america3 yacht

AMERICA 3 1992 America's Cup yacht winner

America³ (USA–23) was one of four yachts built for the America3 Foundation racing syndicate for the 1992 Citizen Cup. The syndicate was headed by American businessman Bill Koch .

Koch's unorthodox scientific approach to boat design was a major contributor to the skepticism in yachting circles that America³ was not a serious contender. Koch said: "To win, you have to combine art and science. We ignored the rules of thumb and looked at what made products better."

“When I decided to compete for the America's Cup, everyone thought that what you needed to design a boat was a great naval architect. I said ‘bullshit’. Naval architects are good for ideas but they are not scientists.”

“My doctorate degree is in fluid dynamics so I understood science extremely well. I had also discovered what makes a boat go fast and what makes a boat go slow. I’d set up a research program at MIT to do exactly that. We looked at it for five years and we came up with the fastest boat in the world."

America³'s innovative design is based on extensive scientific research and testing. She belongs to a class of sailing craft known as "maxis," the largest, fastest, and most expensive sailboats built to race. It was the first edition of the America's Cup that was sailed on  International America's Cup Class  yachts.

The yacht was built by Goetz Custom Sailboats Inc. in Rhode Island and the carbon fiber mast package was built by the Offshore Spars Co. in Michigan. She was launched in 1992.  

The America3 Foundation racing syndicate won the 1992 Citizen Cup. She then moved on to successfully defend the America's Cup against the challenge of the Italian yacht Il Moro di Venezia V (ITA-25), winner of the 1992 Louis Vuitton Cup.

Koch turned down Dennis Conner (the yachtsman who has won the trophy four times ). He skipped America3 to victory!

The America3 Foundation racing syndicate entered the 1995 Citizen Cup with an all women's program. The team sailed America³ (USA–23) in the first three stages of the Round Robin, then switched to their newly delivered yacht Mighty Mary (USA–43) for the remainder of the event.

America³ is on display at the Wichita Boathouse in Wichita, Kansas.  

This wooden model of the America3 is 24" long. It will be completed in one week after your purchase.

Learn more about the America 3 here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%C2%B3_(1992_yacht)  

Published on December 4th, 2019 | by Editor

Beginning and end of the yacht America

Published on December 4th, 2019 by Editor -->

With the frequent sighting of the yacht America on San Diego Bay, well-handled and beautiful under sail, the history of the America’s Cup is never far from view. In this report by Dr. Hamish Ross , he provides the detailed version.

On the 15 November 1850, George Schuyler on behalf of a syndicate of five, including himself and Commodore John Cox Stevens and William Brown, signed a contract to build a New York pilot schooner for the Great Exhibition, due to be opened by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, London on Thursday 1 May 1851. The contract was for $30,000.00, conditioned on her being the fastest yacht in the United States. Unfortunately, she was delivered a month late and failed to defeat Commodore Stevens’ Maria during her trials. Left with the prospect of selling a failed yacht and in deep financial trouble, Brown had little option but to accept a ‘take it or leave it’ price reduction of $10,000.00 by Schuyler.

America under construction in New York in 1851.

During the building, her owner’s plans for England changed and the America would be diverted to the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) in Cowes after an invitation was received from RYS Commodore, the 2nd Earl of Wilton, inviting the owners to enjoy the hospitality of the Squadron during the yachting season.

The Earl had been born Thomas Grosvenor, the second son of the Marquess of Westminster (the title was later elevated to a dukedom in 1874 – the last non-royal dukedom to be created). Wilton served as Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron for thirty-two years between 1849 to 1881.

On 22 August 1851, America raced against 15 yachts in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “all nations” race around the Isle of Wight. America won, finishing 8 minutes ahead of the closest rival. After 1851, the America went through a number of owners, including service as a Confederate blockade runner under the name of the Memphis, being scuttled in Jacksonville, later raised to serve in the US Navy, and was raced by the Navy in the 1870 America’s Cup fleet race match (winning fourth place).

She was sold into private ownership in 1873 to Benjamin Butler, a controversial Union Army Major-General and later a colorful politician and lawyer. Under Butler’s ownership, the America underwent two major refits in 1875 and again in 1885.

© Dani Tagen

She was donated to the US Navy in 1921 and was towed to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, as an on-water exhibit, where her condition gradually decayed. The onset of the Great Depression delayed the expenditure of an estimated $80,000.00 for a necessary refit.

Charles Francis Adams Jr., the America’s Cup winning skipper of Resolute in 1920, great-great grandson of the second US President John Adams, great grandson of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams, serving as the Secretary of the Navy, felt unable to approve the expenditure of such money in 1930 during the onset of the Depression.

She was classified as a Navy relic in 1941 (IX-41) and hauled out at the Annapolis Yacht Yard for work. Some preliminary was carried out on her from time to time, mainly stripping her back to sound timbers, but only around other more urgent work which took precedence.

The outbreak of the Second World War further delayed any thoughts of a determined restoration and her fate was sealed after a shed in which she was being housed in Annapolis collapsed during a severe snowstorm on the night of Palm Sunday, 29 March 1942.

