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Does this 357-Foot New Yacht Belong to Steven Spielberg?

Oceanco is keeping details of the mammoth vessel’s owner under wraps.

By Irenie Forshaw

Oceanco is used to catering for the fabulously wealthy; earlier this year the Dutch shipbuilder delivered Jeff Bezos’s gleaming new ship , Koru. Now, the rumor mill is going into overdrive once again. This time, Steven Spielberg is reportedly the billionaire behind its newest yacht: Seven Seas.

Spanning 357 feet, the mammoth motoryacht isn’t as long as Koru – which scooped the title of the longest sailing yacht on the planet at 417 ft – but she does cut an impressive figure. This isn’t Spielberg’s first foray into the yachting world – the Hollywood director had his first ship (also called Seven Seas ) delivered by Oceanco back in 2010.

The original Seven Seas – whose name is inspired by Spielberg’s seven children – measured 282 feet and boasted an expansive spa , gym, beauty salon, and, of course, movie theatre. But the four-time Academy Award winner sold the ship to Canadian billionaire Barry Zekelman in 2021 for a cool $151m (the ship has since been renamed Man of Steel).

It seems Spielberg has caught the superyacht bug; the new Seven Seas is even bigger and more lavish than her predecessor. So, what do we know about the director’s latest ship? While Oceanco has remained relatively tight-lipped on the project, a few key details have emerged which we’ll dive into here.

[See also: The Best Luxury Yacht Builders in the World]

Who is building Steven Spielberg’s new yacht?

The superyacht – previously known as project Y720 – was commissioned back in 2022 for a whopping $250m. She was built by Oceanco – the same shipyard that made Spielberg’s old boat in Alblasserdam, a town in the western Netherlands around 12 miles from Rotterdam. Omani billionaire businessman Mohammed al Barwani bought the luxury shipyard back in 2010 (he also owns Turquoise Yachts in Istanbul).

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Oceanco has an impressive track record when it comes to building jaw-dropping superyachts. As well as recently unveiling Bezos’s Koru, four years ago the shipbuilder delivered Black Pearl – a striking three-mast vessel which, at 350 ft, became the largest sailing yacht in the world at the time, and garnered attention for its cutting-edge eco-credentials.

What do we know about the design?

Oceanco collaborated with Dutch firm Sinot Yacht Architecture Design to build Spielberg’s new yacht. The project was overseen by Lateral Naval Architects, with the team carrying out an “extensive optimization process” to ensure Seven Seas met the highest performance standards (she is the first LY3-compliant yacht to feature a Marine Evacuation System).

Powered by twin MTU 20V 4000 M73L diesel engines, she is able to reach top speeds of up to 20 knots and weighs in at 4,444 GT. Her sleek steel hull, teak deck, and lightweight aluminum superstructure give her a graceful silhouette; this is certainly a yacht to turn heads.

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Considerably larger than Spielberg’s former yacht, Seven Seas 2.0 can host up to 14 guests across seven cabins (so there’s plenty of space for his entire family). There’s also room onboard for up to 30 crew, plus a gym, pool, spa, beach club, helipad and tender garage. Oh, and there’s a movie theatre too. Obviously.

The fourth largest project delivered by Oceanco to date, she was glimpsed for the first time in March 2022 being rolled out of the construction shed at the shipyard and was spotted in the Port of Gibraltar in early July.

How about the interiors?

It’s extremely unlikely we’ll get to see inside Spielberg’s new yacht anytime soon, but we do know the interiors onboard Seven Seas have been crafted by Beverly Hills-based designer Molly Isaksen (in a telling sign she was also brought in for the interiors onboard Man of Steel ).

While details remain sparse, Oceanco did reveal we can expect plenty of “natural materials and glass onboard, offering guests an unparalleled outward-looking experience”.

oceancoyacht.com

[See also: Twenty for 20: Innovative Yachts of the 21 st Century]

Irenie Forshaw

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More About SEVEN SEAS

SEVEN SEAS Yacht

Status: This yacht is only on our website as a sold yacht.

Motoryacht SEVEN SEAS

The SEVEN SEAS yacht is a 282.2ft / 86m luxury yacht built and launched by yacht builder Oceanco . Delivered to a proud yacht owner in 2010, this luxury yacht sleeps up to 20 guests in 9 staterooms and has accommodations for 28 crew. She has a beam of 46.6ft / 14.2m, a draft of 12.8ft / 3.9m. Her hull is steel and her decks are teak. Her max speed is 19.5 knots and cruising speed is 16 knots. She is propelled by MTU engines at 4,680 hp each. Her interior design is by Nuvolari & Lenard / Molly Isaksen with exterior styling by Nuvolari Lenard .

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Motor Yacht

Seven Seas is a custom motor yacht launched in 2022 by Oceanco in Alblasserdam, Netherlands.

Founded in 1987, Oceanco is a shipyard that strives to do things differently, building custom superyachts that each stand out as iconic additions to the world superyacht fleet. With a tenth of the Top 100 largest vessels being Oceanco-builds, the Dutch yard has positioned itself as a brand driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the impossible.

Seven Seas measures 109.00 metres in length.

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Seven Seas has a hull NB of Y720.

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The Incredible Features Of Steven Spielberg's $160 Million Superyacht

In 2021, the Seven Seas, the luxury yacht belonging to billionaire movie director Steven Spielberg, was sold to billionaire steel magnate Barry Zekelman after being listed for almost $158 million earlier in the year (via Bloomberg ).

Spielberg first commissioned the 282-foot yacht in 2010. The superyacht was designed by Oceanco, a luxury shipbuilding company from the Netherlands. If the name sounds familiar, this company has also recently built a superyacht for Amazon founder  Jeff Bezos . The Seven Seas was custom-made for the award-winning film director and has lots of amenities and high-end features. It's a powerful ship that can hit a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. The yacht also has two MTU engines, which provide a walloping 4,680 horsepower each, according to Robb Report .

In the past, this yacht has been sailing all over and has been seen cruising off the coast of France during the Cannes Film Festival, and in the Caribbean near the islands of Antigua and Barbuda.

It's decked out inside

The Seven Seas has four spacious decks and plenty of room for relaxing and entertaining guests. It features nine cabins that can accommodate up to 20 people, plus 28 crew members. The owner's suite for Spielberg is gorgeous and has a deck with a jacuzzi, office, and private terrace. It also has a full-beam VIP stateroom on the main deck with several other cabins on the lower deck (via Robb Report and Superyacht Times ).

Designers Nuvolari Lenard and Molly Isaksen collaborated to create the boat's lush wooden-themed interior (via Architectural Digest ). As would be expected, a yacht as opulent as the Seven Seas is jam-packed with amenities for Spielberg and his guests to enjoy. Published photos of the Seven Seas show jumbo screens in every room and a home cinema onboard. You can also find a sauna, steam room, gym, massage room, lounge areas, bars, and a swimming pool. This yacht is so large it can even accommodate a helipad. Like other superyachts, it comes with the standard garage where you can fit speedboats, water toys, and diving gear.

Now that Steven Spielberg has sold his yacht, fans just have to wait and see if another mega yacht is coming in the future.

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SEVEN SEAS is a 36.8 m Motor Yacht, built in Turkey by RMK Marine and delivered in 2024. She is the only RMK 120 model.

Her top speed is 13.5 kn and she boasts a maximum range of 5000.0 nm when navigating at cruising speed, with power coming from two diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms, with 7 crew members waiting on their every need. She has a gross tonnage of 388.0 GT and a 8.38 m beam.

