Oceanco Mega Yacht 88,50 m NIRVANA For Sale - Exclusive Official Video

Steve Jobs' $132M Yacht 'Venus' Released From The Impound

Steve Jobs' Yacht Row Settled With Payout -- SKY News

The late Steve Jobs' estate has settled a financial dispute with the designer of his £80m luxury yacht, allowing it to leave port. Steve Jobs' yacht is free to set sail after the late Apple co-founder's estate paid a deposit to resolve a dispute with the designer. The boat, which reportedly cost more than £80m to build, was impounded after Philippe Starck said Mr Jobs' estate still owed him around £2.5m for his contribution to its design. Mr Starck said he was to be paid a fixed sum of £7m, while lawyers for Mr Jobs' estate said he was to be paid a percentage of the project's cost - equal to £5m. "The Venus is no longer impounded, we have found a solution," said lawyer Gerard Moussault. "A security deposit was paid into a bank account, but I cannot say for how much." Read more ....

More News On Steve Job's Yacht 'Venus'

Jobs family yacht freed as payment dispute is resolved -- Apple Insider
Steve Jobs’s Yacht Now Free To Go Home -- Ubergizmo
Steve Jobs' Mega-Yacht Free To Sail After Temporary Reprieve -- Sci-tech Today
Steve Jobs' $132M yacht out of repo -- Business Journal
Steve Jobs superyacht confiscated over non-payment to designer Philippe Starck (Video) -- Examiner Steve Jobs’s yacht seized in Amsterdam amid payment dispute -- Washington Post/Bloomberg
Steve Jobs’ Superyacht Impounded Over Unpaid Bill -- Time
Jobs Yacht Freed as Heirs Guarantee Starck’s Bill, Dagblad Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Steve Jobs' yacht impounded over unpaid bill -- NBC News Steve Jobs' custom-built superyacht impounded over £7million unpaid bill to designer Phillipe Starck -- Daily Mail

A Tour Of The Superyacht Cakewalk

From YouTube: At 281 (85.6m) feet and 2,998 tons, this Cakewalk surpasses her four predecessors in size and is the largest yacht built in the U.S. since the 1930s, and possibly the biggest ever built in the States when measured by volume. The sheer amount of space is unparalleled, and opens a world of possibilities for extraordinary design and craftsmanship. Styled by internationally acclaimed yacht designer, Tim Heywood, she embodies everything one comes to expect from a Cakewalk - and more! Step aboard, and you sense something grand is about to happen. From the recessed dining salon ceilings adorned with hand-painted canvases to the majestic staircase ascending to four of the six decks, this elegant motor yacht is the epitome of gracious cruising. And while the spaciousness is akin to that of a country manor, the furnishings, exotic woods and distinctive appointments create an air of unmistakable comfort and warmth.

My Comment: This is one of my favorite superyachts.

Houseboats For The Rich

Prime location: Le Sorelle is currently being moored at Canary Wharf in London

Luxury Houseboat With Six Bedrooms, Two Kitchens And Its Own GARDEN Hidden Under A Retractable Roof Goes On Sale For £1.7m -- Daily Mail

A six bedroom, six bathroom luxury houseboat has gone on the market - and features its own incredible garden that fits under a retractable roof. The £1.69 million boat has an enormous 1,302 square foot of perfectly manicured Art Deco-style garden space that can be hidden during bad weather. The 'unique' boat, moored in Canary Wharf, also comes with further outside decking. With space at such a premium in central London, waterside specialists Riverhomes said Le Sorelle, which is moored in South Quay, Canary Wharf, is the 'best boat' they have seen in the capital. The boat two kitchens, a bar, a wheelhouse, three reception rooms and two kitchens.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is a houseboat with class.

Luxury Mediterranean Cruise Aboard The Super-Yacht 'Pure Bliss'

My Comment: Yup .... the best way to travel.

The 2012 Monaco Yacht Show: The Official Film

Editor: For more videos on the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show, go here.

Tour Of The Luxurious Yacht Leander

From YouTube: LEANDER is arguably the most impressive and luxurious yacht available today for charter. She offers sumptuous accommodation for a maximum of twelve guests in a choice of ten cabins. She is run by a professional and experienced crew of 26, headed by a British Captain. In addition to a choice of spacious saloons and huge, well-appointed deck areas, a range of amenities are on offer including a fully-equipped gym, swimming pool with counter current and Jacuzzi jets, satellite television and a huge array of water sports equipment, including new tenders. The yacht is constantly maintained to the highest standards and her equipment is regularly updated. Communications on board are, of course, among the most sophisticated.

My Comment: Impressive yacht.