The America being towed to Annapolis on what was to be her last voyage in 1921

When the War ended, the Navy was forced to cut back from its wartime budget and was busy decommissioning many of its ships. Nostalgia was in short supply in 1945 when it came to preserving famous ships. Her end was sealed on 20th November 1945 when the US Navy signed an order for her scrapping, when faced with a repair bill of $300,000.00.

The Navy received $990.90 for the scrapping of an icon.

One of the last photographs of the remains of the America before she was scrapped in 1945.

Many pieces of the America were souvenired and every now and then, pieces of the America come on the market, but rather like a ‘grandfather’s hammer’, it is rather hard to know if any piece offered dates from 1851 or was added later during one of its many refits. It is said, like relics of the ‘cross’, there are more pieces of wood claiming to be from the America than in a New England forest.

Three replicas of the America have been built. They were built in 1967 (Boothby, Maine), 1995 (Albany, New York), and in 2005 (Varna, Bulgaria) with varying degrees of authenticity some having an additional four feet of beam to increase accommodation and additional skylights. The first two are based in the US and the latter in Rostock, Germany sailing as the Skythia.

The America, the most famous yacht in the history of the sport of sailing, has bequeathed us a competition which represents the pinnacle of the sport in terms of technology, design, sailing skill, management, all these necessarily infused with smart strategic and tactical planning and execution, in which only the very best will win.

UPDATE 1 (Dec. 5, 2019) : Troy Sears, who owns and sails the replica in San Diego, CA, provides an update on the three boats:

The 1967 replica, commonly known as the “Rudy Schaefer” boat that you correctly state being built in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, was broken up several years ago due to rot. She spent most of her later years of her life in the Med, mostly in Barcelona and Genoa. She was a full-sized replica.

The Bulgarian replica, Skythia, is a fractional replica being about 60 tons as compared to ours which is 113 tons. I would say her design was inspired by the America but not so much a replica.

There are no original drawing available so nobody can be certain of the actual dimensions, but ours is thought to be as accurate as possible in terms of size. Also, I am happy to say that we are totally rot free and as long as I take good care of her, she will outlive me.

UPDATE 2 (Dec. 12, 2019): Marcello Grimaudo, who is Captain of the 1967 replica (below), informed us  the yacht is still sailing and in good shape but is now on drydock in Italy for a major restoration.

Tags: america , America's Cup , Hamish Ross

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The Yacht America

A replica of the 139-foot yacht that won the historic Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Guinea Cup race in 1851.

The History

Without exaggerating, America is the world’s most famous racing yacht. It is also one of the most beautiful yachts in the world. The reason is simple: The original America put yachting on the map. It is why the most famous trophy in sailing is called The America’s Cup. In 1851, a boat named ‘AMERICA’ won the ‘Royal Yacht Squadrons’ 100 Guinea Cup given to the winner of a race around the Isle of Wight. It is said that the margin was so great that watching America sail past the royal yacht, Queen Victoria famously asked “Who came second?” “Your majesty… there is no second,” was the reply. The winners, members of the New York Yacht Club, donated the trophy to the Club, to be held as a ‘challenge’ trophy. Thus was born the America’s Cup, named after the boat not the country.

There aren’t many yachting stories as exciting as the 95-year history of ‘AMERICA.’ The Low Black Schooner from New York that won the most famous race of them all. Designed by a young genius who combined the best of Old World theory and New World practicality, and owned by a syndicate of powerful men out to prove American maritime prowess, she did what almost everybody thought was impossible.

Her later career was equally as colorful – conveyor of secret agents, Confederate blockade runner, Union warship, Naval Academy training vessel, and the pride and joy of a famous Civil War general and politician. By her end in 1945, she was one of the most honored vessels in the United States. The original was destroyed during World War II but ours is a near-perfect replica built in 1995 at a cost of more than $6 million.

Replica or not, in 2007 the America’s Cup Management (ACM) offered $500,000 for the America to be brought to Spain where the race was being held. ACM, the city of Valencia, and the government of Spain were reported to have spent over $2.65 billion on the build-up, marketing, and conduct of the 2007 America’s Cup event. The America was invited to San Francisco in the summer of 2013 to represent the history of this great race for Oracle Team USA’s defense of the 34th America Cup. Then, The America was selected as the ambassador for the America’s Cup Tour, visiting sites along the West Coast in July and August 2015, and Mexico, the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, and the Caribbean in 2016.

• Length:               139 feet
• Weight:               226,000 pounds
• Mast Height:     105 feet (main mast)
• Sail:                     5,900 square feet
• Capacity:            77

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Photos of The Yacht America

1 dead, 6 missing after luxury yacht sinks off Sicily amid storm

by ALEXX ALTMAN-DEVILBISS | The National Desk

One person is dead and six are missing after an 184-foot sailboat carrying 22 people sank off the coast of Sicily during bad weather early Monday, according to Italian officials.

