megayacht hersteller

Sunseeker Range brochure

How can we help you?

PERFORMANCE

38' - 55'

SPORT YACHT

55' - 68'

76' - 100'

116' - 131'

DISCOVER MORE

The Sunseeker story began in 1969 when entrepreneurial brothers Robert and John Braithwaite pursued their boat-building passion.

Today, we are the leading brand for luxury performance motor yachts. With seven yacht ranges, we offer the most diverse product portfolio in the world. Each with its own personality, our yachts are engineered with the owner in mind and standing at the helm. The Superyacht, Yacht, Ocean, Manhattan, Predator, Sport Yacht and Performance models all possess a uniqueness with one commonality. Every Sunseeker is the result of an uncompromising approach to design excellence. The pioneering spirit of our founders remains in our DNA with an unrelenting pursuit to surpass expectations.

THE NEW SUNSEEKER PREDATOR 55 LEADS THE LINE-UP AT CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL 2024

News & Events

AMBITIOUS. SOPHISTICATED. BEAUTIFUL: THE SUNSEEKER OCEAN 156 TO DEBUT IN SOUTHAMPTON

Sunseeker Proudly Unveils the Ocean 156

SUNSEEKER OCEAN 182

When Robert Braithwaite started up the engine of a small, open-cockpit speedboat in 1969, it wasn’t just the Hostess 17 that roared into life. It was a new standard of yacht making.

Expert hands and extraordinary attention to detail. Passed from generation to generation, these are the most valuable skills required to make a Sunseeker.

FIND YOUR SUNSEEKER DISTRIBUTOR

DEALER LOCATOR

FIND YOUR PREFERRED DISTRIBUTOR

Dealer Locator

© 2024 Sunseeker. All Rights Reserved.

• Compare Yacht

• Azimut World

Find a dealer

Charter club, news & events.

Azimut offers the most extensive range of yachts in the world. Explore the different Series to find the yacht best suited to your lifestyle.

The latest from our world

Bataviahaven, 8242 KH Lelystad, Netherlands

CONTINUE TO GO BEYOND, WITH US

Follow us on WECHAT

Please keep me updated on everything about this yacht.

Non venderemo mai i tuoi dati, manterremo i tuoi dati al sicuro e non condivideremo mai i tuoi dati con terze parti per scopi di marketing. You can update your contact details at any time by emailing [email protected] or change your mind by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email you receive from us.

I have read Azimut Benetti s.p.a. privacy notice and:

I agree to receive the newsletter about Azimut’s world from Azimut Benetti s.p.a.

I agree to receive, via email, informational material regarding Azimut products from Azimut Benetti s.p.a..

We have successfully received your request and will contact you shortly.

Our newsletter will provide you with the latest news, on boat launches, previews and shows.

You will soon receive your first newsletter with the latest Azimut news.

Complete the form below to be contacted by a dedicated dealer who will gladly respond to your questions and requirements.

I agree with the disclosure of my personal data to other companies belonging to Azimut Benetti s.p.a. group and /or to third-party companies affiliated with Azimut Benetti s.p.a. for the sale of its products.

We have successfully received your request. One of our select dealers will contact you shortly.

Specify your request

Fill in the required fields and submit the form.

I have read Azimut Benetti s.p.a. privacy notice.

Thank you for your interest

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

• Link to search page
• US: +1 (561) 833 4462
• US: +1 (206) 209-1920
• MC: +377 99 90 74 63

The Top 10 Best Yacht Builders In The World

Here is our list of the best yacht builders on earth. Deciding which shipyard will build your luxury yacht is a complex and deeply personal choice, depending on many factors including the level of customization you want, your budget, the location of the shipyard, and the ‘feel’ you get for the yard’s vision and people.

Our list of the best yacht builders is naturally subjective and will not feature every well-known brand. Our short selection includes a range of shipyards, from manufacturers of the some of the most iconic custom-built superyachts to hugely popular production yacht builders.

Here are the best yacht builders on earth, sorted by region.

Usa – best yacht builders.

Westport is one of the dominant players in the American yacht-building market, with a hugely popular range of tri-deck and raised pilothouse motoryachts built from composite materials. Their models range from from the 112′ to 164′ (34m to 50m) series, allowing the yacht owner to customize the interior layout without the high cost and long timescale of fully-custom construction. As the largest American yacht building company in operation, Westport has a proud history of high quality yacht manufacturing dating back to 1964, with over 100 superyachts and over 170 fishing vessels launched from their Pacific Northwest Shipyard. Westport yachts are extremely popular in the US brokerage and charter market and have a reputation for holding their value well. View current Westport yachts for sale .

Christensen Yachts prides itself on the construction of American-built custom and semi-custom superyachts from fiberglass, including well known yachts M/Y CASINO ROYALE, M/Y SILVER LINING and award-winning M/Y ODESSA. Founded by superyacht owners, Christensen has a loyal following of yacht owners, many of whom are repeat customers. Currently producing yachts at its Vancouver, WA yard between 100’ to 165’ (35m to 50m) in length, Christensen was bought out in 2015 and is in the process of building America’s largest superyacht facility in Tennessee, which will construct vessels up to 70m. View current Christensen yachts for sale .

