princess yachts lee mill

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

Brand story

• Princess Yachts
• Yacht for sale
• News & Events

After releasing the very first Princess motor yacht in 1965 – 31-ft Project 31 – Princess Yachts have become a leader of the motor yacht industry. Legendary flybridge models, innovative long-range X Class, sporty V and S Class as well as the newest R Class with outstanding high-performance characteristics – every single Princess yacht represents the ultimate handcrafted luxury on water that provides its owners with best experiences. What makes Princess Yachts stand out from other motor yacht brands? The core of the brand concept is vivid – every Princess yacht owner experiences the exceptionally built yachts with phenomenal level of handcrafted detailing. Perfect maneuverability and handling, beautifully furnished luxurious interiors, durability and comfort – this is what is concealed in every Princess yacht. Located in Plymouth, Great Britain, Princess Yachts’ shipyard has one of the most advanced building infrastructures in the world that enables the construction of high-quality motor yachts implementing on board technologies of the future. Every Princess yacht conceives a perfect balance of style and material that unifies innovations and heritage, creativity and cutting-edge technologies. Being a part of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (LVMH), Princess Yachts is a synonym of luxury yachting that has become one of the most influential brands in the world.

Brief history of Princess Yachts Limited

Princess Yachts established as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd to deal with technical maintenance and chartering of Project 31 yacht. Afterwards, the yacht was sold. The company then realized that it was a good chance to grow substantially by selling yachts. Between 1966 and 1969 more than 150 yachts have been successfully built and sold.

After Project 31 success, Princess started to make GRP-formation and released its first Princess 32 that was then showcased during boat show in London. In a decade, more than 1200 yachts have been sold, what made this yacht a true best-seller of all time. Local and foreign agents were hired and the distributor network was.

John Bennett appointed to design two new models to compliment Princess 32.

Princess 37 had had launched during boat show in London, as well as Princess 25 was introduced later that year.

Based on Princess 37 the very first flybridge yachts launched in different variations. In addition, the Lee Mill infrastructure was opened as a mould store, developed by Bernard Olesinski.

Princess 30DS was the first next-generation yacht designed by Bernard Olesinski.

More than 500 yachts sold. This trend started a brand new approach. Its core idea lays in profound salon detailing of every model. This is one of the core brand concepts Princess Yachts still follows.

Premiere of the Princess 45, the all-time design of a motor yacht and the biggest, which was mass produced at that time. More 900 yachts have been sold in 9 years. Princess 45 was replaced by the newest Princess 455.

The very first sport yacht built – Princess 286 R. It was developed for the needs of the Mediterreanean market.

Brand new manufacturing facility «Langage 1» is built with volume 4200 sq. m in Plymouth.

Princess 62 is launched. It was the largest mass-produced motor yacht built in Britain.

First V class sport yachts are built: Princess V39 and Princess V52, which were later established as a base for future yachts.

The very first «Metre» yacht is built – Princess 20 Metre.

New headquarters opened on Newport street. The shipyard acquires Coypool facility (30000 sq.m), also Langage facility is extended to Langage 2 to produce V class yachts. Princess 52 construction started, which were the first yachts to have electronic diesel engines installed.

Princess v65 mass production started, the largest yacht of the range.

Marine Projects renamed to Princess Yachts International plc.

The company celebrates 40 th anniversary, being the world leader in yacht mass-production.

The construction of Princess 95 Motor yacht flagship started.

Princess V class extended to Princess V85, the biggest yacht in the range. Princess 85 Motor Yacht, Princess 50 and Princess V62 also added to the model list.

Princess Yachts is to be the first European yacht manufacturer to acquire ISO14001 certificate as a recognition of achievements in lowering negative impact on nature. 5 new yachts are added to the model range with Princess 72 Motor Yacht and Princess V85-S. Princess climbs 37 points up in Sunday Times HSBC Top track 250 rating.

Princess Yachts presents the very first M class yacht during London Boat Show – Princess 32M, and 3 other boats later that year. Princess acquires ownership of South Yard industrial complex from the Ministry of Defense and funding from the regional development government to increase the growth of the production.

Princess Yachts achieves British standard OHSAS 18001 certificate in security management and health of the employees. Princess Yachts becomes the first major British motor yacht manufacturer to achieve RINA Green Plus (Y) level for every yacht in V class and flybridge range with length under 24 meters.

