super yacht in san diego harbor

Watch CBS News

Superyacht seized by U.S. from Russian billionaire arrives in San Diego Bay

June 27, 2022 / 3:40 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A $325 million superyacht seized by the United States from a sanctioned Russian oligarch arrived in San Diego Bay on Monday.

The 348-foot-long (106-meter-long) Amadea flew an American flag as it sailed past the retired aircraft carrier USS Midway and under the Coronado Bridge.

"After a transpacific journey of over 5,000 miles (8,047 kilometers), the Amadea has safely docked in a port within the United States, and will remain in the custody of the U.S. government, pending its anticipated forfeiture and sale," the Department of Justice said in a statement.

The FBI linked the Amadea to the Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, and the vessel became a target of Task Force KleptoCapture, launched in March to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs to put pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The U.S. said Kerimov secretly bought the vessel last year through various shell companies.

But Justice Department  officials had been stymied  by a legal effort to contest the American seizure warrant and by a yacht crew that refused to sail for the U.S. American officials won a legal battle in Fiji to take the Cayman Islands-flagged superyacht earlier this month. 

The Amadea made a stop in Honolulu Harbor en route to the U.S. mainland. The Amadea boasts  luxury features  such as a helipad, mosaic-tiled pool, lobster tank and a pizza oven, nestled in a décor of "delicate marble and stones" and "precious woods and delicate silk fabrics," according to court documents.

"The successful seizure and transport of Amadea would not have been possible without extraordinary cooperation from our foreign partners in the global effort to enforce U.S. sanctions imposed in response to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine," the Justice Department said.

More from CBS News

Weather changes leave Greek town's waterways carpeted in dead fish

California advances bill banning food additives in school meals

France hands Telegram CEO preliminary charges, tells him not to leave

X announces when it's permanently closing San Francisco HQ

Russian Oligarch's Seized Yacht Sails into San Diego Harbor

The yacht amadea, which boasts a helipad and swimming pool, was seized earlier this month in fiji., by eric s. page and mari payton • published june 27, 2022 • updated on june 27, 2022 at 6:48 pm.

A $325 million 350-foot yacht owned by a sanctioned "beneficiary of Russian corruption" was put into port in San Diego Monday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Officials with the DOJ said the Amadea, which was seized in connection to the department's KleptoCapture campaign undertaken in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, is owned by Suleiman Kerimov a Russian billionaire.

24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are

The yacht, which boasts a helipad and swimming pool, was seized earlier this month in Fiji.

Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.

“Last month, I warned that the department had its eyes on every yacht purchased with dirty money,” Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said in May. “This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide – not even in the remotest part of the world. We will use every means of enforcing the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine.”

According to CNBC , Kerimov "was sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2018 for allegedly profiting from the Russian government through corruption and its illegal annexation of Crimea in Ukraine in 2014."

The Amadea sailed under the Coronado Bridge at around 8 a.m. on Monday before heading into a berth on the San Diego waterfront.

🐾Clear the Shelters pet of the day, Friday, Aug. 30: Julia

Things to do this Labor Day weekend: The Beach Boys, Santana and Counting Crows and more

“ After a transpacific journey of over 5,000 miles, the Amadea has safely docked in a port within the United States, and will remain in the custody of the U.S. government, pending its anticipated forfeiture and sale," read a statement, in part, released Monday by the DOJ.

The U.S. said Kerimov secretly bought the vessel last year through various shell companies.

The U.S. won a legal battle in Fiji to take the Cayman Islands-flagged superyacht earlier this month. The Amadea made a stop in Honolulu Harbor en route to the U.S. mainland.

After the yacht arrived in San Diego, John Kirby, a former federal prosecutor, told NBC 7 that he thinks the U.S. government hopes moves like the Amadea's seizure are efforts to apply pressure to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Incredibly, the owners of assets like the Amadea may just walk away rather than fight ther seizure.

"A lot of times people that own these objects … they don’t want to get involved," Kirby said. "For whatever reason, they don’t want people digging around in their life. And so sometimes they just let it go," adding that such seizures are "easy a lot of times because you often have bad actors that don’t want to come forward and don’t want to claim the yacht, don’t want to litigate about it, so it could go into default judgment."