She was designed by Vripack , who also completed the naval architecture. Vripack has designed 39 yachts and created the naval architecture for 66 yachts for yachts above 24 metres.

Her interior was designed by Vripack (25 other superyacht interiors designed) and Epikworks - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

SEVEN SEAS is in the top 30% by LOA in the world. She is one of 1177 motor yachts in the 35-40m size range, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her volume is 120.28 GT above the average.

SEVEN SEAS is currently sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, the 5th most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 455 yachts registered. She is currently located at the superyacht marina Setur Yalova Marina, in Turkey, where she has been located for 1 day. For more information regarding SEVEN SEAS's movements, find out more about BOATPro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: SEVEN SEAS
• Previous Names: RMK 120
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement , Expedition Yacht
• Model: RMK 120
• Builder: RMK Marine
• Naval Architect: Vripack
• Exterior Designer: Vripack
• Interior Designer: Epikworks , Vripack

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I’m just back from one of the world’s most expensive cruise ships – here’s a sneak peek

TPG's Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip from Regent Seven Seas Cruises to attend the unveiling of Seven Seas Grandeur. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren't subject to review by the line.

What do you get when you mix superb design with loads of marble and glimmering lights, combine it with free drinks, tips, Wi-Fi and shore excursions, and, for good measure, toss in a suite that costs $11,000 per night?

The result is Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' brand-new Seven Seas Grandeur, which is one of the most expensive cruise ships afloat. It cost the cruise line more than $517 million, including $9 million for the 1,600-piece art collection, which features a custom-designed Faberge egg.

Put on your best dress or your finest suit or tux, and make an entrance at dinner by walking down the atrium's grand staircase. Sign up for a cooking class at the onboard culinary kitchen, where you'll spend two hours sipping wine as a chef shows you how to make several delectable dishes. Or enjoy evening cocktails and live piano music in the stunning top-deck Observation Lounge.

In true Regent fashion, the line has managed to create a glamorous atmosphere that will make any of its 746 passengers feel like they're the most important person on Earth. It does an excellent job of catering to its target market — mature adults who are educated and well traveled — in an atmosphere where relaxation is key and shipboard life is best enjoyed slowly.

Here's what I loved about this sparkling new ship — and what I didn't.

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5 things I loved

Talk about feeling spoiled. Although I didn't have a butler on my sailing, my 332-square-foot Concierge Suite — which included a 132-square-foot balcony — was so well appointed it felt like the type of cabin that would come with a personal attendant on other cruise lines.

In addition to separate sleeping and lounging areas (which can be separated by a curtain), I had a walk-in closet and a marble bathroom that felt at least twice the size of bathrooms on standard cruise ships.

But don't be fooled: This type of accommodation is squarely in the middle on Seven Seas Grandeur. There are six cabin categories below it and eight above, meaning that lavish digs are pretty much standard when you sail on this ship.

I absolutely loved touches like the closet's sliding door, which glides into the wall instead of awkwardly opening out into the room; the plentiful outlets (both 110-volt North American and 220-volt European) and USB ports, with plenty near the vanity and on both sides of the bed; and the modern cabin controls, which allow passengers to change the temperature and indicate whether they need cabin service or wish to be left undisturbed.

The main thing that sets Seven Seas Grandeur apart from its sister ships , Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer, is its design. This newest ship in the Explorer Class was wholly put together by Studio Dado, the renowned Miami-based design firm responsible for only certain aspects of previous vessels. It brightened up many public areas to make them feel airy and spacious, reworked the alternative restaurants and ensured the spaces flow well into one another.

The atrium area sparkles with a sweeping staircase, marble floors and an overhead chandelier designed to resemble a tangle of diamond tennis bracelets.

The Compass Rose restaurant, the ship's main dining room, felt like what you'd get if architect and designer Antoni Gaudí were born in the time of "The Jetsons." The decor melds bright whites with pops of gray and cranberry, and tables are set among crystal-inlaid pillars reminiscent of trees. It's glitzy without ever being tacky. (Just look at the Versace dinnerware on the tables.)

Never in all my sailings have I seen such a grand MDR.

As for the other eateries, each has its own tastefully lavish vibe. While Italian restaurant Sette Mari at La Veranda remains fairly neutral as part of the buffet area, the vessel's other three specialty venues stand out in a big way. Asian restaurant Pacific Rim on Deck 5 feels like an elite New York City supper club with an Asian twist, complete with dark walls and earth-toned furnishings. A breathtaking sculpture of a tree, populated with hundreds of pink glass cherry blossoms, greets passengers at the entrance.

The Prime 7 steakhouse and French restaurant Chartreuse are located across from one another on Deck 10. Both entryways are bedecked in leather accents that balance masculine and feminine aesthetics. Prime 7's entrance features a brown leather patchwork with handles that make the pieces look like suitcases or steamer trunks. Chartreuse's entryway is outfitted with large black leather 3D flowers designed by Chanel.

Inside, Prime 7 matches what it serves with bright red chairs surrounded by brown tones. Chartreuse's interior design is also fairly literal, with blacks and grays punctuated by pops of chartreuse-colored glass and glittering overhead light fixtures in the same hue.

Additionally, a carefully curated art collection of 1,600 pieces is spread throughout the ship, complete with a virtual tour that's offered via the Regent mobile app. The collection is anchored by a custom-designed Faberge egg that's displayed in a case at the center of the guest services area.

It's clear that an immeasurable amount of attention was given to every design choice, from colors to artwork to furniture.

The Pool Grill

When I sidled up to the Pool Grill on the final day of my sailing and ordered a burger, I was not expecting it to be my favorite meal on the ship, but it was. Call it one of the most pleasant surprises on my voyage.

In addition to the truffle beef burger with caramelized onions and truffle aioli, I also asked for a side of sweet potato fries, an order of tomato bruschetta and a caprese panini, figuring I'd try a bit of each. Fortunately for my stomach, but unfortunately for my waistline, each was so phenomenal that I ate every bite.

The quality of the poolside food is worth writing home about because it's as good as or better than the food you'd find in the main dining rooms on most other cruise lines' ships. Yes, the fare in Seven Seas Grandeur's main dining room and alternative restaurants is also fantastic, but you would expect those meals to be standouts. Yet it's clear that the ship's culinary team puts effort into every meal on board, even the most casual.

The quiet places

As someone who's always looking for a chance to escape the frenetic pace of life ashore, I cannot stress enough how much I appreciated a couple of onboard quiet spaces that afforded me a place to read that wasn't my cabin.

I found the stunning Observation Lounge on Deck 11 to be fairly quiet during the daytime, especially on port days. It was easy to snag a table by one of the sweeping windows so I could enjoy the view. The space also serves as a venue for daily trivia and a place to catch live piano music in the evening.

Libraries are being phased out on most mainstream cruise ships, but I was pleased to learn that there's one on Deck 11 of Seven Seas Grandeur. It's a dark, cozy space with wall-to-wall books, tables for perusing coffee-table titles, comfy seating and even a couple of alcoves for people who need to focus.

The Culinary Arts Kitchen

I'm a firm believer that the true mark of something's quality is whether it's capable of winning over a skeptic.

I despise cooking. Between shopping for ingredients, prepping everything, doing the actual cooking and then washing all the dishes afterward, I find it frustrating, time-consuming and more hassle than it's worth.

However, I tried one of Regent's famed Culinary Arts Kitchen cooking classes with one of the ship's onboard chefs, and I had a blast. (I suspect part of the reason is because everything was prepped and waiting for me when I got there, so all I had to do was toss it in a pan and then eat it.)