This year is very important for the shipyard. V39 – the smallest yacht built for the last decade as well as the biggest superyacht every built in history of the shipyard – Princess 40M. The 132-feet superyacht listed as the biggest yacht built in Great Britain with resin-unfused composite hull. Princess V52 prized as «Best sportcruiser 45 ft+». David King founder and CEO of Princess Yachts Ltd awarded with special jury prize «Motor Boat of the Year Awards 2012». Princess V39 awarded in USA as «Best foreign motor yacht 30-40 feet» during AIM Media Marine Group Editor’s Choice Award 2012. In 2012 V57, 56 and Princess V62-S were built reaching the total number of new added yachts in the year to 5.

The release of Princess 52, 82 Motor Yacht and 88 Motor Yacht. The shipyard starts building the first yacht with IPS drive system – Princess V48. The first Princess 40M superyacht is awarded with prestigious World Superyacht Award in nominations «Trideck gliding or semi-displacement motor yacht» and «Best mass produced motor yacht from 24 to 40 m» during 9-th Asia Boating Awards. The other M class yacht – Princess 32M – is awarded with «Best mass produced motor yacht in the range of 30m» during Hurun Report’s Best of the Best Awards. It was also a successful year for V class. V39 was awarded second year in a row as «Best sportcruiser under 45 feet» during Motor Boat Awards. In Japan V52 awarded as «Best foreign large yacht» and «Yacht of the 2012». The company awarded with «Large Company of the Year» during Herald Business Awards 2013 and «Best brand collection» during Helm Singapore Yacht Show.

Princess presents Princess S72, the brand-new S class yacht with sportbridge. The development of the new M class superyacht is in full swing, which will be announced in 2015. Two flybridge yachts awarded: Princess 43 wins in the category «Flybridge yacht under 55 feet» during Motor boat Awards and Princess 56 wins «Best foreign large yacht» during Boat of the year in Japan.

Princess Yachts celebrates its 50 th anniversary since the establishment in 1965. For this occasion, Princess Yachts releases renovated Project 31 – the very first Princess yacht. The yacht was showcased during Cannes Yachting Festival along with the sales start of Princess 35M. S class range updated with Princess S65. Later this year the shipyard launched open versions of Princess V58 and V48. Princess S72 and V48 are awarded during Motor Boat Awards. Princess 40M wins the category «Best semi-custom yacht in the World in the range 25 m+» during Asia Pacific Boating Awards.

The English shipyard launches new Princess 75 Motor Yacht and new M class superyacht – Princess 30M. Princess 49 with IPS engine added to the flybridge range.

In January two Princess yachts – 75 Motor Yacht and V58 – are awarded as «Best Yacht of the Year» during Motor Boat Awards. The shipyard refreshed its sports yacht range with Princess V40, which premiered at boot Düsseldorf in Germany. The brand-new Princess S60 showcased during London Boat Show. Princess 30M superyacht wins «Best semi-custom superyacht in the range from 30 to 33.9 m» during World Superyacht Awards. During Cannes and Southampton yacht festivals Princess 55 and 62 were premiered. In Cannes Princess Yachts presented its first unique client-oriented service – Princess Lifeline SOS-service. 2017 is a record-breaking year for Princess Yachts: the volume of the order book exceeds 1 billion dollars. Today the company is one of the bespoke luxury yachts manufacturer, that builds 20 different models in the range of superyachts, motor flybridge yachts. V class sport yachts and S class sportbridges, R class performance yachts in the range 39 to 132 feet and has a network with more than 50 distributors around the world.

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

Princess Yachts 50-year history in photos

To celebrate 50 years of Princess Yachts, we’ve been taking a look back at some of the Plymouth yard's most historic models

Princess Yachts is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015. And to mark this major milestone we’ve been taking a look back at some of the company’s greatest hits.

The story began on Newport Street in Plymouth in 1965. It was here that ex-Naval officer David King and two friends started a company called Marine Projects.

Their first model, which was named Project 31 , was built on the hull of a Senior 31 and fitted out in a rented shed.

From such humble beginnings, Marine Projects made huge advances over the following years. This led to the 1969 launch of the Princess 32 – the first model to bear the name.

Eleven years later the company began work on the Princess 30DS with a promising young designer called Bernard Olesinski. His name has since become a byword for the deep-vee hull.

Recommended videos for you

In 1984 the launch of the Princess 286 Riviera cemented this company’s status in the high-speed sports cruiser market. Its twin 270hp Volvo AQ271/DP engines gave a top speed of more than 30 knots.