Northern Europe – Best Yacht Builders

German superyacht builder Lurssen is the builder of the largest superyacht in existence, the 590’ (180m) M/Y AZZAM, which was completed in an astonishingly quick three years. Known for superb build quality and large projects across its superyacht, naval vessel, as well as its’ yacht refit and management divisions, Lurssen is a family-run shipyard with a prestigious yacht building heritage spanning back to 1875, when it constructed the first ever motoryacht. Lurssen is the builder of 5 of the top 10 largest yachts in the world. View current Lurssen yachts for sale.

Feadship, Netherlands: For some yacht owners, the only name worth knowing is Feadship. This prestigious brand is synonymous with Dutch superyacht quality, and has a legion of steadfast and loyal fans. Dating back to 1849, Feadship creates fully custom yachts from a ‘blank slate’ beginning, priding themselves on creating supremely unique, innovative yachts that stand the test of time. There are 450 bespoke yachts currently afloat in the Feadship fleet, including M/Y HASNA, a 239’ (73m) with a revolutionary layout. Read more on Dutch yacht builders . View current Feadship yachts for sale .

Amels’ vast and high-tech superyacht facility is the largest in the Netherlands, producing iconic, high-value yachts up to 330’ (100m), including their 2017 flagship yacht, 272’ (83m) M/Y HERE COMES THE SUN. Amels offer a fully custom yacht building service, as well as their exceedingly popular Limited Edition Series, whereby the yacht owner retains control over interior and exterior design but the yacht is built on a proven platform, thereby slashing the build time. Amels also builds support yachts through their parent company, DAMEN, a heavyweight in global shipbuilding. View current Amels yachts for sale .

Dutch yacht builder Heesen is known for its aluminum and steel superyachts and innovative use of technology, as seen in the revolutionary fast displacement hull form first seen in the multi-award winning M/Y GALACTICA STAR, and the hybrid propulsion utilized in the 2017 launch of M/Y HOME. With a fleet of over 170 yachts launched since inception in 1978, Heesen is known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in superyacht design and engineering. Heesen builds motoryachts between 100’ to 265’ (30m to 80m) in length at its Oss shipyard. View current Heesen yachts for sale .

Now owned by Lurssen, Blohm + Voss is a yachting powerhouse in its own right, constructing magnificent large superyachts including the iconic MOTOR YACHT A and 531’ (162m) M/Y ECLIPSE, currently the third-largest yacht in the world. The vast Blohm +Voss facility in Hamburg, Germany creates striking custom motoryachts and sailing yachts. View current Blohm +Voss yachts for sale.

Mediterranean – Best Yacht Builders

Benetti is a powerhouse of luxury yacht building, with a very healthy order list and a boat- building pedigree stretching back to 1873. Since 1960, Benetti has been constructing superyachts in Italy, including iconic yachts MY KINGDOM in 1980, then the largest yacht in the world at 280’ (85m), right through to recent launches such as the award-winning M/Y 11.11. Benetti is part of the Azimut-Benetti Group, the largest producer of luxury yachts in the world, building semi-custom and fully custom yachts between 100′ and 330′ (30m and 100m) long. Known for their Italian style and long history of yacht construction, Benetti has a loyal following of yacht owners who return to the yard each time they upgrade. View current Benetti yachts for sale .

The creators of one of the most well-known yachts on the planet, S/Y MALTESE FALCON, Perini Navi enjoys a superb reputation as a sailing superyacht builder, and also entered the large motoryacht market in 2007 under its Pichiotti brand. Perini Navi yachts are known for their superyacht luxuries and interior volume, as well as the technically brilliant sailing systems that allow these large yachts to be operated by a small crew. Perini Navi dominates the sailing superyacht market with its range from 130’ to 200’(40m to 60m), constructed at their three shipyards in Viareggio, La Spezia in Italy and also in Istanbul. View current Perini Navi yachts for sale .

UK – Best Yacht Builders

Sunseeker is one of the most instantly recognizable names in the yachting world, building performance luxury yachts known for their speed and sleek looks. Once better known for their smaller sport yachts, Sunseeker is now a major player in the superyacht market, with customizable yacht models from 75′ to 155′, as well as constructing the Predator range with a top speed of 45 knots. Built and engineered in Dorset, UK, Sunseeker is Britain’s most famous luxury yacht builder, creating the hand-finished yachts regularly featured on James Bond films. View current Sunseeker yachts for sale .

Worth Avenue Yachts has extensive experience with each of these yacht brands. To find out more about the relative advantages of these shipyards or the other high-quality shipyards that we recommend, please contact us for an expert discussion.

