length of a super yacht

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Length Is Only One Measure of Luxury

As the Yachting industry continues to expand the number of vessels in the mega and super yacht length categories, additional measures of dimension are often overlooked.

Crew aboard luxury yachts deal with the challenges of cooking, cleaning and maintaining on a daily basis are aware of the importance of internal volume. The ease of movement and workspace comfort are driven by measures in addition to LOA (length overall).

The key to making vessels of similar length “feel big” is internal volume. The internal volume is a function of length, breadth and height. In walking the docks, comparison of side by side vessels of equal length immediately identifies the variables of beam and height. Yachts between 40 meters and 50 meters could feasibly have equivalent internal volume dependent on beam and the number of decks.

Length in and of itself can be a deceptive figure. The point along the hull where length is measured can vary. Any point other than the load line can mistakenly include bow overhangs, swim platforms, rudder dimension. The beam or breadth of a vessel is also measured on the outside of the hull mid ship at the waterline.

How the length, beam and height are combined results in the actual internal volume and the feeling of size and comfort aboard. Internal layout and the integration of alfresco areas are design challenges to give guests the impression of a bigger yacht and add to the feeling of comfort. The addition of swim platforms and sundecks can also provide an illusion of more space to the guests.

While comfort and appearance are criterion for guests, crew are impacted by the internal volume in the ease of providing service to those guests. The galley and engine room are particularly critical areas for adding volume – both for ease of use and safety. Both areas can be less than hospitable even in yachts of super length.

Design of workflow, access, storage, and movement benefits from the addition of volume provided by additional beam. The design challenge in every yacht is to have adequate service spaces without compromising the size and comfort of guest cabins.

Internal volume is measured in gross tons (GT) displacement. The internal capacity has its origin in shipping. It quantifies all space available for cargo, crew, passengers, stores and mechanics. In the t shipping industry the space that remains after subtracting internal space for everything but cargo is the space available for cargo transport – the earning power of the vessel.

Internal volume not only gives the impression of a bigger yacht, but also contributes to the earning power of the yacht by enhancing ease of use for both guests and crew.

Engineering License Changes

The MCA has restructured the engineering certifications. The MEOL course has been done away with, and the AEC course made mandatory and more thorough. Luxury Yacht Group explains all these changes, what engineers progressing through the ranks can do now, and how Y ticket holders can convert their licenses over to the structure.

14 Mar 2018

A Day in the Life Series – Chief Stewardess

For a yacht to run smoothly, it requires many working parts, and the interior department is a large component of this. The chief stewardess oversees this department and makes sure all the stewardesses onboard know what their tasks and responsibilities are. The interior department is largely in charge of the guest services whilst they are onboard, and responsible for interior maintenance of the yacht when they are not.

18 Dec 2017

A Day in the Life Of Series - Entry Stewardess

Joining the yachting industry is an exciting and daunting undertaking. In this two part interview we speak with Melanie about why she decided to join the superyacht industry, what her hopes and goals are, and what she has learnt so far as an entry level stewardess.

29 Nov 2017

Superyacht vs megayacht

Published 05 September 2022

Most people define a superyacht as a vessel used for pleasure, which is larger than 24m (80ft) and has full-time captain and crew employed all year round. This is therefore quite different to a smaller privately owned yacht, captained by its owner, with perhaps one or two temporary crew to assist them in the summer.

The dividing line between superyachts and megayachts however is more blurred, and there is no strict or commonly agreed definition.  If a dividing line was to be proposed on length, then many would agree that this would be around the 80m (260ft) mark, but there is no hard line and some industry insiders also use the gross tonnage (volume) as the dividing line, 3,000GT being a line that a lot of regulations follow. It could also be said that the word superyacht can be used in a more inclusive way, and that all megayachts are superyachts, but not all superyachts are megayachts.

To explain, just a decade ago a 60m (200ft) was considered mega. Today there are yachts being built that are as large as 180m (590ft). As the size of yachts continues to grow so does the need for observers to demarcate the elite 100m+ (330ft+) yachts, and with this comes the introduction of the hyperbolic terms megayacht and even gigayacht.

However, most would agree that today’s megayachts are 80m+ (260ft+) with a minimum of 25 crew who operate the vessel all year round using largely rotational crew and run to a high commercial shipping standard.

What is the difference between a superyacht and megayacht?

Megayachts are run more along the lines of a cruise ship or passenger ship and follow many of the same regulations whereas superyachts can still, at least to some extent, follow a more bespoke pattern defined by its owner. This is not to say that a megayacht does not go or do what its owner wants it to do, but there are much stricter regulations in place for yachts over 3,000GT, including full merchant navy certification for all deck and engineering officers.

Length vs gross tonnage

The simplest way to explain the difference between length and size of a superyacht is with the 157m (512ft) DILBAR. The megayacht is the fifth largest yacht in the world by length (in June 2022), but with a gross tonnage of 15,917GT, in volume terms she is actually the largest yacht in the world (although she is soon to be overtaken by the in-build 183m (600ft) REV OCEAN). Compare DILBAR to the longest yacht in the world, the 180m (590ft) AZZAM, which has a gross tonnage of 13,136GT, and you can see that longest and largest are two different things.

When it comes to gross tonnage the big step-changes with regard to shipping regulations are 500GT and 3,000GT. Being over 80m-long all megayachts are over 3,000GT. The likes of the 108m (354.2ft) IJE, for example, is 3,3670GT and is operated by a crew of 30, and similarly the 92.4m (303.2ft) TATOOSH has a gross tonnage of 3,229.

However, a yacht like the 85m (278.8ft) AKYACHT VICTORIOUS , for example, at 2,291GT, is a bona fide superyacht at the very top end of that definition, but significantly she is well under 3,000GT. In fact, the difference between managing yachts under and over 3,000GT is quite significant, including for example different captain’s qualifications between a Master 3000, designed for superyacht helming of yachts under 3,000GT, and a Master (Yachts) Unlimited, which enables that captain to run any vessel of any size, even the Queen Mary 2 or a supertanker.

Benefits: what makes a superyacht a superyacht?

Synonymous with luxury and glamour, a superyacht typically offers owner and guests the freedom to travel the world in ultimate comfort and privacy. A superyacht will be professionally crewed, providing its owner and guests with spectacular service, including a captain, chef, engineer and chief stewardess as a minimum.

Ranging from two decks to up to three or four decks for guests, a superyacht will have sumptuous accommodations for between six and 12 guests, as well as luxurious communal living areas, both inside and out on deck. From entertaining and dining areas to beach clubs, swim platforms and sun decks, along with watertoys, superyachts are designed entirely for relaxation and fun, with no other commercial purpose.

Most of the largest superyachts are custom built, representing the pinnacle of design and craftsmanship, while the smaller range of superyachts, between 30-40m (100-130ft) are usually built on a semi-custom platform with their own unique interior design. However, rest assured almost every superyacht, be it a 24m (80ft) or an 80m (260ft), will carry some watertoys to keep every guest entertained while on board, along with a tender to escort guests ashore at their whim and in comfort.

B enefits: what makes a megayacht a megayacht? 