The 16 Best Superyachts At This Year's Monaco Yacht Show

Monaco Yacht Show

The 16 Best Superyachts On Display At This Year's Monaco Yacht Show -- Business Insider

Last week's annual Monaco Yacht Show featured some of the most luxurious ships on the water today. Since with yachts, luxury usually means size, it comes as no surprise that the most attractive offerings were also among the biggest. The 103 superyachts on display averaged 153 feet. The 290-foot Nirvana, with six decks and a 3D cinema, was topped only by the 195-foot Athena, a sailing yacht on sale for nearly $100 million.

Read more ....

My Comment: an impressive collection of boats.

Tiger Woods' Luxury Yacht 'Privacy'

Forbes Inside A Billionaire's 205 ft Mega Yacht

The Italian Tax Man Targets The Super-Rich And Their Yachts Off The Sardinian Coast

Italy's Tax Hunters Target Super-Rich And Their Yachts Off The Sardinian Coast -- The Guardian 

Austerity and ecology make life a misery for pleasure-seekers as coastguards use helicopters to enforce the law. There used to be a time when Italy's super-rich gravitated to the smartest enclaves of Sardinia for a summer of relaxation and luxury. Not any more. In an increasingly austerity-conscious country, the yacht-owning classes are coming under increasing and unwelcome scrutiny, some of which would not look out of place in a scene from the film Apocalypse Now.

Read more ....  

My Comment: It's hard to hide your wealth when you are on a mega-yacht.

Steve Jobs High-Tech Yacht 'Venus' Unveiled

Steve Jobs reportedly spent years designing his super yacht Venus. FOX News

Steve Jobs High-Tech Yacht Unveiled -- BBC

A year after he died, a yacht that the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, was working on has finally been launched in the Netherlands. It's a little under 80m (260 feet) long, made of lightweight aluminium and features 3m (10 feet) high windows. Just another super-yacht for one of the world's mega-rich you might think, but the clues to the owner of this sleek vessel are there, not least in the many Apple Mac computer screens on the bridge. The vessel is Jobs's yacht Venus, named for the Roman goddess of love. It has just been launched in Aalsmeer in The Netherlands. The boat has been built by the Dutch custom yacht builders Feadship.

Read more ....

More News On The Launching Of Steve Jobs Yacht

Steve Jobs-designed yacht launched in the Netherlands -- CBS/AP
Steve Jobs’ Yacht, Venus, Makes Public Debut -- ABC News
Steve Jobs' Yacht, 'Venus,' Sets Sail -- PC Magazine
Super yacht designed by Apple's Steve Jobs unveiled -- FOX News
Yacht Commissioned by Steve Jobs Launched -- Sci-Tech Daily
Steve Jobs’s 256-Foot Yacht Launches Posthumously -- HITC
A Year After His Death, Steve Jobs' Yacht Is Finally Ready -- Business Insider
About Steve Jobs’s New, iMac-Controlled Yacht -- Vanity Fair
Steve Jobs' custom, aluminum-hulled super-yacht "Venus" now seaworthy -- Ars Technica
Steve Jobs’s yacht: a floating Apple store with elements of iPhone -- The Week
Steve Jobs' superyacht breaks cover -- Motorboat & Yachting
Steve Jobs' magnificent yacht reflects the success of Apple -- Examiner

The End Of The HMS Bounty

Pictured: The Dramatic Moment U.S. Coastguards Pull Survivors Of HMS Bounty To Safety After Hurricane Sandy Forced Them To Abandon Ship -- Daily Mail

* 14 of the 16 have been rescued, two appear to still be missing
* The Bounty starred in Hollywood blockbusters Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Marlon Brando, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
* The Canadian-made replica vessel got caught in storms near Hatteras, N.C.

These dramatic pictures show the moment stranded crew members of the iconic HMS Bounty were rescued from their life boats by the U.S. coastguard. The crew of the iconic vessel were forced to abandon ship off the east coast of America today as it became caught in raging seas near the eye of Hurricane Sandy. As six-metre waves and ferocious gales battered the decks of the 180-foot, three-masted ship - knocking out its power - 16 terrified crew-members clambered into life boats to watch their floating home shrink unmanned into the darkness.

Read more ....

More News On The Sinking Of The HMS Bounty

HMS Bounty Captain Still Missing after Sinking; 1 Body Recovered -- Time
Crew rescued from HMS Bounty as hurricane rages; captain missing -- Reuters
HMS Bounty: A tall ship’s final hours in hurricane-ravaged seas -- Washington Post
Captain missing after Canadian-built HMS Bounty sunk by Hurricane Sandy -- National Post/AP HMS Bounty abandoned amid Hurricane Sandy -- BBC
The story behind the HMS Bounty, sunk by Sandy off N.C. coast -- Christian Science Monitor

Super Yachts At The London Olympics (Video)

World's Biggest Purpose-Built Yacht Carrier

Dockwise's new Yacht Express carrier is launched.