The Associated Press contributed to this report — Ed.

This article tagged under:

Federal government moves to confiscate mega yacht seized from alleged Russian oligarch

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (KGTV) — After letting a mega yacht seized from an alleged Russian oligarch sit in San Diego bay for nearly 18 months, the federal government is now beginning the process of trying to officially confiscate it.

The Amadea was seized in Fiji and arrived in San Diego in June of 2022. According to court documents obtained by ABC 10News, federal prosecutors allege that the yacht is owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a Russian billionaire who was sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kerimov had the ship custom-built at a reported cost of $300 million dollars. It's considered one of the most lavish mega yachts in the world. "Even in our jaded industry, the yacht behind me is a superstar," said yacht expert Todd Roberts, President of Marine Group Boat Works, a ship yard in Chula Vista that works on mega yachts, though not contracted to work on the Amadea.

While the government may hope to win the case to confiscate the yacht and sell it, that may be a tricky proposition. “Nobody really wants international law to be designed in a way where countries can just sort of seize other country’s assets and actually confiscate them," explained University of San Diego law professor Craig Barkacs.

He says it is not legally clear that the United States has the right to confiscate the ship, even after seizing it. There are a number of United States and international laws that could be at play. He points out that the seizure of the ship for violating sanctions is more of a political decision than a legal one.

Even the ownership of Amadea by Kerimov is being challenged, with a counter lawsuit filed on behalf of another man who claims to be owner of the yacht. Barkacs says the court battle could last a long time. “The answer to your question is, I don’t want to sound too cynical here, but 'in perpetuity' comes to mind.”

Meanwhile, the government is stuck with the ship. Roberts says it must be maintained because letting it rot would lead to leaks and environmental damage to the bay. He estimates the cost of paying for fuel to power the generators, plus maintenance, and the salaries of the 20-30 person crew living full-time on the yacht to be between $4-6 million annually.

If it wins in court, the government could sell Amadea to recoup its money. But for now, it will remain parked in its spot next to Pepper Park.

“If the boat’s going to sit anywhere, it’s great that it’s here in San Diego," Roberts said.

Sign up for the Breaking News Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Now signed up to receive the breaking news newsletter..

Donate Today!

Superyacht feds say was seized from Russian oligarch sails into San Diego

• Copy Link URL Copied!

A $300-million superyacht the U.S. seized from an alleged Russian oligarch in Fiji last month sailed into San Diego Bay on Monday morning.

Known as the Amadea, it is 348 feet long and features a helipad and swimming pool. The Department of Justice says it was owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a gold investor Forbes says is worth $14.5 billion .

It’s not clear how long the seized boat will stay in San Diego. Justice officials said the plan is to eventually sell it off.

“The successful seizure and transport of Amadea would not have been possible without extraordinary cooperation from our foreign partners in the global effort to enforce U.S. sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine,” the Department of Justice said in a statement Monday.

The U.S. sanctioned Kerimov, who was accused of money laundering related to the purchase of French villas, in 2018. The European Union sanctioned him in March 2022, the Associated Press reported.

That same month, the Department of Justice created Task Force KleptoCapture to enforce the sanctions the U.S. and its foreign allies imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Two months later, on May 5, the Department of Justice announced it had seized the Amadea in Fiji. “Today’s action should make clear that there is no hiding place for the assets of individuals who violate U.S. law,” Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland said that day.

After winning a court battle in Fiji — there was a dispute over the yacht’s actual owner — the U.S. sailed the ship from the South Pacific island on June 7 .

The superyacht stopped in Hawaii last week before heading into San Diego, sailing under the San Diego-Coronado Bridge on its way to its berth Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More to Read

Feds seize huge L.A. mansion they say was bought with bribes

July 8, 2024

U.S. soldier convicted of theft in Russia is sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison

June 19, 2024

Russian court begins trial of U.S. soldier arrested on theft charges

June 6, 2024

Sign up for Essential California

The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Teri Figueroa covers courts, crime and breaking news for The San Diego Union-Tribune. A native Californian, she joined the North County Times in 2002, and the U-T in 2012. Figueroa reported on the 2003 and 2007 wildfires, and covered the criminal cases against Richard Tuite and John Gardner III, as well as war crimes cases. A San Diego State University graduate, Figueroa has won multiple journalism awards for her work.