The chef was friendly and funny, and she took the time to explain some of the history and techniques behind each dish we cooked.

What I experienced was an abridged version that lasted only an hour, during which time we made spaghetti in lemon sauce, followed by crepes with blueberries and ice cream. Normally, the classes — which start at $89 per person — last about two hours and feature several dishes. Spaces are limited, so book early.

3 things I didn't care for

The entertainment.

The show I saw — "Marauder's Ball," the only one of the ship's four production shows offered during the christening voyage — featured pirates pillaging jewelry and other riches from the wealthy elite as they attended the launch of a new ship.

Overall, it felt too busy with props like ropes and flags that distracted from the main action, and the show felt too long for how loose the plot was. Further, it's strange to me that the single show time each night is 9:30 p.m., which is late, given that most shows run for a full hour.

All of that said, the singers and dancers were phenomenal, and it's clear Regent sunk a lot of time, money and creativity into the costumes and sets. However, the end result just didn't stack up when compared with entertainment on bigger cruise ships.

The room service

You know a ship is great when most of what you're putting under the "did not like" column is little stuff. That's the case here.

Complimentary room service is just another perk of an upscale, inclusive cruise ship. Regent provides room service breakfast cards that you fill out and hang outside your door at night for delivery the following morning. On the second night of the sailing, I hung my order — a cheese omelet with a side of extra-crispy bacon and coffee — and went to bed.

The next morning, someone from the room service department called to let me know my order was on the way and to apologize that it was coming 15 minutes early — something I didn't mind at all.

My food arrived, and the person who delivered it kindly set everything up for me, including a white tablecloth. The plating was great, and I was so excited to dig in — until I cut into my omelet and discovered it wasn't the cheese omelet I had ordered, but a ham-and-cheese omelet. Since I don't eat ham, I called room service to politely request a replacement.

I was impressed with how quickly the replacement omelet arrived, but when I cut into it, it was undercooked and inedible. When the egg ran out onto the plate, I gave up and went to the onboard cafe for an incredibly stale bagel instead.

Overall, the service was wonderful, but the in-cabin dining experience needs a bit more work.

Crowded public spaces

Although most of the ship's public areas seemed like they would be the correct size in proportion to the size of the vessel, I found that a couple had insufficient space.

On more than one occasion, I ventured to Coffee Connection, the onboard cafe, for a cuppa (try the gingerbread cappuccino), and every table was full. The space is at capacity for seating, so it's not possible to add more. But it's clear the cafe is more popular than its seating area can handle.

The same is true of the adjacent Meridian Lounge, which regularly hosts cocktail hours and afternoon tea. The cocktail event I attended quickly became overcrowded, and it was standing room only. I also tried to check out afternoon tea, but I couldn't find an available table, so I left. (That was disappointing, as I was told tea was a highlight.)

Bottom line

Regent's Seven Seas Grandeur is one of the most elegant and luxurious ships afloat. Its design is exceptional, exuding an upscale air that's unrivaled on any other vessel I've sailed. The cabins are gorgeous homes away from home.

The ship's slower pace means you can linger over a meal or a conversation by the pool and you won't feel like you're missing out on a signature activity. That, blended with an abundance of calm, quiet spaces and a lack of worry about your final bill, means more room for relaxation on your Seven Seas Grandeur vacation.

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What Are the Seven Seas?

The phrase "sail the Seven Seas" has had different meanings to different people at different times in history. The term "Seven Seas" is mentioned by ancient Hindus, Chinese, Persians, Romans and other cultures. The term historically referred to bodies of water along trade routes and regional waters; although in some cases the seas are mythical and not actual bodies of water.

The term "Seven Seas" has evolved to become a figurative term to describe a sailor who has navigated all the seas and oceans of the world, and not literally seven.

Why 'seven'?

The number seven has a great deal of historical, cultural and religious significance: lucky number seven, seven hills of Rome, seven days of the week, seven wonders of the world, seven dwarves, seven days of creation, seven Chakras, seven ages of man, seven deadly sins and seven virtues — just to name a few.

The term "Seven Seas" can be traced to ancient Sumer in 2300 B.C., where it was used in a hymn by Sumerian high priestess Enheduanna to Inanna, the goddess of sexual love, fertility and warfare.

To the Persians, the Seven Seas were the streams forming the Oxus River, the ancient name for the Amu Darya, one of the longest rivers in Central Asia. It rises in thePamir Mountains and flows northwest through the Hindu Kush and across Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the Aral Sea.

To the ancient Romans , the septem maria , Latin for Seven Seas, referred to a group of salt-water lagoons separated from the open sea by sandbanks near Venice. This was documented by Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and fleet commander.

The ancient Arabs defined the Seven Seas as the ones they sailed on voyages along their trading routes with the East. They were the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Khambhat, the Bay of Bengal, the Strait of Malacca, the Singapore Strait, the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea.

The Phoenicians were expert sea traders and their sailors set out to in search of markets and raw materials. Their Seven Seas — Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian, Adriatic and Aegean — were all part of the Mediterranean.

The Greeks and Romans gave rise to the medieval definition of the Seven Seas. During this time, references to the Seven Seas meant the Adriatic Sea; the Mediterranean Sea (including the Aegean Sea);  the Black Sea; the Caspian Sea; the Persian Gulf; the Arabian Sea (which is part of the Indian Ocean); and the Red Sea, including the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee.

During the Age of Discovery (1450-1650), after Europeans began exploring North America, the definition of the Seven Seas changed again. Mariners then referred to the Seven Seas as the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.Other geographers identify the Seven Seas at that time as the Mediterranean and Red seas, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, China Sea, and the West and East African seas.

The Colonial era, which saw the tea trade sailing from China to England, gave rise to another description of the Seven Seas: the Banda Sea, the Celebes Sea, the Flores Sea, the Java Sea, the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea and the Timor Sea. Their expression "sailed the Seven Seas" meant sailing to the other side of the world and back.

Modern Seven Seas

The modern list of the Seven Seas that is most widely accepted by geographers actually lists the oceans:

North Atlantic Ocean : the portion of the Atlantic Ocean that lies primarily between North America and the northeast coast of South America to the east, and Europe and the northwest coast of Africa to the west.

South Atlantic Ocean : the southern section of the Atlantic Ocean, extending southward from the equator to Antarctica.

North Pacific Ocean : the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, extending from the equator to the Arctic Ocean.

South Pacific Ocean : the lower segment of the Pacific Ocean, reaching southward from the equator to Antarctica.

Arctic Ocean : the smallest of the Seven Seas, it surrounds the North Pole.

Southern Ocean : also known as the Antarctic Ocean, it consists of the southern portions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans and their tributary seas. It is the newest ocean, being designated by the International Hydrographic Organizationin 2000.

Indian Ocean : stretches for more than 6,200 miles (10,000 km) between the southern tips of Africa and Australia.

— Kim Ann Zimmermann, LiveScience Contributor

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Kim Ann Zimmermann is a contributor to Live Science and sister site Space.com, writing mainly evergreen reference articles that provide background on myriad scientific topics, from astronauts to climate, and from culture to medicine. Her work can also be found in Business News Daily and KM World. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Glassboro State College (now known as Rowan University) in New Jersey. 

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Inside the shocking Sicily yacht tragedy that left 7 people dead

There was a violent storm, but even then, luxury yachts are built to weather such events. so why did this boat sink off the coast of sicily, leaving seven people dead, by natalie finn | e news • published august 24, 2024 • updated on august 24, 2024 at 10:34 am.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Nobody was trying to reach the lowest depths of the ocean or otherwise test the boundaries of human endurance .