The coast guard reported rescuing 15 passengers but naval and air assets are still searching for six people with assistance from Italy's institutional agency for fire and rescue service . Fire rescue said the lifeless body of a man was recovered outside the wreck.

In a news release obtained by The Associated Press, there was a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, including British, American and Canadian nationalities.

British tech magnate Mike Lynch was identified as one of the missing Monday afternoon, according to Salvo Cocina of Sicily’s civil protection agency.

Lynch, once hailed as Britain’s king of technology was cleared in June of fraud and conspiracy charges related to Hewlett Packard’s $11 billion takeover of his company, Autonomy Corp.

The not-guilty verdicts followed an 11-week criminal trial in San Francisco that delved into the history of HP’s 2011 acquisition of Autonomy, a business software firm founded by Lynch.

The acquittal vindicated Lynch, who had vehemently denied wrong doing and portrayed HP as a technological train wreck.

The superyacht known as the Bayesian is a U.K.-flagged vessel that sank off Porticello near the coastal city of Palermo, officials stated.

Firefighter divers said they were attempting to reach the ship at a depth of around 164 feet.

Photos and videos of the search show helicopters and rescue boats from the coast guard and fire rescue.

Santa Flavia Mayor Giuseppe D’Agostino wrote on Facebook that the "tragedy that has struck our community is like no other in history."

"The administration has activated all channels with the police and is taking care of the people recovered alive so far," D'Agostino added. "The search continues at sea and all we can do is pray and hope to find someone alive."

The yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, can accommodate 12 passengers in four double cabins, a triple and the master suite, plus crew accommodations, according to Charter World and Yacht Charters.

____ Editor's note : The Associated Press contributed to this article.

‘Illegal payouts,' yacht parties: DC fines title companies $3.2M

"we want home buyers to be able to trust that the referrals that they're getting from their agents are not contaminated with an undisclosed conflict of interest," d.c.'s attorney general said., by ted oberg, news4 investigative reporter , joseph olmo, news4 reporter and maggie more • published august 29, 2024 • updated on august 29, 2024 at 6:56 am.

Four title companies doing business in D.C. are set to pay over $3 million in penalties for operating an illegal kickback scheme, the Office of the Attorney General announced Thursday.

Title insurance is familiar to anyone who owns a home or is currently buying one. It's an important part of the process that ensures the home bought actually belongs to the buyer.

📺 Watch News4 now: Stream NBC4 newscasts for free right here, right now.

The four title companies – Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements and Union Settlements – face $3.29 million total in penalties.

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb told News4 the title companies broke the law and cost District homebuyers money.

"It is illegal, reprehensible to be squeezing more profits out of people by virtue of violating the law," Schwalb said.

The scheme DC officials described

The title companies offered real estate agents “exclusive, lucrative, and discounted investment opportunities in either the companies themselves or in shell entities” in exchange for client referrals, the attorney general’s office said in a statement.

The D.C. attorney general says it is common for a real estate agent to suggest a title insurance company, but it is illegal for the agent to receive any compensation for doing so.

"Whether it's cash, whether it's a fancy yacht trip, whether it's in distribution or a dividend in a joint venture that's established to funnel fees," Schwalb said, "all of that is illegal."

In addition to profits from referrals, Allied Title & Escrow threw multiple parties on yachts in the Chesapeake Bay for real estate agents, the office said. The parties were “rewards for referrals and intended to incentivize the agents’ continued loyalty and future referrals,” authorities said.

The most clearly illegal version of a kickback scheme is one where a title company directly pays a real estate agent money for referring a client to a title company. Instead of that "front door" version of illegal activity, Schwalb said, the four title companies tried to take "the back door."

" They tried to go through the back door with this surreptitious scheme of creating a joint venture or an entity, and giving the agents discounted interests in those entities, and then passing the money through the entities as if they were distributions or dividends," Schwalb said.

The schemes had negative effects for homebuyers in a city where closing on a home is already expensive, Schwalb said. Since real estate agents involved were pointing their clients to certain title companies, it limited those clients' ability to shop around for the best price.

"We want home buyers to be able to trust that the referrals that they're getting from their agents are not contaminated with an undisclosed conflict of interest," Schwalb said.

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The penalties.

The $3.29 million in penalties is the total the title company will pay. Here's the breakdown, under the terms of the agreement:

• Allied will pay $1.9 million to D.C.
• KVS will pay $1 million to D.C.
• Union will pay $325,000 to D.C.
• Modern will pay $65,000 to D.C.

The attorney general's office said at least $2 million of the settlement will go to homeowners who may have lost money because of the schemes.

A claims process will be made publicly available on the attorney general's website for anyone who used one of the four title companies to close on a home.

All four companies agreed to stop giving real estate agents rewards for referring clients, and to either "divest real estate agents from their ownership interests in the companies or cease the companies' title insurance operations in the District," the office of the attorney general said in a statement.

The office is "keeping an eye" on the real estate agents involved in the scheme, Schwalb said, but the settlement announced Thursday is only with the title companies.

The title companies' responses

News4 reached out to each of the title companies involved in the settlement for comment.

