who owns the super yacht utopia

• Exclusive Interviews
• The Best Luxury Yachts

JR Ridinger reveals personal insight on the purchase and customization of his new Superyacht, Utopia IV

• March 26, 2018

Lux Exposé. When and how did your love affair with yachts begin?

JR. I have always been a water person or soul. In fact, for what it’s worth, astrologically I am a triple pisces.   I was educated as a Marine Biologist and worked for Sandy Hook Marine Lab, NOAA for a year.

I used to take my wife Loren (girl-friend at the time) out in an outboard 16ft. ‘dingy’ back when I was broke and just starting our business. We would cruise the water ways of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and look at the mega yachts and I told her: “some day we are going to own one.”   A lot of water has gone over the dam since then and we climbed the boat ladder without necessarily really intending to do so.

I started out with a 27 ft. Carver Cabin Cruiser, then a 38 ft. Wilkerson express similar to Sea Ray, then Utopia I, a 105 ft. Hatteras Yacht extension followed by Utopia II 116 ft. classic canoe stern Fed-Ship. Our last yacht, which we will regrettably have to part with because you cannot have two girl friends at once is a 160 ft. Trinity. She was built in the hay day of Trinities and there are many incredible memories left aboard.   She was kind of a legend in her own time and impeccably cared for but nothing can equal the new Utopia IV – Rossinavi Vector.

Utopia IV: The Launch with Rossinavi (Pisa, Italy)

Lux Exposé. What was your previous model yacht?

JR. We still have her, but will have to find a new home for her. She is a 160 ft. Trinity tri deck with blue hull. Loved her because she is fast (21Knots and 18 cruising) and the most spacious for a yacht of that size.  

Trinity built these yachts to be right under the commercial registration and flagging requirements; so you got the most boat for the money, speed, and shallow draft to get in most destinations or to reside behind the house on the water.  

See the attached Utopia III brochure for more information.  Inquiries: Anthony Akers, (336) 337-4148, [email protected]

Click to see video of Utopia III

Lux exposé. what were some of the major factors you and your wife chose rossinavi as builder and designer enrico gobbi to commission your dream yacht.

JR . Interesting question. I never built a yacht before and never really considered it as an option because I had heard too many shipyard nightmares. However, we had scoured the market place to meet our requirements for a new yacht with more space for entertaining and our expanding family.

I was forward-looking and forward-thinking because we had reached a station in life where yachting had become a lifestyle that served us well both personally, socially, and business wise. We wanted more space, speed, shallow draft, metal hull, and the most modern technology.

My concerns about what appeared to be impossible engineering, design, marine architecture were resolved by investigating and finding that this new paradigm was already used by the US Navy and the technology and engineering became available in the last several years.   It is absolutely revolutionary and leading the parade.

After we had a meeting of the minds on the basic deal they came to Miami for a few days and worked through details. They were absolutely fabulous and we consummated the agreement. More important we broke bread at a favorite Italian restaurant and become friends anchored in mutual respect as well as partners in the project.

Enrico Gobbi, Team For Design is simply a genius and easy to work with and has made this yacht into a masterpiece of art and design.

Amazing things happen when you surround yourself with a good team. Have so much love for @rossinavi @enrico_gobbi_team_for_design and their incredible vision for us! @utopiaiv is our masterpiece! @jrridinger @marketamerica @shopcom #builtwithlove #superyacht #utopiaiv A post shared by Loren Ridinger (@lorenridinger) on Mar 10, 2018 at 10:27am PST

Lux Exposé. Tell us your experiences while working with designers about choosing custom options for your new yacht.

  JR. This can make or break a yacht’s appeal. Our experience with this in the past has been frustrating, complicated, compromised and expensive (over budget). However, the process of selecting custom options was surprisingly an exception to that.

Gobbi got to know us and some of our projects and we made it clear that we loved his basic concept for the Yacht. He worked closely with Loren, was fast and exceeded our expectations. We are still pinching ourselves. He really cares. The entire design of the yacht is Italian sleek and sexy inspired by Italian auto lines and elegance.

We loved the minimalistic design that already existed. However, Enrico and Loren hit it off and Loren is already a bit of an interior designer in her own right having done our seven houses around the world. But Enrico is simply genius and we shared the same vision. This has not been our experience with other designers or interior decorators. His attention to quality and detail is impressive and he doesn’t miss anything. His passion for this project would be hard to equal and he did it with us, but as if it where his own. His fingerprint or signature is on this master piece. He also is cost conscious without compromising the elements or quality of the design.

The most amazing thing about this process is that it was the first project in our lives that was easy, gorgeous, on time, and within budget.  

Utopia IV: Pre-Launch at Rossinavi (Pisa, Italy)

Lux Exposé. What major role did your wife Loren Ridinger play in the purchase of Utopia IV?

JR. Oh My God! She made the deal when I ran into a dead end on price and she made it happen.

We made critical major choices and decisions together but she totally made it happen on the design and decorating end partnering with Enrico Gobbi.

Neither one of us have the time to do this because are both at the helm of a large growing international company, Market America, Inc. and SHOP.COM

Time is the most valuable commodity! I handled the contracts, financing, government registrations and maritime law compliance as well as the process of monitoring milestones and releasing staged funding.   I had a great team that made it happen seamlessly. But this yacht has been a life time dream and Loren made it possible and I am thankful for having such an inspired, smart (also beautiful) wife who makes things happen.

Lux Exposé. For anyone thinking about purchasing a custom built yacht what are some of the key factors to look out for?

Know the market, due diligence.

Do your due diligence. Look for disputes or problems in the past regarding the yard and bring it up and get their answer. Building a yacht is something like getting married. It is easier to get into than to get out of and if it goes badly it can be a nightmare. Talk to people that they deal with – customers who built boats, brokers, suppliers, contractors, maritime lawyers, captains.

Utopia IV: Timelapse - The Move from Rossinavi

Lux Exposé. Can you tell us where some of your favorite destinations to sail are located and why?

JR. We have never cruised the Mediterranean or Adriatic and Greek isles on our own yacht but have chartered several times. We are going to do that as the maiden voyage on Utopia IV.  

Unlike some owners, we use the yachts all the time and it is a lifestyle. When she returns to the US, we will repeat cruises through the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and West Indies and St. Bartholomew. The Yacht sits behind our homes in Miami, NY and Connecticut and is part of our home and lifestyle.

We frequent the Bahamas and Miami – Florida coast and waterways. We belong to Cat Cay Yacht Club and have a house there so we make weekend runs there. The Yacht runs north to NY (Chelsea Piers) and Greenwich. One of our favorite trips is through New England waterways during the summer. That always include, Sag harbor, Newport,   Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Boston Harbor.

The Why is because they are all unique and different yachting destinations that we love. Variety is the spice of life!

Lux Exposé. Speaking of destinations what locations have you not sailed to but now are on the top of your list?

JR. As I previous mentioned, we have a long list of destinations in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Croatia, Geek Isles.   We haven’t been to Bermuda by yacht so that is a goal between NY and Miami 300 miles off NC.

 The boat is really the destination!   There are so many places in the Caribbean Sea that one can fly to the yacht and Island hop in sequence through the West Indies from Bahamas to Virgin Islands to West Indies, including the Lesser Antilles, and Leeward Islands.

We haven’t sailed to Barbados where we got married.   Cuba, Cartagena, are destinations we have not been and are on the list.

Lux Exposé.   Can you name a few advantages of Utopia IV as far as its design and capabilities?

JR. This is a potentially dangerous question as there is a lot.   Here is a list of the top 5:

1. Four water jet propulsion engines in Rolls Royce housing that all steer separately allowing for maximum agility in maneuvering. It also eliminates the problem of Props hitting debris or bottom and allows for shallow water navigation.