Aside from having all of the same facilities and amenities of a superyacht, a megayacht will sometimes have special passenger licenses allowing them to accommodation and carry more than 12 guests at the same time. Guest to crew ratios are also greatly increased, with crew numbers on the largest megayachts reaching 80+, sometimes including Michelin-star trained chefs, masseuses, beauty therapists, dive instructors and personal trainers, as well as captains (often on a rotational basis), chief engineer and engineers, first officer, first mate, chief stewardess, a number of deckhands and stewardesses.

Megayachts will have their own gyms, spas, helipads, helicopter hangars, cinema rooms, spa pools and swimming pools, private owners’ decks or even apartments, and beach clubs to rival some of the best on land. Some come with their own chase boats, while others may cruise in tandem with a support vessel to carry all manner of watertoys and other equipment, including submarines.

Discover more about superyacht ownership with Burgess

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter , please contact a Burgess broker . Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London , Monaco , New York , Miami , Singapore or all other locations .

- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.

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• Lurssen Yachts

On the 5th April 2013 Lürssen, the leading shipyard for large luxury yacht building, launched the 180m yacht AZZAM - the largest motor yacht in the world. The sleek and elegant superyacht features exterior design by Nauta Design.

Fulk Al Salamah

• Mariotti Yachts

This 164-metre (538ft) superyacht was built in Italy by Mariotti Yachts and now sits in the Omani capital as part of the royal fleet. The Italian built superyacht is currently the second largest privately owned yacht in the world, after Lurssen's Azzam.

• Blohm + Voss

Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse has received a huge amount of industry attention, not just for its size but for the celebrity of its owner. Eclipse is the largest and most expensive superyacht ever built. When initially ordered she was estimated to cost approximately £330million, by the time she was delivered however, her overall costs were closer to the £1billion mark due to the extra luxury fittings and security measures required by her owner. With a crew of up to 60, Eclipse is a giant of the sea. She was the fourth superyacht comissioned by Abramovich.

• Platinum Yachts

This magnificent yacht was originally commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. Construction was suspended in 1998 and the vessel left unfinished until HH Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum secured the rumoured $300 million project. Platinum Yachts took the mega yacht to completion and in 2006 launched Dubai to become the world’s largest private yacht. Today however, Dubai is the second largest privately owned yacht in the world.

Launched in February 2022, Project Blue is Lurssen's latest secretive yacht project. With little revealed about her specifications and designers, her expansive size was confirmed by the German shipyard following her launch: an incredible 160m. Project Blue will be Lurssen's second-largest superyacht, and is due to be delivered in 2023. She was recently spotted in Bremerhaven, Germany, making her way out to sea for her maiden sea trial. She is expected to have a beam of 21m, and a gross tonnage of 15,320 GT. Her other specifications are currently unknown.

Originally known as Project Omar, the 156 metre superyacht Dilbar was launched in 2016 after over 4 years of construction. A favourite with yachtspotters worldwide, Dilbar is considered the largest superyacht in the world by volume.

Like most royal superyachts, little is known about Al Said, a giant mega yacht formerly codenamed "Project Sunflower". She was delivered to the Sultan of Oman in 2008 as a replacement for a smaller mega yacht of the same name. At a stunning 155m, Al Said consists of six large decks and features striking exterior and interior design by Espen Oeino International, the same company that designed the stunning 127m mega yacht Octopus. According to reports, Al Said is said to accommodate as many as 70 guests and 154 professional crew, as well as featuring a concert room capable of accommodating a 50 piece orchestra.

When construction of A+ (formerly named Topaz) first began she was forecast to be the 4th largest yacht in the world and to measure approximately 147m (482’3’’ft). Having left her floating shed at the Lürssen shipyard located in Bremen, Germany, she is now ready to claim that mantle and undergo the final phases of construction.

Prince Abdulaziz

• Helsingor Vaerft

As one of the yachts of the Saudi Royal Family, Prince Abdulaziz is used to conduct official business as well as for pleasure. The largest yacht built in the 20th century, the interior alone took 15 months to complete. Originally built for the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia who named the yacht after his son, it is now owned by his brother Abddullah.

Very little is known about Lurssen's mysterious superyacht OPERA. At 146m, the superyacht will be the sixth largest yacht Lurssen has built at the time of her launch in September 2022. OPERA was first spotted in May 2021 when she transported to the yard's Bremen outfitting facilities in Germany.

El Mahrousa

• Samuda Bros.

This Egyptian presidential yacht is not only one of the world’s largest but also one of the oldest. Built in 1865 in London, the yacht was intended for the King of Egypt. Originally named Mahroussa, El Horriya was extended in 1872 and again in 1905.  Nowadays she is berthed in Alexandria and is listed as a training ship by the Egyptian Navy.

Developed by German shipyard Lürssen, construction of Project Luminance is underway at their facilities near Lemwerder. Due to enter the esteemed list of the Top 10 largest superyachts in the world, information about the 145m superyacht is limited at this moment in time. Lürssen are world-famous for their incredible innovations and their capacity to build extremely large mega yachts filled with numerous features. Photos that have been captured of the boat indicate that she will have considerable deck space with plenty of room left over indoors to be packed out with luxury.

SAILING YACHT A

Sailing Yacht A is a highly unique vessel, with an LOA of 142.81m. She is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with a number of unique features, including an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and premium navigation systems. Her three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. Her futuristic design was created by Philippe Starck, her smooth silver-metallic surfaces challenging the expectations of conventional aesthetics.

As one of the most well-known builders of Top 100 yachts, Lurssen's NORD (formerly Opus and Redwood) has been highly anticipated as one of the largest ever to launch from the German yard. Also the largest project set to launch in 2020, at 142m, she will accommodate up to 36 guests in 20 cabins and was designed by Nuvolari Lenard.

• ADMShipyards

The 141m superyacht Swift141, now christened 'Yas', was successfully launched by ADMShipyards in November 2011; entering the record books as both the largest launch of 2011 and most significant superyacht in recent history. ADMShipyards, members of Privinvest, has proudly announced the launch of their first superyacht. At 141 meters, this stunning private yacht ranks as the sixth largest superyacht in the world.

• Lloyd Werft

Project Solaris is the revolutionary explorer yacht built by German masters of engineering Lloyd Werft. Topping off the yard's record for ultra large luxury yacht build, Project Solaris is an estimated 139m+ explorer yacht at the German giant's shed.

Scheherezade

As with most yachts in construction at Lurssen, little is known about this 140m project. We do not yet know the designer or architect, but she has been spotted moving around the build-hall. Her sightings have lead yacht spotters on the docks of the yard to aptly name her 'Project Lightning.' We hope to see her launch towards the end of 2019.

Ocean Victory

• Fincantieri Yachts

The largest yacht ever built in Italy and one of the ten largest in the world, Fincantieri has announced the successful delivery of Project Victory - a 140 metre superyacht launched in 2014 - under the official name of Ocean Victory.

Code named as Mipos (short for Mission Possible) during her construction, Al Salamah belongs to Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. Kept a great secret, rumours tell that she has over 80 rooms, a helipad, and an indoor swimming pool complete with glass roof. A real working wonder, this yacht was completed in 1999 after only two years.