A spokesperson for KSV Title said: "KVS Title strongly disagrees that its joint ventures operated improperly or harmed consumers, and denied any wrongdoing in its agreement with the Office of the Attorney General," the statement reads. "KVS Title is proud of the work its joint ventures performed for consumers, but ultimately decided it was in the best interests of the company to settle these claims and avoid costly and protracted litigation."

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A spokesperson for Modern Settlements said: "We do not agree with the allegations made by the Attorney General," the statement reads. "Modern Settlements has always been and continues to be committed to playing by the rules and providing consumers with an exceptional experience at competitive prices.  We made a business decision to pay DC $65,000 rather than go through the drawn out process of a more extensive legal battle."

The other two title companies, Allied Title & Escrow and Union Settlements, have not responded to a request for comment as of this writing. News4 will update you here if they do.

This article tagged under:

BRIGGS CUNNINGHAM: American Racing Tradition TALE OF AN AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

The america's cup, the america’s cup – 1958, text by kane rogers.

View photographer Cory Silken’s “Yacht Columbia – America’s Cup Winner 1958” gallery here .

Click here to read “The America’s Cup: An Insider’s View,” by Bob Bavier.

Prior to 1958, the last defense of the America’s Cup had been in 1937, by the J-Class yacht Ranger , owned by Harold S. “Mike” Vanderbilt. The J-Class rules prescribing a vessel of some 120 feet in length were promoted by Vanderbilt and others for the defense planned for 1958, but economic concerns and the desire among aspiring competitors to employ smaller dual-purpose yachts won the day. The New York Yacht Club settled on the twelve-meter class rules, reducing the length of the average vessel to around sixty-five feet. Harry Sears, then the club’s commodore, formed a syndicate to build the ship and asked Briggs to join to help with finances.

Although building and racing his cars had long been Briggs’ primary field of endeavor, he had never stopped sailing, and he agreed to join the effort. Sailing legend Cornelius Shields was appointed as the team’s skipper but, when he suffered a heart attack, Sears asked Cunningham to take Shields’ place.

As a member of five East Coast yacht clubs, with almost thirty years’ experience racing several different classes of vessel, Briggs was a solid choice to lead. The one thing he lacked was experience with the starting strategy required by the head-to-head style of America’s Cup competition. Shields, a master of this type of racing, was happy to impart his knowledge to Cunningham, who proved an able student.

Unfortunately, as skipper it was Briggs who had to inform Shields that he could not remain a member of the crew; if he suffered an attack during competition and had to be taken to the hospital, it would leave them a man short and result in their disqualification. It was a tough moment for both men, but it was also characteristic of both to do what was best for the team.

The eliminations for the American side would prove to be more exciting than the final races. Four twelve-metre yachts, Easterner , Weatherly , Vim and Columbia , survived two months of run-offs to compete in the final eight-day round of match races to determine the defender of the America’s Cup. Of the four contenders, only the Vim had raced previously, but the nineteen-year-old vessel was so completely refitted as to be virtually brand new. The Easterner and Weatherly had been hurriedly completed and neither was fully prepared to compete, although the Weatherly would successfully defend the Cup in 1962.

Columbia benefited from a strong syndicate whose membership included Harry Sears, Olin Stephens, the designer of the Vim , and Cornelius Shields, Jr., who occasionally spelled Briggs as skipper. The competition finally narrowed to Vim and Columbia , which prevailed by virtue of her ability to better handle rough seas and strong winds.

The British challenger, Sceptre , entered by the Royal Yacht Squadron and skippered by Graham Mann, was a quite rotund 68,000 pounds compared to the svelte Columbia at 57,000 pounds, and the event was decided in four straight wins by the Americans.

During the post-race celebrations, Briggs located a pay phone and called Alfred Momo at Watkins Glen, where Ed Crawford had just won the main race. As Briggs was returning to join his crew, a reporter approached and commented, “Briggs, that was a fine race!” to which Briggs, still with the Glen on his mind, replied, “That’s what I just heard. I wish I could have seen it.”

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ABYC Announces New Marine Engines and Fuel Systems Certification

First Course Open for Registration: Begins October 8

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Sept. 27, 2024) – The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced the launch of its new Marine Engines and Fuel Systems Certification course, a comprehensive program that combines the previously separate Gasoline Engines and Diesel Engines certifications into a single, streamlined certification. The first interactive online course will be held Oct. 8-24, running three days a week for three weeks from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Recognizing the evolving needs of marine technicians who often work on both gasoline and diesel engines, ABYC has developed this course to provide a more efficient pathway to certification.

“As the industry evolves, we recognize that many engine manufacturers train techs to their own brand-specific certifications,” said Tim Murphy, ABYC educator director. “By combining our previous Gasoline Engines and Diesel Engines certifications, ABYC addresses the whole boat from the fuel fill up to the point where fuel enters the engine. In the new course, gasoline and diesel engines each have a chapter dedicated to their specific needs.”

