your group is an important first step, even if you are simply going on a day trip. Will children be on board? How old? What about elderly parents?

Dan Lockyer, the chief commercial officer of Dream Yacht Worldwide , strongly encourages travelers to determine group size — and, ideally, get people committed — before booking.

“The location that you want to go to, the time of year that you want to go, the type of boat that you want will entirely depend on the makeup of the group that you’re sailing with,” Mr. Lockyer said.

Do you want to captain, or do you want a captain?

Different charter companies specialize in certain locations, types of boats, itineraries and services. Some companies offer the opportunity for a “bareboat” charter, in which you rent the boat and take on the navigation and provisioning yourself, while others exclusively offer fully staffed options, including a captain and a cook.

If you want to captain the boat yourself, almost all outfits require some kind of proof of sailing or boating experience, often in line with local regulations.

Edward King, 45, an executive at a streaming company based in San Francisco, is experienced in sailing the city’s waterways. But on vacation, he said he would prefer to let a captain and crew take the lead.

Mr. King said he appreciates a captain who is familiar with both the local waters — “they’ll know how to avoid sailing into a certain sandbar,” he said, — as well as the local attractions.

In contrast, Matt Blake, 38, a software engineer based in Oakland, Calif., was eager to grow his sailing experience during a recent trip to La Paz, Mexico, with his fiancée. He hired a captain but made clear that the captain was there to help and teach.

Where do you want to go?

“Do you want something that’s more culturally oriented? Nature oriented? An adventure trip?” asked Mary Curry, the voyage product director of Adventure Life , which offers small group tours and private trips on land and on water around the world.

That answer can determine your destination. Popular cruising grounds include the Caribbean, Croatia, Alaska and French Polynesia, but the sky — or the sea — is really the limit. For help narrowing your focus, travel advisers often have relationships with charter companies or outfits around the world, and sailing publications offer recommendations.

Kyla Malkani, who has had experience with charters working as a destination wedding planner, recommends consulting the concierge of waterfront hotels, particularly for short-term or day rentals.

“A lot of times they will have either their own fleet or they will have some sort of connection at a dock,” said Ms. Malkani, 37, who is based in Washington, D.C., and is currently working as a content creator and freelance event planner.

What kind of boat?

Where you want to travel and for how long will likely determine the kinds of boats that are available to you. Crucial at this point, too, is an understanding of the boat’s layout and amenities.

“You definitely want to choose the right kind of boat,” said Ms. Malkani. “If you want more adventure, a sailboat is nice. If you’re looking for a luxury party environment, a yacht is best. And if you’re looking for something smooth, for older people or with kids, a catamaran is great.”

David Barclay is a luxury travel adviser who has also chartered boats for his own vacations.

“You want to match what the travelers want to what the boat offers,” he said.

Perhaps a group of friends might not mind a catamaran with functional but not luxurious marine bathrooms, but a multigenerational group might prefer more high-touch amenities.

When should I book?

Often, charter trips are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that require a great deal of advanced planning.

“You may have a specific place you want to go, or a specific time of year you want to travel,” said Mr. Barclay. “And some places just aren’t good at certain times of year.”

Naturally, you don’t want to be at sea in the Caribbean during hurricane season, or in the Mediterranean during winter storms. But you also might want to avoid peak cruising seasons, too.

The first three weeks of August are quite popular, said Mr. Lockyer. “If you have some flexibility and can travel in early July, you’ll get the same sort of great weather, a greater selection of boats and the anchorages won’t be as crowded.”

How much does it cost?

Charter costs are incredibly variable, dependent on all of the factors coming into play: your boat type and size, your destination, your group size, the amount of crew you’d like and the amenities on board. That said, costs could range anywhere from $2,000 for a day on a sailboat to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a multiday mega-yacht charter. Have a budget in mind when beginning your research process.

What if I didn’t plan far in advance?

While advanced planning is encouraged, and often necessary for bigger boat trips, it’s possible to book a boat last-minute.

Boatsetter , an Airbnb-like platform for boats, is a good resource for last-minute bookings, especially for day trips, and even has an Instant Book option for down-to-the-wire bookings.