More From the Los Angeles Times

One person stabbed, another injured in altercation on Metro bus in South L.A.

Bill that would make purchasing sex from a minor into a felony on its way to final vote

How high are the prices for a Shohei Ohtani, Decoy bobblehead? A seller wants it to fetch $69,420

Aug. 30, 2024

Family of Trader Joe’s store manager killed by LAPD receives $9.5-million settlement

• Weekly Newsletter

California's Boating & Fishing News

Port successfully woos superyachts, megayachts to San Diego waters

SAN DIEGO —San Diego made a push in 2007 and 2008 to remind those navigating the Pacific Ocean in large recreational vessels Los Angeles is not the only destination in Southern California for superyacht and megayacht owners to dock for a few days while traveling to Alaska or Mexico.

The campaign for multimillion-dollar yachts to moor in San Diego Bay started to materialize when port officials launched a trial program in 2008. Megayachts would be allowed to moor along San Diego’s embarcadero with the promise of a myriad of services for 100- and 200-foot vessels visiting the harbor. Services included concierge and boat maintenance.

Fast forward to 2015 and superyachts and megayachts appear to have a steady presence in the harbor, with a few docking at Fifth Avenue Landing in downtown and San Diego Mooring Co. offering docking opportunities for 100- to 300-foot yachts. The port’s campaign appears to be yielding positive results, according to a boatyard representative and yacht broker.

Ambitious Beginnings

San Diego Superyacht Association (SDSA), a collective of business executives, marinas, and superyacht brokers, builders and designers, was launched in 2006. Members included representatives from Driscoll Boat Works, Fraser Yachts, Kona Kai Marina, Marine Group Boat Works and Shelter Island Marina.

“The group’s mission is to promote San Diego as a world-class superyacht destination and provide a conduit to marine services and suppliers,” port staff stated about SDSA.

SDSA’s mission appeared to materialize in 2007 as the Port of San Diego campaigning for superyachts and megayachts to visit the harbor began.

The Port of San Diego’s Board of Port Commissioners granted San Diego Mooring Co. a two-year lease to manage megayacht moorings the following year.

Princess Mariana was the first megayacht to dock in San Diego Bay; the six-deck, 225-foot yacht docked Mediterranean-style at the embarcadero in August 2008.

After the economic downturn an assemblyman from Carlsbad introduced legislation to make it easier for large recreational vessels to visit California’s ports. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law in 2012, making it easier for superyacht and megayacht owners planning to visit San Diego (among other ports) to submit an oil spill prevention and pollution plan to the state.

“Yes, we do have areas for megayachts. We had a couple of megayachts dock in secure port areas because their owners requested privacy and security,” said Marguerite Elicone, marketing and public relations representative with the Port of San Diego. “We had Luna , owned by Roman Abramovich, here for several months in 2013.”

Just Passing Through Fraser Yachts’ Neal Esterly said the port’s efforts to market San Diego as a destination for superyachts and megayachts is yielding results, particularly for vessels passing through the region while en route to Alaska or Mexico.

“There is no noticeable growth of superyachts based in San Diego, but … there is an increase [in large yachts passing through]. It’s growing bigger,” Esterly said.

He added San Diego is attractive to superyacht and megayacht owners for several reasons. The city, for example, features an accessible international airport and yards such as Marine Group Boat Works in Chula Vista capable of servicing large projects. Having the Navy and hi-tech companies in town means the right technology is available for most work.

“Boats like coming to this environment,” said Esterly, adding the weather in San Diego is more cooperative than harbors in Florida. “San Diego is ideal as a transition for going to Alaska or Mexico. It’s well situated.”

Available dockage at reasonable rates and cooperative government agencies are among the reasons San Diego’s position as a destination for large yachts passing through the area has met with positive traction, Esterly said.

“It’s a team effort between private industry and the government to keep boats coming. Captains have a good feeling about San Diego right now,” Esterly said. “Word is out there the port can handle this. Word would go around the world quickly if San Diego is a hassle.”

Marine Group Boat Works’ spokesperson Leah Yam echoed similar sentiments, saying San Diego Bay is large enough to handle superyachts and megayachts.