2. Shallow draft of 7ft on a 63+ meter yacht is rare and allows it to go places others its size cannot go.

3. Blistering fast for its size at 28 knots.

4. Unique design features like “Beach” on the stern that hydraulically extends out for lounging, Balcony off master suite, swimming pools, and spacious because of the wider beam.

5. Gyro Stabilizers – state if the art – space age 6500 rpms

Lux Exposé. Does the final result of Utopia IV live up to your dreams as the yacht you’ve always wanted?

JR. Yes, it really does and now its time to enjoy the journey!

#LUXAPPROVED

Be the first to leave a review.

Your browser does not support images upload. Please choose a modern one

Share this:

• Luxury Real Estate

Discover the Architectural Brilliance of Owl Creek Ski House

• August 23, 2024

BOSS and Aston Martin Debut Collaborative Capsule

• August 21, 2024
• Hotels and Resorts

Fairmont Orchid Hosts Two Episodes of “The Bachelorette” on Hawaiʻi Island

• August 20, 2024

Luxury on the Water: The Advantages of Renting a Yacht in the UAE

Let us know what you think cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Delve into a Handpicked Collection of Premium Articles, Delivered Weekly Directly to Your Inbox

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

Q&A with the Owner of Utopia IV on Building a Dream

By Christina Tsangaris

Having built an empire, JR Ridinger the owner of the latest launched Utopia IV by Rossinavi, built his latest superyacht dream with entertainment, business and family in mind. With such a sentiment, the process of merging design, function and aesthetic couldn't have come together more perfectly following previous fleet members such as Utopia I, II and III. We find out how the latest legend of them all, the Rossinavi built Utopia IV, made every asking dream a reality.

Congratulations Loren and JR on bringing 63-metre Project Vector to the water. How has your journey working with Rossinavi and Enrico Gobbi to bring this vision to life?

Thank you very much, that's a great question. I never built a yacht before and never really considered it as an option because I had heard too many shipyard nightmares. We had scoured the marketplace to find a vessel that met our requirements for a new yacht that would have more space for entertaining as well as our rapidly expanding family.

Thankfully, I was forward-looking/thinking as yachting has become a lifestyle that serves us well personally, socially and businesswise. We knew that we wanted more space and speed, a shallow draft, a metal hull and the most modern technology. We looked for a year and no broker could find the match.  We started doing a personal search and came across this revolutionary new concept. At first, I was skeptical and was sure that there was something wrong with it from what I know about yacht/marine architecture and engineering. On top of that she was pricey and over our number at the time. Loren (my wife) got on the phone with Claudia Rossi (the owner and CEO -- Claudio's - daughter) and they somehow made the deal work!

After we had a meeting of the minds on the basic deal the Rossinavi team came to Miami for a few days and we all worked through details. They were absolutely fabulous and we consummated the agreement. More importantly, we broke bread at a favorite Italian restaurant and became friends anchored in mutual respect as well as partners in the project.

Enrico Gobbi (Team For Design) is simply a genius -- so easy to work with and has made this yacht into a masterpiece of art and design!

You chose a fitting name for this stunning Rossinavi boat, what was the thinking behind naming Utopia IV?

We all aspire to live in a perfect world, Utopia. Utopia I was a 105 ft. Hatteras Yacht extension followed by Utopia II (a 116 ft. classic canoe stern Feadship). Utopia III regrettably is for sale because you cannot have 2 "girlfriends" at once! She is a magnificent 150 ft. Trinity, built in the heyday of Trinities - when Trinity built yachts right under the commercial registration and flagging requirements so you got the most boat for the money, lots of speed and a shallow draft. There are so many incredible memories left aboard. She is kind of a legend in her own time and has been impeccably cared for ( www.TheUtopia3.com )

That being said, nothing can equal the new Utopia IV (Rossinavi Vector)!

She has a stunning balance and an incredibly sleek exterior, how involved were you in her creation?

Thank you!  We very much knew what we were looking for, which made it really efficient to work with the Rossinavi team on exterior design and our stringent requirements.  I thoroughly researched Rossinavi's work and reputation as I performed a good amount of due diligence because they are a relatively new pedigree. They had recently won awards at the Monaco Boat Show, they were known to pay all of their contractors on time and they had a great reputation all the way back prior to Rossinavi's inception to when they were just metal fabricators and hull builders.  Everything they did was solid.

My concerns about what appeared to be impossible engineering/design/marine architecture were promptly resolved by learning that this new paradigm was already being used by the U.S. Navy; the technology and engineering has become commercially available in the last several years. It is absolutely revolutionary and leading the parade!

We are yet to have a glimpse inside, could you tell us the kind of style you have gone for with your interiors? Are there any stand out features?

Custom interior design can make or break a yacht's appeal. Our experience with this in the past has been frustrating, complicated, compromised and expensive (over budget).  This time, however, the process of selecting custom options was surprisingly an exception to that. Gobbi got to know us and some of our projects and we made it clear that we loved his basic concept for the yacht. He worked closely with Loren, was fast and exceeded our expectations. We are still pinching ourselves.  He really cares.

The entire design of the yacht is Italian sleek and sexy -- inspired by Italian auto lines and elegance. We loved the minimalistic design that already existed. Enrico and Loren hit it off and Loren is already a bit of an interior designer in her own right having decorated our seven homes around the world. Enrico is simply a genius and, fortunately, we shared the same vision. This has not been our experience with other designers or interior decorators.  His attention to quality and detail is impressive and he doesn't miss anything. His passion for this project would be hard to equal and he did it with us, but as if it were his own. His fingerprint or signature is on this masterpiece. He also is cost conscious without compromising the elements or quality of the design. The most amazing thing about this process is that it was the first project in our lives that was easy, gorgeous, on-time and within budget.  

If you had to describe Utopia IV in three words what would they be?

Sleek, sexy & Italian!   

More news About…

Companies linked to this story, more news from ..., new launches.

Watch: On board stunning new superyacht Utopia IV

• Inspiration

Related News

Popular news this week, popular news this month, latest news.

• Yacht Charter & Superyacht News >

Written by Rachael Steele

Rossinavi has announced that 63m/207ft luxury yacht UTOPIA IV was delivered to her Owners last month and a video tour of the interiors with Loren Ridinger, who along with her husband JR Ridinger co-founded marketing business ‘Market America’.

Superyacht Utopia IV Rossinavi

The indoor/outdoor space flows into one another to create massive entertainment areas, starting with the plush lounge setting that extends out on the swim platform from the beach club with bar. The main deck continues the offerings with a glass-sided swimming pool on the main deck aft and a gorgeous outdoor lounge placed in the shade. Glass sliding doors open into the main salon, where an elegant bar is positioned to serve guests inside or out, and aft and forward-facing sofas dividing up the spacious lounge to create more intimate social areas. A TV is placed behind the mirror on the forward wall for a seamless effect that hides the technology when not in use.

The formal dining area seats 12 in a stylish environment in neutral tones that continues the styling and lighting of the other guest areas. The Owner’s suite combines an office, lounge and bedroom into one large apartment and en-suite bathroom with a private spa pool. Access to the private deck terrace is achieved at the touch of a button and the widescreen TV drops down from the ceiling for entertainment without leaving the comfort of the apartment.

Rossinavi yacht Utopia IV

The upper deck aft has enough seating for up to 50 guests at quayside events and contains a wet bar, formal dining area and an abundance of seating and drinks tables along the stern. Loren Ridinger’s favourite upper deck room is the skylounge, a sophisticated light-filled environment with a relaxing atmosphere perfect for family gatherings. A gigantic widescreen TV slides out of the wall to cover the window and the room becomes a cinema for films before bedtime.

The sundeck is exposed to the wonderful summer Mediterranean weather and guests can rest in the warmth on the sun loungers or sunpads. A barbeque is also located on this deck for quick and easy meals before the group returns to their nap.

Personal touches can be found in the layout and design features, including a children’s play room and a staircase sculpture incorporating the children’s names as well as businesses ‘Shop.com’ and ‘Marketing America’.