But what was supposed to be a routine pleasure cruise aboard a superyacht turned deadly all the same on the morning of Aug. 19 when the 184-foot Bayesian got caught in a storm and sank off the coast of Sicily .

24/7 New York news stream: Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are

"I can't remember the last time I read about a vessel going down quickly like that," Stephen Richter of SAR Marine Consulting told NBC News . "You know, completely capsizing and going down that quickly, a vessel of that nature, a yacht of that size."

Of the 22 people onboard, including crew, seven people died. The last of the bodies was recovered Aug. 23, an expectedly sad coda to what had already been a tragic week as the search for answers as to how this happened got underway.

And to be sure, every minute of the Bayesian's ill-fated outing is being fiercely scrutinized, starting with the general seaworthiness of the vessel itself.

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Because, frankly, this was a freak occurrence.

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"Boats of this size, they’re taking passengers on an excursion or a holiday," Richter explained. "They are not going to put them in situations where it may be dangerous or it may be uncomfortable, so this storm that popped up was obviously an anomaly. These vessels that carry passengers, they’re typically very well-maintained, very well-appointed."

But in this case, a $40 million yacht sank, seven people are dead—including a billionaire tech mogul and his 18-year-old daughter—and morbid fascination doesn't need a second wind.

Here is how the story of the Sicily yacht tragedy has unfolded so far:

What happened to the yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily?

The Bayesian had set off from the Sicilian port of Milazzo on Aug. 14 at capacity with 12 guests and 10 crewmembers aboard.

The aluminum-hulled vessel was built in 2008 by Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi and registered in the U.K. Cruise sites listed it as available for charter at $215,000 per week, per the Associated Press.

On the morning of Aug. 19, the superyacht was anchored off the coast of Porticello, a small fishing village in the Sicilian province of Palermo (also the name of Sicily's capital city), when a violent storm hit.

The vessel "suddenly sank" at around 5 a.m. local time, seemingly due to "the terrible weather conditions," the City Council of Bagheria announced shortly afterward, per NBC News .

At the time, only one person was confirmed dead—the ship's chef—but six others were said to be missing. The 15 survivors—who managed to make it onto an inflatable life boat, according to emergency officials—were rescued that morning by the crew of another yacht that had been nearby when the storm hit.

"Fifteen people inside," Karsten Borner, the Dutch captain of the ship that was able to help (the Sir Robert Baden Powell), told reporters afterward, per Reuters. "Four people were injured, three heavily injured, and we brought them to our ship. Then we communicated with the coast guard, and after some time, the coast guard came and later picked up injured people."

When the storm hit, his boat ran into "a strong hurricane gust," Borner said, "and we had to start the engine to keep the ship in an angled position."

They "managed to keep the ship in position," he continued, but once the storm died down, they realized the other boat that had been behind them—the Bayesian—was gone.

The wreck ended up settling 165 feet below the surface, according to Italy's national fire department.

Fire officials said that divers, a motorboat and a helicopter were deployed to search for the missing.

Meanwhile, footage was captured of the ship capsizing on closed-circuit TV about a half-mile away from where it was anchored.

In the video obtained by NBC News, the illuminated 250-foot aluminum mast of the ship appears to list severely to one side before disappearing completely. Survivors recalled having just a few minutes to literally abandon ship.

Who were the seven people who died when the yacht Bayesian sank?

The tragedy initially became headline news because billionaire tech mogul Mike Lynch—"Britain's Bill Gates," some U.K. media called him—was among the missing. His body was ultimately recovered Aug. 22 .

"They told me that suddenly they found themselves catapulted into the water without even understanding how they had got there," Dr. Fabio Genco, head of the Palermo Emergency Medical Services, told NBC News Aug. 22. "And that the whole thing seems to have lasted from 3 to 5 minutes."

Genco said he got to Porticello about an hour after the Bayesian capsized.

Survivors "told me that it was all dark, that the yacht hoisted itself up and then went down," he said. "All the objects were falling on them. That’s why I immediately made sure, by asking them questions, if they had any internal injuries."

Why did the yacht sink?

Italian prosecutors are investigating to determine what transpired before the boat went down, according to NBC News.

Meanwhile, the CEO of shipbuilder Perini's parent company The Italian Sea Group defended the vessel itself as "unsinkable."

Perini boats "are the safest in the most absolute sense," Giovanni Costantino told Sky News Aug. 22 . What happened to the Bayesian "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other," he continued. "This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact."

Costantino said it had to have been human error that led to the boat sinking, declaring, "Mistakes were made."

"Everything that was done reveals a very long summation of errors," he told newspaper Corriere della Sera Aug. 21, in an interview translated from Italian. "The people should not have been in the cabins, the boat should not have been at anchor."

The weather was "all predictable," he continued, adding that the storm "was fully legible in all the weather charts. It couldn't have been ignored."

The yacht's captain, identified as James Cutfield of New Zealand, was taken to Termini Imerese hospital for treatment. From there, he told La Repubblica, per Sky News , that he didn't see the storm coming.

Borner, the captain of the ship that rescued the 15 Bayesian survivors, told NBC News that he noticed the storm come in at 4 a.m. local time, and saw what looked to him like a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms above water.

The International Centre for Waterspout Research posted on X Aug. 19 that it had "confirmed 18 waterspouts today off the coasts of Italy. Some were powerful waterspouts, one of which may have been responsible for the sinking of a large yacht off of Sicily."

Borner said he didn't know why the Bayesian sank so quickly, guessing "it may have something to do with the mast, which was incredibly long." (A tall mast, even with its sails down, means there's more surface area exposed to wind, which can result in tipping.)

Confirming that one person was dead and six unaccounted for immediately following the wreck on Aug. 19, Salvo Cocina of Sicily's civil protection agency told reporters that a waterspout had struck the area overnight.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

The 59-year-old founder of software firm Autonomy had been on the trip with his wife Angela Bacares and their 18-year-old, Oxford-bound daughter Hannah to celebrate his recent acquittal in the U.S. on fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from the $11.7 billion purchase of his company by Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

In a bizarre turn of events, Lynch's co-defendant at trial, Stephen Chamberlain, the former vice president of finance at Autonomy, died after being taken off life support following a road accident on Aug. 17. Chamberlain's attorney told Reuters Aug. 20 that his friend and client had been out for a run when he was "fatally struck" by a car.

Meanwhile, multiple people who contributed to Lynch's defense were on the cruise with him and his family.

The bodies of Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer—who testified on Lynch's behalf—and his wife Judy Bloomer, as well as lawyer Chris Morvillo, a partner at the U.S. firm Clifford Chance, and his wife Neda Morvillo, a jewelry designer, were recovered on Aug. 21 .

In a LinkedIn post thanking the team that successfully defended Lynch, Morvillo wrote, per Sky News , "And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo. None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home. And they all lived happily ever after…"

The first casualty confirmed Aug. 19 was the ship's Canadian-Antiguan chef, later identified as Recaldo Thomas.

"He was a one-of-a-kind special human being," a friend of Thomas told The Independent . "Incredibly talented, contagious smile and laugh, an incredible voice with a deep love of the ocean and the moon. I spoke to him nearly every day. He loved his life his friends and his job."

Hannah's body was the last of the missing six to be found , with divers bringing her remains ashore on Aug. 23.

Lynch and Bacares, who was rescued, also shared a 21-year-old daughter, according to The Times.