Dockwise Debuts The World's Biggest Purpose-Built Yacht Carrier -- Gizmag

"The majority of yachts do not have the range to reach many of the world's inviting cruising areas and international playgrounds," reads the company's vision statement, but this need no longer be a limitation. Yacht owners simply sail their craft into the massive semi-submersible Yacht Express, where they are securely attached. The owners can then rendezvous with the yacht at its destination, or accompany their craft aboard the carrier in five-star luxury.

Read more ....

My Comment: Owning a yacht is becoming a global social and economic trend .... a development that I am sure will give this ship a considerable amount of business.

The Perfect Yacht For A Family Vacation

International Yacht Collection

YACHT OF THE WEEK: For $11.4 Million, This Ultra-Modern Ship Is Perfect For A Family Vacation -- Business Insider

You can roam the high seas on a 138-foot yacht named "Penny Mae" for just $11.4 million.

The Penny Mae sleeps 12 people in six staterooms.

There is plenty to do on board while traveling between destinations. Spend your days relaxing in the spa or sauna. In the main salon, have a drink at the bar, then go to the media room where you'll find satellite HDTV and a selection of more than 800 movie titles and approximately 2,500 song titles.

For all the gamers, the yacht's asking price comes with a PlayStation 3 and an X-BOX system.

Read more ....

Editor: The photo gallery starts here.

The London Olympics Is Drawing In The Super-Yachts

Olympics Draw Big Yachts To London -- USA Today

LONDON – Former Dutch field-hockey player Bram Lomans has no complaints about his accommodations at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. But his digs for the 2012 London Games are altogether more shipshape.

Lomans, who is attending London's Olympics as a spectator, is staying aboard an elegant 130-foot vintage sailing yacht, the Flying Dutchman. The Dutchman is one of four tall ships chartered for the Olympics by Dutch entrepreneur Xander Tiedemann, who arranged for live concerts, a big-screen TV and portable hot tubs on the dock next to the ships.

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My Comment: Impressive.

"Super Yachts" In London For The Olympic Games

The World's Biggest "Open Yacht"

Photo Courtesy of Overmarine

"The World's Biggest Open Yacht" Mangusta 165 -- Just Luxe

Overmarine Group Shipyard is pretty well known in the marine world, especially because it's the owner of the Mangusta brand, which gives the world some of the largest luxury yachts. The brand considers itself to stand for excellence in luxury and peak performance, offering boats that are easy to use and incredibly quick. The Mangusta 165 is, according to Overmarine, the biggest open yacht in the world at 163 feet long, blowing size and performance expectations out of the water.

Read more ....

Editor: The website for this yacht is here.

Yacht Concept To Ferry Your Supercar From Island To Island

The CXL 160 will come with a McLaren MP4-12C, which has its own designated storage compartment

Sprawling, Transforming Yacht Concept To Ferry Your Supercar From Island To Island -- Gizmag

The McLaren MP4-12C is one of the more interesting supercars on the road, and it conveys a certain sense of wealth and connoisseurship about its driver. Of course, the MP4-12C's prestige pales in comparison to any massive, multi-million-dollar yacht ... unless, of course, it happens to be on board such a vessel. The Ultraluxum CXL 160, currently in development, is a huge, high-tech sailing yacht with a show garage designed specifically for the MP4-12C.

Read more ....

Editor: The photo gallery begins here.

The Mega-Yacht Wars Are Escalating

Mystery Billionaire Builds World's Largest Yacht -- CNBC

The mega-yacht wars have escalated, with a Middle-Eastern billionaire building a 590-foot ship that's expected to be the largest yacht in the world when it launches next year.

The ship, called Azzam, is under construction at a shipyard in Germany, according to SuperYachtTimes.com. It's expected to measure 180 meters, or around 590 feet - or the size one-and-a half football fields, plus a basketball court.

That length would surpass the world's current largest yacht, the 546-foot Eclipse, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Read more ....

My Comment: Some people have too much money.

The Hunt For HMS Hood's Bell

Free: Mr Allen offered the Octopus for the expedition at no cost to the government

The Hunt For HMS Hood's Bell: Billionaire Offers To Fund Recovery So That It Can Be A Memorial To 1,415 Crew Who Drowned When Warship Was Sunk By The Bismarck In 1941 -- Daily Mail

A US billionaire has offered to lead an operation to recover the bell of the sunken battle cruiser HMS Hood, which was sunk in 1941 and killed 1,415 men, for free.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said US philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul G Allen has offered his private yacht be used in the search to recover the bell at no cost to it.

HMS Hood, which was a state-of-the-art vessel for its time, is the largest Royal Navy vessel to have been sunk, causing the biggest loss of life suffered by any single British warship.

Read more ....

My Comment: Kudos to Paul Allen for doing this.

More Massive Yachts Have Arrived In London For The Olympics (Photo Gallery)

UPDATE: Even More Massive Yachts Have Arrived In London For The Olympics -- Business Insider

Update: Our friends at Boat International sent over a bunch of additional photos of superyachts docked in London for the Olympic games. We have added them to the slideshow.