Owned by media bigwig David Geffen, Rising Sun is rumoured to have been commissioned by Ellison specifically to be larger than Paul Allen’s Octopus. This 2004 yacht is spread over five decks and is equipped with everything from Jacuzzi bathrooms and wine cellars to a top deck basketball court.

MEGA YACHT, SUPER YACHT OR GIGA YACHT? WHAT TO CALL THE WORLD'S LARGEST YACHTS

There is no looking away when a large luxury yacht sails into view. the biggest super yachts in the world will always mesmerize and intrigue us, whether we are gazing at them from land or sea. but what to call these most expensive super yachts in the world there are no solid definitions when it comes to deciding if a boat is a super yacht, a mega yacht, or a giga yacht. or is that big boat just a yacht there is some general consensus on terminology, however, and several factors come into play when attempting to define the largest yachts in the world:.

IN THE TIME BEFORE SUPER YACHTS

Maritime history places private yachting in existence as early as the 1600s. At that time, boats began to be used occasionally as recreational vessels, rather than just as work boats. Later, private citizens, not just royalty, eventually began to own their own boats. These were separated from functional craft and the word "yacht" came into play.

LENGTHS OF A SUPER YACHT, MEGA YACHT, AND GIGA YACHT

A boom in large yacht construction blossomed around the time of the Industrial Revolution in the United States. As this era of wealth grew for family names such as Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, and Vanderbilt, so did interest in the luxuriousness of these yachts, which they often saw as an extension of their family mansions. Since these boat owners were seldom mariners themselves, they hired crew to help run these vessels. The largest of these large boats of the time were considered yachts.

The length overall of a boat - for both powerboats and sailboats - is the first clue to how it is named in the yacht-industry nomenclature. Many maritime businesses will use the term super yacht for vessels at least 80 feet (24 meters) in length, while some consider super yachts to be a minimum of 100 feet in length (30 meters).

Many people use the terms super yacht and mega yacht interchangeably, while others believe a mega yacht starts at 200 feet (60 meters). There is also some consensus that an extremely high level of service from the onboard crew can bump a superyacht into the megayacht realm.

But as the largest of the yachts continue to grow in length, even the term mega yacht seems insufficient. Faster than the largest yacht in the world can be crowned, plans are already drawn up to exceed its length.

Should the largest, nearly 600-foot-long yacht fall into the same naming category as the 200-foot yacht? Probably not. For this reason, many more in the maritime industry will put the largest of the large luxury yachts into the giga yacht group. Similarly, the immense vessels that are still in the idea/discussion phase are called giga yacht concepts.

MEGA YACHT REGIONS

There are informal regional trends when it comes to naming the largest of the super-, mega-, and giga yachts. Although English is the primary language in much of North America and Europe, English can seem like two different languages when comparing London with New York. This is also true with yacht terminology.

Often the European yachting industry uses the term superyacht (or super yacht) while the United States more frequently uses the term megayacht (or mega yacht). As the yacht industry continues to grow, the use of super to describe a large, luxury yacht seems to be more predominant worldwide.

SUPER YACHT LEGALESE

Another factor that helps define boats is the legal aspect as described by several maritime groups. Whether the boat in question is the smallest rowboat, dinghy, or tender, or the biggest boat in the world, international and local regulations hold a few clues.

One international governing body is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) based in the United Kingdom. This British agency legislates and guides the maritime industry with national and international support and has been a leader in internationally recognized definitions.

According to the MCA's Large Commercial Yacht Code's definition, "Large means 24 meters and over in load line length and the Code of Practice applies to yachts which are in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo, and do not carry more than 12 passengers."

MEGA YACHT CREW

The presence of hired crew onboard definitely lends itself to referring to a boat as a yacht. As soon as captain, engineer, purser, deckhand, bosun, stewardess, stew, and chef are in uniform and on duty to serve the owner, the tendency is to use the term yacht in any form, whether a super yacht, a mega yacht, or a giga yacht.

So, with no "official" rules in play, you can use your own judgement and preference when calling a vessel, a boat, a yacht, a super yacht, a mega yacht, or a giga yacht.

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What differentiates a yacht from a superyacht or a mega yacht?

Yachts are an ultimate symbol of luxury, style, and sophistication. These sleek vessels take passengers on journeys through the seas, with all the amenities of a luxurious hotel. Yachts come in three categories- Yachts, Superyachts, and Mega Yachts- each with its own distinct characteristics and features.

Main differences between a yacht and a boat

One of the major difference between a yacht and a boat is the size. Generally, a yacht is a larger vessel that can accommodate more people and offer more space for comfortable living. On the other hand, a boat is smaller and may have limited space. Yachts usually come with luxurious amenities such as upscale furnishings, state-of-the-art equipment, and top-notch technology. 

Another significant difference between yachts and boats is the purpose of use. A yacht is mostly used for pleasure cruising and traveling over long distances, while a boat is typically used for fishing, water skiing, or as a means of transport. Yachts are known to have better stability and are therefore ideal for traveling long distances and in choppy waters. 

In terms of performance, yachts are designed to be faster and offer a smoother ride, thanks to their size and more powerful engines. They can travel at higher speeds for longer periods, making them suitable for longer trips. Boats are typically not as fast or efficient and may require some upgrades to increase their performance.

Features and Comfort are required to be called a Yacht

When it comes to distinguishing between boats and yachts, size is not the only determining factor. A yacht should provide a level of luxury and comfort that goes beyond basic functionality. Some of the key features that are expected in a yacht include top-of-the-line engines, advanced navigation technology, and spacious living quarters.

In terms of comfort, a yacht should be equipped with luxurious amenities such as high-end furniture, plush bedding, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems. It should also offer ample space for entertaining guests, whether that means a large sun deck for hosting cocktail parties or a spacious dining area for serving gourmet meals.

When it comes to cruising, a yacht should offer a smooth ride even in choppy waters. This requires a sturdy hull design, advanced stabilizers, and powerful engines that can propel the vessel through the water at high speeds.

In addition to these features, a yacht should also offer a high level of customization options. Owners should be able to personalize the interior design to meet their individual tastes, and there should be ample storage space for their personal belongings.

What’s the Minimum Length of a Vessel to be called a Yacht

Megayachts are the epitome of luxurious travel on the open seas, and they boast an extensive range of features and equipment that are unmatched in smaller vessels. One of the most prominent features on a megayacht is its massive size, which allows for the inclusion of multiple decks complete with swimming pools, sun loungers, and even outdoor cinemas. These yachts are also equipped with top-of-the-line entertainment systems, including state-of-the-art sound and video equipment, as well as high-speed internet connectivity. But it’s not just about the entertainment; megayachts also come equipped with facilities like helipads, submarines, and jet skis, enabling travellers to access areas that are typically inaccessible by sea. Additionally, the interior design of megayachts is simply breathtaking, featuring opulent lounges, spacious cabins, and world-class dining and cooking facilities.

Read also: Explore the World’s Most Extravagant Superyacht Swimming Pools

The Giga Yacht: is it really a thing?