As most in-depth engine diagnostics and repairs are manufacturer-specific, this course focuses more on the ABYC Standards that apply to both gasoline (petrol) and diesel-fuel engines, and the systems they are connected to, such as fuel, electric, drives, and exhaust. The chapter on electrical systems is one of the best primers for non-electricians you’ll find. Basic troubleshooting, repair and maintenance of these various systems is addressed as well.

This course is ideal for marine technicians, repair shops, and others in the marine industry who are seeking to enhance their qualifications and ensure compliance with ABYC Standards.

For more information about the Marine Engines and Fuel Systems Certification course and to register, visit www.abycinc.org/events .

Since 1954, the nonprofit American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has developed safety standards for boat design, construction, equipage, repair and maintenance. The essential global source of marine industry technical information, ABYC’s product safety standards, credentialing, education, training, and other tools help members make boating safer.

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Luxury yachts and other myths: How Republican lawmakers echo Russian propaganda

Two senior Republican lawmakers, the chairs of the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees, say their colleagues are echoing Russian state propaganda against Ukraine.

Researchers who study disinformation say Reps. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, are merely acknowledging what has been clear for some time: Russian propaganda aimed at undermining U.S. and European support for Ukraine has steadily seeped into America’s political conversation over the past decade, taking on a life of its own.

McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Puck News he thinks “Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base.”

Turner, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told CNN that anti-Ukraine messages from Russia are “being uttered on the House floor.”

For the past decade, since Russia’s first military incursion into Ukraine in 2014, Moscow has spread propaganda and disinformation in a bid to undercut U.S. and European military support for Ukraine, according to U.S. and Western officials.

Some of the arguments, distortions and falsehoods spread by Russia have taken root, mostly among right-wing pro-Trump outlets and Republican politicians, researchers say, including that Ukraine’s government is too corrupt to benefit from Western aid and that the Biden family has alleged corrupt ties to Ukraine.

Russia, in keeping with traditional propaganda techniques, seeks to make its case and tarnish Ukraine through a mixture of outright falsehoods, half-truths, inferences or simply amplifying and promoting arguments already being made by American or European commentators and politicians, researchers say.

The propaganda is sometimes spread covertly, through fake online accounts, or openly by Russian officials and state media. As a result, the origin of some allegations or criticisms is often opaque, especially when a certain accusation or perception has gained wide acceptance, leaving no clear fingerprints.

Early in the war, a false story boosted by Russian propaganda — that the U.S. had helped Ukraine build biological weapons labs — gained traction on right-wing social media and was touted by then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Russia also is conducting a parallel propaganda campaign in Europe. Belgium’s prime minister said Thursday that his government is investigating alleged Russian bribes to members of the European Parliament as part of Moscow’s campaign to undermine support for Ukraine. Czech law enforcement officials last month alleged that a former pro-Russian member of Ukraine’s parliament, Viktor Medvedchuk, was behind a Prague-based Russian propaganda network designed to promote opposition to aiding Ukraine.

Here are some examples of Republican lawmakers using arguments often promoted by Russian propaganda:

Buying yachts

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with members of Congress behind closed doors in December to appeal for more U.S. help for his country’s troops, some lawmakers raised questions about Ukraine allegedly buying yachts with American aid money.

Zelenskyy made clear that was not the case, according to Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a strong supporter of arming Ukraine. “I think the notion of corruption came up because some have said we can’t do it, because people will buy yachts with the money,” Tillis told CNN. “[Zelenskyy] disabused people of those notions.”

Where did the yacht rumor come from?

Pro-Russian actors and websites promoted a narrative alleging Zelenskyy bought two superyachts with U.S. aid dollars. One Russia-based propaganda site, DC Weekly , published a story last November that included photos of two luxury yachts, called Lucky Me and My Legacy , which it alleged were bought for $75 million.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a vocal opponent of military aid to Ukraine, in November retweeted a post about the alleged yacht purchase from the Strategic Culture Foundation, a Russian-based propaganda outlet directed by Russia’s intelligence services, according to the Treasury Department. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the organization, accusing it of spreading disinformation and interfering in U.S. elections.

Another outspoken critic of aid to Ukraine, Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, also made a similar claim.

In a December interview with former President Donald Trump’s White House adviser Steve Bannon, Vance claimed that members of Congress wanted to cut Social Security benefits to provide more aid to Ukraine, and that money would allegedly be used for Zelenskyy’s ministers to “buy a bigger yacht.”

“There are people who would cut Social Security, throw our grandparents into poverty. Why? So that one of Zelenskyy’s ministers can buy a bigger yacht?” Vance said. “Kiss my ass, Steve. It’s not happening.”

The tale of Zelenskyy’s luxury yacht, however, turned out to be totally false . The yachts cited in the DC Weekly article remain up for sale , the owners told The Associated Press.

Two academics at Clemson University, disinformation researchers Darren Linvill and Patrick Warren, found that DC Weekly ran numerous stories copied from other sites that were rewritten by artificial intelligence engines. The articles had bylines with fake names along with headshots copied from other online sites. DC Weekly appeared to be a Russian effort to launder false information through a seemingly legitimate news site as part of an attempt to undermine U.S. support for Ukraine, according to the researchers .