As lavish as superyacht UTOPIA IV is, she’s just as powerful and is capable of an impressive top speed of 27 knots, a cruising speed of 24 knots and when trimmed back to 12 knots, a range of 3,300 nautical miles.

M/Y UTOPIA IV is currently cruising the Mediterranean and her streamlined dark hull might be spotted docked along the Italian Riviera .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Watch: On board stunning new superyacht Utopia IV".

• Charity & Fund Raising
• CharterWorld News
• Classic Yachts
• Coronavirus
• Cruise Ship
• Ecological Yachts
• Expedition Yachts
• Expert Broker Advice
• Feature Superyachts
• Interior Design
• Legal & VAT Yacht Issues
• Luxury Catamarans
• Luxury Gulet
• Luxury Phinisi
• Luxury Trimarans
• Luxury Yacht Design
• Luxury Yachts
• Marinas & Harbours
• Marine Ecology
• Marine Electronics
• Marine Equipment
• Mega Yachts
• Modern Yachts
• Motor Yachts
• New Launch Yachts
• New To Charter
• Open Style Sports Yachts
• Private Jets
• Sailing Yachts
• Social Media
• Sports Yachts
• Superyacht Crew
• Superyacht Photographers
• Superyacht Products & Supplies
• Superyacht Refits
• Superyacht Reviews
• Superyachts
• Uncategorized
• Yacht Builders
• Yacht Charter
• Yacht Charter Destinations
• Yacht Charter Picks
• Yacht Charter Specials
• Yacht Delivered to Owner
• Yacht Designers
• Yacht Events & Boat Shows
• Yacht Fashion
• Yacht Industry News
• Yacht Photos
• Yacht Racing
• Yacht Racing & Regattas
• Yacht Safety Equipment
• Yacht Support Vessels
• Yacht Tenders
• Yacht Videos
• Yachting Associations
• Yachting Awards
• Yachting Business
• Yachts For Charter
• Yachts For Sale

Quick Enquiry

Superyacht news:.

Email Your Yachting News to: news @ charterworld.com

55M DISPLACEMENT LUXURY SUPERYACHT

50M FAST DISPLACEMENT SUPERYACHT

Luxury Yachts At Events

The Mediterranean

Italian Riviera

Elegant 49m Rossinavi Superyacht POLARIS spotted in Livorno, Italy

Video Showing the Interiors of 39M Luxury Super Yacht ALYSSA

Video from debut of new interior on luxury yacht Princess 82 at London Boat Show

46m Feadship Yacht COMO sea trials

39m sailing yacht LINNEA AURORA launched by SES Yachts

MYBA Charter Show 2025 venue announcement

44m charter yacht JEMS offers 9 days for the price of 7 in August in Italy

Mengi Yay announce the launch of 48m superyacht SERENISSIMA I – the first hull in their S1 range

Contemporary motor sailing yacht REPOSADO has been delivered and is now available for charter throughout Croatia

53m motor yacht MAIA launched by Radez in Croatia

A dream yacht charter in the Mediterranean awaits on 65m luxury superyacht ZAZOU

Luxury mega yacht ROCINANTE seen on sea trials after refit at Lurssen shipyard

76m superyacht CORAL OCEAN offering charter special in the West Mediterranean

The Monaco Yacht Show 2024: a dazzling display of the best superyachts in the world and much more …

66m Benetti motor yacht IRYNA hits water in Italy

Explore the Western Mediterranean aboard 27m luxury yacht DANIDA

• Haute Complication
• Watch of the Week
• Watch Spotting
• Haute CEO Series
• On the Clock
• Haute Jewelry
• Haute Yachts

Loren & JR Ridinger’s Utopia IV Superyacht By Rossinavi Wins At World Superyacht Awards

This year marks the 14th annual World Superyacht Awards in association with Oyster Yachts, which took place in London. Recognizing some of the world’s finest luxury yachts in the categories of design, engineering, construction and more, owners, experts and enthusiasts attended the three-day event to witness which yachts would come out on top of an impressive, global list.

Winning in the category of Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 40m and Above was Utopia IV, built by Rossinavi and owned by Loren and JR Ridinger, founders of Market America|SHOP.COM . Utopia IV was the best and standout choice in a category that beared six of the most impressive superyachts on the planet.

Coming in at 63 meters—almost 207 feet—Utopia IV was the fastest yacht in its class, with 7,756kW being delivered via four MTUs to four Kamewa water jets, and a top speed of 33-knots. Though this and other elements of its power, such as the four light Rolls-Royce engines and four hydro jets, are incredibly impressive, these were not the only determining factors in Utopia IV’s victory.

Congratulations to the Rossinavi team and to the Ridingers on this esteemed recognition!

Advertisement

Related Posts

Haute Time Celebrates NFL Legend & August Cover Star Aaron Rodgers With Zenith Watches & Whispering Angel

Haute News: Chanel Takes A 25% Strategic Stake In MB&F

Timing Is Everything For Aaron Rodgers As He Enters The 2024 NFL Season

Everything You Need To Know About Jay-Z In The Exclusive Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon

Chanel Drops The Ultimate Wired Headphones For The Watch Enthusiast

ATP Pro Andrey Rublev Talks Tennis, Time, & His Incredibly Competitive Spirit

Casey Affleck Is Taking Risks And Taking Names With His Latest Film, “The Instigators”

Vacheron Constantin Releases A Series Of Four Limited-Edition Watches In The Métiers d’Art Collection

Take a Haute Look

Who Owns Which Superyacht? (A Complete Guide)

Have you ever wondered who owns the most luxurious, extravagant, and expensive superyachts? Or how much these lavish vessels are worth? In this complete guide, we’ll explore who owns these magnificent vessels, what amenities they hold, and the cost of these incredible yachts.

We’ll also take a look at some of the most expensive superyachts in the world and the notable people behind them.

Get ready to explore the world of superyachts and the people who own them!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The ownership of superyachts is generally private, so the exact answer to who owns which superyacht is not always publicly available.

However, there are some notable superyacht owners that are known.

For example, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, owns the Rising Sun, which is the 11th largest superyacht in the world.

Other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Overview of Superyachts

The term superyacht refers to a large, expensive recreational boat that is typically owned by the worlds wealthy elite.

These vessels are designed for luxury cruising and typically range in size from 24 meters to over 150 meters, with some even larger.

Superyachts usually feature extensive amenities and creature comforts, such as swimming pools, outdoor bars, movie theaters, helipads, and spas.

Superyachts can range in price from $30 million to an astonishingly high $400 million.

Like most luxury items, the ownership of a superyacht is a status symbol for those who can afford it.

The list of superyacht owners reads like a whos who of billionaires, with names like Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

While some superyacht owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extravagant amenities.

Some of the most famous superyachts feature swimming pools, private beaches, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and luxurious spas.

In conclusion, owning a superyacht is an exclusive status symbol for the world’s wealthy elite.

These vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million, and feature some of the most luxurious amenities imaginable.

Notable owners include the Emir of Qatar, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Who are the Owners of Superyachts?

From Hollywood celebrities to tech billionaires, superyacht owners come from all walks of life.

Many of the most well-known owners are billionaires, including Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Other notable owners include Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.

However, not all superyacht owners are wealthy.

Many are everyday people who have worked hard and saved up to purchase their dream vessel.

Other notable billionaire owners include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and former US President Donald Trump.

These luxurious vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million.

For many superyacht owners, their vessels serve as a status symbol of wealth and luxury.

Some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, while others have made headlines with their extensive amenities – from swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas.

Many of these yachts are designed to the owner’s exact specifications, ensuring that each one is totally unique and reflects the owner’s individual tastes and personality.

Owning a superyacht is an exclusive club, reserved for those with the means and the desire to experience the ultimate in luxury.

Whether they are billionaires or everyday people, superyacht owners are all united in their love of the sea and their appreciation for the finer things in life.