Bigger yachts are harder to sail, organise and maintain

Despite their luxurious reputation, yacht ownership comes with its fair share of challenges. The bigger the yacht, the more difficult it becomes to navigate, manage a crew and perform maintenance. Superyachts, which measure over 24 meters (79 feet) in length, require experienced captains and crew members to operate them safely. Mega yachts, measuring over 50 meters (164 feet), take this level of complexity even further, often necessitating additional crew members, engineers and technicians to keep them in top condition. And then there are giga yachts, which can clock in at over 100 meters (328 feet) and beyond. These behemoths require not only massive crews but also specialist engineering and technology to ensure that they can withstand the rigors of the ocean and maintain top-tier performance. While larger yachts offer more opulent living spaces and amenities, they also require more substantial investments of time, money and resources to maintain and operate them effectively. As such, yacht buyers must carefully weigh the pros and cons of owning a yacht of any size before making a decision.

A superyacht or a megayacht will draw a lot of attention on you

When it comes to yachts, the saying “bigger is better” may not always be true. While superyachts, mega yachts, and giga yachts may offer all the luxury and amenities one could desire, they also come with a lot of attention. These vessels are often the talk of the town and draw the gaze of paparazzi and onlookers alike. For those seeking privacy and avoiding media scrutiny, it might be wiser to opt for a smaller, less ostentatious yacht. However, for those who relish the spotlight, these massive yachts can be a status symbol and a statement of wealth and extravagance. Regardless of size, yacht owners should be prepared to attract attention and media coverage, so it’s vital to decide carefully what type of vessel best suits their lifestyle and needs.

Some purists find sailing on bigger yachts less authentic than smaller ones

The debate over whether bigger yachts are better has been a long-standing one in the sailing community. Superyachts, mega yachts, and giga yachts may be impressive in their size, but many purists argue that they take away from the authenticity and simplicity of sailing. Sailing on a smaller vessel requires more skill and attention to detail, as well as a deeper connection to the wind and sea. Additionally, smaller yachts are often more affordable and accessible, which allows for a greater number of people to experience the joys of sailing. Ultimately, the choice between sailing on a bigger or smaller yacht is a personal one, but it is important to consider the unique experiences and challenges that come with each option.

All costs increase with the length of your yacht

Superyachts, mega yachts, and giga yachts are getting larger and more extravagant year by year. However, bigger does not necessarily mean better, especially when it comes to the costs associated with owning and maintaining these magnificent vessels. The larger of the yacht, the more crew members required to operate it, and the higher fuel, mooring, and maintenance costs will be. Many owners of smaller yachts experience the same luxury and comfort, with significantly lower overhead costs. Additionally, larger yachts have more limited access to smaller marinas and ports, limiting their flexibility in terms of destinations. Therefore, it is essential to consider all the expenses and practicalities associated with owning a mega, giga, or superyacht before making such a significant investment.

Read also: THE TOP 10 MARINAS IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE: DISCOVERING THE BEST PORTS ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA

The most beautiful Yachts, Superyachts vs Megayacht worldwide

Here we have compiled a list of 5 of the most beautiful yachts, superyachts, and megayachts worldwide:

1. Sailing Yacht A – Measuring 469 feet, Sailing Yacht A is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Designed and built by Nobiskrug, this yacht boasts an innovative design featuring multiple decks, a unique glass-bottomed viewing area, and a high-tech navigation system. The yacht’s interiors, designed by Philippe Starck, are equally impressive, with multiple swimming pools, a large spa, and sophisticated lighting systems.

2. Eclipse – Owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Eclipse is one of the largest superyachts in the world, measuring 533 feet. It boasts a sleek and modern exterior design created by Blohm + Voss. The yacht features a plethora of luxurious amenities, including a swimming pool, several hot tubs, a cinema, a gym, and even a submarine.

3. Seven Seas – The 282-foot-long Seven Seas, owned by billionaire Steven Spielberg, was built by Oceanco. The yacht features an understated yet elegant exterior design and luxurious interiors designed by Nuvolari Lenard. One of the unique features of Seven Seas is its infinity pool that can be transformed into a helipad.

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How Big Are Yachts? 5 Types Explained (With Numbers)

Yachts can come in a variety of sizes and weights. Before you purchase a yacht, you must know what size yacht you need.

The size and weight of the yacht that you need will depend greatly on what your intended use is for the yacht that you are purchasing.

Table of Contents

Here’s everything you need to know about the weight of yachts:

Here’s an Idea of How Big Yachts Are:

The term “Yachts” refers to a pleasure vessel that is at least 30 feet in length and has some type of cabin with some amenities. The biggest luxury yacht is 590 feet (180 meters) and 13,136 gross tons.

What Do We Mean When We Talk About Weight?

There are two types of weight for a boat, dry weight, and wet weight.

Dry weight is the weight of the boat without any fluids in the tanks. Wet weight is the weight of the boat with the fluids in the tanks.

You can also have a loaded weight, which is the wet weight, including any additional toys or equipment you have stored onboard.

What Do We Mean When We Talk About Length?

There are many different ways to calculate a boat’s length. For this reason, you want to make sure that you have a clear idea of what the length of your boat really is.

The boat’s registered length is generally the maximum overall length, which is the length on deck plus any bowsprit or swim deck.  The length of the boat on the waterline is also an important boat characteristic that you should know.

Due to the shape and construction of the hull, these numbers may differ.

For example, if you have a boat that has a 50-foot deck with no bowsprit, your registered length will be 50 feet.

Some boats are measured using “LOA,” otherwise known as length overall.

Why Is Knowing The Weight And Length Important?

The most important reason to know your boat’s weight and length is for when you choose to shop for trailers or even to determine if your vehicle can haul it.

If you try to tow a boat without an accurate representation of the weight or length, you can ruin your vehicle’s engine and even your towing equipment, not to mention have serious safety issues.

Another reason to know about your vessel’s weight is to know how much you can bring for your trip without packing more than the maximum weight allowed.

It is also important to know your weight and how it can affect your boat, especially when it comes to speed.

Different Types of Boats and Their Average Weight and Length

Below are some different types of boats and their average size and weight, and the factors that go into them.

1. Luxury Yacht

Yachts are normally classified as any watercraft that can be used for pleasure or sport and can range from 30 ft to over 100 ft.

While a yacht can be as small as 30 ft. long, a yacht is often considered a cabin cruiser until it is 39 ft. or more, then it is considered a proper yacht.

A yacht would be considered a large yacht once it’s length is over 79 feet. A yacht is considered a superyacht or megayacht if it is over 115 feet long.

The yacht the holds the record for being the longest yacht is 590 feet long. This yacht is called the “Azzam” and has held onto its title for over 5 years.

Because of the wide variety of sizes, the weight can vary greatly when it comes to yachts, and it is hard to nail down an average.