“San Diego is one of the largest port cities on the West Coast and acts as a perfect destination for leisure, rest and resources for superyachts,” Yam said. “It’s also arguable that many of the reasons that draw yacht owners to San Diego stems from the number of facilities equipped to handle them including Marine Group Boat Works, a shipyard with two locations that can haul vessels up to 220 feet and dock up to 350 feet for repairs, and Fifth Avenue Landing, a marina located in downtown that docks up to 350 feet.”

Superyacht vs. Megayacht vs. Gigayacht

Yam said the distinction between superyacht and megayacht is evolving. The type of vessel qualifying as a “superyacht” has grown since the turn of the century, while “megayacht” was not widely used until recently, Yam explained.

“If you were to ask me 15 years ago, I would’ve defined a superyacht as being about 85 feet or greater and there was no such thing as a megayacht.  Now I’d categorize a superyacht as being about 100 feet or greater and a megayacht would be 200 feet or more.  The terms are still evolving,” Yam said.

The term “gigayacht” could be the next term commonly bantered about from the large vessel lexicon, according to staff at Warsash Superyacht Academy (a division of Southampton Solent University in the United Kingdom). Gigayacht could apply to vessels larger than 100 meters (about 328 feet).

Increased Presence and Economic Impact

Marine Group Boat Works serviced more than 60 vessels measuring larger than 100 feet in 2015, according to Yam.

“Between our two shipyards, just this year alone, we serviced [more than] 60 superyachts over 100 feet. That’s almost double than what we saw in 2013 during America’s Cup, which brought record number of yachts to the West Coast,” Yam said. “The megayachts are also booking at Fifth Ave Landing … especially during major conventions such as Comic Con.”

Visiting San Diego, be it during major events or while en route to points due south, north or east, each large yacht coming into the bay impacts the local economy, according to Esterly and Yam.

“These boats are a floating economic stimulus,” Esterly said.

A 200-foot yacht typically employs a crew of 10 or more people, according to Warsash Superyacht Academy staff. Food supplies for the crew during multi-day navigations are usually bought during stopovers in San Diego. Captain and crew would rent hotel space or housing if the superyacht or megayacht is being serviced.

Yam said superyacht and megayacht owners support employees at boatyards and bring revenue to fueling stations, restaurants, retail and local housing.

One superyacht, for example, could spend tens of thousands of dollars on one trip to Costco, stocking up on provisions for everyone aboard a long voyage south or west. Yam cited an example of one captain renting out two homes in coastal San Diego for his crew. Each home was rented out at $15,000 per month for three months, she said, infusing nearly $100,000 into the San Diego economy.

There are no recent economic impact reports to validate how much money is put into the San Diego economy courtesy of visiting superyachts and megayachts. A 2007 Marine Group Boat Works press release citing industry estimates stated for every $1 spent on repairing or maintaining a superyacht meant $7 was invested locally on entertainment, hotel rooms, restaurants and shopping.

“With such large vessels, whose value ranges from $10 million to $100 million and higher it is commonplace that at least 10 percent of the vessel’s market value is required to keep it operating each year. Expenses go for such essentials as captain and crew, provisions and fuel,” port staff stated. “For repairs it’s not uncommon for such yachts to spend several million dollars on refits – the industry term for complete refurbishing of the vessel – along with engine re-powers, hull and topside paintwork and general maintenance.”

Superyachts and megayachts also bring an aesthetic value to the local landscape, according to Yam. She said superyachts and megayachts are well-received by San Diego’s recreational boaters.

“In speaking for them, I think boat owners become boat owners because they’re fascinated by the aesthetics, mechanics and performance of the actual boat. For them to see so many different custom designed and engineered vessels is exciting to them,” Yam said. “I think it also helps to legitimize the services we perform. If we’re capable of repairing and maintaining vessels of that size and magnitude, especially if the work is logistically impossible and yet we’re still able to accomplish it, then we can find the solution to their needs as well.”

A few superyachts and megayachts are regularly spotted at Fifth Avenue Landing in the downtown area, which advertises itself as a “12-slip boutique San Diego superyacht marina”  capable of serving 300-foot vessels.