Asked by reporters about Vance’s comments, Tillis said: “I think it’s bullshit. ...If you’re talking about giving money to Ukrainian ministers — total and unmitigated bullshit.”

Greene’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Vance’s spokesperson said the senator was making a rhetorical point about how he opposed sending U.S. assistance to what he sees as a corrupt country, but was not asserting the yacht stories online were accurate.

Vance’s office referred NBC News to an earlier response to the BBC on the same topic:

“For years, everyone in the West recognized that Ukraine was one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Somehow everyone forgot that just as we started sending them billions of dollars in foreign aid.”

Enabling ‘corruption’

Russian state media for years has painted Ukraine as deeply corrupt, and has argued that the U.S. and its allies are wasting money and military hardware by assisting such an allegedly corrupt government.

“This is absolutely a line that they have pushed, and then once it appears in the Western ecosystem, other [Russian] media picks it up and it gets recycled back,” said Bret Schafer, a senior fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy.

This line of argument has gained traction partly because Ukraine does face a genuine corruption problem.

Russia’s effort to focus attention on corruption in Ukraine reflects a long-established propaganda method of using facts or partial truths to anchor a broader assertion or accusation, sometimes making a leap in logic, Schafer and other researchers said. Russia’s message amounts to: Ukraine is corrupt, therefore U.S. and Western aid will be stolen and wasted.

Schafer said it was ironic for Russia, a country mired in corruption and kleptocracy, to be leveling accusations about corruption.

Republican Rep. Mary Miller has said she strongly opposes more assistance for Ukraine because it amounts to sending cash to “corrupt oligarchs.”

“With Zelensky coming to DC this week to ask for more money, I will continue to vote AGAINST sending your tax $$ to corrupt oligarchs in Ukraine for a proxy war that could have ended in ‘22,” Miller wrote in a post on X in December.

The Illinois lawmaker also echoed another assertion that often appears in Russian media, that the Biden administration allegedly undermined efforts by Russia to avoid war with Ukraine.

 “A peace deal was on the table that [Ukraine] and [Russia] were both ready to sign, but Biden said NO,” she wrote.

There was in fact no proposed peace agreement that Russia and Ukraine were prepared to sign before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to U.S. and European officials. As Russian troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Western governments urged Russia not to invade and warned there would be economic and diplomatic consequences.

Reuters has reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a possible deal to avert a war that had been discussed with Kyiv by Russia’s envoy to Ukraine. The Kremlin said the report was inaccurate and has said Russia tried for years to arrive at an understanding with Ukraine.

As for corruption in Ukraine, Zelenskyy has vowed to tackle the problem, sacking senior officials in some recent cases. But some civil society groups have criticized his approach and Ukrainians say corruption is the country’s second-most serious problem, after the Russian invasion, according to a poll conducted last year.

In an annual survey, Transparency International said Ukraine made progress toward addressing the issue and now ranks 104th out of 180 countries on its Corruption Perceptions Index , climbing 12 places up from its previous ranking.

Ukraine is not alone among countries that receive U.S. and other foreign aid but struggle with corruption. Supporters of assisting Ukraine argue it would undermine America’s influence in the world and its humanitarian efforts if Washington withheld foreign aid from every country where there were reports of corruption.

Miller’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Biden family and Ukraine

Republicans have repeatedly alleged that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter have corrupt ties to Ukraine, and that they sought $5 million in bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma to protect the firm from an investigation by Ukraine’s prosecutor general.

There is no credible evidence for the allegations. A key source for the accusations against the Bidens is a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who was arrested in February on federal charges of fabricating the bribery claims. Smirnov says he was fed information by Russian intelligence.

Republicans had heavily promoted Smirnov’s allegations against the Bidens, seeing them as crucial to a planned impeachment effort against the president that has since fizzled .

“In my estimation, that is probably the clearest example of Russian propaganda working its way into the American political system,” said Emerson Brooking, a resident senior fellow at the Digital Forensic Research Lab of the Atlantic Council.

GOP Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona cited the false bribery allegations in expressing his opposition to providing assistance to Ukraine.

“In exchange for … bribe money from Ukraine, Joe Biden has dished out over $100 billion in taxpayer money to fund the war in Ukraine. I will not assist this corruption by sending more money to the authoritarian Ukrainian regime,” Gosar said in a statement in October.

Gosar’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. 

Syedah Asghar is a Capitol Hill researcher for NBC News and is based in Washington, D.C.

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Rebuilding Paradise: The Bitter End Yacht Club’s Inspiring Comeback

By: Shannon Sinnard Destinations

Nestled at the northeastern tip of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, the Bitter End Yacht Club has long been a premier maritime destination for sailors. For years, this iconic resort has drawn seafarers from around the globe, offering a serene escape amidst the sparkling waters of the Caribbean.