While awaiting trial, Lynch—who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings—had spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco. Back home in London afterward, he admitted to The Times in July that he'd been afraid of dying in prison if he'd been found guilty. (He faced a possible 25-year sentence.)

"It's bizarre, but now you have a second life," he reflected. "The question is, what do you want to do with it?"

(E!, NBC News and Sky News are all members of the Comcast family.)

Tech magnate missing after luxury superyacht sinks off Sicily in 'violent storm'

A British tech magnate and several other people are missing after a luxury superyacht sank near Sicily’s main city, Palermo, during a violent storm, Italian officials and sources familiar with the matter told CNBC . At least one person was killed.

Mike Lynch, who was regularly described in U.K. media as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” was not among those rescued, said the sources, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation. They added that Angela Bacares, Lynch’s wife, had been plucked from the waters off the Italian island.

Lynch was among six people who were unaccounted for, The Associated Press quoted Salvo Cocina of Sicily’s civil protection agency as saying. “They were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. Cocina also confirmed that Bacares had survived.

Italy's coast guard said in a statement that the 184-foot sailboat, named the Bayesian, sank “due to a violent storm” off Palermo at around 5 a.m. local time (11 p.m. ET) with 22 people on board. Fifteen people were rescued, and six passengers were missing, it said.

American, British and Canadian citizens were among the missing, the statement said. The coast guard said in later statement that the ship’s cook had died. It did not give the cook's nationality.  

Karsten Borner, the captain of a ship that rescued the survivors, told reporters that there was a “strong hurricane gust, and we had to start the engine to keep the ship in an angled position,” according to Reuters.

He added that they had “watched the ship behind us not to touch them and we managed to keep the ship in position.” After the storm was over, he said, “we noticed that the ship behind us was gone.”

“Fifteen people inside. Four people were injured, three heavily injured, and we brought them to our ship, he said. “Then we communicated with the coast guard, and after some time, the coast guard came and later picked up injured people.”

One of the survivors, identified as Charlotte Emsley, 35, told the Italian news agency ANSA that she had momentarily lost hold of her 1-year-old daughter, Sofia, in the water but managed to retrieve her and hold her up over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were pulled to safety.

“I immediately hugged her again amid the fury of the waves. I held her tight, close to me, while the sea was stormy,” she said. “Many were screaming. Luckily, the lifeboat inflated, and 11 of us managed to get on it.”

The City Council of Bagheria said in a statement that a child of that age was being treated at a children’s hospital. It said that seven adults were taken to the emergency room but that “it seems that none are in serious conditions.” 

Lynch, 59, the missing tech entrepreneur, founded the enterprise software firm Autonomy and became the target of a protracted legal battle with Hewlett-Packard after the U.S. tech giant accused him of inflating the company’s value in an $11 billion sale. Extradited from Britain to the U.S. last year to stand trial, he was acquitted of fraud after a three-month trial.

Italy’s national fire department said in a statement that “divers, a motorboat and a helicopter” had been deployed to help with the search. The wreck was at a depth of around 165 feet, the statement said.  

Divers from the Sicilian city of Sassri and Naples, a city on the Italian mainland , were “arriving on site to search inside the sunken vessel,” it said. 

Built by Italian shipbuilder Perini in 2008, the U.K.-registered Bayesian has an aluminum hull and can carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. Online sites list the luxury vessel for charter for up to 195,000 euros (about $215,000) a week, the AP reported.

The boat left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on Wednesday and was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, with a navigation status of “at anchor,” according to the vessel tracking app Vesselfinder.

Fabio La Bianca, 40, took a picture of the boat at around 10 p.m. local time Sunday shortly after he closed his bar in nearby Santa Flavia. “Absurd tragedy tonight. I am lost for words,” he said Monday on Facebook.

Matteo Moschella is a London-based reporter for NBC News' Social Newsgathering team.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

'I feel my life has been saved' after yacht rescue

A yachtsman who was "scared for [his] life" has praised the bravery of police officers after they came to his aid in heavy seas off Clacton in Essex.

Roy Harris and his partner Caroline Wilson were sailing back to the River Crouch from Kent on Sunday when a storm unexpectedly hit.

His yacht, the Samphire, took on water, its sail rope tore and Mr Harris radioed a PAN-PAN distress message to alert nearby boats and emergency services of an urgent problem.

The Essex Police Marine Unit said they located the 40ft-yacht near Gunfleet Sands off-shore windfarm, four miles off Clacton.

Sgt Alex Southgate, PC John Perry and special constable Scott McCabe were on Operation Wave-Breaker patrols when they picked up the distress call.

“When Alex leapt on to the boat, touched my arm and said ‘You’re safe now’, it was such a comfort. I had been scared for my life," Mr Harris said.

“The officers should be recognised for their bravery – they don’t just nick criminals, they save people’s lives.”

He said Sunday’s storm had not been forecast and he would not have set sail from the Isle of Sheppey earlier that day if it had been.

They had sailed between six and seven hours in good conditions but, when they turned into the Crouch, the jib sheet broke, the ropes tangled and water poured in.

“I became exhausted very quickly and sent a PAN-PAN. I didn’t want to call for assistance because the airwaves were busy, but I had no choice," Mr Harris added.

"The Essex Police Marine Unit turned up out of the blue.

"I wasn’t expecting them at all...I can’t express my gratitude and appreciation enough. I feel like my life has been saved."

Sgt Southgate said the large waves made the approach "particularly dangerous", but PC Perry’s skill and judgement enabled him to get to the yacht.

"Once we’d checked everything over, I was able to take control of the yacht and steer it to the safety of Brightlingsea Harbour...SC McCabe kept us in touch with Dover and our own control centre, which was vital."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds , Facebook , Instagram and X .

More on this story

• Beach rescue boat named in memory of murdered MP
• Lifeboat crew saves man in 'most challenging' call
• Two girls found clinging to groyne marker in sea

Related internet links

• Essex Police Marine Support Unit
• HM Coastguard

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

St Petersburg to Moscow

By venicia , February 23, 2016 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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I checked the ports section to see if there was any information in reference to going from St. Petersburg to Moscow, but there was nothing there. We are on the August 24 N. Europe sailing on Voyager and have booked the train trip to Moscow. Have any of you taken this trip and was it totally exhausting?

I did research on the train and noticed there are various categories of seats, similar to an airline with first class/ business class, etc. Was wondering what level Regent book's their customers in.

Another question, this is our first cruise on Regent and was wondering about the air. We booked a PH so business air is included, but I noticed quite a bit of posting about deviation. How do you know what you have been scheduled for by Regent or do you just check airlines and then notify Regent what you would like and they charge the extra fees?

thank you for any assistance you provide. I am so happy for CC and being able to get all the great info I do here. I don't post much but I sure do read a lot.:)

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Just read a wonderful review on the Crystal board (with pictures) that will definitely inspire you to do the Moscow trip. I'm so sorry that we didn't do it!

Another question, this is our first cruise on Regent and was wondering about the air. We booked a PH so business air is included, but I noticed quite a bit of posting about deviation. How do you know what you have been scheduled for by Regent or do you just check airlines and then notify Regent what you would like and they charge the extra fees?   thank you for any assistance you provide. I am so happy for CC and being able to get all the great info I do here. I don't post much but I sure do read a lot.:)

In regards to your flights, you will get them approx. 75 days prior to your departure which is much too late to usually be able to do anything about changing them to better flights. Many people choose to arrive several days early and depart for home several days after their cruise and to do this you must deviate. You are taking your chances on your routing by waiting for the Regent Flights.