Some more distinctive differences between yachts include:

• These yachts are single-deck yachts with one living quarter below . They are often sleek and sporty.
• Also known as a sedan bridge or sport bridge yacht. This yacht has an area on top of the superstructure that features a view all the way around the vessel.
• This deck up top can offer a control station or even lounge seating, depending on its size.
• Also known as a pilothouse motor yacht, cockpit motor yacht, or sky lounge. This term can be used for any large recreational vessel that is motor powered.
• Usually, this means a multi-deck vessel similar to a flybridge but instead has a large interior deck.
• Often classified as a mega yacht, which is normally any vessel 80 ft. or more. This vessel is exactly what it sounds like.
• It is a yacht with three levels of enclosed living space.
• A sportfishing yacht is any yacht that is geared towards fishing.
• They often have areas designated to storage for rods, bait, tackle, and even areas to store the day’s catch.

2. Sailboats

Large sailboats are yachts propelled by sails and can be found in lakes, rivers, and even out on the ocean.  Today, they almost all have auxiliary power in the form of an engine.

While the weight and length of a sailboat can drastically vary, the average weight of a sailboat is about 8,800 pounds. This weight does not include added gear, equipment, or fluids.

The weight will vary greatly depending on the length of the sailboat. Sailboat lengths can range between 8 feet to 472 feet.

The 472-foot sailboat also carries three masts that tower at over 91 feet each. This can definitely add more weight than the 8-foot vessel.

Listed below are 6 examples of sailboats and their weights and lengths:

• Catalina 16 LOA: 16 ft. 4 in. Hull Weight: 430 pounds
• Hunter 22 LOA: 21 ft. 4 in. Hull Weight: 3,200 pounds
• C&C 27 LOA: 27 ft. 4 in. Hull Weight: 5,180 pounds
• Erickson 28.5 LOA: 28 ft. 7 in. Hull Weight: 8,500 pounds
• Pearson 39 LOA: 39 ft. 3 in. Hull Weight: 17,000 pounds
• Swan 48 LOA: 47 ft. 11 in. Hull Weight: 36,000 pounds

3. Speed Boats (Cigarette Boats)

Speed boats are sleek and built for achieving high levels of speed.

These boats are not made for watersports and should not be confused with ski boats.

A speed boat’s average weight is slightly less than that of a sailboat at roughly 8,000 pounds.

Some of the factors that determine a speed boat’s weight can include their length, engines, and sleekness.

Listed below are some examples of speedboats and their weights and lengths:

• Cigarette 38 Top Gun LOA: 37 ft. 8 in. Hull Weight: 9,175 pounds
• 32 Thunder Cat LOA: 32 ft. Hull Weight: 5,400 pounds
• M35 LOA: 35 ft. 4 in. Hull Weight: 9,250 pounds

4. Deck Boats or Pontoon Boats

Deck boats and pontoon boats both have large decks and are mostly intended for recreational use.

Pontoon boats have the lowest average weight at 3,100 pounds .

Because they do not have large hulls, they can be lighter and cut across the water easier than boats with larger hulls.

Listed below are some examples of deck boats and their weights and lengths:

• NauticStar 211 Angler (Deckboat) LOA: 20 ft. 9 in. Weight: 2,100 pounds
• Stingray 212SC (Deckboat) LOA: 21 ft. 11 in. Weight: 3,100 pounds
• Hurricane SunDeck 2690 LOA: 26 ft. 4 in. Weight: 4,475 pounds

5. Cabin Cruisers

Cabin cruisers are large boats that are sometimes looked at as mini-yachts.

These boats allow for sleeping accommodations and other luxuries afforded in their cabin space.

Like the sailboat, a cabin cruiser’s weight can vary. However, they do tend to have a smaller range than sailboats.

The average weight of a cabin cruiser is about 8,700 pounds.

One of the major factors in the weight of cabin cruisers is the size of the sleeping accommodations below. Some models of cabin cruisers can even sleep up to 10 people.

Listed below are some examples of cabin cruisers and their weights and lengths:

• Larson 274 Cabrio LOA: 28 ft. Dry Weight: 6,001 pounds
• Rinker 301 Express Cruiser LOA: 32 ft. Dry Weight 7,640 pounds
• Bayliner 285 SB LOA: 28 ft. 9 in. Dry Weight: 8,056 pounds

Picking a Yacht:

Yachts can vary in a wide array of sizes, weights, styles, and even purposes.

You can race them, fish on them, and cruise around at an easy pace.

You can take a day trip or even take personal cruises that last days or weeks.

With ample deck and cabin space that offers activities, sunbathing, kitchens, lounges, and sleeping quarters, a yacht is often the most comfortable way to experience the open water.

To choose a yacht, you will want to know what type of yacht you are looking for and what you want to use it for.

You also want to make sure when picking a yacht; you make sure you keep the weight and length in mind to make sure you have a proper towing vehicle and trailer for your vessel.

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These Are the 5 Biggest Superyachts in the World

Yachts, as with most other things connected to the ultrarich—apartments, shopping sprees, bank accounts—are getting bigger. And while price, nautically speaking, usually scales with size, that’s not always the case. So there’s, oddly enough, less overlap between this list and our recent list of the  World’s Most Expensive Superyachts than one might expect.

There are reasons behind this. Interestingly, some of the biggest superyachts in the world have become so stunningly large that they can no longer maintain status as belonging to a single family or dynasty. The largest ones have become condominiums or charterable research vessels—playthings for the ultrawealthy.

Still, superyachts offer a kind of privacy that it is nearly impossible to come by on land. Pencil towers have entrances on public streets and elevators with other residents. Even a castle surrounded by a moat is in view, comparatively. A superyacht, on the other hand, is essentially a private island, an oasis. So as long as the rich keep getting richer, the yachts will keep getting bigger. For now, these are the five biggest superyachts in the world.

5. Eclipse (533 ft)

In 2010, as  Eclipse sailed out of the Hamburg harbor, where it was constructed by notable German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss, it was the world’s largest ship. In the intervening decade or so, it’s slid to the fifth position. Commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich—whose ties to Putin have caused him to be sanctioned—it allegedly traded hands last year, though this may be simply a dodge to avoid it being seized. Features of the $600 million Terence Disdale–designed ship include 17 staterooms, a 185-foot deck on the massive primary suite, a gym, a spa, an immense swimming pool, and a half-dozen on-board tenders for shuttling guests in and out of port and excursions. If those don’t suffice, there is also a helicopter pad with room for three choppers.

4. Fulk Al Salamah (538 ft)

Like many superyachts, ownership and much else about Fulk Al Salamah —Ship of Peace—is unclear. It is suspected that it belongs to the Omani royal family, a part of their fleet of extortionately expensive conveyances. Built by Mariotti in Genoa in 2016 and designed by local team Studio de Jorio, it contains a beach club (a swim platform, often with a pool and lounge area), beauty salon, and a sizable helicopter deck, though it’s unclear if this deck has room for more choppers than the Eclipse, despite its additional five feet of overall length.

3. Azzam (597 ft)

Azzam holds the title of largest privately owned superyacht, a position it has maintained since it was completed at a cost of $600 million by Lürssen Yachts in Lemwerder, Germany, ten years ago. Designed by Nauta of Milan with interiors by French decorator Christophe Leoni, the ship is reportedly owned by a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nayah. Prominent features include Empire-style furnishings and interiors, and a pair of massive diesel engines coupled with a pair of gas turbines, allowing high-speed travel and an immense range between refuelings. The Sheikh must be somewhat paranoid—or have good reason to fear attack—because the yacht also includes a high tech security system including a missile system and bulletproof master suite.