The real high-rollers didn't have to think twice about booking a room in overcrowded London during the Olympic Games—they just docked their megayachts in East London's Canary Wharf.

Read more ....

Super Yachts At The London Olympics

Super-Yachts Crowd London's Docks for Games -- CNBC

East London may be a far cry from Monaco or St Tropez, but the international rich are gliding into the capital's poorest area for the Olympic Games on what looks like a gathering fleet of multi-million-dollar superyachts.

Seven gleaming giants, the biggest of which is 126 metres (413 ft) long, dominate the impeccably kept South Quay of East London's West India Docks, where daily moorings cost up to 9,000 pounds a day, a third of the average U.K. annual wage.

Read more ....

Editor: For more photos of superyachts docked in London .... go here.

Building A UK Flagship

(Click on Image to Enlarge)
'Lust for adventure': An artist's impression of the proposed UK flagship, which is gathering growing support from senior ministers

Flagship Shows The Nation's Lust For Adventure: Ministers Salute Mail's Plan For Iconic Vessel -- Daily Mail

* Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Education Secretary Michael Gove among MPs behind privately-funded project

Crucially, the 650ft, four-masted UK Flagship will not be funded by taxpayers’ money, instead drawing on donations from businesses, philanthropists and the public.

Mr Clegg said: ‘This is directly in line with Britain’s proud naval tradition which stretches back hundreds of years. Our country has always been at the forefront of trade, exploration and scientific research and the UK Flagship can help us to continue to be so.

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My Comment: Impressive .... and at 650 ft .... a big boat.

The Super Yachts In London For The Olympics

Luxury craft owned by Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, among those moored in London.

Billionaires Are Docking Their Super Yachts In London Ahead Of The Olympics -- Business Insider

They are some of the most magnificent and expensive vessels in the world and this weekend they started arriving in London as the world’s global CEOs brought a touch of glitz and glamour to the capital in time for the Olympics.

The Ilona, a super-yacht owned by Frank Lowy, the co-founder of the shopping centre group Westfield, has moored in Canary Wharf, not far from the company’s new retail complex in Stratford. The vessel has been joined by the Octopus, the 414ft luxury craft owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

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My Comment: This is better than renting a hotel room .... and you are smack in the middle of it all.

Invasion Of The Super-Yachts For The London Olympics

Octopus, the £130m super-yacht of Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, enters South Dock in the Canary Wharf the weekend before the games begin.

Invasion Of The Super-Yachts: They've Got Swimming Pools, Helipads And Even A Mini-Submarine. How The World's Mega-Rich Are Turning London Into A Floating Olympic Playground -- Daily Mail

This could be Monaco, or an exclusive resort on the Med as the world’s most lavish superyachts jostle for space. Their perfectly scrubbed decks bristle with security guards, while hot tubs bubble and helipads wink at the sky.

This is the playground of billionaires, oligarchs and A-list celebs. There are rumours that Roman Abramovich’s sumptuous $1billion boat will arrive tomorrow.

At 557ft, the Russian tycoon’s Eclipse is the largest private yacht in the world. It has two swimming pools, two helipads, a dedicated disco hall, 30 cabins, a cinema, a mini-submarine, and even its own missile defence system. Abramovich’s master suite is armour-plated and protected by bullet-proof windows and a laser system designed to dazzle long-lens photographers.

Read more ....

My Comment: Here is an easy prediction .... the best Olympic parties will be on these yachts.

The Boat Of The Future

Screenshot via Rove Projects

Prize-Winning Architect Zaha Hadid Is Designing The Boat Of The Future -- Business Insider

Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid is designing a sleek, futuristic boat for Rove Projects, and it could be yours for just under $457,000.

The boat, dubbed the Z-Boat, is a limited edition, 24.6-foot-long fiberglass watercraft designed for both looks and power, according to a Forbes article.

Rove's Kenny Schachter reportedly hired French company Shoreteam to produce 12 Z-Boats, which will be released to the public in 2013.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is a boat built for speed.

New All-Wooden Speedboat Has Leather Seats And A 60s Design

The ergonomic pilot's chair took nine months to design and has a concealed refrigerator and picnic box - perfect for putting the wine on ice

New All-Wooden Speedboat Has Leather Seats - And A 60s Design That Would Make Sean Connery's Bond Say, 'Yesh, Pleashe' -- Daily Mail

It has a licence to thrill and looks that would make James Bond go weak at the knees.

A Serbian yacht maker has built a boat fit for a secret agent with retro 1960s design that makes it look like a prop from ‘Dr No’.

The main feature is the luxury throughout and an unusually large open cockpit which is big enough for eight people to lounge in style.

Read more ....

My Comment: The large open cockpit is unique.