The Most Expensive Superyacht in the World

When it comes to superyachts, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, certainly knows how to make a statement.

His luxury vessel, the 463-foot Al Mirqab, holds the title of the world’s most expensive superyacht.

Built in 2008 by German shipbuilder Peters Werft, this impressive yacht is complete with 10 luxurious cabins, a conference room, cinema, and all the amenities one would expect from a vessel of this magnitude.

In addition, the Al Mirqab features a helipad, swimming pool, and even an outdoor Jacuzzi.

With a price tag of over $400 million, the Al Mirqab is one of the most expensive yachts in the world.

In addition to the Emir of Qatar, there are several other notable owners of superyachts.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos all own luxurious vessels.

Bezos yacht, the aptly named The Flying Fox, is one of the longest superyachts in the world at a staggering 414 feet in length.

The Flying Fox also comes with a host of amenities, such as a helipad, swimming pool, spa, and multiple outdoor entertaining areas.

Bezos also reportedly spent over $400 million on the vessel.

Other notable owners of superyachts include Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns the $200 million Kingdom 5KR, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who owns the $200 million Rising Sun.

There are also many lesser-known owners, such as hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, who owns the $150 million Aviva, and investor Sir Philip Green, who owns the $100 million Lionheart.

No matter who owns them, superyachts are sure to turn heads.

With their impressive size, luxurious amenities, and hefty price tags, these vessels have become a symbol of wealth and prestige.

Whether its the Emir of Qatar or a lesser-known owner, the worlds superyacht owners are sure to make a statement.

Notable Superyacht Owners

When it comes to the wealthiest and most luxurious owners of superyachts, the list reads like a whos who of the worlds billionaires.

At the top of the list is the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who holds the distinction of owning the most expensive superyacht in the world.

Aside from the Emir, other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

All of these owners have made headlines with their extravagant vessels, which are typically priced between $30 million and $400 million.

The amenities that come with these vessels vary greatly from owner to owner, but they almost always include luxurious swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and spas.

Some owners opt for more extravagant features, such as submarines, personal submarines, and even their own personal submarines! Other owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, but for those who prefer a more showy approach, they can certainly make a statement with a superyacht.

No matter who owns the vessel, it’s no surprise that these superyachts are a status symbol among the world’s wealthiest.

Whether you’re trying to impress your peers or just looking to enjoy a luxurious outing, owning a superyacht is the ultimate way to show off your wealth.

What Amenities are Included on Superyachts?

Owning a superyacht is a sign of wealth and prestige, and many of the worlds most prominent billionaires have their own vessels.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The cost of a superyacht can range from $30 million to over $400 million, but the price tag doesnt quite capture the sheer extravagance and amenities of these vessels.

Superyachts come with all the comforts of home, and then some.

Many owners will equip their vessels with swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, spas, and other luxury amenities.

The interior of a superyacht can be custom-designed to the owners specifications.

Some owners opt for modern, sleek designs, while others prefer a more traditional look.

Many of the most luxurious yachts feature marble floors, walk-in closets, and custom-made furniture.

Some vessels even come with a full-service gym, complete with exercise equipment and trained professionals.

Other amenities may include a library, casino, media room, and private bar.

When it comes to outdoor amenities, superyachts have some of the most impressive features in the world.

Many yachts come with outdoor entertainment areas, complete with full kitchens, dining rooms, and lounge areas.

Some owners even opt for hot tubs or jacuzzis for relaxing afternoons in the sun.

And, of course, there are the jet skis, water slides, and other exciting water activities that come with many of these vessels.

No matter what amenities a superyacht has, it is sure to be an experience like no other.

From the sleek interiors to the luxurious outdoor features, these vessels provide a unique, luxurious experience that is unrivaled on land.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or an exciting adventure, a superyacht is sure to provide.

How Much Do Superyachts Cost?

When it comes to superyachts, the sky is the limit when it comes to cost.

These luxury vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from anywhere between $30 million to over $400 million.

So, if youre in the market for a superyacht, youre looking at an investment that could easily break the bank.

The cost of a superyacht is driven by a variety of factors, including size, amenities, and customization.

Generally, the larger the yacht, the more expensive it will be.

Superyachts typically range in size from 100 feet to over 200 feet, and they can be as wide as 40 feet.

The bigger the yacht, the more luxurious features and amenities it will have.

Amenities also play a significant role in the cost of a superyacht.

While some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extensive amenities.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing a superyacht.

The more amenities a superyacht has, the more expensive it will be.

Finally, customization is another major factor that will drive up the cost of a superyacht.

Many luxury vessels have custom-designed interiors that are tailored to the owners tastes.

From custom furniture and artwork to lighting and audio systems, the cost of a superyacht can quickly escalate depending on the level of customization.

In short, the cost of a superyacht can vary widely depending on its size, amenities, and customization.

While some may be able to get away with spending a few million dollars, others may end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their dream yacht.

No matter what your budget is, its important to do your research and find out exactly what youre getting for your money before signing on the dotted line.

Keeping Superyachts Out of the Public Eye

When it comes to owning a superyacht, some owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

Understandably, these individuals are concerned with privacy and discretion, and therefore tend to take measures to ensure their yachts are not visible to outsiders.

For instance, some superyacht owners opt to keep their vessels in private marinas, away from the public areas of larger ports.

Additionally, some yacht owners may choose to hire security guards to patrol and protect their vessels while they are moored or sailing.

In addition to physical security, some superyacht owners also use technology to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

For example, a yacht owner may choose to install a satellite-based communications system that allows them to keep their vessel completely off-radar.

This system works by bouncing signals off satellites rather than transmitting them, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track the yachts movements.

Finally, some superyacht owners also choose to limit the number of people who have access to their vessels.

For instance, the owner may only allow family members and close friends to board the yacht.

Additionally, the owner may choose to employ a limited number of staff to help maintain the vessel and keep it running smoothly.

These individuals may be required to sign non-disclosure agreements to ensure they do not disclose any information about the yacht or its owner.

Overall, while some superyacht owners may choose to keep their vessels out of the public eye, there are still plenty of other ways to show off the opulence associated with owning a superyacht.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, there are many luxurious amenities that can make a superyacht the envy of any jet setter.

Final Thoughts

Superyachts are a symbol of luxury and status, and the list of yacht owners reads like a who’s who of billionaires.

From the Emir of Qatar’s world-record breaking $400 million yacht to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s vessel with a helicopter pad and on-board spa, the amenities of these luxury vessels are truly stunning.

With prices ranging from $30 million to over $400 million, owning a superyacht is an expensive endeavor.

Whether you’re looking to purchase one or just curious to learn more about the owners and their amenities, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to stay up to date with the superyacht scene.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

Recent Posts

When Was Banana Boat Song Released? (HISTORICAL INSIGHTS)

The "Banana Boat Song" was released in 1956 by Harry Belafonte. This calypso-style song, also known as "Day-O," became a huge hit and remains popular to this day for its catchy tune and upbeat...

How to Make Banana Boat Smoothie King? (DELICIOUS RECIPE REVEALED)

To make a Banana Boat Smoothie King smoothie at home, start by gathering the ingredients: a ripe banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, almond milk, and ice. Blend the banana, a scoop of...

• Charter & Brokerage
• Yacht Design & New Builds
• Tenders & Toys
• Superyacht Events Calendar
• Career & Training
• Departments
• Superyacht Crew Finances
• Sustainability
• Shipyards and Marinas
• Health & Wellbeing
• Polar Region
• Our Services
• Meet the Team

UTOPIA IV – 63 Meter Superyacht Now For Sale

The 63 metre Rossinavi superyacht Utopia IV  has been listed for sale by  Moran Yacht & Ship .

Built in aluminium by Italian yard  Rossinavi  to a design by Team For Design Enrico Gobbi, she was delivered in 2018 and is on the market for the first time since launch.