San Diego Mooring Co. and GB Capital Holdings LLC currently advertise the city’s waterfront as an ideal destination for yachts between 100 and 400 feet in length. Berthing rates start at $75 per day ($2,250 per month) for a 100-foot superyacht to $225 per day ($6,750 per month) for 300-foot megayachts. The mooring company charges $150 per hour for loading and unloading of equipment and provisions.

Share This:

• ← TMDL restrictions for Newport Bay still a work in progress
• Yacht clubs support multiple causes →

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your Thoughts are Appreciated

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Things to do | How San Diego became a player in the…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Amusement Parks
• Home and Garden
• Music and Concerts
• Restaurants, Food and Drink
• TV and Streaming
• Visual Arts

Breaking News

Things to do | san diego unified superintendent terminated after investigation found sexual misconduct, things to do, things to do | how san diego became a player in the super-glitzy world of superyachts, for superyacht owners, no extravagance is too extreme, no port too glamorous.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

The 145-foot super yacht Dumb Luck, center, is docked in Shelter Island basin on Nov. 6, 2019.

Take, for instance, Golden Shadow. Launched in 1995 by San Diego’s Campbell Shipyard, the 219-foot vessel has luxurious staterooms for 16 guests, more modest quarters for 22 crew members, a 50-square-foot dive chamber and an exterior elevator platform, powerful enough to hoist aboard a seaplane and spacious enough to set down a helicopter.

Impressed? Don’t be. Golden Shadow was built as a floating garage for Golden Odyssey, a Saudi prince’s 404-foot superyacht.

“These big yachts have so many helicopters and toys aboard,” said Neal Esterly, a San Diego salesman for Fraser, a premier superyacht broker. “They are building 200-foot shadow boats to carry the submarine, the helicopter, the dirt bikes.”

In the world of superyachts, no extravagance is too extreme, no port too glamorous. These palatial vessels anchor off Cannes, roam the Windward Islands, explore Norwegian fjords, wander across the Pacific. The owners — Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern sheikhs, American tech titans — travel in royal splendor with Cordon Bleu-trained chefs, masseuses, dive masters, pilots, tutors for the kids. On board, they are surrounded by African hardwood cabinets, spas fed by waterfalls, herb gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, basketball courts, hot tubs, Dale Chihuly glass chandeliers and Keith Haring originals.

Size alone doesn’t define a superyacht, but everything in this category is at least 75 feet from stem to stern. The largest, the 600-footer REV Ocean, is almost 100 feet longer than a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

“They are very much for the 1%,” said San Diego’s Kate Pearson, chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association. “Well, the .1%.”

During a leisurely voyage — from Alaskan glaciers to Costa Rican rainforests, say — these vessels often need to pause in a safe harbor for repairs and replenishment. That’s San Diego’s role in this glitzy world, offering shipyards, sheltered dock space and an army of woodworkers, welders, engineers, sailmakers, even specialists in the surprisingly delicate task of on-board carpet cleaning.

All of this, fans note, pumps money into the local economy. So do the live-aboard crew members who take advantage of our waterfront’s proximity to bars, restaurants, nightclubs.

“Most of them are 35 and younger. They pay no rent, no monthly bills, they’re not paying for food,” said Steve Brownsea, captain of the 145-foot Dumb Luck, moored at Shelter Island. “All they do is go and party.”

Like all industries, this business is sensitive to the market’s ebbs and flows. Orders for new vessels slipped during the Great Recession and brokers like Esterly keep a wary eye on signs that the global economy is weakening. As the gap between the .1% and everyone else widens, some superyachters fret about the “optics” of their seagoing displays of super-wealth.

Perhaps the greatest hazard, though, is also this lifestyle’s greatest attraction: the beautiful and unforgiving sea.

Port for all reasons

San Diego arrived late to the party. Massive pleasure yachts have been enjoyed by European royal families for centuries, while the ostentatious vessels of 19th century American tycoons commonly cruised near the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, R.I., and Long Island, N.Y.

In 1947, David Fraser founded a yacht brokerage house in Newport Beach. About 20 years later, he opened a branch office San Diego. Despite these deep Southern California roots, Fraser now has an Old World feel — in the 1990s, it merged with Europe’s United Yachting, and the company’s headquarters moved to Monaco. With Burgess and Y.Co, Fraser is one of superyachting’s Big Three brokers.