Italy's Super Rich Yachters Sail Away From Taxman

Marina Porto Cervo, Sardinia Photo: Alamy

Italy's Super Rich Yachters Sail Away From Taxman -- The Telegraph

Wealthy Italian sailors are finding that their yachts attract unwanted attention from the taxman, reports Nick Squires.

As Italy swelters in temperatures of up to 40C, the country's marinas should be packed with bronzed sailors in expensive deck shoes tending to their gleaming yachts.

But Italian boat owners are feeling the heat not just from the sun this summer.

Thousands are weighing anchor and fleeing with their gin palaces to quiet corners of the Mediterranean to escape a tax evasion crackdown – part of efforts by the government of Mario Monti, the prime minister, to tackle Italy's €1.9 trillion public debt.

Read more ....

My Comment: It's hard to hide a superyacht .... hence they are an easy target. But they have an option denied to everyone else .... they can sail and move away.

A Look At The Yacht Slipstream (Video)

Editor: For more info on Slipstream, go here.

Billionaires And Their Yachts On The Med

Billionaires Play Battleships On The Med -- Sydney Morning Herald

IT HAS become the catch-cry of the Cote d'Azur: ''Sacre bleu! Les Australiens!'' Around the luxurious villas and gleaming superyachts of the French Riviera, party planners, maids, chefs, caterers, waiters and butlers are in a tizz as they welcome one of the biggest influxes of Aussie silvertails to converge on the famous playground.

And they want to party.

Already there are James Packer and his heavily pregnant wife Erica, spotted ordering bottles of Dom Perignon at the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes, the venue of their 2007 wedding.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/private-sydney/billionaires-play-battleships-on-the-med-20120629-217u5.html#ixzz20WYDG119

Read more ....

My Comment: It's nice to have money and certain toys.

Worlds Largest Mega Yacht Eclipse Caught On Video In The Caribbean

My Comment: A perfect musical score as the sun rises.

10 Simple Steps When Buying Your Super Yacht

via Boat International

Looking To Buy A Yacht? Make Sure You Follow These 10 Simple Steps -- Business Insider

Yachts are the ultimate toy for the uber-rich. They can boast everything from a Jacuzzi to a helipad.

But what does it take to own a mega yacht, other than wads of cash?

We tracked down yacht brokers to find out what you need to know before purchasing your dream vessel.

Rupert Connor, president of the Luxury Yacht Group in Ft. Lauderdale, told us that, among other things, future yacht owners should seek the advice of friends who own yachts and they need to remember to keep their emotions in check.

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My Comment: A number of common sense recommendations that can be applied to any boat that you buy .... small to super large.

The Moment £270,000 Yacht Blew Up And Sank Just 15 Minutes After It's New Owners Picked It Up

Sleek: The Meridian 341 is a four-berth motor yacht with two state rooms and all mod cons

The Moment £270,000 Yacht Blew Up And Sank Just 15 Minutes After Businessmen Picked It Up From Boat Yard (And Now They Want Their Money Back) -- Daily Mail

* Paul Ward, 61 and his crew member John Innes were forced to leap for their lives into the English Channel, their clothes in flames, as the boat exploded
* Rescued by the Coastguard, both men were hospitalised with serious burns
* Mr Ward had only collected the yacht moments earlier
* He is now suing the boat dealers MGM Marine Ltd and Dun Laoghaire Yacht Services for more than £300,000

Businessman Paul Ward was on the crest of a wave when he picked up the luxurious yacht he had paid £269,000 for at the Southampton Boat Show.

The sleek Meridian 341, a four-berth motor yacht with two state rooms and all mod cons, was every sailor’s dream.

But that dream quickly turned into a nightmare when just 15 minutes after picking up the vessel from a Hampshire boat yard, Mr Ward, 61 and his crew member John Innes were leaping for their lives, their clothes in flames, as the yacht exploded.

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My Comment: A boat just does not explode like that .... something terribly wrong occurred from the moment that they took possession of the boat, and 15 minutes later.

Expensive Superyachts On Charter

Most Expensive Yachts On Charter -- Born Rich

Superyacht owners have been known to make the world a playground for their luxury boats, but now they are available on charter. This list provides an insight into these superyachts and their specialties, which make them unique for numerous reasons:

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My Comment: The list is from last year, but it gives a good idea on what it costs to charter a superyacht.

First Look At Former F1 Boss Eddie Jordan's Luxurious Floating Palace

Under construction: A computer-generated artist's impression of what Eddie Jordan's £25million yacht will look like when it is completed later this year

The Super-Yacht So Big It's Almost A Ship: First Look At Former F1 Boss Eddie Jordan's Luxurious Floating Palace That Even Boasts A Nightclub (But It Still Doesn't Quite Measure Up To Roman's!) -- Daily Mail

* F1 mogul commissions construction of a £25million super yacht that is 155ft-long
* But luxurious vessel pales in comparison to the 536ft-long, £272million yacht owned by Roman Abramovich

F1 mogul Eddie Jordan has bought a £25million super yacht that is so big it is almost classed as a ship.

