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.

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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.

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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.

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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.