Regent starts taking deviations 270 days prior to your departure and knowledgeable people immediately at that time make their deviation to get their preferred flights at the lowest, if charged additional add on. You have absolutely nothing at risk if you ask for your deviation as the $175 is not charged until you agree on the flights and any possible upcharges. You can go back and forth with offers and responses until you get the flights you like or simply stop the process at any time at no cost to you and wait for the included air. Traveling overseas increases the risk of delays in flights plus it is overnight to Europe so jet lag can be an issue as well as arrival on the morning or afternoon of embarkation runs the risk of "missing the boat".

Highly recommend asking about deviations and see what you get and how much you might have to pay, if anything and then make up your mind. The included flights without deviation may not be the most direct and can involve long connection times. Only you can decide the best approach for you.

We have been assigned some great flights 75 days prior to our cruise date. We also deviate if there is a certain flight with a certain airline that we want. Actually, there is a bit of a risk if you pay the $175/person and deviate. We have had flight changes that do not work for us and Regent could impose an additional fee. Also, there is an up-charge for certain flights.

Suggest that you read post #65 on this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1832227&page=4 which explains deviation in more detail.

In terms of St. Petersburg to Moscow, while we have not done that excursion we have been to St. Petersburg twice with Regent and the days are exhausting without going to Moscow. This is a wonderful but very port intensive itinerary. Also, St. Petersburg has so many incredible things to see that you may want to do excursions there. However, if you are full of energy and really want to visit Moscow, I'd say go for it:)

RALLY DAVE,

thank you so much for your response, we'll go ahead and do the deviation as we really prefer non stop to London and know we will have to do a connection from Stockholm. We will be in London before the cruise and have extended our return trip home from Stockholm to wander about there as well.

thank you Memlin, i'll go and take a look at the Crystal posting!

great information off your link about deviation......will check around and if something is too good to pass up then will try for the deviation. We have been to Europe multiple times and normally had direct flights, but one never knows.

We are fortunate that we often drive to one of the gateway airports since we have friends all over the east coast. Often drive to Miami, Atlanta, for this trip we are leaving from Orlando, staying with friends before the flight.

again, thank you so very much for your info!

I know my wife and I passed on the Moscow by air excursion a few years ago and we're still kind of torn about it. On the one hand, I really wanted to see Moscow (still do) but on the other hand, it was a brutal schedule. There was so much to see and do in St Petersburg though, so it wasn't critical to see Moscow on that trip...but next time we're there, I'm definitely going to check it out.

Not sure how long the train ride is down there, nor how the Russian trains are but if they're anything like the trains I've taken in Europe, there's not a huge difference in the classes of service. Usually the same amount of space, just nicer amenities in First Class. And probably fewer 'interesting' people, I'd imagine.

UUnet Bill,

I know the trip is 4 hours each way. I reviewed the post on Crystal and now feel so much better about booking it. It will be a quite long day, possibly around 18 hours, but memories are made from these type of trips. We were so excited to see the optional trip to Moscow and decided we can sleep on the way there and on the way back to the ship, but to be this close we just knew we wanted to do it. We were interested in the air tour, but it was not available for our cruise, so the train it shall be.

The train appears to be similar to the bullet train in Japan. I found it so unusual that I was unable to find any posts about this tour..... and then Memlin posted about the tour a cruiser posted on the Crystal section and it was fabulous.

I believe that the more upgraded cars of the train have the larger more comfortable seats. After all, just as an airplane takes all its passengers to the same location so will this train. Just was hoping to not be squeezed in one of those little middle seats for our tour.

Many, many, oh so many years ago on one of our first trips to Europe, we were in the middle of the middle of the economy seats to Holland. Oh, my goodness, I had to use the restroom during the flight.......Yes, I know you are all smiling or laughing, but really, it can become a pressing problem! and you have to excuse yourself to 2 other persons regardless of which way you choose to leave this section.

As one gets older, comfort becomes so much more important, doesn't it? When we first were able to move to business class, I thought we moved to heaven! When we were able to always book at least a suite on a cruise ship I thought we are the most blessed persons in the world.

My goodness, how did I ever get on this soapbox.

happy travels to all

My husband and I did the Moscow excursion and we are soooo glad we did. We did it last year in August and it is wonderful. Do not miss this. Well worth the money. It was a long day but well worth it. The seats on the train are okay.

The day we went the weather was great.

Kandy from Texas

commodore2010

We did the Moscow excursion by Air with Regent. Great trip and we are very glad we did it. It was probably the only chance we would have to see Moscow and it was spectacular.

• 11 months later...

Well, I know it's a year-old post but I came across it while searching for 'Moscow' in the forum...we're back in St. Petersburg this August and have decided to do the Moscow trip - sounds like it's going to be well worth the time and expense - if anyone else has any updated info on this excursion, I'd sure love to hear about it!

I did the train to Moscow on the last voyage of the season on the Voyager Sept 25, 2016. Your questions. We left the ship at 4:30 am. Bus to the St Pete train station and left about 7:00am. While the train does have 3 classes, all of the tour was in the economy class. Seats are comparable to airplane economy plus seats. That is to say not that great. You can not upgrade. Our group of 45 were all in one car. The ride is 4 hours each way, with 2 stops along the way. Not much to see along the way, a few small farms and rivers. Left Moscow about 7:30 pm and back to the ship just before midnight. Yes it is a long day and the train ride is not that comfortable. As to why Regent didn't use a better class in the train, I was told that it was the vendor decision. This train is not the same as quality as the "Bullet" or TGV trains in western Europe.

Cost was about $1,300 pp. I was discounted 25 % becasue of my Titanium status.

They take you to the highlights, the Kremlin and its museums, ride on the Moscow subway and Red Square. I am glad I did the trip, but I would not do it again. But I knew that this was going to be a "one and done" trip for me.

You can email me if you have any other questions.

DeepFreeze63

We have been to both St. Petersburg (Regent and Viking) and Moscow (Viking). We loved them both. Our 3 days in Moscow were terrific but not long enough; I can't imagine "seeing" this fascinating city in one day. St. Petersburg is even better than Moscow! We have spent about 10, days there - just about enough. Unless this is absolutely the only way(time) that you will see Moscow, spent your few days in marvelous St. P.

I don't know if this is a 'one-and-done' for us, but if it is, I'd like to at least see Moscow. We've spent 3 days in St P before with two more coming up on this trip. We passed on this trip last time we were in St P so we could spend more time there but we've always somewhat regretted skipping Moscow. I know it's going to be like trying to experience NYC or D.C. In one day - not possible but still cool for the highlights.

Emperor Norton

I checked the ports section to see if there was any information in reference to going from St. Petersburg to Moscow, but there was nothing there. We are on the August 24 N. Europe sailing on Voyager and have booked the train trip to Moscow. Have any of you taken this trip and was it totally exhausting?   I did research on the train and noticed there are various categories of seats, similar to an airline with first class/ business class, etc. Was wondering what level Regent book's their customers in.   Another question, this is our first cruise on Regent and was wondering about the air. We booked a PH so business air is included, but I noticed quite a bit of posting about deviation. How do you know what you have been scheduled for by Regent or do you just check airlines and then notify Regent what you would like and they charge the extra fees?   thank you for any assistance you provide. I am so happy for CC and being able to get all the great info I do here. I don't post much but I sure do read a lot.:)

I did the train version of the trip on Seabourn. It was very exhausting. First I'd done Catherines palace the night before and due to an accident along the way didn't return until ~0100. The tour left at 0400 that morning and we didn't return until around midnight (then there was the third day of tours...). Seabourn sadly didn't book us into anything special so several hours of no recline seats, no a/c. That train ride was probably the worst part of the trip.