Yacht companies and manufacturers

Abeking & Rasmussen

Admiral Tecnomar

Alloy Yachts

Azimut Yachts

Bloemsma Van Breemen

Blohm & Voss

Cantiere Delle Marche

Christensen

Custom Line

DL YACHTS DREAMLINE

DRETTMANN YACHTS

Fincantieri

Leopard Yachts - Cantiere Navale Arno

Mangusta Overmarine

Mondomarine

Palmer Johnson

Perini Navi

Trinity Yachts

Wim Van der Valk

Motor yacht manufacturers

Luxury yacht manufacturers are spread all over Europe and all over the world. Most of motor yacht manufacturers are based in Europe. Leading super and mega yacht builders are from Northern Europe — Netherlands and Germany. Dutch shipyards specialized in sailing yachts are also the best. Italy has very strong yachtbuilding traditions as well, their yachts of various sizes are truly excellent vessels. Italian shipyards are one of the most successful, they build and sell very well. Great Britain is very good at building luxury motor yachts in GRP with sizes up to 40 m. France for now is less about building super yachts, but stunning sailing yachts and extremely performant multihulls are their success.

United States have numerous shipyards of their own. Each with great history and unique technologies. But european production is getting more and more popular among american clients. Benetti, Overmarine Group | Mangusta, Wider, Feadship, Luerssen — twice a year they all come to the american boat shows with their newest launches and the most successfull yachts.

Asian manufacturers have only recently entered the market. Although some strong production has been already organized in Taiwan.

Australia builds motor yachts rarely but builds very well. Their production is of true luxury. As for New Zealand, it's a unique country with very strong yacht building traditions. They are experts at sailing yachts, brilliant at building motor yachts.

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
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• 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
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

The Superyacht Directory is the world’s largest database of private luxury yachts, with over 12,000 megayachts listed. It’s the most authoritative place to find everything you need to know about superyachts – including new builds, historic vessels and the most famous boats of all time.

You can filter your Superyacht Directory search results by a number of specifications including speed, length and year of build, or select the builder, exterior designer or interior designer to narrow your search. With the Superyacht Directory, you can be as precise as you like, with options to filter by engine power, draught or displacement, propulsion system or hull material and more. You can use the Superyacht Directory to search by yacht type, breaking down your results into motor yachts, sailing yachts, explorer yachts or classic yachts.

Yacht search

Popular yachts, the fastest yachts in the world, the longest superyachts in the world, from our partners, sponsored listings.

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

Yachtbuilders

• News & Events

Dutch masters in Yachtbuilding

We sail where others stop, why settle for anything less, discover yachts, our yachtbuilders, hiswa yachts holland, motor yachts.

A collection of motor yachts

Sailing Yachts

A collection of sailing yachts

Launches & tenders

A collection of launches & tenders

Excellent craftmanship

High quality

Our Yachtbuilders & Top Equipment

Premium quality yachts from Holland

Half a millennium of maritime history has helped make the Dutch masters in yachtbuilding. The wealth of  experience has enabled Holland to become global market leader in the production of superyachts and  smaller (semi) custom built luxury yachts. All yachtbuilders presented on this website are certified members of the Dutch Boating association HISWA.

Browse our yachtbuilders

Mulder Shipyard delivered Favorite 1500 RESPIRE

Mulder Shipyard has succesfully delivered the new Favorite 1500 RESPIRE to her owners.

New order for Jachtbouw De Alm

Jachtbouw De Alm has started building a new Almclassic on behalf of a Dutch client.

Mulder Shipyard finished renovating Mulder Marina

Mulder Shipyard finished the renovation of the Mulder Marina in Warmond.

Yachts Holland

A representative selection of Dutch yards has joined forces to create a comprehensive overview of the yachts that they have to offer. To make the selection process even more convenient, we have organised them in three categories: motoryachts, sailing yachts and launches. You can make your own selection of favourites and compare. 

Share us on

Or copy the link below.

• Go to navigation
• Skip to content
• Go to footer

Konfigurieren Sie Ihre Yacht von PRESTIGE

• Konfigurieren

PRESTIGE 420

Prestige 460, prestige 520, prestige 590, prestige 690, prestige 420s, prestige 460s, prestige 520s.

FJORD 39 XP

Feel the pulse of power

Design für die Zukunft

Erleben Sie die Zukunft des Segelns mit der Hanse 410

Le Grand 53 XL

Mit der 53 XL präsentiert FJORD sein neues, aufregendes Flaggschiff

Neues Flaggschiff für die Dehler Flotte

Die neue Dehler 46 SQ

Neue Marke, ein Boot, viele Talente

Entdecken Sie RYCK Yachts

Experience this sunsation!