2. REV Ocean (600 ft)

The acronym in this giant yacht’s title stands for Research and Expedition Vessel, and this $350 million ship is outfitted to do just that. Groups that charter it head out to sea and use its state of the art scientific equipment to dive into trenches in its transparent-domed submersibles, arrange whale pod viewings in its helicopters, conduct seabed mapping and coring with its sonar and drilling systems, view documentaries in its 35-person theater, and even listen in on or record the conversations of ocean mammals with its underwater hydrophone. Funded by the Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke, designed in Norway by Espen Øino, and built by Norwegian constructor Vard, it is slated to be completed in 2024. Over 100 groups applied for the maiden voyage, with preference given for scientific research and conservation missions—54 scientists can be accommodated onboard. Though it seems that private charters with the proper scientific supervision may also be allowed. Any profits made by chartering are returned to the funder’s One Healthy Ocean initiative.

1. Somnio (728ft)

Referred to as the world’s first yacht liner, this floating giant—the name is Latin for dream—combines features of a superyacht, a cruise ship, and a condominium. Under construction by the Norwegian ship-building company Vard, with an expected completion date in the middle of 2024, the $600 million project will feature 39 private residences designed by Winch and Tilberg, both of Sweden. Each will include bespoke features including a gym, kitchen, library, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. Of course, apartments, which start in the eight-figure range, are available by invite only. Both the owners list and the planned route at sea are closely guarded secrets.

What’s the Difference Between a Boat and a Yacht?

If you’re in the market for a new boat, you may be weighing your options between a powerboat, a yacht, or something else. But what’s the difference? To help you choose a craft that best suits your lifestyle and needs, this article is going to weigh the main differences between a boat and a yacht.

Boats and Yachts

With so many different types of yachts to choose from, it can be hard to know your Flybridges from your Tri-Decks if you’re just starting your search. Although there is a growing number of terms used to describe the different types of yachts out there, many of the terms overlap or are used interchangeably.

If you’re on the market for a yacht, the team here at Van Isle Marina has compiled a review of the different terms you’ll likely come across when cruising through yachts for sale .

The term ‘boat’ is used to describe any water vessel, propelled by either sails, an engine, or manpower. It’s not very specific, which means yachts, dingeys, and everything in between technically falls under the blanket term ‘boat’.

The term ‘yacht’ brings a little more prestige and sophistication with its origin story, being derived from the word “hunter” in Dutch. Hundreds of years ago, the Dutch navy built and sailed yachts to literally hunt down pirate ships in shallow waters. That’s part of the reason why both powerboats and sailboats can be classified as ‘yachts. It didn’t take long for other nations to catch on, using the Dutch idea for navy ships and eventually racing vessels and private, recreational vessels.

The size is one of the most common factors used to determine whether a boat should be classified as a yacht or not. When it comes to size, there are no official rules, so it depends on who you ask. Some will say the boat needs to be at least 35 feet to qualify as a yacht – others will say even longer. If you’re yacht is more than 75 feet, you’re approaching Super Yacht range, and if it’s more than 250 feet you’re in Mega Yacht territory.

Despite the uncertainty around size-based classification, typically, you’ll know it when you see it. That massive vessel that looks like it could sleep a 10+ and needs a dozen ropes to secure it to the dock? That’s definitely a yacht. And that small, single-level boat with not a lot of room to stand? That’s definitely a boat.

The downside of using size as the only determining factor is it’s black and white. If you set the boundaries with size, there’s no room for gray area. Let’s explore more…

Luxury Living

Yachts are an international symbol of luxury and wealth around the world. The yacht is synonymous with luxury, which can actually help us when classifying boats as yachts or not. If the boat is built with luxury top of mind, it is probably a yacht.

How do you spot luxury? From the shore, the exterior of a yacht is typically sleeker with distinct accent styles. But the real luxury becomes evident when you step on board. Yachts are built with spacious living areas, full size kitchen and bathrooms, advanced TV and audio systems, and designer-style furnishings. You might even find hot tubs, a pool, and a helicopter pad in ultra-luxurious cases.

If you’re closing in on the purchase of your new boat and you’re still unsure whether it’s a yacht or not, the price tag should give you some indication. Yachts are known to cost far more than boats, due to their level of luxury and comfort, size, and usage. For a brand-new yacht, you can easily pay $100,000+ per foot, which means you’re looking at millions of dollars for the total price.

There are other costs to consider as well. Because yachts are larger, most will require a professional crew (or at least a captain) on board. Then there’s maintenance and insurance, both of which will cost more for a yacht.

Another key differentiator between boats and yachts is what their purpose – what they’re being used for out on the water. There is no nailed down definition of what makes a yacht a yacht, but most boaters consider a yacht to be any type of sea vessel that is used strictly for recreational or pleasure purposes like cruising , entertaining, water sports, fishing , or year-round accommodations.

The only purpose of a yacht is recreation. But more specifically, yachts are designed for personal pleasure and leisure, whether that’s long, ocean-crossing journeys or anchoring near a buzzing port town.

On the other hand, if the vessel is doing a job or being used for a specific activity, it’s not a yacht. If the boat is involved in any commercial activity, it’s only a boat. Even if it’s being used recreationally, for example fishing or watersports, the boat is still a boat.

Handling Conditions

When you’re out on the open ocean, you’ll have high winds and dangerous waters to deal with. In these conditions, size will definitely work to your advantage. And while you’re closer to shore, you can expect the conditions to be much calmer.

When it comes to dealing with conditions, one worthwhile classification system places boats into one of 4 categories, labelled A through D:

Class A : These are large yachts capable of handling high winds (force 8 on the Beaufort scale) and up to 13-foot waves in the open ocean. These boats are certainly yachts and are built for the open ocean.

Class B : While these yachts aren’t quite designed for the open ocean, they’re very capable craft. Also known as “ offshore vessels ”, Class B yachts are best suited for waters less than 200 miles (321km) from shore.

Class C : Class C boats are typically known as ‘boats’, as they’re designed for inshore and nearshore excursions – not the open ocean. These boats are fine with waves a few feet high, but anything higher than that is dangerous.

Class D : These boats are typically small ones and are not built for harsh conditions. These craft can handle winds of up to 25km/hour and waves just a couple feet high.

Types of Yachts

A yacht is first defined either as a sailing yacht, motor yacht, or gulet yacht, and then as a sports yacht or luxury yacht.

• Sailing Yacht: a yacht mainly propelled via wind and sails
• Motor Yacht: a yacht propelled via one or more motors
• Gulet Yacht: a hybrid yacht with both sails and motors
• Open Yacht, Cruiser, Cabin Cruiser, Express Cruiser: an otherwise uncategorized standard yacht for cruising and entertaining
• Luxury Yacht: a yacht that includes high-end finishes and features and the latest in modern performance technology. The term ‘luxury’ can precede any type of yacht, i.e. “luxury motor yacht”, “luxury sailing yacht”, etc.
• Sports Yacht : a yacht geared towards fishing, water sports, or cruising with a sleeker design and more powerful motor for faster cruising speeds. The term ‘sports’ can precede other types of yachts as well, i.e. “sports motor yacht”.
• Catamaran Yacht: a yacht with two hulls (pontoons) often made of fiberglass that can be used in shallow waters.