“If it’s for a special event, or around major holidays, you may want to book a month or two in advance. But for general bookings, you can find options within a week or two,” said Kim Koditek, Boatsetter’s head of brand strategy and communications, of the company’s overnight offerings, which appear on their platform under the luxury yacht charters category .

Ms. Malkani has used Boatsetter for some of her charters, most of which have been booked with a specific goal in mind.

“I’m a sunset chaser,” she said. “My husband and I just really love being on the water, and we always try to squeeze in some sort of boat day activity when we’re traveling.”

For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.

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'Is he gonna bite the boat?' Video shows white shark circling Massachusetts boaters

"the sharks would rocket to the surface and pulverize their prey with incredible force," said an expert. but, despite what the movies might say, humans most certainly aren't one of their cravings..

A great white shark circles around a boat as the men on board recorded it bumping its head into the side of the vessel.

It looked like a scene straight out of "Jaws", but with a lot less screaming, and a much happier ending for the boaters and the curious shark.

"Is he gonna bite the boat, dude?" one of the boaters can be heard saying in the video.

The shark was snacking on a nearby whale carcass off the coast of Massachusetts, when it swam by to check out the the vessel which is loaded with fishing rods.

"Oh my God," can be heard multiple times throughout the video as the stunned men onboard watched the shark bump into their vessel again and again before swimming back to its whale of a meal.

Bad reputation for a not-so-bad fish

Sharks will not go out of their way to try and eat people. In fact, they're sociable and curious fish that "are intelligent, highly inquisitive creatures," Alison Kock, a marine biologist, told Smithsonian Magazine .

Despite what the famous Steven Spielberg movie might have you believe, shark attacks are rare, but the box office hit took a toll on how people view the large animals, who definitely do not have a hankering for humans.

Since 1837, there have been 1,632 unprovoked shark bites in the the United States.

Sharks usually approach people with "leisurely or undramatic behavior," R. Aidan Martin, ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research's director in Vancouver, Canada, told National Geographic.

He said the fish's approach to people is totally different from how they attack their main source of prey, seals and sea lions.

"The sharks would rocket to the surface and pulverize their prey with incredible force," said Martin.

Sharks are not going out of their way to eat people, but their curiosity gets the better of them and they may take a "taste test" of things that grab their attention and seem unfamiliar, states the National Geographic .

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on  LinkedIn  or follow her on  X, formerly Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok : @juliamarieg z

Students from Belle Isle program build their own boat. Now they look to sail it

Eight middle school students returned to Belle Isle this summer for another year of sailing lessons. But a few months ago, before they hit the water, those students learned a new lesson: how to build a boat.

The Detroit Community Sailing Center launched a pilot program this year that gave students an opportunity to learn how to build a sailboat. In May, they completed 80% of the boat's foundation . On Monday, after having a month off from the project, they put the finishing touches on the boat. On Tuesday afternoon, they attempted to sail it.

With their parents and instructors gathered on the dock to watch, the students pulled their sailboat into the water and took turns successfully sailing their boat.

" I'm proud of them," Harry Jones, president of the Detroit Sailing Community Center, said to one of the parents. "They built the boat."

A hands-on workshop

Brothers Ari and Eli Boyce, 14 and 13, of Detroit, have sailed with the Detroit Community Sailing Center's Challenge the Wind youth program for three years and welcomed the opportunity to learn how to build a boat.

"The experience was really fun," Eli Boyce said. "It really got easier over time, like learning how to use the tools. And it really helped that it was a really hands-on experience, it wasn't really like they showed you it and they just did it."

Learning a new set of skills can come with challenges.

"The hardest part for me, I think, was when we were cutting and like trying to make the shapes of the boat, it's a lot of back and forth with saws and tools and stuff," Ari Boyce said. "And I think that's the hardest part for me, just like, trying to carve out and get the right shape of the boat and different pieces together and all that."

Eli said he struggled most with conversions.

"The hardest part for me was probably the measuring portion of it because, when we were building the boat, instead of using like normal inches, like feet and stuff, we had to use millimeters and it was a rough change for me," Eli Boyce said.

After learning about the pilot program from an email, Laura Thomas, 47 of Grosse Pointe, thought it would be a great project for her 13-year-old son Logan, who already had some experience in woodworking.