Die neue SEALINE S390

Unser Leitbild

Vielfalt, Menschlichkeit und Professionalität

Aktuelle Finanzberichte

Aktuelle Finanzberichte 2022/2023

Ausbildungsoffensive 2022

HanseYachts AG als TOP-AUSBILDUNGSBETRIEB 2022 ausgezeichnet

Die Yachten der HanseYachts AG

Die HanseYachts AG ist der zweitgrößte Segelyacht -Hersteller der Welt, gemessen an der Anzahl der jährlich in Serie gefertigten Yachten. Bei den  Motoryachten gehört das Unternehmen zu den Top-10-Herstellern weltweit. Mehr als 80 % der verkauften Boote gehen in den Export. Die 40 verschiedenen Modelle bilden eines der modernsten und vielfältigsten Freizeityacht-Angebote auf dem Markt. 

Mit dem Kauf einer eigenen Yacht erfüllen sich viele Segler und Motoryacht -Fans einen lang ersehnten Lebenstraum. Kunden und Kundinnen können bei der HanseYachts AG aus nahezu unzähligen Konfigurationsmöglichkeiten ihre ganz persönliche Traumyacht konfigurieren. Gemeinsam ist allen Booten das unverwechselbare Design, die hochwertige Ausstattung und unser kompromissloses Qualitätsversprechen. Darüber hinaus werden alle Modelle an unseren Standorten in Europa gefertigt. Stechen Sie mit uns in See – kaufen Sie eine neue Yacht und werden Sie Teil der HanseYachts AG Familie!

Die starken Marken der HanseYachts AG

Zur Gründungsmarke Hanse sind in den vergangenen Jahren fünf weitere hinzugekommen. Mit ihrer Mehrmarkenstrategie geht die HanseYachts AG differenziert auf die unterschiedlichen Bedürfnisse von Seglern und Motoryacht fahrern ein. Kommen Sie an Bord und tauchen Sie ein in die Markenwelt der HanseYachts AG. 

Die Moody DS41 gewinnt amerikanischen Award.

• {{>productsMenu}} Produkte
• {{>trendsMenu}} News & Trends
• Motor- und Segelyachten >

Luxusyachten

Erhalten Sie alle zwei Wochen Neuigkeiten aus dieser Rubrik.

Bitte lesen Sie unsere Datenschutzbestimmungen , um zu erfahren, wie NauticExpo mit Ihren personenbezogenen Daten umgeht.

Erreichen Sie das ganze Jahr über neue Kunden an einem einzigen Ort

Neue Produkte

• Liste der Marken
• Herstellerkonto
• Käuferkonto
• Unsere Dienstleistungen
• Newsletter abonnieren
• Über die VirtualExpo Group

BAVARIA YACHTS

45 years of yachting, welcome to the world of bavaria yachts.

Sailing Yachts

Sailing is the passion to experience the sea and the wind. Discover pure joy of sailing and your personal sailing yacht.

Motor Boats

Modern design, powerful and safe driving characteristics and plenty of space for the most beautiful hours on the water.

Catamarans from NAUTITECH combine unforgettable sailing moments and maximum comfort for owners, who love the sea.

News from the world of BAVARIA YACHTS

From September 10th to 15th the Cannes Yachting Festival rolls out the red carpet for the international yachting industry. Experience French flair on the Côte d'Azur and be inspired by our sailing yachts from the popular C-LINE.

Following the great success of the BAVARIA SR36 OPEN TOP, the shipyard from Giebelstadt is now presenting another Open-Top version and, with the BAVARIA SR33 OPEN TOP, is responding to the wishes of many customers for a uniquely open driving experience.

With a generous donation of a new set of sails, Bavaria Yachts from Giebelstadt is supporting the training of boat builders at the state vocational school for boat builders in Lübeck-Travemünde. The school, which is attended by students from almost all over Germany, benefits enormously from the support of the renowned Bavarian company.

When BAVARIA YACHTS invite you to its DEALER DAYS, everyone comes. This is because it is one of the major highlights of the year for the BAVARIA YACHTS dealer network, even if it largely consists of work.

One of the annual highlights for BAVARIA YACHTS for a long time. The cult regatta around the Kornati islands in Croatia. Our press spokesman Marcus Schlichting is also on board!

Gaining additional practical experience, learning new things and exchanging ideas with each other - more than 35 service technicians from our dealers were able to do all of this during a week-long BAVARIA service workshop at our shipyard.

It is the Oscar of the yachting industry, the European Yacht of the Year Award. The BAVARIA YACHTS team is all the more proud that the BAVARIA C46 was able to beat six competitors in the "Family Cruiser" category

Last week, the last BAVARIA VISION 42 was completed in Giebelstadt. On Friday morning, part of the BAVARIA YACHTS team gathered to give her a fitting farewell. The sailing yacht celebrated its premiere at the boot Düsseldorf in 2012 and the almost 13 metre long yacht was built in the shipyard for just over 12 years. 

We will answer all your questions about spare parts supply and repairs, and provide tips and assistance.  We will help you to get your yacht back on the water!