While Fraser maintains an office here, San Diego is home port for only a handful of superyachts.

“We don’t have the cruising grounds like you have in Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean or Europe,” Esterly said. “From San Diego, Cabo and Seattle are each 1,000 miles away. Between those two, there just isn’t any place to go cruising. You can only go to Catalina Island so many times.”

To this super-wealthy crowd, though, San Diego markets itself as the destination between destinations.

“We are not Monaco or the Bahamas,” said Todd Roberts, president of Fifth Avenue Landing, the superyacht anchorage south of Seaport Village. “We are effectively a transit port. But we are doing a pretty good job of giving the superyacht the whole package.”

The landing’s 12 slips can accommodate mid-size superyachts, up to about 300 feet in length. Vessels that moor here can hook up to shore power, pump out “blackwater” — yachtspeak for sewage — unload food, drink and other supplies straight off the dock. Fifth Avenue also owns the Marine Group Boat Works, which operates shipyards in National City and Chula Vista.

San Diego’s naval heritage guarantees plenty of people trained in ship maintenance. Brownsea, the captain of Dumb Luck, recalls the dismay of another superyacht’s owner, when he learned his vessel needed new parts that were only available in Europe. His sailing date would have been delayed — if he hadn’t stumbled upon a San Diegan able to machine the parts.

“They were delivered within 24 hours,” Brownsea said. “The owner couldn’t believe it.”

Geography, too, works in San Diego’s favor. For southbound sailors waiting for the Mexican hurricane season to blow itself out, this bay is a comfortable place to spend days or weeks while monitoring satellite weather maps.

“The captains that go down to the Sea of Cortez, they all stop in San Diego,” said Scott Whittaker, the Puget Sound-based skipper of Gayle Force, a 99-foot expedition boat. “Everybody does.”

Changing trends in sailing also benefit San Diego, as long voyages — to Costa Rica and Peru, say, then across the Pacific to New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Micronesia and finally back to the U.S. — appeal to a certain class of well-heeled wanderer.

“The boats we get in San Diego, the vessels you see on our waterfront that blow your mind, that owner is more adventurous,” said Fifth Avenue’s Roberts. “The yacht owner who wants to sit on the deck with a margarita and wave at his friends, those aren’t the owners we get. We get the more expeditionary owner.”

Expeditionary or sedentary, owners value their privacy. Typical is Robert Mercer, a New York tech millionaire and major financial contributor to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. On Sept. 11, his superyacht tried to enter San Diego Bay incognito, with tarps draped over her name.

Might as well put sunglasses on the Mona Lisa. One of the world’s most photographed vessels, this 203-foot floating mansion is instantly recognizable, thanks to her forest green hull and cream-colored decks. Few, though, have been invited aboard to marvel at the carved mahogany “tree” rising through four decks, the frescoes saluting Darwin and Newton, the hand-knotted carpet of Nepalese wool and silk.

During Sea Owl’s eight-week stay at Fifth Avenue, a sign dangled over her gangway: “Private yacht — no boarding.”

Peril on the sea

Like a garage full of Maseratis or a closet full of Valentino gowns, superyachts are a sure sign of wealth. TV’s Judge Judy owns a 152-foot cruiser, Triumphant Lady, while Tiger Woods’s Privacy is slightly larger, 155 feet. Steven Spielberg’s Seven Seas is grander still, a 282-foot home-away-from-his-other-homes-away-from-home, with crew of 23, flotilla of tenders and on-board movie theater.

San Diego has enjoyed occasional visits by ocean-going glitterati, such as Luna, the 377-foot vessel owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, and Tatoosh, a 303-foot wonder built for the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The latter’s five decks house a cinema, gym, massage room, swimming pool, 11 staterooms and a crew of 35. Fraser now charters Tatoosh — a week in the Caribbean this winter will run $650,000.

Attessa IV also made a big splash here, mooring in San Diego Bay often between 2016 and 2018. Her most recent visit ended in tragedy — while cruising off Imperial Beach on Oct. 26, 2018, Attessa IV slammed into the Prowler, a 65-foot sportfishing boat. One passenger, Richard Neff, was killed and another, John Schmit, critically injured.