While the term “bitter end” often refers to the final part of a rope or chain, the phrase can also signify reaching the farthest point or the end destination of a long or difficult journey. The founders of the Bitter End Yacht Club chose this name to reflect both its geographical location and the spirit of adventure and perseverance inherent to sailors. For those who navigate to this end-of-the-line point, the BEYC stands as a haven where their journey culminates in beauty and tranquility. And, for many, it has long stood as a cherished traditional stop when exploring the waters of the BVI.

A Legendary Past, a Devastating Blow

In more recent years, the Bitter End’s name has embodied not only a physical destination but also a symbolic one. The iconic BEYC experienced a devastating blow in September 2017 when Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in history, wreaked havoc on the Caribbean, leaving the Bitter End Yacht Club in ruins. The devastation was profound, with buildings flattened, boats destroyed, and the once-thriving resort reduced to rubble.

While many Bitter End enthusiasts were devastated to hear of the destruction Hurricane Irma left in her wake, the iconic Bitter End Yacht Club kept its loyal fans updated via its website , detailing both the damage and community efforts to rebuild this beloved BVI institution.

Rising from the Ashes

Having now been rebuilt and risen from the devastation of Hurricane Irma, the Bitter End’s name resonates even more with the idea of enduring and overcoming challenges – much like the sailors who venture to the farthest reaches to get there.

After the storm, the Bitter End Yacht Club faced a long and arduous journey to recovery. But the spirit of resilience and determination among its community never wavered. Fast forward to today, and the Bitter End Yacht Club has not only been rebuilt but has been reimagined, standing as a testament to the power of recovery and the adventurous spirit that made it famous.

A New Era for the Bitter End Yacht Club

The reopening of the Bitter End Yacht Club marks a new chapter in its storied history. The rebuilt resort seamlessly blends the charm and character of its past with modern amenities and environmentally friendly practices. Here’s a glimpse of what visitors can now expect:

State-of-the-Art Marina

The heart of the Bitter End experience, the marina, has been meticulously restored and upgraded, offering deep-water slips that can accommodate yachts up to 200 feet, along with enhanced dockside services. Sailors can enjoy top-notch amenities including electrical hook-ups, fuel, ice, showers, rubbish disposal, and laundry facilities. Additionally, guests have access to the resort’s swimming pool. The BEYC also boasts one of the best deep-water anchorages in the Caribbean, providing many of the same amenities as the docking facilities.

Culinary Delights

Dining at the Bitter End is an experience in itself. The resort’s restaurants feature locally sourced ingredients, celebrating Caribbean flavors with a gourmet twist. Whether it’s a casual beachside meal or an elegant dinner under the stars, the culinary offerings are sure to delight every palate.

Adventure and Exploration

For those with a thirst for adventure, the resort offers a wide range of water sports, including sailing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling. Guests can explore the vibrant coral reefs, embark on a deep-sea fishing expedition, or simply enjoy a leisurely paddle around the bay.

Environmental Stewardship

The Bitter End Yacht Club has embraced sustainability as a core principle in its rebuilding efforts. The resort utilizes renewable energy sources, practices water conservation, and is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the BVI. Initiatives such as coral reef restoration and marine conservation programs are integral to its operations, ensuring that the Bitter End remains a pristine paradise for future generations.

A Bright Future

From its storied past to its recent resurgence, the Bitter End Yacht Club is more than just a return to business; it’s a celebration of resilience, community, and the indomitable spirit of the BVI. As it welcomes back old friends and new, the Bitter End promises to once again be the ultimate retreat for those who seek the thrill of the open sea and the tranquility of an island paradise in one of the most breathtaking locations on earth. 

BRINGING BACK THE BITTER END

AN INSIDE SAILING EDITION WEBINAR • HOSTED BY PETER ISLER

Join Richard and Lauren Hokin as they reminisce about the Bitter End Yacht Club’s past and discuss its exciting reopening as “Bitter End 2.0” after Hurricane Irma.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS A CRUISING GUIDE

The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands is filled with detailed charts of the various anchorages, supported with colorful aerial photography in addition to piloting, anchoring and shoreside information. The Island Connections sections provide valuable telephone, email and website information to make finding island businesses, services and restaurants effortless. Additionally, the guide includes a free, fold-out color 27” x 17” planning chart covering the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. 

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WATERPROOF CHART

Printed on two sides this new chart includes the U.S. & B.V.I. from St. Thomas to Anegada, including anchorage and mooring locations as well as GPS coordinates, sailing routes and distances between waypoints. Excellent for the cockpit and attractive enough to hang on the wall when you get home.

This planning chart is a duplicate of the one you receive in the guide with the exception of being waterproof.

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Leading the way in Global Web Based Yacht Sales & Marketing

32 years ago, American Yachts were amongst the first to embrace the internet in the yacht market and use it to bring buyers and sellers together across the Atlantic

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Creating Historic Model Ship Kits Since 1905

America 1/4″ scale: k1050.

$ 400.00

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Cherry Baseboards: BB1290

Pedestals Set: F0876 and F0877

Paint Kit: PN1750

Plan and Book: B6000

About america 1/4″ scale: k1050.