28.06.2024 Volos in Greece - a portrait of the beginner-friendly sailing area! Read more

13.06.2024 Something new from the pantry? Read more

14.05.2024 What happens in our Product Development? Read more

BAVARIA YACHTS – 45 Years of Yachting

BAVARIA YACHTS has been a manufacturer of innovative series yachts for 45 years. Over 42,000 sailing yachts and motorboats have been built on the 200,000 m² site since 1978.

What makes us special and what we especially show greatness in, is the experience of our employees. We deliver perfection, for which about 700 employees give their best. 

Every day, with every move - We are BAVARIA!

Visit us at Sweden's largest boat show for sailing boats! From Augst 23rd - 25th we will be showing you popular BAVARIA models from the C- and CRUISER-LINE.

Experience the pure joy of yachting.

Five bodies found inside superyacht that sank off Sicily

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Divers recovered four bodies Wednesday from inside a superyacht that sank in a sudden storm off Sicily , Salvatore Cocina, director of the island's Civil Protection Agency, confirmed to NBC News.

Cocina later confirmed to Sky News that a fifth body had been found and was being brought to shore. One passenger remains missing.

The identities of the bodies were not immediately released. Their recovery follows a dayslong search in the deep waters off Italy where British tech tycoon Mike Lynch  and several others were believed to be trapped in the hull. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived.

The rest had been missing since early Monday, when the Bayesian was caught in the storm anchored off the coast of Porticello, a village near the Sicilian capital city, Palermo.

The body of the ship’s cook, identified as Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian Antiguan national, was recovered Monday. 

On Wednesday, NBC News witnessed what appeared to be at least three body bags being lifted from fire department boats after they pulled into port at Porticello. It was unclear whose bodies they were. Some were later transferred to ambulances and driven away from the dock.

Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, are also missing. 

The Bayesian is owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the survivors rescued by a nearby vessel after they got into a lifeboat.

Built by the Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008, the U.K.-registered yacht could carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist boating sites. Its nearly 250-foot mast is the tallest aluminum sailing mast in the world, according to CharterWorld Luxury Yacht Charters.  

Regularly described in U.K. media as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” Lynch was  acquitted of fraud by a San Francisco jury this year, stemming from the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011.

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who brought Bloomer, who testified in his defense, and Morvillo, one of his U.S. lawyers, on the trip.

Lynch's co-defendant Stephen Chamberlain was not aboard the Bayesian, but in what appears to be a tragic coincidence, a  car struck and killed  him Saturday as he was jogging in a village about 68 miles north of London, local police said.

Claudio Lavanga and Claudia Rizzo reported from Porticello. Henry Austin reported from London.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

• Women in Journalism
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Eastern Cape
• Bloemfontein
• Elections 2024
• All Tech News
• Traffic Report
• Lotto Results
• Bafana Bafana
• Premier Soccer League
• English Premier League
• CAF Champions League
• UEFA Champions League
• Soccer World Cup 2022
• United Rugby Championship
• Super Rugby
• Rugby Championship
• Varsity Cup
• Rugby World Cup 2023
• Indian Premier League
• Cricket World Cup 2023
• Paris Olympics 2024
• Hollywoodbets Horse Racing
• Entertainment
• Art & Artists
• House of Zwide
• On this Day
• Nelson Mandela
• Blood & Water
• Prison Journalism
• Studentlife News
• Study Abroad
• Studentlife Entertainment
• Studentlife Food
• Studentlife Health and Fitness
• Studentlife Lifestyle
• Studentlife Opinion
• Studentlife Sport
• Studentlife Tech
• Student Jobs
• Fashion and Beauty
• Local Celebs
• International Celebs
• All Travel News
• Travel South Africa
• Travel International
• Move to USA
• Move to New Zealand
• Move to the UK
• Move to Canada
• Move to Australia
• Move to South Africa
• Health & Fitness
• Parenting & Kids
• Sex, Love & Relationships
• Money Matters
• Start-up Africa
• My Business
• Art & Artists
• Health & Fitness
• Parenting & Kids
• Newsletters
• Terms, Conditions, Privacy & GDPR

Copyright Blue Sky Publications (Pty) Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

thesouthafrican.com is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited

• Business & Finance

Home » WRAP: UK tycoon Mike Lynch’s daughter seventh, final victim of Sicily yacht sinking

WRAP: UK tycoon Mike Lynch’s daughter seventh, final victim of Sicily yacht sinking

Divers searching a sunken superyacht off Sicily recovered the body of the teenage daughter of UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch on Friday.

Divers searching a sunken superyacht off Sicily recovered the body of the teenage daughter of UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch on Friday, the seventh and final victim of a tragedy in which the businessman also perished.

Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah had been among six passengers reported missing after the “Bayesian” went down off the north coast of the Italian island in a storm early on Monday morning.

Mike Lynch had invited friends and family onto the yacht

After Hannah’s body was brought ashore on Friday, her family issued a statement describing their “unspeakable grief”.

“The Lynch family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends,” it said.