The 155ft-long vessel has been commissioned by the 58-year-old and will blow his current 120ft-long boat out of the water.

But it pales in comparison to the Eclipse, the world's largest private yacht.

Owned by Chelsea football club oligarch Roman Abramovich, that vessel is a staggering 536ft-long and cost £272million. It has two swimming pools, two helipads, a gym, hair salon, dancefloor and a 007-style submarine.

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My Comment: Nice.

Staying Sane On A Research Ship In The Middle Of The Ocean

How To Stay Sane On A Ship In The Middle Of The Ocean -- Scientific American

The Knorr is a big ship as far as research vessels go – but there’s still no getting around the fact that you’re in a little metal box in the middle of the ocean with 47 other people for a month. Add to that the fact that most people are doing highly repetitive experiments all day (and I do mean all day, people get up at 5 am and work until 11 pm) and you’ve got a recipe for madness.

For the first week or so, everyone was calm and collected. They got up, they did the CTD casts, they worked, filtered, sequenced and experimented. There was chatter and laughter, but it always came in between long periods of intense science-doing late into the night. But the times, they are a changin’, and people are starting to loosen up (or perhaps go nuts, I don’t know).

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My Comment: I rather stay on a luxury yacht where my primary focus is on what to eat that day.

World Class - Luxury Mediterranean Super-Yacht Cruise

Editor: for more info on 'Pure Bliss, go here and here.

Three-Masted Sailing Yacht Eos Catches Fire

Eos (Image from Wikipedia)

Luxury Yacht Catches Fire -- Views And News From Norway

An unusual three-masted sailing yacht, claimed to be one of the largest private sailing yachts in the world, caught fire in the inner Oslo Fjord during the weekend, setting off a major rescue effort. The yacht, registered in the Bahamas, had been tied up in Oslo for the past week.

The 90-meter-long vessel named Eos was lying just off the eastern side of Oslo’s harbour, near the islands of Malmøya and Ormøya, when the fire broke out on Saturday. Oslo’s fire-fighting and rescue service sent around 15 firefighters to the three-masted vessel.

Read more ....

Editor: Wikipedia has an entry on Eos. The link is here.

Topaz, The £400million Superyacht Leaves It's German Dock

The stunning megayacht is one of the largest and most expensive ever to be built

Topaz, The £400million Superyacht Dreamed Up By Landlocked British Designer, Leaves German Dock To Rule The Waves -- Daily Mail

* Not the biggest billionaire's plaything but one of the most expensive
* Owner's identity remains shrouded in secrecy
* At 147m it is STILL 15m shorter than Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse

Taking to the water for the first time, the stunning £400million megayacht is one of the largest and most expensive ever to be built.

Four years of work have gone into creating the huge boat which is the brainchild of a British designer based, ironically, in landlocked Rutland.

But despite the conspicuous size of the yacht, named Topaz, the identity of its owner remains shrouded in secrecy.

Read more ....

My Comment: I would love to know what she looks like inside.

Not All Super Yacht Companies Are Making Money

Sinking Feeling For Investors In Super Yacht Company -- The Telegraph

Shares in one of the world’s leading super yacht companies, with clients including Roman Abramovich and Sir Phillip Green, have collapsed despite soaring boardroom pay, prompting outrage amongst investors.

When investors poured their money into one of the world’s leading super yacht companies they did not expect their money would sink like a stone.

Believing YCO would be a safe haven in turbulent times, investors pumped millions of pounds into the luxury boat broker, which has had an impressive range of super rich clients including the billionaires Roman Abramovich and Sir Phillip Green.

However, four years after the flotation, shares in YCO have plunged by 94% – sinking from 49p to just 3p.

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My Comment: Sounds like bad management to me.

Superyacht Australia on 2UE Radio

Editor: A good discussion on what is a 'superyacht'.

World Superyacht Awards Promo 2012

How NOT To Dock A Luxury Yacht (Video)

Editor: This is how a luxury yacht should be docked.

Superyacht Project Azzam Will Measure A Staggering 590ft (180m) When Completed

Move Over Roman, My Yacht's Going To Be Bigger Than Yours! Battle Of The Billionaires Heats Up As £400MILLION Super-Boat Is Spotted For First Time -- Daily Mail

* Identity of 'Project Azzam' owner has not yet been revealed, but some say it's been commissioned by Saudi Royals
* Will be a staggering 590ft long - longer than some cruise ships

Roman Abramovich is about to lose his title as the owner of the world's largest private yacht - after this incredible vessel was spotted for the first time.

The £400million mega-yacht, known only as Project Azzam, will measure a staggering 590ft (180m) - longer than some cruise ships - when it is completed.