Schmit, who suffered a fractured skull, vertebra, rib and sternum, sued the owners of Attessa IV and Prowler. A hearing in this case is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Both vessels reported poor visibility due to heavy fog, just one of the many hazards superyachts must navigate. A partial listing of recent victims: in 2015, Hurricane Carlos sank the 127-foot Bellissima near Acapulco; in 2017, Hurricane Irma sank the 131-foot Sierra Romeo in the Caribbean; and in 2018, heavy seas capsized the 124-foot Suegno off the Italian port of Genoa.

Some danger can be avoided by staying in port. Dumb Luck, the 145-foot tri-level motor yacht skippered by Brownsea, rarely leaves her Shelter Island dock. Even so, the usually absent owner is hit hard in his pocketbook.

“Just to keep her in port costs about $750,000 a year,” said Brownsea, citing the crew’s salary, docking fees, fuel, insurance and property tax, the latter levied on vessels that remain here at least six months a year. “If we were active, going more places, it would be about $1.5 million.”

That’s a lot of money — unless you are a superyachter. Fifth Avenue’s Roberts once priced repairs for an owner. The job wasn’t cheap, and Roberts advised the owner that expenses would climb astronomically if had to be done quickly.

“I’m old, Todd,” the owner responded. “I have way more money than time. Just make it happen.”

Super budget

If superyachts are for the .1%, the Nerissa is for the other 99.9% — or at least those with a decent amount of disposable income. A 73-foot motor yacht going to seed on the Gulf Shore, Nerissa was purchased by San Diego’s Shari and Amos Zolna, who restored it as a party vessel with a well-stocked bar and a hot tub.

Now docked on Shelter Island and Coast Guard-certified for 49 passengers, Nerissa specializes in day cruises on San Diego Bay. Summer is her high season, but year-round she is booked by bachelor and bachelorette parties, sightseers, sunset cruisers and others. Two hours on the water for 40 people, with a caterer and an open bar, runs about $5,000, or $125 a head.

The experience, Amas Zolna said, is priceless: “There’s nothing like sitting out there in the hot tub with a cold beer or a glass of wine.”

The true superyacht experience will always be far out of reach for most people. Kate Pearson, the U.S. Superyacht Association’s chair, laughs when asked if she owns one.

“No,” said Pearson, who is vice president of Safe Harbors Marina, the world’s largest owner and operator of marinas. “We are a boating family, but on a much more subdued level.”

While she has been a guest aboard numerous superyachts, she views them the way most people view the stars — something beautiful, magnificent and unattainable. When Pearson is sailing with guests and they see a superyacht, she quickly alters course.

“We take them up close,” she said.

More in Things to do

Restaurants, Food and Drink | Izola Bakery has relaunched in East Village with fast-rising plans for the future

Restaurants, Food and Drink | Vibrant Group to open third Old Town restaurant: Tako sushi

Business | How Gen Z is transforming the vintage scene in San Diego

Music and Concerts | The 5 San Diego concerts you won’t want to miss this week

Yachting in San Diego, CA

Explore the Pacific coast in style with a yacht charter in San Diego, California. Boasting year-round sunshine, stunning coastal landscapes, and a vibrant maritime culture, San Diego offers the perfect backdrop for a luxurious yachting experience. San Diego's nautical charm invites yacht enthusiasts to embark on unforgettable journeys from the iconic skyline to the diverse marine life in its waters. Whether you're seeking a day of leisure along its pristine beaches or an evening cruise against the backdrop of a fiery sunset, yachting in San Diego promises a unique blend of relaxation and adventure on the sparkling waters of the Pacific.