The V-Class range was rolled out in 1994 with the arrival of the Princess V39 , which in its latest guise is still one of the company’s best sellers more than 20 years later.

From Marine Projects to Princess Yachts International

But wasn’t until 2001 that the company was officially renamed as Princess Yachts International, with production split over three sites in Devonport, Plympton and Lee Mill.

And in 2008 a buyout by L Capital allowed further expansion, taking the Princess range over the 100ft mark for the first time.

However, the latest new vessel to be launched is the Princess 68 – our cover star for March .

But with founder David King still at the helm, there’s plenty more to come.

Princess has hinted at further launches in the Flybridge, V-Class and S-Class ranges in 2015. Here’s to 50 more years!

To relive the history of Princess Yachts so far, click on the slideshow above or watch the video below.

Largest Princess model added to charter fleet

Gallery: six of the best supercar motorboat crossovers, gallery: meandering to the med – part one, latest videos, sacs rebel 50 tour: the world's most luxurious rib, fairline targa tour: sensational new british sportscruiser, navan s30 & c30 tour: exceptional new axopar rival, galeon 440 fly sea trial: you won't believe how much they've packed in.

• Select Language

Princess Yachts International celebrates 50th anniversary year

Thursday 29th January 2015

2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Princess Yachts International, one of the world’s leading motor yacht manufacturers.

Founded in 1965 as Marine Projects (Plymouth), David King and two friends started the business with a Senior 31 hull and deck moulding to fit out in their rented shed based at Newport Street, Plymouth.

Project 31 (pictured) sold for £3,400 and marked the beginning of a successful Plymouth shipyard. Over the years, Princess Yachts has produced some world-beating craft from the company’s first sports boat; the 286 Riviera which firmly cemented Marine Projects’ place in the high speed sports cruiser market, to the Princess 65 which became the company’s flagship in 1990.

On 1st August 2001 Marine Projects became Princess Yachts International plc now occupying sites in Devonport, Plympton and Lee Mill. In 2008 the company was purchased by L Capital and the following year South Yard, a 15 acre waterside site (formally part of the Royal Naval Dockyard) was acquired with plans put in place to take the brand over the 100 foot mark.

Now with over 2,400 employees across six sites, Princess Yachts International is one of the biggest employers in the South West. Along with a complex distributor network covering more than 65 countries around the world and a product range consisting of 23 models; Princess has become a leading motor yacht manufacturer at the forefront of the industry.

Princess Yachts is set to make 2015 a memorable year with the launch of two new M Class superyachts. The Princess 30M will mark the entry point into M Class with the 35M reaffirming Princess’ ability to produce world-class superyachts. As with all M Class yachts the 30M and 35M will combine elegant lines with sophisticated and contemporary interior styling. 2015 will also see further announcements to Princess’ Flybridge, V Class and S Class ranges.

Sign up to our newsletter

Sign up now to be the first to hear about our news and updates.

You can amend or withdraw consent at any time here or by emailing us . Further details regarding how we process your personal data can be found in our privacy policy .

• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Our Sister Brands

Fire breaks out at Princess Yachts site in Lee Mill - updates

Flames can be seen coming from extractor vents at the side of a building adjacent to the A38

• Updated 12:08, 28 MAR 2022

Fire crews have been called out after a fire has broken out at the Princess Yachts site in Lee Mill. The incident has happened at around 10.30am on Monday morning.

Flames can be seen coming from extractor vents at the side of a building adjacent to the A38, an eyewitness told PlymouthLive. Four fire engines are reported to be on the scene.

Staff have been evacuated from the site. The incident remains ongoing.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for comment. For the latest updates follow the blog below

• Princess Yachts staff evacuated after fire at Lee Mill site 12:08

Princess Yachts staff evacuated after fire at Lee Mill site

Fire crews at the scene, pictures from the scene.

Princess Yachts statement

A spokesman for Princess Yachts said: “We can confirm that unfortunately a fire broke out at our Lee Mill site this morning. The fire was contained to an air handling unit in one of the buildings. All staff were evacuated safely and quickly. All were accounted for with no injuries. The fire is under control and we would like to extend our thanks to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for their swift and excellent response.”

Fire engines at the scene

Fire service

We have contacted their press office for comment

Staff have been evacuated

Staff are outside the affected building

Get the latest updates

You can stay up to date on the top news and events near you with PlymouthLive's FREE newsletters – enter your email address at the top of the page or go here .