Search teams had recovered the bodies of four of Lynch’s friends on Wednesday, and that of the entrepreneur himself on Thursday.

The body of a man believed to be the yacht’s chef had been found a few hours after the sailing ship sank.

Lynch, 59, had invited friends and family onto the sailing boat to celebrate his recent acquittal in a massive US fraud case.

But the 56-metre (185-foot) British-flagged yacht was struck by a waterspout – akin to a mini-tornado – before dawn on Monday as it was anchored off Porticello, near Palermo.

It sank within minutes and now lies on the sea bed 50 metres down.

‘Heartbroken’

Hannah had just finished her end-of-school exams and had a place to study English literature at Oxford University.

Friends described her as warm, loving and “charming and ferociously intelligent”, according to one of the tributes issued by the family.

Lynch, once dubbed the British “Bill Gates”, was “the most brilliant mind and (most) caring person I have ever known”, said another.

The businessman had been acquitted on all charges in a San Francisco court in June after he was accused of an $11 billion fraud linked to the sale of his software firm Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard.

US lawyer Chris Morvillo , a partner at top law firm Clifford Chance who worked on the trial, also died in the sinking, along with his wife Neda .

Morvillo’s firm Clifford Chance paid tribute to the couple, saying all were “heartbroken at the tragic passing… and still coming to terms with this terrible loss”.

The bodies of Jonathan Bloomer , the chair of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy , were also found.

The Bloomer family said they were suffering “unimaginable grief” for a couple who had been together for five decades.

“Our only comfort is that they are still together now,” the family said.

Many questions remain about why the yacht sank, and so quickly, when other boats nearby were unaffected.

Italian prosecutors have opened a probe and will hold a press conference on Saturday.

On Thursday the head of the company which built the boat said the tragedy could have been avoided.

“Everything that was done reveals a very long summation of errors,” said Giovanni Costantino, head of the Italian Sea Group, which includes the Perini Navi company that built Bayesian in 2008.

Bad weather forecast

He told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper that bad weather was forecast and all the passengers should have been gathered at a pre-arranged assembly point, with all the doors and hatches closed.

“Instead it took on water with the guests still in the cabin. They ended up in a trap, those poor people ended up like mice in a trap,” he said.

The Bayesian, owned by Lynch’s family, boasted a 75-metre mast, the tallest aluminium sailing mast in the world, according to the Charter World website.

Raising the wreck would likely cost some €15 million and take “six to eight weeks”, according to the salvage engineer who led the operation to recover the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which sank off Italy in 2012.

To recover the yacht, the mast could be removed on the seabed but the boat would be lifted up whole using a giant crane and a team of 40 specialist divers, South African engineer Nick Sloane told the Repubblica daily.

Meanwhile, as reported by  The South African website , a 20-year-old South African hostesses survived the Bayesian superyacht tragedy.

This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Is jy Afrikaans? Kliek hier vir nuus in jou taal!

Share this article

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers
• Betting Sites

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Sanctioned Russian oligarch's megayacht hides in a UAE creek

In the dusty, northern-most sheikhdom of the united arab emirates, one of the world’s largest yachts sits in a quiet port, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails, thanks for signing up to the breaking news email.

In the dusty, northern-most sheikhdom of the United Arab Emirates, where laborers cycle by rustic tea shops, one of the world's largest yachts sits in a quiet port — so far avoiding the fate of other luxury vessels linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs.

The display of lavish wealth is startling in one of the UAE 's poorest emirates, a 90-minute drive from the illuminated high-rises of Dubai . But the 118-meter (387-foot) Motor Yacht A's presence in a Ras al-Khaimah creek also shows the UAE's neutrality during Russia's war on Ukraine as the Gulf country remains a magnet for Russian money and its oil-rich capital sees Moscow as a crucial OPEC partner.

Since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, the seven sheikhdoms of the Emirates have offered a refuge for Russians, both those despairing of their country’s future as well as the mega-wealthy concerned about Western sanctions.

While much of the world has piled sanctions on Russian institutions and allies of President Vladimir Putin, the Emirates has not. It also avoids overt criticism of the war, which government readouts still refer to as the “Ukraine crisis.”

The Motor Yacht A belongs to Andrey Melnichenko , an oligarch worth some $23.5 billion, according to Forbes. He once ran the fertilizer producer Eurochem and SUEK, one the the world’s largest coal companies.

The European Union in March included Melnichenko in a mass list of sanctions on business leaders and others described as close to Putin. The EU sanctions noted he attended a Feb. 24 meeting Putin held the day of the invasion.

“The fact that he was invited to attend this meeting shows that he is a member of the closest circle of Vladimir Putin and that he is supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine,” the EU said at the time.

Melnichenko resigned from the corporate positions he held in the two major firms, according to statements from the companies. However, he has criticized Western sanctions and denied being close to Putin.

Melnichenko could not be reached for comment through his advisers.