"He really enjoyed making something that was something you could actually use and take out on the water and everything. And that experience of creating something that you can go out and utilize was something he really enjoyed."

Future of the program

Jones said the boat building workshop could be the foundation for a year-round curriculum around sailing, so students aren't just involved in the summer.

"For the past couple of years, we've been looking to expand the educational component, STEM component of our program," Jones said. "And we tried some of the conventional things that other sailing organizations are doing. And it was fine, but it wasn't capturing us emotionally."

The boat building workshop, a partnership between the Detroit Community Sailing Center and the Detroit River Stories Lab out of the University of Michigan, is an attempt to try something more innovative and grow its STEM offerings.

Jones first joined the center in 2011, and has served as director of the program for 10 years. When he first arrived, he said that the program "had fallen in disrepair." People had left the organization and there were only two boats to teach sailing. Today, Detroit Community Sailing has drawn donations in dollars and in vessels. The nonprofit has 40 sailboats, and 100 youths and adults learned how to sail there last year.

The organization has operated out of the Belle Isle Boathouse since 2018. The building now faces an uncertain future , as the state considers demolishing the aging structure in need of renovations. Jones said that the Detroit Community Sailing Center "got some reassurance from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) that we'll be able to continue to program there regardless of what happens," but understands that all could change, and are looking at other locations should they have to move.

"Hopefully, we won't have to," Jones said, "but we know the reality is that we better have an option if we want to keep the program alive."

'And here we are ...'

In May, the students completed 80% of the boat's foundation as part of the first phase of the project. On Monday, they reunited to begin the second phase. They finalized the boat's design details and installed the last pieces of equipment. Jones said that this boat will be added to the organization's fleet and is looking forward to building more in the future.

The workshop has inspired Ari and Eli to learn more about boats and pursue STEM-based hobbies, and it has brought them closer to their uncle, who has his own motor boat.

"I think that being part of the program helped me understand our uncle's boat a little bit more and like, help talk to him about the boat, and what the boat's doing and what direction the wind is coming from and stuff like that," Eli Boyce said. "It's helped me bond with him, definitely."

Their mother, Kenya Lowe, said that she has seen her children's confidence grow since they first joined Detroit Community Sailing Center in 2021.

"Ari and Eli were very shy but the instructors in the program made them feel comfortable and safe," Lowe, 47, of Farmington Hills, said. "Everyone in the program made the learning experience fun and adventurous. So after that summer, Ari and Eli wanted to come back. And here we are, year (three)."

Looking back, Lowe said that program offered her children, "so much more" than she expected.

"It's absolutely worth it to put your child in this program. You will see so much growth and calmness," Lowe said. "It is such a beautiful feeling to sit outside Belle Isle and watch your child sail a boat on their own. It feels good to know they are confident in their ability to manage a boat."

Eric Guzmán covers youth sports culture at the Free Press as a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support this work at  bit.ly/freepRFA .

Contact Eric Guzmán: [email protected]; 313-222-1850. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @EricGuzman90 .

Boat capsizes on Lake Michigan, killing two and leaving one survivor

Notifications to the families of the deceased victims are still pending..

OZAUKEE COUNTY – Two people died and one survived after a boat capsized in Lake Michigan near Port Washington during the evening July 15.  

After receiving a mayday call of a sinking vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a 45-foot response boat from Station Milwaukee. A Station Sheboygan crew also responded.  

A good Samaritan arrived at the scene to help after hearing a distress call over the radio. They heard a person yelling for help in the water.   

A 50-year-old man and a 51-year-old man from Illinois were found unresponsive when other emergency personnel, including Ozaukee County Emergency Management rescue boat and Port Washington Fire Department fire boat, responded.

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A 26-year-old man from Beloit was found conscious, who confirmed the distress call and that there were three people on the boat. 

All three individuals were transported to the Aurora Medical Center in Grafton.  

“This all-hands effort highlights the partnership we have with our local partners, with their help we were able to find all three people from the vessel that sank tonight,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberly Miller, Station Milwaukee Coxswain, said in a news release. “The one responsive person we rescued was also wearing a life jacket, which was critical in buying us time to find them and pull them out.” 