• Princess Yachts
• Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue
• Most Recent

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Pricing Plan
• Superyacht Insight
• Product Features
• Premium Content
• Testimonials
• Global Order Book
• Tenders & Equipment

Princess Yachts For Sale

British luxury yacht manufacture Princess broke into the superyacht market with the launch of the Princess 25 Metre motor yacht in early-2000. Since then, Princess has enriched its British maritime heritage with new innovations and lines that have helped to establish the brand's lifestyle statement. With many Princess yachts for sale now on BOAT International, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Princess yacht owner lifestyle.

Yacht Features

Propulsion System

• International

March 24 Moscow concert hall attack

By Heather Chen , Andrew Raine , Catherine Nicholls, Antoinette Radford, Maureen Chowdhury and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Here's what we know about the four suspects in the Moscow concert hall attack

From CNN’s Masha Angelova and Josh Pennington

Each of the four defendants charged with committing a terrorist act in the Crocus City concert hall attack was brought to court individually in Moscow on Sunday.

They are accused of committing a crime under part 3, provision “b” of article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code (terrorist act), which the Russian Criminal Code states is punishable with up to life imprisonment.

Three pled guilty to all charges, according to state media news agency TASS .

Here's what we know about the accused:

• Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev: The 32-year-old was the first defendant brought to court. Mirzoyev, from Tajikistan, had a temporary registration for three months in the southern Russian city of Novosibirsk in Siberia, but it expired, according to RIA Novosti.
• Saidakrami Rachabalizoda: He appeared as the second defendant, and told the the court that he had Russian registration documents but couldn't remember where they were. He communicated through an interpreter, according to state media RIA Novosti. Rachabalizoda was reportedly born in 1994.
• Shamsidin Fariduni: He was born in 1998 in Tajikistan and is a citizen of the Central Asian country. Fariduni was officially employed at a factory in the Russian city of Podolsk and was registered in the city of Krasnogorsk, according to state media RIA Novosti.
• Muhammadsober Faizov: The fourth defendant appeared nonresponsive in a wheelchair and was accompanied by a doctor to his court appearance, as seen in Moscow City Court’s video shared on Telegram. Faizov was temporarily unemployed, before which he worked in a barber shop in Ivanovo, a city northeast of Moscow, and is registered in that city, according to state media RIA Novosti. He was reportedly born in 2004.

This post has been updated with more information on the charges against the suspects.

Moscow court orders preventive detention for all four defendants in concert hall attack case

The Basmanny District Court of Moscow on Sunday granted the investigators’ motion for detention, as the chosen preventative measure, for all four defendants in the Crocus City Hall attack case.

All four men have been remanded into pre-trial detention until May 22, stated Moscow City Court via Telegram.  

They are all charged with committing a terrorist act, according to the courts of general jurisdiction of the city of Moscow, which under the Russian Criminal Code is punishable up to life imprisonment.

Each of the four defendants was brought to court individually on Sunday.

Three pled guilty to all charges, according to state media news agency TASS. 

The names of the four accused in the case are Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, Moscow City Courts announced via Telegram.

All four are from Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, and have been in Russia on either temporary or expired visas.  

The court held closed hearings for each of the accused with no members of the public allowed, TASS reported, citing the court’s press service. 

2 defendants identified in Crocus City Hall attack

From CNN’s Masha Angelova, Michael Bodenhorst and Josh Pennington

The first defendant in the Crocus City concert hall attack case, Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, has pleaded guilty on all counts, the press service of Moscow City Court told state media RIA Novosti.

He will be held in preventive custody at least through May 22. 

Mirzoyev is one of two defendants implicated in the attack who are facing possible life imprisonment, as reported by state media.

The suspects — Mirzoyev and Saidakrami Rachabalizoda — appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on charges related to the attack.

Both individuals are accused of committing a terrorist act and could be sentenced to life imprisonment, according to state media outlet RIA Novosti. The prosecution has requested detention as a precautionary measure for both defendants.

Authorities have petitioned the court to conduct Mirzoyev's hearing behind closed doors to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings, state media news agency TASS reported. 

First suspect apprehended in the Crocus City Hall attack arrives in court

From CNN’s Masha Angelova

The first suspect apprehended after the attack on Crocus City Hall that killed at least 137 people has arrived in court at the Basmanny Court of Moscow. 