Already, authorities in Italy have seized one of his ships — the $600 million Sailing Yacht A. France, Spain and Britain as well have sought to target superyachts tied to Russian oligarchs as part of a wider global effort to put pressure on Putin and those close to him.

But the $300 million Motor Yacht A so far appears untouched. It flew an Emirati flag on Tuesday when Associated Press journalists observed the ship. Two crew members milled around the deck.

The boat’s last recorded position on March 10 put it off the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, just over 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) from Ras al-Khaimah. Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP show the vessel in Ras al-Khaimah’s creek beginning March 17, a week later.

The Financial Times first reported on the ship’s presence in the UAE.

Authorities in Ras al-Khaimah did not respond to a request for comment on the yacht’s presence. The UAE's Foreign Ministry did not answer questions about the ship, but said in a statement to the AP that it takes “its role in protecting the integrity of the global financial system extremely seriously.”

But so far, the UAE has taken no such public action targeting Russia. The country abstained on a U.N. Security Council vote in February condemning Russia’s invasion, angering Washington.

The neutral response may stem from “the financial gain we’re seeing in Dubai in terms of new tourist arrivals, and Russian efforts to move assets and buy property,” said Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

The flow of Russian money — both legitimate and shady — is now an open secret in Dubai, where lavish hotels and beaches increasingly bustle with Russian speakers. State-run radio hosts cheerily describe a massive influx.

The UAE became one of the few remaining flight corridors out of Moscow. The Emirati government offered three-month multiple-entry visas upon arrival to all Russians, allowing major companies to easily transfer their employees from Moscow to Dubai. The private jet terminal at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central has seen a 400% spike in traffic, the airport's CEO recently told the AP.

Real estate agents have reported a surge of interest from Russians seeking to buy property in Dubai, particularly in the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina and villas on the Palm Jumeirah.

For those who want to move to the UAE, buying high-end property also helps secure a visa.

“Business is booming right now,” said Thiago Caldas, CEO of the Dubai-based property firm Modern Living, which now accepts cryptocurrency to facilitate sales with new Russian clients. “They have a normal life and don’t face restrictions.”

Caldas said inquiries from Russian clients in Dubai have multiplied by over 10 since the war, forcing his firm to hire three Russian-speaking agents to deal with the deluge.

With sanctions on Russian banks and businesses thwarting many citizens’ access to foreign capital, Russians are increasingly trying to bypass bank transfers through digital currencies in Dubai, said two cryptocurrency traders in the city, where they're able to liquidate large sums of cash.

“It’s a safe haven. … The inflow from Russian accounts skyrocketed 300% days after the war in Ukraine began,” said a Russian crypto trader in Dubai, who spoke like the other on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala state investment company remains among the most active sovereign wealth funds in Russia, along with those of China and Qatar, according to calculations by Javier Capapé of IE University in Spain for the AP.

But pressure is growing. Late on Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi posted a strongly worded video message in solidarity with Ukraine featuring local ambassadors from the world's leading democracies as Russia's foreign minister visits the region.

“We are united against Russia's unjustifiable, unprovoked and illegal aggression,” said Ernst Peter Fischer, Germany's ambassador to the UAE.

Follow Isabel DeBre and Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/isabeldebre and www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

Schiffsexperte erklärt Tragödie vor Sizilien mit sieben Toten: Warum die «unsinkbare» Superyacht doch unterging

Das Yachtunglück vor Sizilien beschäftigt die Menschen seit Tagen über die Grenzen Italiens hinaus. Das Schiff, das vom Hersteller als «unsinkbar» bezeichnet wurde, ging innerhalb weniger Minuten unter. Wie konnte es so weit kommen? Ein Experte ordnet ein.

Es waren enorme Kräfte, die am Montagmorgen auf die Bayesian wirkten: Eine gefährliche Wasserhose erwischte die Superyacht vor der Küste Siziliens mit voller Wucht – sie kippte innerhalb von Sekunden auf die Seite. In Minutenschnelle verschwand das Schiff unter der Wasseroberfläche.

Während die Retter am Freitag die Leiche von Milliardärstochter Hannah Lynch (†18) bargen (das siebte Todesopfer des Unglücks), widmen sich Ermittler der Ursache. Noch immer ist unklar, wie es überhaupt zu der Tragödie kommen konnte.

Der Eigentümer der italienischen Herstellerfirma Perini, Giovanni Costantino, sagte vor dem Untergang, die Yacht sei «eines der sichersten Boote der Welt».

Das bestätigt auch Pawel Ziegler, Professor für Nautik und Schiffsführung an der Hochschule Flensburg (D). «Diese Yachten sind hervorragende Schiffe – auch bei hohem Seegang sind sie normalerweise ausserordentlich stabil und seetüchtig», sagt Pawel, der beruflich und privat selbst segelt, zu Blick. Wie konnte die Bayesian also sinken?