UTOPIA IV is a perfect blend of a luxury superyacht and high-performance sport boat. Her exterior has long beautiful lines and a slim profile. Her interior is elegant and roomy, sleeping 12 guests in 6 spacious en-suite cabins, including a forward-facing master suite with its own six metre terrace. The elegant interior combines simplicity with refined European style drawn from Hermes and Armani , two of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses. 

Her Highlights

• Elegantly Crafted Styling
• High-Performance Design
• 70 sqm Expansive Beach Club
• Built for Entertaining
• Swimming Pool and Large Sundeck
• Private Owner’s Lounge off Master Suite

Utopia IV is equipped with four 2,600hp MTU M96L diesel engines, coupled with Rolls Royce Kamewa waterjets. Giving her an impressive top speed of 28knots. She US Flagged and will be available for a few showings in Miami Beach, Florida.

Utopia IV Specifications

• LENGTH: 206′ 8″ / 63M  
• BEAM: 36′ 1″ / 11M                                                
• BUILDER: Rossinavi
• DRAFT: 7′3″ / 2.2M      
• GUESTS / CABINS: 12/6
• ASKING PRICE: USD 51,500,000                                          
• LOCATION: Miami Beach, Florida

Superyacht Content

Related articles

The below deck effect. reality tv & the world’s top 1%, yachtcrewhelp 2023 annual review results. where to go from 2024 & beyond, habacoa superyacht marina: bahamas launch in 2027, ulyssia superyacht. an unprecedented concept bigger than the titanic.

Popular Posts

• Superyacht Crew: The Rise of Non-Mandatory Training For Yacht Crew
• 58.5m Superyacht PHI Stuns During Sea Trials
• Please help us give this Clipper Race tragedy a silver lining
• Sustainability in yachting
• On Board M/Y Goose: A trip back in time for our MD

Social media influencer and digital brand expert.

Superyacht Content brings you the latest in social news for the superyacht industry.

Keep up to date with us across our social channels, and don’t forget to hit that share button!

• Superyacht News
• Superyacht Jobs
• Superyacht Marketing

Join our Newsletter

• Your Name First Last
• Your Email *

Copyright © 2023 Superyacht Content | Website Design by Zonkey

Privacy | Credits | Get in Touch

trending now

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce spotted enjoying romantic reunion...

Jennifer Lopez's friends claim singer tried to salvage failed...

Taylor Swift promotes pals Zoë Kravitz and Sabrina Carpenter's...

Jennifer Lopez shares sultry selfie in first post since filing...

The sweet meaning behind Justin and Hailey Bieber's son's name

Cheerful Ben Affleck spends quality time with his kids on ice...

Hailey Bieber gives birth to her and Justin's first child:...

Stephen Baldwin reacts to daughter Hailey, Justin Bieber's baby...

Millionaire jr ridinger’s yacht sinks gas tanker in bahamas boat accident.

Talk about a whole boatload of problems.

A $51 million superyacht, Utopia IV — owned by multimillionaire JR Ridinger — rear-ended and sunk a gas tanker in the Bahamas on Christmas Eve.

According to reports, the Utopia hit the stern of the tanker, the Tropic Breeze, at 10 p.m. off the coast of New Providence Island.

Maritime Management, which owns the sunken ship, told the local Caribbean National Weekly, “The catastrophic force of the collision pierced the stern of the tanker causing the tanker to sink to the ocean floor at an estimated depth of 2,000 feet.”

As for potential environmental damage, the company said that all “non-persistent materials [LPG, marine gas and automotive gas] … are lighter than water and will evaporate if exposed to surface air.”

Crew members were rescued by another passing superyacht, called Amara.

It is unclear if Ridinger, CEO of Market America and  Shop.com , was aboard the Utopia IV. There was no response to requests for comment from one of his companies. Page Six has also reached out to the Bahama’s Ministry of Transport and Housing.

The Utopia IV features four Rolls Royce hydro jets for speed and can sleep 12 in an interior outfitted with luxury brands like Hermes and Armani. There is a jacuzzi in the owner’s suite and a glass-bottomed pool.

When putting their West Chelsea duplex on the market in July 2020 — which offered up boat space at nearby Chelsea Piers — Ridinger’s wife, Loren, told the NY Post , “We’ve always been avid yachters so having our yacht across the street was super convenient.” 

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

US billionaire’s yacht sinks gas tanker in Bahamas

‘due to the depth of the ocean at the location of the sinking, it has been determined that the tanker cannot be safely salvaged,’ shipping company says, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the us, thanks for signing up to the evening headlines email.

A superyacht worth $51m owned by multimillionaire JR Ridinger crashed into a gas tanker and caused it to sink.

The yacht, Utopia IV, rear-ended the tanker, the Tropic Breeze, in the Bahamas on Christmas Eve, with the collision taking place off the coast of New Providence Island at around 10pm.

“The catastrophic force of the collision pierced the stern of the tanker causing the tanker to sink to the ocean floor at an estimated depth of 2,000 feet,” Maritime Management, which owns the Tropic Breeze, told the Caribbean National Weekly.

They added that all “non-persistent materials”, such as liquefied petroleum gas, marine gas, and automotive gas, “are lighter than water and will evaporate if exposed to surface air”.

Another superyacht, the Amara, passed the sinking ship and rescued the crew members. It’s unclear if Mr Ridinger was on the yacht during the collision. He’s the CEO of Market America and Shop.com.

The ship has engines from Rolls Royce to power it along and can host 12 sleeping guests, with the interior featuring brands such as Hermes and Armani. The owner’s quarters also feature a jacuzzi and a pool with a glass bottom.

Mr Ridinger and his wife Loren put their West Chelsea duplex up for sale in July 2020. The apartment was close to the parking space for their ship at Chelsea Piers.

“We’ve always been avid yachters so having our yacht across the street was super convenient,” she told The New York Post.

“The Port Department has begun a formal investigation into the incident, and the Department of Environmental Health is also conducting a review of the environmental impact. These activities are currently underway,” the Bahamas Ministry of Transport and Housing said in a statement according to the Caribbean National Weekly.

Utopia IV was built in 2018 at the Italian shipyard Rossinavi. The tanker measured 160 feet (49 metres) compared to the yacht’s 207 feet (63 metres).

Maritime Management added in their statement that the tanker, which is registered in Belize , was inspected this month “and was found by the authorities to be fully compliant with all national and international safety and vessel integrity standards”.

“Due to the depth of the ocean at the location of the sinking, it has been determined that the tanker cannot be safely salvaged,” they said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

By SuperyachtNews 21 Jan 2022

UPDATE: 63m M/Y Utopia IV spotted in Miami following collision

M/y utopia iv has been spotted in miami following an incident involving a collision with a tanker on christmas eve….

Image Credit:@ Diegoluca  on Instagram

The 63 metre Rossinavi motor yacht M/Y Utopia IV has been spotted in Miami following an incident involving a collision with a tanker on Christmas Eve last year. While the superyacht itself remains relatively unscathed considering the impact of the collision, investigations will need to be continued in order to identify the cause of the accident.

It has been confirmed that owners Loren and JR Ridinger were not on board during the accident and that there were no fatalities or serious injuries as a result of the crash.

SuperyachtNews coverage of the collision can be seen below -

63m M/Y Utopia IV collides with tanker in the Bahamas -27/12/2021

Image courtesy of salvage_and_wreckage

M/T Tropic Breeze was struck by the 63 metre Rossinavi superyacht M/Y Utopia IV at 22:03 pm on Christmas Eve just 15 miles off the coast of New Providence Island in the Bahamas. The 49 metre product tanker was travelling on its proper watch when it was ‘rear ended’ by the aluminium hull charter vessel. The collision led to the tanker sinking 2000 feet below sea level, however, all seven crew members were rescued without injury by M/Y Amara who were quick to respond to the distress call.

Several reports online have suggested that crew on-board M/Y Utopia IV did suffer minor injuries, however, no official statements have yet been made.