Although rescue personnel performed lifesaving efforts, the two unconscious victims did not survive. Their families haven’t been notified yet.  

The 26-year-old man rescued is in stable condition, according to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office.

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The water was about 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and waves reached 2-4 feet high. The boat, a 177 model and 17-foot 2008 Triton fishing boat, was overturned when a wave struck its side, completely submerging it. The boat hasn’t been found.

The Port Washington Police Department and Grafton and Saukville fire departments assisted in this incident as well.  

Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or [email protected] . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .

Boat fire kills at least 40 Haitian migrants, IOM reports

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At least three dead in Haiti after boat catches fire during escape attempt

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PORT-AU-PRINCE (AP) — At least three people were dead and up to 40 others remain missing after a boat in the waters off northern Haiti caught fire with up to 80 Haitians on board trying to escape to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a government official said Friday.

Civil Protection official Jean Henry-Petit said at least 31 people had been rescued by the Haitian coast guard.

The dead included the captain of the boat, according to Arnold Jean, a spokesperson for the police in Cap-Haïtien.

The fire likely started when two drums of gasoline ignited, Henry-Petit said. Passengers were drinking rum and whiskey, according to a witness, which may have come into contact with the flammable substance, causing the fire.

The police said the migrants were heading toward Providenciales, an island in the Caribbean archipelago the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On Friday, the Haitian police announced they were searching for the organizers of this clandestine trip and have launched an investigation to gather information to make arrests.

The incident comes as rampant violence continues to take hold of Haiti ‘s capital and beyond amid political turmoil. Armed gangs launched coordinated attacks in February, taking control of more than two dozen police stations and opening fire on Haiti’s main airport, which closed for nearly three months.

Since then, nearly 580,000 people have been displaced in the country, according to the U.N.

At least 40 Haitian migrants killed in boat fire

They were heading for Turks and Caicos, the International Organization for Migration said.

At least 40 Haitian migrants were killed and scores were injured after the boat they were traveling on caught fire off the northern coast of Haiti, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Friday.

The boat, which was carrying at least 80 people and headed to Turks and Caicos, left the northern city of Cap-Haïtien around 4 a.m. Wednesday. It caught fire a short time later near Labadee. The Haitian coast guard rescued more than 40 survivors, the IOM said.

“This devastating event highlights the risks faced by children, women and men migrating through irregular routes, demonstrating the crucial need for safe and legal pathways to migration,” Grégoire Goodstein, the IOM’s chief in Haiti, said in a statement.

The fire came the same week that a second contingent of Kenyan police officers arrived in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince as part of a U.N.-backed international security mission to beat back the heavily armed gangs that control at least 80 percent of the city and to allow new elections.

Gangs killed at least 3,250 people in Haiti from January to May, the U.N. office in Haiti reported last month, up more than 30 percent from the previous five months. The violence has forced more than 570,000 people to flee their homes.

The security challenges have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in a country long saddled with endemic poverty and where roughly half of the people suffer from acute hunger.

“Haiti’s socioeconomic situation is in agony,” Goodstein said. “The extreme violence over the past months has only brought Haitians to resort to desperate measures even more.”

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More than 86,000 migrants have been forcibly returned to Haiti this year by neighboring countries, the IOM said.

In the weeks since several hundred Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti, they have joined the Haitian National Police on street patrols, but they have not yet started operations to pacify gang-controlled neighborhoods.

Dennis B. Hankins, the U.S. ambassador to Haiti, said he expects those operations to begin “within the next few weeks.”

As the violence has worsened, Haitians have often taken to the sea to seek refuge elsewhere, many of them making risky trips on rickety boats or other makeshift vessels that are not fit for such voyages. The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, is a common destination. Others head for the Bahamas or the Florida coast.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force on Thursday announced that they were suspending the search for 60 Haitian migrants that may have left the Bahamas for Florida on July 4 on a boat that was experiencing engine issues.

The IOM says that collecting figures on the number who die at sea is challenging because of “the remote nature of maritime routes, the secrecy in which boats set out and the lack of information on trajectories.”

“Many, many boats leave [Haiti],” said Antoine Lemonnier, an IOM spokesman in the country. “Many are intercepted by foreign coast guards … and probably many are dying and we will never know about it.”