America, 1/4″ Scale | The yacht that started it all in 1851. After being launched in New York, in 1851, the yacht America crossed the Atlantic to challenge the entire fleet of England’s Royal Yacht Squadron. Winning, she was awarded a silver trophy that was to become known as the America’s Cup, the most cherished prize in the world of sailing.

The sailing yacht America is a true masterpiece of design and engineering, representing the pinnacle of luxury and performance on the open seas. With its sleek and elegant lines, this magnificent vessel is instantly recognizable and has become an icon in the world of yachting. Built in 1851, the America was originally known as the racing schooner ‘Yacht America’ and was commissioned by a syndicate of wealthy businessmen from New York. Its purpose was to compete in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s annual 100 Guinea Cup race, which later became known as the America’s Cup.

LOA : 35″

Scale : 1/4″

Finished Model : $2,400.00

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Breaking news, mike lynch’s wife didn’t want to leave site of sunken sicily yacht without husband and daughter.

The wife of tech mogul Mike Lynch didn’t want to leave the scene of his sunken yacht without her husband and their teenage daughter before they were both later confirmed dead, according to a captain who helped rescue survivors during the Sicily storm.

Angela Bacares was so frantic to find her family she even hesitated getting medical help after getting out of the Bayesian during a ferocious storm that sank it, Karsten Borner told People Magazine.

“[Bacares] didn’t want to leave because her husband and her daughter were still down,” said Borner, who helped rescue the survivors after witnessing the tragedy from his own boat, the Sir Robert Baden Powell.

“She was picked up a little bit later because I asked the coast guard to take her as I thought she needed medical help. Then, over the course of the next two, three hours — [I] don’t know exactly how much later — the coast guards came and the rest of the Bayesian people went away with them.”

Lynche’s wife was among 15 people who escaped the 184-foot luxury yacht on Aug. 19 after a sudden squall of tornado-like waterspouts pummeled the superyacht, causing it to sink. Others saved included a mom and her 1-year-old baby.

It would take days to recover the bodies of the seven who died, including tech tycoon Lynch 59, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah.

Borner said he noticed the weather rapidly deteriorating around 3 a.m. when his ship and the Bayesian were the only two out anchored off the coast of Porticello in Sicily.

“When things calmed down and the storm abated somewhat and the wind dropped a bit, we were looking around and couldn’t see the Bayesian anymore,” Borner told the magazine.

“We checked the AIS [automatic identification system], and we couldn’t see the Bayesian anymore. Two passengers and two crew members saw what looked like a whale in the water and realized afterwards it was the capsized boat,” he said.

“A moment later, I saw a triangle in the sea in a split second that the sky was lit up by lightning, and that must have been the bow of the ship while sinking over the stern.”

After witnessing the Bayesian sink, Borner and his first mate got onto a smaller boat, called a tender, and headed to where the Bayesian had been.

“We first found things floating in the water like cushions and chairs and stuff,” Borner said. “And then we saw a flickering light. This was a life raft with a light on the top. And they also waved at us with a torch.”

“So we went there, and then we found the crew and part of the passengers — 15 people in a 12-person raft, including a little baby,” he added.

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing seven passengers.
• British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was identified as one of the bodies pulled from the wreckage. His teenage daughter, Hannah, was the final one to be recovered.
• Lynch — known as “Britain’s Bill Gates” — had invited guests from Clifford Chance, a legal firm that represented him, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it disappearing.
• A rare and unexpected “black swan” weather event may have led to the  Bayesian’s speedy demise , maritime experts say.

Borner and his crew took in the survivors, providing first aid, dry clothes and blankets to those in the raft.

The survivors also told Borner there were other passengers still missing, which led the tender to be sent out again.

“They looked around at sea and obviously didn’t find anything,” Borner said.

The other victims included the ship’s chef, Ricardo Thomas, New York City attorney Christopher Morvillo and his wife, Neda; and Morgan Stanley executive Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy.

The exact cause of the yacht’s sinking remains unknown, however, Italian prosecutors are probing whether the actions of Captain James Cutfield, 51, may have led to tragedy.

Under maritime law, a ship’s captain assumes full responsibility for safety of the vessel, its crew, and all passengers.

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Yacht America Schooner Model Ship Kit – Mamoli (MV26)

The 1851 Yacht America Schooner Model Ship Kit is manufactured by Mamoli Model Ship Kits & Mamoli Model Boat Kits. Mamoli focus on historical accuracy and fidelity of scale. Mamoli wooden model ship kits offer a large variety of subject matter to please almost everyone. The materials used in their wooden model ship kits are always first class and the plans are highly detailed.

History of the Yacht America

The Yacht America – Schooner 1851 was a 19th century racing yacht which gave its name to the international sailing trophy it first won the America’s Cup. Designed by George Steers and built in William Brown’s shipyard in 1851. Its name is still the most important and celebrated in the history of world yachting. On August 22, 1851, the America won by over 20 minutes the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 53 mile regatta around the Isle of Wight. America carried off an overwhelming victory over the English squadron.

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