This will make the super-secretive yacht around 54ft (17.5m) longer than the Eclipse, which is Chelsea-owning oligarch Abramovich's current flagship vessel.

Read more ....

My Comment: I can now easily visualize a 700 foot yacht .... but at that length we are now talking RIDICULOUS.

Cannes Film Festival & Monaco Grand Prix 2012 Onboard The Yacht O'Mega

Editor: For more info on the yacht O'Mega, go here.

The 180 Foot Superyacht “Harbour Island” Is For Sale At $55 Million

Harbour Island

$55 Million Superyacht Docks In St George’s -- Bernews

The 180 foot superyacht “Harbour Island” recently arrived in Bermuda, and is presently docked in St George’s. The superyacht was built by Newcastle Shipyard in Florida, and launched in 2011.

It is one the 10 largest private yachts built in the United States of America over the past 50 years. Presently listed for sale, the asking price for the superyacht is $55 million.

Read more ....

My Comment: $55 million .... hah .... chump change.

Fiji Is Becoming A Hub for Super Yachts In The South Pacific

Fiji Hub For Super Yachts -- Fuji Times

Fiji is being eyed as the super yacht hub of the South Pacific, says Transport Minister Colonel Timoci Natuva.

He said the super yacht industry was a fast growing business, contributing to the income generated through the tourism industry.

Col. Natuva said in its effort to boost business, the government was planning to regularise the first-ever super yacht decree.

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My Comment: They have the idea location.

Inside A Billionaire's 205-ft Mega-Yacht

Britain's Monarchy And It's Love Of The Sea

The British royal family has a very close and historic association with the sea. "Her Majesty's Yacht (HMY) Britannia," (pictured) built in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II, was designed to her exact specifications. She once described the lavish yacht, now decommissioned, as "the one place where I can truly relax."

British Monarchy's Long-Lasting Love Affair With The Sea -- CNN

(CNN) -- For ardent royalists and keen followers of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, there could have been few more fitting tributes to the British monarch's abiding reign than Sunday's 1000-strong flotilla.

The vast fleet of multi-colored, eccentrically-clad yachts - which included everything from ancient tall ships to Viking-style longboats -- was led by a gold-gilded barge carrying the queen herself, reflecting an intimate and centuries-old communion between the royal family and the high-seas.

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My Comment: The British monarchy .... like everyone else .... loves to have a boat on the sea. But having a yacht is a luxury that many of us cannot afford .... the Royal family included.

Russia’s Usmanov Buys A New $100 Million Yacht

© Photo Johannes Joas / wikipedia.org

Russia's Richest Tycoon Names $100 mn Yacht After Mother -- New York Post

Moscow, June 1 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's richest businessmen Alisher Usmanov has named his new $100-million yacht after his mother, a daily reported.

The 66-metre ship which was named Dilbar after the tycoon's mother, includes a swimming pool, helicopter landing pad, gym, a dining area and posh cabins for 20 guests.

Usmanov, with an estimated fortune of around $18 billion, is listed as number one on Forbes' list of Russia's richest businessmen.

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Update #1: Usmanov’s new toy -- Moscow News
Update #2: Russia’s Usmanov Buys New $100 Million Yacht, Izvestia Says -- Bloomberg

My Comment: So he names it after his mom .... clearly a man who respects his roots.

From Solidarity To Super Yachts

From Solidarity To Super Yachts: Gdansk's Historic Shipyards Try To Stay Afloat -- CNN

(CNN) -- During the 1970s and '80s it was said that what happened in Gdansk moved the world.

The shipyard in the Polish port city employed around 20,000 workers building container ships and vessels for the navies of many East European communist countries.

It was also the birthplace of the anti-communist Solidarity trade union movement started by shipyard electrician Lech Walesa, and the spark that would help lead to further civil resistance against communism across Eastern Europe.

Now 30 years on, the shipyards are a very different place.

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My Comment: Gdansk shipyards are doing what it takes to survive .... I wish them the best.

Three Generations Of Royals Join The Queen As She Sets Sail Down The Thames On Glorious Jubilee River Pageant

Ruling The Waves: Three Generations Of Royals Join The Queen As She Sets Sail Down The Thames On Glorious Jubilee River Pageant -- Daily Mail

* Thousands gather along the Thames to get the best view of the Queen to mark her 60 years of reign
* She arrives wearing a stunning silver and white dress with matching coat which was designed by Angela Kelly
* The 1,000-strong flotilla is the most spectacular nautical event in London for the past 350 years
* London Philharmonic Orchestra play 'Singing in the Rain' as they travel down the river
* Bad weather causes cancellation of flypast finale to Thames River Pageant
* Diamond Jubilee pageant sets new world record for the number of boats taking part in a parade

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee river pageant reached its end as a world record-beating 1,000-strong flotilla passed under Tower Bridge.