The tankers cargo onboard included non-persistent materials only - all of which have floated to the waters surface and subsequently have been easily dissipated into the atmosphere, meaning clean up action is only minimal. The 32 year old tanker was found by the authorities to be fully-compliant with all national and international safety and vessel integrity standards just a few weeks before the incident. Due to the depth of the ocean at the location where the incident occurred, it has been decided by authorities that the tanker can not be salvaged safely.

M/Y Utopia IV was originally commissioned by an American client in November 2014. Utopia IV’s unique features include a 70sqm beach club, three spa pools and a helipad. The 11m beam allows for a total interior volume of 986gt, and features a fast-displacement aluminium hull. After the launch, Rossinavi described the vessel as ‘fast and powerful’, with a maximum speed of 33 knots, an average cruising speed of 26 knots, and a range of  about 3,300 nautical miles. The speed upon impact is currently unknown.

Profile links

Join the discussion

63m m/y utopia collides with tanker.

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

It is just the same question after any collision, even with true professionals involved ...

How in this day and age can this happen!!!! BNWAS and radar and posting a proper lookout on the bridge. Maybe too much reliance on technology and not enough looking out the window with a set of bins! Whether the master likes it or not it is down to him.

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Related news

Installation of floating docks at Hurricane Hole

The addition of floating docks moves Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina closer to its December 2021 opening

The Bahamas : a success story with Kaisa Pace

A well-established destination for yachts, The Bahamas has been open for tourists since June of last year

Notes from M/Y Starfire's Atlantic crossing

Captain Paul Duncan reflects on completing his first Atlantic crossing since the beginning of the pandemic

Go’s captain discusses St. Maarten collision

Captain Simon Johnson has spoken to local media about the moments leading up to the incident

MAIB publishes accident report into Vision and Minx collision

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch looks into the lessons learned from the fatal 2019 incident

3 years ago

4 years ago

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

Watch CBS News

Here's what to know about Mike Lynch, the tech tycoon missing in the Sicily yacht disaster

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: August 21, 2024 / 12:05 PM EDT / CBS News

Mike Lynch, once hailed as "Britain's Bill Gates," is now among the six people missing after his luxury yacht sank in a violent storm off the coast of Sicily. At the time of the disaster, Lynch had been trying to shake more than a decade of legal entanglements that ended in June when he was cleared of fraud and conspiracy charges . 

On Wednesday, two bodies had been brought to shore in Porticello, near Palermo, and two more were in the process of being brought ashore. Britain's Telegraph newspaper reported that the bodies of Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter were among the remains recovered Wednesday, but the civil protection chief would not confirm that report to CBS News. 

Lynch, 59, rose to prominence in the late 1990s with the development of his software company, Autonomy, which helped businesses quickly find information buried in email and other digital documents. In 2011, Lynch sold the business to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion, giving him a $800 million payday and cementing him as one of the U.K.'s richest people. 

But the acquisition was later called one of the "most notorious failed mergers and acquisitions" after HP discovered alleged accounting issues, leading to Lynch's firing by HP's then-CEO, Meg Whitman. HP claimed that Autonomy had used accounting improprieties to bolster its underlying financials ahead of the acquisition, charges that Lynch steadfastly denied. 

The case stretched into a 12-year legal fight that ended in June 2024 when a federal court jury in San Francisco delivered not-guilty verdicts.

"I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most — my family and innovating in my field," Lynch said in a statement after the verdict.

Here's what to know about Lynch. 

What company did Mike Lynch start?

Lynch, who earned a PhD in mathematical computing from the U.K.'s Cambridge University, first cofounded a company called Cambridge Neurodynamics, based on the cofounders' work with pattern recognition. The firm used the tech to match fingerprints and car license plates, according to a 1997 article in The Guardian.

From there, Lynch cofounded Autonomy in 1996, which relied on a statistical model called Bayesian inference, named after a theorem developed by the 18th century statistician Thomas Bayes. (Lynch's luxury yacht was christened the "Bayesian.")

The company tapped into the growing need of businesses to sort through and find information within the vast reams of data created by the increasing use of computers and digital documents.

Autonomy's steady growth during its first decade resulted in Lynch being awarded one of the U.K's highest honors, the Office of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2006.

Lynch told The Guardian in 1997 that people didn't quite believe that a growing tech business could emerge from the U.K. 

"I have actually heard the comment, 'England, software? I thought you made bone china,'" he told the newspaper. 

What happened after Autonomy's acquisition by HP?

At first, HP celebrated the purchase as a huge coup that would propel the Palo Alto, California, company down a promising new path, but then quickly came to regret it under then-CEO Meg Whitman.

HP claimed it found accounting irregularities, and the company ended up recognizing $8.8 billion in losses in the Autonomy deal. Whitman eventually fired Lynch in 2012, while also laying off thousands of workers as HP's fortunes sagged. 

Throughout the past 12 years, Lynch rejected the allegations. He told the Wall Street Journal in 2012 that he was "ambushed" by the claims, which he described as "completely and utterly wrong."

What happened with Mike Lynch's legal case?

Lynch maintained his innocence while testifying earlier this year before a jury during a 2 1/2 month trial in San Francisco. U.S. Justice Department prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses in an attempt to prove allegations that Lynch engaged in accounting duplicity that bilked billions of dollars from HP.

The jury, as noted above, delivered not-guilty verdicts in June, vindicating Lynch, who pledged to return to the U.K. and to find new ways to innovate. 

Who is Mike Lynch's wife? 

Mike Lynch is married to Angela Bacares, who is one of the people rescued from the Mediterranean after the yacht sank. Lynch and Barares have two daughters. One of them, Hannah, 18, is among the missing, according to the BBC. 

Bacares, 57, owns shares in Darktrace, a British cybersecurity company she and Lynch co-founded, the Sun noted . She sat in the front row of the courtroom during her husband's trial, but generally has preferred to stay out of the public eye, the Times of London reported in July.

"We made the decision that Angela would not be involved in the case. She stayed completely separate. Her focus was the family and children," Lynch told the Times last month.

— With reporting by the Associated Press.

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

More from CBS News

Police seek help identifying man found in Broward County canal

Mega-job fair to be held in Sunrise next week. Here's what to know.

Florida's health department offering credit monitoring after data breach

Miami-Dade mom, son hospitalized after getting hit by delivery vehicle

Advertisement

Supported by

Who Was on the Sunken Yacht? Tech Mogul Mike Lynch, His Family and Friends.

Mr. Lynch, the former chief executive of the software firm Autonomy, who was acquitted on fraud charges in June, was with friends and family when the yacht went down in a severe storm.

• Share full article

By Michael J. de la Merced

Michael de la Merced reported on Mike Lynch’s career and legal battles over the course of 13 years across two continents.

A cruise on the Mediterranean Sea aboard a superyacht was supposed to be a celebratory event for the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , who was acquitted in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company, Autonomy, to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

Instead, it turned into a disaster after the yacht, a 180-foot boat called the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily in a violent storm. Of the 22 people aboard, 15 were rescued and seven others died . Search operations ended on Friday after the final body was recovered from the site of the sunken yacht .

Here’s what we know about the passengers.

Mike Lynch and his family

Mr. Lynch, 59, is a British software entrepreneur who had once been described as his country’s Bill Gates. He founded the software firm Autonomy, which analyzed clients’ unorganized data, and turned it into one of the most prominent British technology companies of its time. He became a widely known corporate leader, who advised David Cameron, the British prime minister at the time, and joined the board of the BBC.

In 2011, Mr. Lynch sold Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion, which was far above its market value, earning him hundreds of millions. But HP investors almost immediately soured on the transaction, and the American tech giant quickly fired its chief executive — and then Mr. Lynch.