25' Vintage Speedster

32' Sea Ray

45' Sea Ray

50' Sea Ray

46' Maxum

42' Regal

40' Sea Ray

44' Cruisers

41' Meridian

60' Hatteras

53' Carver

45' Marquis

40' VanDutch

45' Tiara

56' Sea Ray Sedan

60' Luxury Catamaran

68' Hatteras

48' Beneteau Gran Turismo

Why charter a yacht in san diego, ca, private yacht rental san diego: sailing through san diego bay, boat rental in san diego: water-related activities, yacht rentals san diego: charter a boat to catalina island, spending the 4th of july in san diego: watch the 4th of july fireworks aboard a private yacht charter, .css-1uazooj{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;width:100%;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);font-size:1rem;-webkit-padding-start:var(--chakra-space-4);padding-inline-start:var(--chakra-space-4);-webkit-padding-end:var(--chakra-space-4);padding-inline-end:var(--chakra-space-4);padding-top:var(--chakra-space-2);padding-bottom:var(--chakra-space-2);padding:10px 16px;}.css-1uazooj:focus-visible,.css-1uazooj[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-1uazooj:hover,.css-1uazooj[data-hover]{background:var(--chakra-colors-blackalpha-50);}.css-1uazooj[disabled],.css-1uazooj[aria-disabled=true],.css-1uazooj[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;} .css-1pkhz46{font-size:var(--chakra-fontsizes-sm);font-weight:600;-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;text-align:left;} how do i book a yacht on yachtlife .css-g5ledl{width:1em;height:1em;display:inline-block;line-height:1em;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;color:currentcolor;vertical-align:middle;font-size:8px;}, when is my payment collected is it refundable.

Once you confirm your reservation, your broker will process your payment.

• If you are booking for a single day and your reservation is confirmed more than 7 days in advance, a deposit of either $1,000 USD or 50% of the total cost of the reservation (whichever is greater) is processed immediately in order to hold the yacht. Once your embarkation date is 7 days away, the remainder of the amount due is processed.
• If you are booking for a single day and your reservation is made 7 days or less in advance, the total price of your reservation is processed immediately.
• If you are booking for a multi-day charter and your reservation is confirmed more than 30 days in advance, a deposit of 50% of the cost of the yacht is processed immediately in order to hold the yacht. Once your embarkation date is 30 days away, the other 50% is collected for the price of the yacht, plus the APA, plus the taxes due.

Terms of refunds are dictated by the Charter Agreement. Generally, once a payment is collected, it is non-refundable. In certain circumstances, as dictated by the Charter Agreement, credits can be provided so you will be able to enjoy your yacht charter at a future date that is convenient for you.

Why is there a 3% credit card convenience charge?

Are my payment details saved on the app, what if your servers get hacked is my payment information really safe.

JavaScript seem to be disabled in your browser.

You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.

• Nautical Links
• Customer Testimonials
• Share Testimonial

California Yacht Sales

Welcome to california yacht sales.

California Yacht Sales Home Port

Located on Harbor Island Drive in San Diego

Sailboats For Sale

Browse Available Boat Inventory

Power Boats For Sale

California Yacht Sales Blog

Explore Boating in Southern California

California Yacht Sales Team

Meet Our Brokers and Crew!

California Yacht Sales is San Diego's marketplace for buying or selling sailboats, yachts and power boats. Whether you are searching boats for sale or preparing to sell your boat, the advantages of working with California Yacht Sales are numerous and significant.

Trust your transaction to yacht brokers who have been located on Harbor Island at San Diego's largest marina for over 26 years. We are proud that we have earned the reputation for honesty and integrity in yacht sales. We work on your behalf with other brokers, surveyors, marinas, loan companies, insurers, and marine documenters to assure you of the highest level of service. Our business philosophy is simple. We are straightforward, fair and reliable yacht brokers who sincerely want to help you.

Latest Post

My Baby Blue Baluga

Greetings -  My name is Baby Baluga. I’m a 48 Pacifica ...

Sharing Dreams

Notre Reve has taken us on wonderful adventures. She has been our home...

Buying and Selling Boats During COVID-19

In case you hadn’t heard, COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus) h...

Featured Yacht Video

View Listing - 2012 RIVIERA 5000 SPORT YACHT 

• California Yacht Sales 2040 Harbor Island Drive San Diego, California 92101, USA
• 619-295-9669 619-295-9909 [email protected]
• Brokerage Inventory
• © 2024 California Yacht Sales. All rights reserved.  |   Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Powered by YachtCloser

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better.

You can use this tool to change your cookie settings. Otherwise, we’ll assume you’re OK to continue.

Some of the cookies we use are essential for the site to work.

We also use some non-essential cookies to collect information for making reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form.

To control third party cookies, you can also adjust your browser settings .