The belfry carrying The Royal Jubilee Bells was the first vessel through, followed by the million-pound row barge Gloriana led by Olympic gold medallists Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sir Steve Redgrave, rowing with 16 others.

A 41-gun salute was fired from the Tower of London to celebrate the Queen's 60 years on the throne while thousands of people cheered on the banks of the River Thames despite the wet weather.

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My Comment: The Royalty still has style in Britain.

Oooopppssss!!!!

Hat Tip: Theo Spark

A Look At The Clipper 'Running On Waves'

Running on Waves.
Via Boat International

YACHT OF THE WEEK: This Massive Sailing Yacht Can Take Over 40 Of Your Friends On A High Seas Adventure -- Business Insider

The 210-foot super yacht Running on Waves is now available to a lucky buyer with $42 million to spare.

Instead of being another massive motor yacht, Running on Waves is a modern yacht that tips her hat to the past.

While she has modern powerplants and tech on-board, the design is that of a classic clipper ship.

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My Comment: It's great to see that clippers are still being built.

Calls For New Yacht Delivery Regulations

Alasdair Crawford died after the boat he was on got caught in storms in the Bay of Biscay

Devon MP Cox Calls For New Yacht Delivery Regulations -- BBC

A Devon MP has called for an urgent review into the regulation of the yacht delivery industry.

In Parliament, Conservative Geoffrey Cox said foreign-registered boats not in British waters were not subject to British enforcement, even if British firms were delivering them.

Mr Cox citied the cases of five sailors who died while working for a Hampshire firm later accused of negligence.

Transport Minister Mike Penning said he would work with Mr Cox on the issue.

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My Comment: People have died ... so yes .... something has to be done.

Superyacht Crew School Set To Open

Most of the classes will be taught by long-time stewardess Julie Humbert (right) assisted by Joy Humskul.

Superyacht Crew School Set To Open -- Phuket News

PHUKET: A new school opens in Thalang on June 16, offering courses that lead graduates to a life of glamour and high salaries – working on superyachts around the world.

The Galileo Yachting school is aimed firmly at the Thai market, initially targeting Thai women for work as stewardesses, and Thai chefs.

The school is the brainchild of Brian Murray, who is ex-British Royal Navy and was a superyacht skipper for 25 years, commanding superyachts owned by the likes of the Getty family.

He and partner Alex Wheeler expect to place graduates of their 18-day courses on superyachts, with pay starting at B100,000 a month, rising – for those who become chief stewardesses – to as much as B420,000 a month.

And that doesn’t include tips.

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My Comment: This school .... and demand for it's graduates .... should do well.

Behold the World’s Finest Superyachts

Dutch yachtbuilder Feadship took home the Motor Yacht of the Year award for Tango. The 252.8-foot yacht was launched in April of last year and features accommodations for 12 guests, an owner's deck, beauty salon, massage parlor and an outdoor movie theater. Despite all that weight, four engines propel the Tango to a top speed of 22 knots. Image: Feadship

Beauties of the Sea: Behold the World’s Finest Superyachts -- Autopia

Even among the most luxurious of pleasure boats, some yachts are finer than others. And the finest of them all win the coveted Neptune Trophy, given out at the World Superyacht Awards.

The ceremony recognizes the ultimate achievements in superyacht design. To qualify in any of the various award categories, yachts must be over 30 meters in length and must have been delivered to their owners in the past 12 months.

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My Comment: My favorite superyacht is this one.

A Close Call Between A Whale And A Racing Sailboat

Racing Yacht's Near-Miss With Large Whale Captured On Video -- Outdoors, Action And Adventure

The helmsman aboard a racing yacht may have averted disaster by swinging the vessel to the starboard moments before it struck a large whale in its path.

Roberto "Chuny" Bermudez was guiding CAMPER swiftly across the Atlantic during the seventh stage of the Volvo Ocean Race when the whale surfaced just off the bow. (Viewers can see the whale eight seconds into the video, and in slow-motion at 23 seconds.)

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My Comment: Definitely a close call.

The New Largest Yacht In The World?

On 24 May 2012 Lürssen launched the world's largest yacht: AZZAM has an estimated lenght of 180m+ and will be delivered in 2013. Video by Carl Groll / TheYachtPhoto.com. The HD version of this video can be purchased at www.theyachtphoto.com. We have the largest choice of professional photos of AZZAM.

This Is The First Photo Of The New Largest Yacht In The World -- Business Insider

Currently, Roman Abramovich's Eclipse is the largest yacht in the world at a staggering 538 feet long.

That is about to change.

Superyachts.com just sent us information on Project Azzam, which will hit the water at a length of at least 590 feet. That means it could actually be longer!

That's more than a football field and a half long. An Airbus A380 is 239 feet long. This ship is massive.

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My Comment: For more info and pictures of this yacht, go here.