HP later accused Mr. Lynch of misleading it about the state of Autonomy’s business, setting off a decade-long legal ordeal for the British executive, who denied the accusations. U.S. prosecutors charged him and other executives with fraud, and Autonomy’s chief financial officer was convicted in 2018.

Despite appeals to the British government, Mr. Lynch was extradited to the United States last year and was confined to a townhouse in San Francisco ahead of his criminal trial, which began in March. Facing the possibility of decades in prison if convicted, Mr. Lynch and another colleague were instead acquitted of all charges.

An official in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, said on Thursday that Mr. Lynch’s body had been recovered. His wife, Angela Bacares, 57, accompanied him on the yacht, and she was rescued on Monday when it sank. She was a consistent presence at his trial in the United States. Records show that she controlled Revtom, the company listed as the owner of the Bayesian.

The body of Hannah Lynch , Mr. Lynch and Ms. Bacares’s 18-year-old daughter, was thought to be recovered on Friday.

The other guests

Jonathan Bloomer, 70, chair of Morgan Stanley’s international arm and the chairman of Hiscox, an insurance provider that trades on the London Stock Exchange, was on the yacht when it sank, along with his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71. Their bodies are thought to be among those recovered, but Italian authorities have not identified them.

Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a New York-based partner at the international law firm Clifford Chance, was also on the yacht. A former federal prosecutor who comes from a family of prominent lawyers, Mr. Morvillo represented Mr. Lynch during his criminal trial in San Francisco. His wife, Neda, 57, was with him on the yacht. Their bodies are also assumed to be among those recovered.

“We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” a representative of Clifford Chance said in a statement.

Surviving passengers rescued from the yacht include Charlotte Golunski, a partner at Mr. Lynch’s venture firm, Invoke Capital; Ms. Golunski’s husband, James Emslie; and their one-year-old daughter Sophie. Also rescued were Ayla Ronald, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, and her partner, Matthew Fletcher.

The yacht had a crew of 10, and nine were rescued. The body of the chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered from the water, the Sicilian Civil Protection Department said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting, and Kitty Bennett and Susan Campbell Beachy contributed research.

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Manslaughter probe announced in Sicily yacht wreck that killed 7

Italian authorities are opening an investigation into whether the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which killed seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, was manslaughter.

Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said Saturday that the investigation is not targeting specific individuals so far, but that it was "plausible" that the crimes of manslaughter or causing a shipwreck through negligence were committed.

The Bayesian went down off the port of Porticello, near Sicily's capital of Palermo, after an unexpected storm early Monday morning. Fifteen people, including Lynch's wife and the owner of the yacht Angela Bacares, were rescued from the water.

A frantic search of the water and the sunken vessel ultimately recovered the bodies of seven people over the next few days: Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah; lawyer Christopher Morvillo, an American, and his wife Neda Morvillo; Morgan Stanley executive Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer; and Recaldo Thomas, who was the ship's chef. Lynch had recently been acquitted in a fraud trial in the U.S.; Christopher Morvillo was one of his lawyers and Jonathan Bloomer served as a character witness on Lynch's behalf.

Investigation underway to find out how yacht sank

Investigators will pull the sunken ship from the sea bottom, where it is lying on its side about 160 feet down.

"It's in the interests of the owners and managers of the ship to salvage it," Cartosio said, adding that it's not out of the question for the investigation to shift to focus on a person.

The catastrophe has puzzled naval experts, who say the yacht should have withstood a storm of this magnitude. No other boats in the area reported damage from the storm.

Survivors, including the Bayesian's captain James Cutfield, have been questioned by authorities about what happened on the ship, but haven't yet spoken publicly. Cutfield was "extremely cooperative," Raffaele Cammarano, another prosecutor, said Saturday.

A maritime legal expert told USA TODAY the disaster could lead to lawsuits and possible criminal charges against Cutfield. Mitchell Stoller, a maritime expert witness and captain, said it was Cutfield's duty to monitor weather and prepare to maneuver the boat through rough waters instead of staying anchored. Italian authorities have said the Bayesian was likely anchored before the disaster. It's not clear if Cutfield has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf, and messages seeking comment to a Facebook profile appearing to belong to him went unreturned on Friday.

WHY DID THE BAYESIAN SINK? Investigators seek answers to why the luxury superyacht sank in storm

"Indescribable, unreasonable errors" by the crew, not issues with the boat's design, led to its sinking, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini, told Reuters.

Cammarano said the passengers were likely asleep when the storm hit, which could be why several were unable to escape. The bodies of most were found on the left side of the boat, where they may have gone to try and find pockets of air as it sank, Girolamo Bentivoglio Fiandra of Palermo's Fire Brigade said.

Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY; Reuters

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Report finds inadequate lookout led to Utopia IV collision with tanker

Related articles, superyacht directory.

An accident report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found that the collision between 63 metre superyacht Utopia IV and a gas tanker was caused by the crew not maintaining a lookout.

The two vessels collided on December 23, 2021, approximately 15 miles north-northwest of New Providence Island. Utopia IV was carrying seven charter guests and 12 crewmembers at the time and was making passage to Bimini Island when she hit the stern of the 49 metre steel tanker Tropic Breeze at 10pm. The force of the collision pierced the stern of the tanker, which caused it to sink to a depth of 2,000 metres and its crew to abandon ship.

The report details that Utopia IV was travelling at 20 knots when she struck Tropic Breeze. The captain was not in the wheelhouse when the incident occurred having left 12 minutes prior to check on the guests. According to the report, the bosun, who was left in the wheelhouse, was not certified as mate or captain and therefore was not allowed by regulations to perform watchstanding duties by himself. It is also understood that the bosun was multitasking and logging navigation data "and therefore was distracted from performing effective lookout duties", the report detailed. 

The tanker was travelling at a speed of five knots and carrying a cargo of marine gas oil and liquid petroleum gas. The captain of Tropic Breeze had also left the wheelhouse to use the restroom prior to the incident.

None of the watchstanders on Utopia IV or Tropic Breeze reported seeing the other vessel on radar, which is set to a three-mile radius, while visibility was understood to be "good" in spite of bow spray reported to have been collecting on the windshield of Utopia IV . The report determined that, given the relative speed of both vessels, it was likely that none of the watchstanders had looked at the radar in the 12 minutes before the collision or completed a visual assessment of the surroundings. 

CCTV in the galley of Utopia IV captured the moment of the collision. Equipment and several of the yacht's crew were thrown to the deck or into bulkheads; three crew sustained minor injuries. Utopia IV ’s captain was in the main dining area and was thrown into the forward bulkhead and door frame. 

The chief engineer of Tropic Breeze investigated the damage and discovered that the engine room was flooding rapidly. The captain made a VHF distress call and decided to abandon the vessel; a liferaft was launched. Meanwhile, Utopia IV ’s chief engineer restarted the yacht’s engines, which had shut down after the collision, and a distress call was made from the wheelhouse. The yacht attempted to rescue the crew from the tanker but sea swells prevented them from boarding. The tanker crew were eventually rescued by a passing motor yacht, Amara , which heard the distress calls and diverted its course to assist.

Utopia IV ’s chief stewardess told investigators she saw the Tropic Breeze ’s navigation lights illuminated following the collision. According to the Utopia IV’ s crew, the Utopia IV ’s lights were all on.

As well as damage to both vessels, 156,500 gallons of marine gas oil was lost with the tanker. The accident resulted in nearly $7.9 million in damages, the report revealed. 

As Utopia IV approached Tropic Breeze from directly astern, the yacht (as the overtaking vessel) was required by 72 COLREGS to give way to the tanker. However, as the watchstanders on both Utopia IV and Tropic Breeze failed to maintain a proper lookout, both were unable to identify the risk of collision and respond suitably. The report said: "Although the Utopia IV bore responsibility as the overtaking vessel to manoeuvre away from the tank vessel, once the yacht’s intentions were unclear and a close-quarters situation had developed, the tank vessel should have taken action." 