Yacht Style Categories

Yachts can further be grouped or defined according to their form and function, such as with flybridge, sedan, pilot house, and sportfish yachts, for example.

• Classic Motor Yacht: a yacht that was built between the 1920s and 1970s (before today’s modern technology began dominating modern yacht manufacturing). A modern yacht can be built based on the classic motor yacht style.
• Sedan: a popular yacht style with deck space above the hull and living quarters below. The living quarters of a sedan yacht are enclosed and single-level.
• Flybridge: a sedan-style yacht with an open deck and more comfortable living space above the main bridge of a vessel.
• Daybridge: a multi-level yacht that is even more open than a flybridge. Belize Motoryachts are known for creating this distinctive style of yacht.
• Open or Enclosed: a term used to describe the layout of and access to the flybridge. In an enclosed flybridge, access to the above flybridge is enclosed inside the living space. In an open flybridge, access to the flybridge above is open to the elements.
• Downeast Style: a low-profile yacht with a large working cockpit and small helm station. This highly recognizable style is inspired by the mid-1900s traditional Maine lobster boat. Back Cove yachts are a shining example of downeast-style inspired yachts.
• Pilothouse: A multi-deck yacht like a flybridge with a larger interior main deck.
• Sky Lounge: an enclosed area at the top of the vessel that provides the benefits of the view but with several amenities, protection from the elements, expansive windows and sometimes a sunroof.
• Cockpit Motor Yacht: a yacht with more cockpit space than deck space.
• Sportfish or Sport Fishing Yacht: A yacht used for fishing with a large cockpit, storage space, and the ability to handle rougher seas. These can also be referred to as Flybridge Sportfish or Sportfish Express and are built for longer durations out on the water.
• Convertible: a yacht that combines features of a standard motor yacht with a sportfish yacht to have entertaining space when you need it, and also fishing space when you need it.
• SUV: a yacht that combines features of a standard motor yacht and sport yacht.
• Tri-Decks : a superyacht with three levels of staggered, enclosed living space.
• Expedition Yachts: a large yacht with a deeper displacement hull for more stability and comfort during longer-range trips.

There are dozens of governing bodies, societies, and other organizations that set standards, classifications, and definitions in the world of boating. There are different authorities like this all over the world, so it’s a good idea to check-in with local groups or areas you plan to visit.

If you’re in the market for a new boat or yacht, head over to Van Isle Marina on Harbour Road in Sidney, BC. You can browse our selection of yachts for sale on our website, but be sure to stop by the marina to check out our facilities, fuel dock and Sea Glass Waterfront Grill .

250 656 1138

2320 Harbour Road, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 2P6 [email protected]

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What makes a superyacht a superyacht.

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A superyacht with the best limousine tender provides plenty of "billionaire bragging rights."

Each of the largest, most expensive, most over-the-top yachts in the world are custom-built creations that represent the pinnacle of creativity, craftmanship, luxury and yes… billionaire bragging rights . But the question I’m often asked is…what makes a superyacht a superyacht? Is there a minimum price, or size, or other criteria that separates “super” yachts from much more common “yachts?” Does a superyacht require its own helicopter? What about a swimming pool(s) or IMAX theater?

Guests onboard the the Onda 321L limousine tender can rocket from the mothership to the dock without ... [+] ever getting their hair messed up.

Well, the answer is, yes and no. There is no “law” that says all yachts over a certain length, price or equipment must be called superyachts. However, the largest and most expensive yachts in the world are always (and obviously) referred to superyachts. And Wikipedia only muddies the water by quoting several sources in this vague attempt at a definition: “A superyacht or megayacht is a large, luxurious, professionally crewed motor or sailing yacht, ranging from 24 meters (79 ft) to more than 180 meters (590 ft) in length. Superyachts are often available for charter with a staff that caters to guests at a high standard of comfort.”

The interior of a superyacht limo is as luxurious as you think it'd be.

So, without even getting into the question of what’s the difference between a superyacht, megayacht or “gigayacht” (the three new 300-foot-long Benetti’s that were launched earlier this year have been called “gigayachts”). Or debating the fact that all superyachts are usually equipped with a wide range of “toys” that include everything from jet skis and speedboats to personal submarines . I may have found a very simple (and universal) metric.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Saturday, August 31

Desperate to save pokrovsk, the ukrainian national guard has deployed one of its few offensive brigades, novak djokovic follows carlos alcaraz out of the u.s. open as stunning upsets continue.

Superyacht limos are highly engineered to provide maximum comfort.

All superyachts are opulent enough to be equipped with an object that represents the epitome of luxury—a limousine tender—like the Onda 321L . And like most yacht limos, it’s comprised of three distinct zones. The helm is separated from the guest area in the front of the boat. The back section is comprised of a large teak swim and boarding platform, while the large covered section in the middle is a luxurious as it gets.

A superyacht limo that is deployed from the mothership is the epitome of luxury.

The interior features two hand stitched leather couches that are large enough for ten guests to travel from the mothership to anywhere on land in air-conditioned comfort. In addition, it has a number of extra features including a high-end entertainment system, espresso machine and champagne cooler.

Is your yacht tender a cross between a limo and a Ferrari?

“The Onda 321L is an outstanding luxury service boat,” George Riginos, CEO at Onda Tenders, said. “It has a special hull form that allows more space inside the cabin. Also, it starts planning at lower speeds, only from 10 knots, which is amazing. Therefore, the ride is much smoother and top speed is higher than usual for comparable tenders. It is as if a limousine was crossed with a Ferrari .

Not every superyacht is fitted out with a limousine that's crossed with a Ferrari. But I will say this: Every superyacht has a limousine.

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Superyacht disaster: How much the capsized vessel may cost insurers

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Autopsies begin on Bayesian superyacht victims

A utopsies on the seven people who died on the superyacht Bayesian will begin today as it emerged the operation to lift the vessel will cost at least £15 million.

British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, who was due to start at Oxford University in September, were among those who lost their lives when the yacht sank.

Raising the 56m yacht – which went down after being hit by freak weather on August 19 off the coast of Porticello near Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily – will be vital to the judicial investigation.

Prosecutors have so far placed three people under official investigation for causing a disaster and multiple manslaughter and they include the Bayesian’s captain New Zealander James Cutfield.

Two other British crew members – chief engineer Tim Roper Eaton and watchman Matthew Griffiths are also being probed and all have been questioned by the prosecutor at Termini Immerse but have now left the island.

Among theories being investigated are whether proper procedures were carried out by the drew to secure the yacht ahead of the storm which had been forecast and which had stopped trawlers heading out to sea.

Giovanni Costantino, of the Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, who built the Bayesian has already claimed the yacht was ‘unsinkable’ and that human error led to the sinking, with possibly hatches and portholes left open.