Im Fall der gesunkenen Bayesian haben verschiedene Faktoren dazu geführt, dass die Crew keine Chance mehr hatte, das Schiff zu retten. 

Die Behörden haben mittlerweile bestätigt, dass für das finale Umkippen der Segelyacht vermutlich eine Wasserhose ursächlich war. «Solche Phänomene sind sehr lokal», erklärt Ziegler. Sie seien unvorhersehbar und können auch nur einzelne Schiffe betreffen. «Eine Wasserhose ist extrem. Da kannst du im Zentrum kaum noch atmen.»

Aufgrund der hohen Wassertemperaturen im Mittelmeer treten solche Phänomene häufiger auf. «Langsam sind in Europa die Bedingungen erfüllt, die tropische Wirbelstürme begünstigen.» Eine unglaubliche Hitzewelle habe Sizilien in den vergangenen Tagen heimgesucht. «Das spielte sicher eine Rolle», so der Experte. 

Die Bayesian-Crew entschied vor dem Nächtigen, den Kiel einzufahren. Dies zeigen erste Untersuchungen. Der Kiel ist das «Rückgrat» eines Boots, einer Yacht oder eines Schiffs. Wenn der Kiel eingefahren ist, vermindert sich die Stabilität stark. Ohne Kiel würden Segelyachten während eines Sturms einfach «umgepustet». 

Da der Kiel bei der Bayesian teilweise eingezogen war, verminderte dies die Stabilität des Schiffs, erklärt Ziegler. «Es ist dann gegenüber Windstössen viel sensibler.»

«Bei widrigen Wetterbedingungen müssen immer alle Öffnungen eines Schiffs geschlossen werden», erklärt der Professor. Darunter fallen Fenster, Schotten, Luken, Glasfronten und Türen. Das Schliessen der Öffnungen habe die Crew der Bayesian im aktuellen Fall wohl vernachlässigt. Darauf deuten erste Erkenntnisse hin.

Nachdem die Yacht auf die Seite gekippt war, drangen die Wassermassen ungehindert ins Schiff ein. Die verschiedenen Massnahmen seien möglicherweise ungenügend umgesetzt worden. 

Wurden alle Sicherheitsvorschriften eingehalten?

Wasserhosen könne man nicht vorhersehen, aber man könne sich entsprechend vorbereiten. Zu den Vorbereitungen gehören das Abarbeiten von Checklisten sowie regelmässige nächtliche Wachgänge. 

Auch den Experten macht das Unglück betroffen. Ziegler zu Blick. «Dass ein 56 Meter langes Schiff so schnell verschwindet, darf einfach nicht passieren.»

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

Burger King cook who received mediocre gift after never missing a...

Gen Z is bringing back another millennial fashion trend —...

I'm a pharmacist — beware the potentially dangerous effects of...

Woman who slept with 300 people in a year 'punished' by $400K tax...

2 foods could be fueling cancer epidemic in young people: docs

I named my daughter after a piece of furniture and have major...

YouTuber roasted for claiming this popular activity is the most...

Bride and groom's 'incredibly stupid idea' for wedding outrages...

The moon is not just gray, new images show: ‘real color differences’.

Once in a blue moon might be more common than we thought.

New images show that our moon is way more colorful than just shades of gray. Instead, the orbital rock was observed to show tints of both blue and red.

The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer — abbreviated to Juice — snapped hue-filled photos of the lunar surface before it returned to Earth Tuesday.

They were taken from the craft’s Janus camera recently during a historic flyby of both the Earth and moon before plotting a course toward Venus in 2025 and Jupiter in 2031.

“The image shows some sign of real color differences in the large-scale features on the lunar surface,” the agency announced .

Newly released photos show the mares of the moon — flatlands of surface far from either pole — were found to emit a more bluish color.

An ESA spokesperson told the Telegraph that “darker regions” in the Mare Fecunditatis — next to the Apollo 11 landing site known as the Sea of Tranquility — “are related to terrains which were resurfaced by volcanic activity.”

Spotted by Apollo 15 astronauts almost half a century ago , the volcanic traces — also known as basaltic compositions — piqued the interest of a Janus operator, who saw some reds there as well.

“There are subtly different real hues from lunar basalts [blueish] and lava flows [reddish], and lots of color in some lunar samples,” Andrew Coates, a physics professor and the co-investigator of the camera, told the outlet.

While the ESA billed the differences as a “darker grey, light grey and even lighter grey,” Coates said that “it does look like there are some apparent real color differences.”

He noted that the basalt areas “are less reflective compared to the other brighter terrains” on the moon.

Those more vivid land masses are known as elevated highlands — a rugged landing site used by Apollo 16.

“Subtle color differences can occur due to slight differences in composition,” he said, adding that the sun’s light and camera calibration might be playing a role in the new images.

“It’s worth saying that the Janus cameras should get better images and with better calibration,” Coates said.

“So we’ll probably have to wait until September to know how real this is — but nevertheless it is interesting to see.”

Advertisement