NTSB investigators concluded that the probable cause of the collision was Utopia IV ’s wheelhouse crew not maintaining a proper lookout and therefore not identifying the vessel they were overtaking, but with contribution from Tropic Breeze’s bridge team also not maintaining a proper lookout.

“A proper lookout by suitably trained crewmembers is required by the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 and is essential in determining the risk of collision,” the report said. “The effective use of all available resources by a bridge team, including visual scanning, radars, electronic charts, and an automatic identification system, increases collective situational awareness and contributes to a safe navigation watch. Operators and crews should ensure that vessel bridge teams are staffed with certificated/credentialed mariners who are familiar with all bridge navigation equipment and able to independently take immediate action.” ​

The owners of the vessel had previously said in a statement that they were "terribly saddened" by the incident.

The full accident report can be found here .

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More about this yacht

Yachts for sale, more stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Who was onboard tech mogul Mike Lynch's Bayesian yacht?

Topic: Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Six people are missing, including a man dubbed the British Bill Gates, after a luxury yacht sank off the Sicilian coast.

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch — freshly acquitted from a decade-long trial — had invited his work colleagues aboard a trip through the Mediterranean coast when a freak storm saw the yacht sink within moments.

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking vessel. The search for the missing continues.

Here's what we know so far: 

What happened?

The Italian coastguard said the yacht — the Bayesian — was anchored off the shore of port city Porticello, near the Sicilian capital Palermo, when it was hit by bad weather sometime after 4am on Monday, local time. 

Eyewitnesses said it vanished quickly beneath the waves shortly before dawn.

Managers of the sailing vessel Bayesian, Camper & Nicholsons, confirmed to the ABC that the Bayesian encountered severe weather and subsequently sank. 

"Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew," they said. 

"The wind was very strong. Bad weather was expected, but not of this magnitude," a coastguard official told Reuters.

Sicily's civil protection agency head, Salvo Cocina, said a waterspout — a tornado over the water — could have struck the yacht.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Mr Cocina added. 

Storms and heavy rainfall had swept down Italy in recent days after weeks of scorching heat, lifting the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea to record levels and raising the risk of extreme weather conditions, experts told Reuters.

"The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius, which is almost 3 degrees more than normal. This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms," meteorologist Luca Mercalli said.

Rescuers recover the body of one of the people aboard the Bayesian.  ( AP: Lucio Ganci )

Captain Karsten Borner of the Sir Robert Baden Powell vessel told journalists he noticed the Bayesian nearby during the storm, but after it calmed he saw a red flare and realised the ship had simply disappeared.

Mr Borner said he and a crew member boarded their tender and found a lifeboat with 15 people, some of them injured, who they then took aboard and alerted the coast guard.

Search crews, including helicopters and divers, are continuing to search the wreckage, lying at a depth of 49 metres.

Specialist divers reached the ship on Monday but access was limited due to objects in the way, the fire brigade said.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is deploying a team of four inspectors to Italy to conduct a preliminary assessment.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office said it was "providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families".

Sicilian prosecutors have also opened an investigation into the event. 

Who is missing?

Lawyer Chris Morvillo (left), entrepreneur Mike Lynch, and Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer are among the missing. 

There were 12 passengers and 10 crew members aboard the yacht. 

Mr Cocina said the crew and passengers hailed from a variety of countries, including Britain, the United States, Antigua, France, Germany, Ireland, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.

Of the 22, one man is confirmed dead and another six people are still missing. 

They are believed to be inside the hull, fire rescue spokesperson Luca Cari said.

Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman who said he responded to a flare from the vessel but found it sunk, said he stayed at the site for three hours without finding anyone.

"I think they are inside, all the missing people," he said.

Rescue teams recovered the body of the yacht's onboard chef on Monday, identified as Antiguan citizen Ricardo Thomas.

The still missing people include: 

• Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah 
• Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of global financial services company Morgan Stanley International
• Chris Morvillo , a lawyer at the British multinational law firm Clifford Chance. He worked on Mr Lynch's lawsuit against Hewlett-Packard
• The identities of the remaining two missing are still unconfirmed

Who was rescued? 

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking ship. 

Eight have been hospitalised and others were taken to a nearby hotel.

Charlotte Golunski was among those rescued, recalling the harrowing moments she held her child Sofia above the waves.  ( Supplied: Facebook  )

Among those rescued were:

• Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who was the owner of the yacht
• Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter, Sofia. Ms Golunski is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm, Invoke Capital. She says she momentarily lost hold of Sofia in the water but managed to hold her up above the waves until the lifeboat was inflated
• Ms Golunski's husband James Emslie
• New Zealand captain of the yacht James Catfield. He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica the crew didn't see the storm coming
• A lone Dutch citizen was identified by the Dutch foreign ministry as being rescued, but was not identified

Who is Mike Lynch?

Mr Lynch, once hailed as Britain’s king of technology, was recently freed from a Silicon Valley lawsuit that tarnished his legacy. 

The 59-year-old Cambridge-educated mathematician created Autonomy , a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly. 

He received the OBE for his innovation in 2006. 

He then sold the software to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $US11 billion ($16 billion) in 2011, with Mr Lynch personally netting $US800 million. 

HP valued Autonomy at $US46 billion ($68 billion) in the months leading up to the deal.

Mike Lynch in 2019 leaving the High Court in London.  ( Reuters: Henry Nicholls/File Photo )

But the deal quickly turned sour after he was accused of forging the software's financial records to make the sale.

As part of a decades-long legal battle against HP, Mr Lynch was extradited to the UK on criminal fraud charges. 

He steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was being made a scapegoat for HP's own bungling. 

He was eventually cleared of all charges in June this year. 

Although he avoided a possible prison sentence, Lynch still faced a bill from a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven't been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $US4 billion. 

Following the San Francisco trial, Mr Lynch said he would return to the UK and do what he loved most: "[being with] my family and innovating in my field."

The holiday appeared to be something of a celebration after Mr Lynch's acquittal, with guests including some of the people who had stood by Lynch throughout the ordeal.

This picture shows the rescue operations off the Sicilian coast.  ( AP: Italian Coast Guard  )

In a separate act of tragedy, Mr Lynch's co-defendant in the trial, Stephen Chamberlain, died on Monday, after a road accident left him critically injured.

Mr Chamberlain — Autonomy's former vice-president of finance alongside Mr Lynch — was hit by a car in Cambridgeshire on Saturday morning and had been placed on life support. 

What is the Bayesian?

The luxury yacht is 56m long sailboat, with a 75m mast labelled as the tallest aluminium mast in the world.

It was previously named Salute when it flew under a Dutch flag.

The yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites and a crew of 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. It was last refitted in 2020.

Online charter sites listed it for rent for up to 195,000 euros (about $AU 321,000) a week. 

This picture taken on Sunday shows the Bayesian (left) and the Duch sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell anchored off the coast line.   ( AP: Fabio La Bianca/Baia Santa Nicolicchia )

The ship also won a string of awards for its design. 

Ms Golunski said the yacht had travelled through the Aeolian Islands, Milazzo and Cefalù before sinking. 

It is likely the yacht's name would resonate with Mr Lynch because his PhD thesis and the software that made his fortune was based on Bayesian theory.

Body of British tech entrepreneur Lynch retrieved from yacht, daughter missing

• Medium Text
• Interior ministry official confirmed Lynch's death
• Officials say it could take time to recover last body
• Chief prosecutor to hold press conference on Saturday
• Yacht manufacturer blames sinking on crew errors

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS

Sign up here.

Writing by Crispian Balmer Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni Additional reporting by Giulia Segreti in Rome and William James in London Editing by Bernadette Baum, Sharon Singleton Frances Kerry and Rod Nickel

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

German police arrest suspect in stabbing rampage, official says

A 26-year-old man was taken into custody, German media reported. Police declined to comment. Islamic State earlier claimed responsibility for Friday's knife attack that also wounded eight people.