Crocus City Hall killings are deadliest since Beslan school siege — these are some other recent attacks in Russia

From CNN Staff

The attack on Moscow's popular Crocus City Hall that left at least 133 dead has become the deadliest attack in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004.

Some other recent attacks include:

• September 26, 2022 : Eleven children and four adults were killed when a gunman wearing Nazi symbols opened fire at a school in the western Russian city of Izhevsk. The shooter, who was reportedly wearing a black T-shirt with Nazi insignia and a helmet, died by suicide following the attack.
• April 3, 2017 : At least 11 people were killed in a blast on the St. Petersburg metro. The explosion tore through a train as it was traveling between two stations in Russia’s second-largest city.
• October 31, 2015 : A Russian passenger jet, Metrojet Flight 9268 crashed  on October 31 after departing from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh,  killing all 224 people  on board. US intelligence analysis suggested that ISIS or its affiliates  planted a bomb on the plane .
• December 30, 2013 : A massive explosion at a train station in the Russian city of Volgograd killed at least 16 people, including one police officer, the Investigative Committee of Russia said.
• January 25, 2011 : A suicide bomber attacked Domodedovo Airport , Moscow's busiest airport, killing 35 people and wounding about 100, authorities and state television said.
• March 29, 2010 : Two explosions rocked the subway stations in central  Moscow during rush hour, killing at least 38 people and wounding more than 60 others, spawning widespread public outrage. A website associated with Chechen separatists, who have long fought for independence from Russia, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Rescuers, robotic systems and canine teams are currently on site of Crocus City concert hall

From CNN’s Darya Tarasova and Eve Brennan

More than 300 “specialists” and 154 pieces of equipment are currently on site at the Crocus City concert hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, where a deadly attack took place Friday , Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Telegram on Sunday.

The ministry said more than 400 cubic meters of structures had been dismantled by rescuers while specialized robotic systems, canine teams and psychologists from the ministry continue to work.

More than 1,600 calls have already been received on the department’s hotline, the ministry added.

The post was accompanied by a video showing dozens of emergency workers digging through the rubble of the partially burned-down concert hall.

Remember : At least 137 people died on Friday after attackers opened fire on civilians at the Crocus City concert hall, and set the building ablaze. The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, has claimed the attack and  released graphic footage  purporting to show the incident. 

Putin lit a candle in memory of victims of the concert hall attack

From CNN's Eve Brennan and Anna Chernova

Russian President Vladimir Putin lit a candle Sunday in memory of victims of the deadly attack at the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow region on Friday.

Putin also expressed deep condolences following the Moscow shooting, calling it a "barbaric terrorist act" in a video statement released Saturday.

More background: The deadly attack comes barely a week after Putin secured his fifth presidential term. The large-scale attack is damaging for a leader who portrays himself as someone able to guarantee order.

Death toll in concert hall attack rises to 137 — including 3 children, Russian Investigative Committee says

From CNN's Darya Tarasova 

The Russian Investigative Committee has updated the death toll in the Crocus City attack to 137.

In a statement released online, the committee said "the bodies of 137 people have been found at the site of the terrorist attack, three of which are children."

The committee added that 62 bodies have been identified so far. 

"For the remaining victims, genetic examinations are being carried out to establish their identities," the statement said. "The investigation of the crime scene continues." 

Russian Embassy in US says it did not receive notification of impending terrorist attack

From CNN’s Katya Krebs in Moscow and Eve Brennan in London

The Russian Embassy in Washington says it did not receive any warnings about a potential terror attack in Moscow from the US, Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on Sunday.

The US diplomatic mission had warned Americans to “avoid large gatherings” at the beginning of March due to reports “that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow.”

Earlier this week Putin had dismissed those warnings, telling the FSB that the embassy warnings were "provocative" and "outright blackmail."

“We did not receive any notifications or messages in advance,” Antonov told RIA.

“We paid attention to this, but,… I had no contacts with either the White House or the State Department on this issue,” he added.

In light of Friday’s attack at Crocus, Antonov told RIA Novosti that contacts between the US and the Russian Federation in the fight against terrorism have been “destroyed,” adding that the fault was not Moscow’s.

“I always reminded the Americans that our president was the first who, in 2001, extended his hand to the Americans and declared his readiness to provide help. And something worked, it worked... and it’s not our fault that all of this has been destroyed today,” he said.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.