Links to what I saw in St. Petersburg/Moscow (I wasn't overly snap happy in Moscow - also at least at the time no photos in the museuems):

We were in St. Petersburg last summer and took a private tour to Moscow one day. I see on here that someone paid $1300 per person.

We found doing it privately was significantly better for the following reasons

1. We were picked up at 6am for the 7am train. (Not 4:30 am!!)

2. We were escorted to the seats on our train.

3. We were upgraded to business class ( my request)

4. We were met trainside by a private guide in Moscow.

5. It was our group (there were 6 of us) only and we had a 20 passenger coach driving us from site to site.

6. We chose what we wanted to visit and for how long.

7. We were escorted to our seats on the train on the return.

8. The only negative was the fact that the food (supplied free in business class) was pretty close to inedible.

9. When we got back to St Pete we asked for a night tour as we had all slept on the train.

The best part? I recall it was around $500 pp.

Just something to consider

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We were in St. Petersburg last summer and took a private tour to Moscow one day. I see on here that someone paid $1300 per person. We found doing it privately was significantly better for the following reasons 1. We were picked up at 6am for the 7am train. (Not 4:30 am!!) 2. We were escorted to the seats on our train. 3. We were upgraded to business class ( my request) 4. We were met trainside by a private guide in Moscow. 5. It was our group (there were 6 of us) only and we had a 20 passenger coach driving us from site to site. 6. We chose what we wanted to visit and for how long. 7. We were escorted to our seats on the train on the return. 8. The only negative was the fact that the food (supplied free in business class) was pretty close to inedible. 9. When we got back to St Pete we asked for a night tour as we had all slept on the train.   The best part? I recall it was around $500 pp.   Just something to consider     Sent from my iPhone using Forums

IMO, everything in Russia is better seen on private excursions. Your experience sounds so much better than what others have posted. We have been to St. Petersburg twice - there was so much to see that we have yet to see Moscow (given the time it takes to get there and back, it is unlikely that we will ever see it).

We were in St. Petersburg last summer and took a private tour to Moscow one day. I see on here that someone paid $1300 per person. We found doing it privately was significantly better for the following reasons.................................................................................   The best part? I recall it was around $500 pp.   Just something to consider

Except:::You can only do this trip on you own as you describe if you private purchase a Russian visa. The visa that the ship gets for the passengers do not allow for independent excursions.

Last time I checked the Russian visas cost was $225.00 and you need to send in your passport. Also the ship is in port for 3days/2 night so you can only do the trip on the 2nd full day. The train schedules are not consistent and what works one day may not the next. I looked into doing this on my own before I went last fall and decided that is was not worth saving (for me) $200 per person.

Except:::You can only do this trip on you own as you describe if you private purchase a Russian visa. The visa that the ship gets for the passengers do not allow for independent excursions.     Last time I checked the Russian visas cost was $225.00 and you need to send in your passport. Also the ship is in port for 3days/2 night so you can only do the trip on the 2nd full day. The train schedules are not consistent and what works one day may not the next. I looked into doing this on my own before I went last fall and decided that is was not worth saving (for me) $200 per person.   J

Can you still fly to Moscow? This would save a lot of time - even though it would cost more $$$.

Johnthesailor

If you are with a licensed guide you do not need a visa. The guide has to be with you the entire time, including on the train and must be sanctioned by the authorities. Doesn't matter if you are going around locally or around Moscow. It might matter if you intended to stay the night but the references here have been to same day tours.

If you are with a licensed guide you do not need a visa. The guide has to be with you the entire time, including on the train and must be sanctioned by the authorities. Doesn't matter if you are going around locally or around Moscow. It might matter if you intended to stay the night but the references here have been to same day tours.   Best, John

Not true. You need a visa if you are going to use anyone other than a official ship tour.

Yes you can fly, but the train is much faster overall time wise when you add in transfer time, security, pre-boarding, flight, deplaning, transfer to Moscow, you need to figure about 6 hours each way.

Not true. You need a visa if you are going to use anyone other than a official ship tour.   j

J, not sure about that - every thing I've seen so far says as long as you're with a licensed tour company you don't need a visa. Doesn't specify only ships tours, but the 72-hour visa exemption is only for cruise passengers. Visas are only required if you want to go out on your own.

At least that was my understanding.

A lot of what everyone is saying is true but, there are some missing nuances. Yes, everyone going ashore in Russia needs a visa. The ship get a blanket visa covering everyone going on ships tours and everyone has to remain with the tour. For those taking independent tours, the major tour companies are able to get you a Visa that again allows you on tours where again you have to stay with the tour. Therefore, if you want to do an indepent tour to Moscow you have to go with a tour company that will get your the required visa.as long as the tour company gets it for you. Now the tricky part. From reading it appears that some tour companies don't have the guide accompanying you on the train or plane and for that you would need a visa you get yourself. So, appears if you want to do an independent tour to Moscow, you have to use a tour company that will get you the required visa and have guides that are with your the entire day. Cannot drop you at the train station and then get another guide upon arrival in Moscow. Of course that is an assumption and perhaps the tour company is allowed to put you on the train or plane and then pick you up upon arrival. Best to ask the requirements from the tour companies organizing the one day tours to Moscow.

There are easy tours to Moscow - less $$$ than with Regent. Check out this site: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Petersburg/St-Petersburg-Shore-Excursion-Private-Moscow-Day-Trip-Including-Flight-and-Train/d908-6225PRTSPBMOSPRIV . Viator is a personal favorite of ours. You fly one way and take a train back.

Here is another option: http://www.guide-guru.com/destinations/petersburg-cruise-tours/1-day-moscow-cruise/air/ Neither of these options require a visa!

Alternatively, you can get your own visa and do it on your own. IMO, using a tour company is the easiest way to go:)

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Dramatic footage shows couple rescued during storm on 40ft yacht

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This is the moment police saved a terrified couple after an unexpected storm hit their 40ft yacht off the Essex coast.

Roy Harris and his partner Caroline Wilson were sailing in their yacht, the Samphire, when a storm took them by surprise.

Mr Harris and his partner had been sailing back to the River Crouch in Essex from Kent’s Isle of Sheppey last Sunday when an unforecasted storm damaged their yacht, which began taking on water.

After the yacht became damaged Mr Harris sent out a distress call requesting emergency assistance.

Essex Police’s Marine Unit was scrambled and found the couple near the Gunfleet Sands off-shore windfarm, four miles off Clacton.

Officers rescued the couple and brought both them and their yacht back to shore.

Sergeant Alex Southgate, PC John Perry and special constable Scott Mccabe were on Operation Wave-Breaker patrols in the force’s rib, Sentinel, when they picked up the distress call and rushed out to the Samphire.

Working with the Dover Coastguard Operations Centre, they located the yacht and rescued the distressed couple.

Mr Harris heaped praise on Essex Police’s maritime unit for saving their lives and admitted he wouldn’t have sailed had he known they would have hit a storm.

‘When Alex leapt onto the boat, touched my arm and said, ‘You’re safe now’, it was such a comfort,’ Mr Harris said. ‘I had been scared for my life. The officers should be recognised for their bravery – they don’t just nick criminals, they save people’s lives.

‘We sailed for six to seven hours in good conditions but then the water started whipping up and, when we turned into the Crouch, the wind caught the tender (dinghy) on the front of Samphire, the jib sheet broke, the ropes got tangled and water started pouring through the hatch.