There will also be focus on the keel of Bayesian which should have been deployed to its maximum length to help stability in and weather.

Raising the vessel will be a joint operation between the insurers and the owners of the yacht Revtom – an Isle of Man based company which has Mr Lynch’s wife Angela, who survived the sinking, as sole director.

A salvage company has yet to be appointed for the operation which experts say could take at least six weeks.

Aldo Mordiglia, lawyer for Mr Cutfield, 51, told MailOnline he expected the complicated procedure to ‘start in October possibly’ and that it would ‘be vital for the investigation the yacht was raised’.

According to maritime code it is up to the owner of the yacht to sort out salvaging the Bayesian, but the judicial authorities will also play a key part.

Experts also want to raise her as quickly as possible because there are fears over the 18,000 litres of fuel onboard and an environmental ship is circling the area ready to deploy protective booms to control any potential spillage.

Diver Giuseppe Petrone – who was among those who entered the vessel – told MailOnline: ‘There are personal effects in the Bayesian which will be recovered at some stage, my task was juts to recover the bodies but there are phones and other items there.’

La Repubblica newspaper said the vessel contained ‘telephones, money and laptop computers as well as jewellery’ which would all have to be returned to its owners and as well as the contents of onboard safes.

A 200 metre exclusion one has been placed around the Bayesian and the area is constantly patrolled by coastguard vessels and police launches.

Experts Mike Sloane and Giovanni Ceccarelli, who worked on the recovery of the Costa Concordia, when it sank in 2012, said:’The sailing ship must be recovered in one piece, only the mast can be sacrificed.’

Raffaele Macauda, ​​commander of the Port Authority and the Coast Guard of Palermo, said:’We are monitoring the environmental impact and we can assure you that there have been no fuel spills.

‘After that, we await the first plan from the shipping company to empty the tanks, the first step in the recovery.’

The first four autopsies are scheduled for this morning on the bodies of the Bayesian victims: the English banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judith, the American lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Nada.

The tests on the other three victims, the English tycoon Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah and the ship's cook Recaldo Thomas have been scheduled for the first few days of next week.

The autopsies, considered unrepeatable tests, will be attended by the consultants of the injured parties and the three suspects.

Divers find 5 bodies during search of superyacht wreckage after it sank off Sicily, 1 still missing

The bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) british-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early monday, by nicole winfield, danica kirka and andrea rosa | the associated press • published august 21, 2024 • updated on august 21, 2024 at 4:19 pm.

Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht  that sank off Sicily found the bodies of five passengers Wednesday and searched for one more as questions intensified about why the vessel sank so quickly when a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.

Rescue crews brought four body bags ashore into port at Porticello. Salvatore Cocina, head of the Sicily civil protection agency, said a fifth body had been located. Divers at the scene said they would try to recover it on Thursday while continuing the search for the sixth.

Video shows moments before superyacht went down in storm off Sicily

Missing revealed as divers search superyacht that sank in storm off Sicily

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The discovery made clear the operation to search the hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater had quickly turned into a recovery one, not a rescue, given the amount of time that had passed and with no signs of life emerging over three days of searching.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm  early Monday  as it was moored about a kilometer (a half-mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly.

Fifteen people escaped in a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby sailboat. One body was recovered Monday — that of the ship’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, of Antigua.

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Thomas was born in Canada, according to his cousin David Isaac, but would visit his parents’ homeland of Antigua as a child, moving permanently to the tiny eastern Caribbean island in his early 20s. Italian officials previously listed Antigua and Canada as the nationality of people on board.

The fate of six missing passengers had driven the search effort, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter and associates who had successfully defended him in a recent U.S. federal fraud trial.

Lynch’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Meanwhile, investigators from the Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office were acquiring evidence for their criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy  even though no formal suspects have been publicly identified.

Questions have abounded about what caused the superyacht, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, to sink so quickly, when the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat was largely spared and managed to rescue the survivors.

Giovanni Costantino, head of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the shipmaker, blamed human error for the disaster, which he said took 16 minutes. “The ship sank because it took on water. From where, the investigators will say,” he told RAI state television after he met with prosecutors.

Costantino cited AIS ship tracking data which he said showed the Bayesian had taken on water for four minutes when a sudden gust of wind flipped it and it continued taking on water. The ship straightened up slightly and then went down, he said.

But was it merely the case of a freak waterspout that knocked the ship to its side and allowed water to pour in through open hatches? What was the position of the keel, which on a large sailboat like the Bayesian might have been retractable, to allow it to enter shallower ports?

“There’s a lot of uncertainty as to whether it had a lifting keel and whether it might have been up,” said Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and the editor of the Journal of Sailing Technology. “But if it had, then that would reduce the amount of stability that the vessel had, and therefore made it easier for it to roll over on its side,” he said in an interview.

The captain of the sailboat that came to the Bayesian’s rescue said his craft had sustained minimal damage — the frame of a sun awning broke — even with winds that he estimated reached 12 on the Beaufort wind scale, which is the highest hurricane-strength force on the scale.

He said he had remained anchored with his engines running to try to maintain the ship’s position as the storm, which was forecast, rolled in.

“Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea,” Karsten Bornersaid in a text message. But he said that might not have been a viable option for the Bayesian, given its trademark 75-meter (246-foot) tall mast.

“If there was a stability problem, caused by the extremely tall mast, it would not have been better at open sea,” he said.

Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight, sub-compartments that are specifically designed to prevent a rapid, catastrophic sinking even when some parts fill with water.

“So for the vessel to sink, especially this fast, you are really looking at taking water on board very quickly, but also in a number of locations along the length of the vessel, which again indicates that it might have been rolled over on its side,” Souppez said.

Italian coast guard and fire rescue divers continued the underwater search in dangerous and time-consuming conditions. Because of the wreck’s depth, which requires special precautions, divers working in tag teams could only spend about 12 minutes at a time searching, though reinforcements outfitted with special equipment to enable longer dives were also on the wreck Wednesday.

In all, some 27 divers were taking rotations, including four who helped with the recovery of the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster off Tuscany. They called the Porticello wreck a “little Concordia,” fire crews said in a statement, which for the first time Wednesday referred to the operation as a “recovery.”

The limited dive time was designed in part to avoid decompression sickness, also known as the “bends,” which can occur when divers stay underwater for long periods and ascend too quickly, allowing nitrogen gas dissolved in the blood to form bubbles.

“The longer you stay, the slower your ascent has to be,” said Simon Rogerson, the editor of SCUBA magazine. He said the tight turnaround time suggested the operation's managers were trying to limit the risks and recovery time after each dive.

“It sounds like they’re operating essentially on no decompression or very tight decompression, or they’re being extremely conservative,” he said.

Additionally, the divers were working in extremely tight spaces, with debris floating around them, limited visibility and air tanks on their backs.

“We are trying to advance in tight spaces, but any single thing slows us down,” said Luca Cari, spokesman for the fire rescue service. “An electric panel could set us back for five hours. These aren’t normal conditions. We’re at the limit of possibility.”

“It’s not a question of entering the cabin to inspect it,” he added. “They’ve arrived at the level of the cabins, but it’s not like you can open the door.”

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