‘I became exhausted very quickly and sent a PAN-PAN. I didn’t want to call for assistance because the airwaves were busy but I had no choice.

‘The Essex Police Marine Unit turned up out of the blue – I wasn’t expecting them at all. I can’t express my gratitude and appreciation enough. I feel like my life has been saved.’

Sgt Southgate added that the storm saw waves crashing over the Samphire, making their approach dangerous as it was a very windy day.

He added: ‘PC Perry’s skill and judgement at the helm enabled him to get Sentinel safely alongside.He timed everything perfectly with the wave movement and the rising and falling of the yacht to allow me to safely cross over and board the yacht.

‘Having done this, I was able to check the crew and ascertain that the skipper was suffering from severe sea sickness and was in a state of shock.

‘Once we’d checked everything over, I was able to take control of the yacht and steer it to the safety of Brightlingsea Harbour.

‘It’s great to know everyone’s got each other’s back at sea.’

Due to the stormy conditions and the Samphire’s damaged sail, the journey to shore took more than two hours on rough seas instead of the 45 minutes the trip would take in normal conditions.

Sgt Southgate added: ‘Thankfully, we were out on Operation Wave-Breaker patrols in the area that day and were able to locate Mr Harris and his partner in time.’

Essex Police’s Marine Unit runs Operation Wave-Breaker between April and September each year to tackle anti-social behaviour and promote water safety, mounting high-visibility patrols along the Essex coastline to keep those in the water safe.

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Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition

Thursday briefing: russia says ukraine aimed drones at moscow.

Plus, China’s “road-trip auntie.”

By Justin Porter

Russia says Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow

Russia said it repelled a drone attack against Moscow yesterday, as Ukraine presses on with its offensive in Russia’s southern Kursk region. The Russian authorities did not report any damage or casualties, saying 10 Ukrainian attack drones were destroyed by the capital’s air defenses.

A Washington-based think tank said Ukraine was making marginal advances within Russia. Footage showed that Ukrainian troops had entered the outskirts of Korenevo, a town of about 5,000 people, and pushed into two more villages. Russian forces are trying to install pontoons to cross a section of the Seym River after Ukraine destroyed several bridges.

President Vladimir Putin has promised a decisive response to Ukraine’s incursion, but so far there has been more focus on containment than retaliation. Russian forces have slowed Ukraine’s advance and hardened the front line, setting up the next phase of a battle with high stakes for both sides. Instead of weakening the Kremlin, the invasion may eventually cause more Russian citizens to rally around the flag , some analysts said.

Context: Drone assaults away from the front lines have become a feature of the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine also said it had intercepted 50 Russian drones over its territory overnight.

Israel and Hezbollah trade strikes with talks stalled

The Israeli military and Hezbollah traded cross-border strikes yesterday, as months of diplomatic efforts have failed to ease hostilities.

Israel said that it had struck weapon-storage facilities used by Hezbollah. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 30 others, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. Hezbollah said it had responded by targeting an Israeli base in the Golan Heights, which Israel said had caused at least one injury.

Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in Gaza are at a standstill, despite hopes from the U.S. that a new proposal could break the deadlock. In broad terms, the U.S. proposal appears to conform to demands by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israeli troops continue to patrol part of Gaza along the border with Egypt. Here’s what we know about the proposed deal .

An Israeli strike on a school turned shelter in Gaza City killed at least two people, according to Gazan emergency services. Here are other key developments in the war .

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Israeli men clashed with the police outside a conscription center over a court-ordered military draft.

🇺🇸 U.S. ELECTION 2024

The presidential election is less than 80 days away. This is what we’re watching.

Changing the message on Trump

Kamala Harris and her allies are crafting a new approach to Donald Trump. Democrats have portrayed him as a dangerous villain, a racist and a threat to democracy. Now, they’re trying something else — deflating him.

Harris and her allies have argued at the Democratic National Convention that Trump is a meanspirited fraud who is playing a long con on the American people. They are depicting him as a fake working man’s populist and an anti-union “scab.”

The strategy is designed not just to earn applause but to win votes, eroding Trump’s support among the undecided and mostly white middle-class voters in three states that are likely to decide the election: Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

On Day 3 of the convention, taking place on Wednesday night in the U.S., the jovial, blunt-spoken Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, will speak to the largest audience of his political career, as he formally accepts the nomination for vice president. Bill Clinton is also expected to take the stage.

Here’s what else to know:

Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, are in North Carolina for Trump’s first outdoor rally since an assassination attempt. He will be shielded by bulletproof glass .

The ascension of Harris has unleashed a gusher of political donations to Democrats .

Michelle Obama’s militaristic sleeveless outfit suggests this election will be a fight , our fashion critic writes.

Do you have questions about the election? Send them to us, and we’ll find the answers.

Stay up to date: Live coverage | Poll tracker | The “Run-Up” podcast | On Politics newsletter

MORE TOP NEWS

Economy: The U.S. added far fewer jobs in 2023 and early 2024 than previously reported.

Italy: Divers recovered the bodies of four passengers from a yacht that sank near Sicily.

Thailand: A former deputy prime minister slapped a female reporter , prompting demands for an investigation.

Iran: At least 28 religious pilgrims from Pakistan were killed when their bus overturned.

U.S.: Bird flu is poised to gain a firm foothold in cattle, raising the odds of an outbreak among people .

Bosnia: A school employee fatally shot three people in a town in the northwest.

Science: Rain may have been an essential ingredient for the origin of life , according to a new study.

Cricket: The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup has been moved from Bangladesh to the Emirates because of political instability.

Baseball: The World Baseball Classic has released its 2026 tournament formats, brackets and schedule. Check it out.

Field hockey: Erin Matson has carved herself a place in women’s athletics. Can field hockey, which exists in the margins of U.S. sports, capitalize on her fame?

MORNING READ

A “speedy little star” — either a low-mass star or a brown dwarf — is traveling through the Milky Way at about a million miles an hour . That could be fast enough to break free from the gravitational clutches of our galaxy, and may shed light on the oldest, and some of the fastest, stars in our skies.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

Between the sheets: Sex therapists shared the advice they repeat constantly. For starters, don’t get so hung up on how often you have, or want, sex.

Online hate: Several people in Britain were arrested over posts they made during recent anti-immigrant riots, raising questions about the limits of free speech.

Hacking shoppers’ psyche: More than 100 million people visit the retail juggernaut Costco for everything from groceries and gas to gold bars and pet coffins.

ARTS AND IDEAS

Meet china’s ‘road-trip auntie’.

Four years ago Su Min left home, an abusive marriage and started a solo road trip across China. Since then, she’s become an internet sensation and an accidental icon of women’s awakening across the country.

But she never filed for divorce — until a month ago. Her husband refused at first, and a legal fight loomed. Judges in China often deny petitions or force couples into mediation that disadvantages women, studies show, and domestic violence claims are often ignored. Her husband gave in only after she agreed to pay him more than $22,000 .

“It’s all I have — how could I not be upset?” Su, 60, said in an interview. Still, she said, “even though money is very important, freedom is more important.”

RECOMMENDATIONS

Cook: Roasting brings out the best in tomatoes and okra, and adding shrimp levels them up.

Beware: It’s risky to reunite with an ex — just ask Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.

Listen: Amplifier has seven collaborations you need to hear right now.

Play: Spelling Bee , the Mini Crossword , Wordle and Sudoku . Find all our games here .

That’s it for today. See you tomorrow. — Justin

We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at [email protected] .

Justin Porter is Times editor working on the Newsletters desk. More about Justin Porter