who owns the superyacht luna

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Dubai court rejects appeal over ownership of superyacht LUNA

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By Katia Damborsky   29 August 2018

A Sharia court in Dubai has ruled against the owner of 155m/377ft ​  motor yacht LUNA , instead awarding ownership to his ex-wife.

Perhaps the pivotal point of contention in the costliest divorce in UK history, the ownership of luxury yacht LUNA was debated in a Sharia court in the United Arab Emirates last week. 

It follows an appeal to unfreeze the vessel submitted by Farkhad Akhmedov, an Azerbaijan-born oil tycoon who considers the £350 million superyacht to be the prize asset in a legal battle between himself and ex-wife, Tatiana Akhmedova. 

Upholding a past order made by the London High Court, the appeal to unfreeze LUNA was rejected and Akhmedova now retains ownership of the luxury yacht.

This ruling is the latest in a chain of events that saw the pair legally divorce in late 2015, when Akhmedova was awarded 41.5% of her ex-husband’s marital assets.

The £453 million payout was one of the largest ever seen in a British courtroom- but Akhmedov described the judgement as ‘toilet paper’ and has allegedly not paid his ex-wife any of the sum to date.

Owing to his alleged lack of co-operation since this initial ruling, superyacht LUNA was impounded in Dubai in 2017, and earlier this year ownership was transferred to Akhmedova in a UK court hearing.

However, Akhmedov claimed that the UK order couldn’t be imposed in the UEA, and had the case heard in front of a Sharia court in Dubai earlier this year.

In a surprising turn of events, the Dubai civil court overturned Akhmedov’s appeal to unfreeze the vessel.

Akhemdov now has ten days to appeal this decision. 

The £350 million superyacht was impounded in Dubai in 2017.

The journey up to this point hasn’t been smooth sailing and is likely to continue in much the same way. Akhmedov maintains that the UK’s judgement is part of a wider, politically motivated agenda and continues to dispute the ruling in Tatiana's favour.

In the past, Akhmedov has claimed that he and his wife were legally divorced in Russia in 2000 and therefore any rulings made in the UK held no ground. 

Luxury yacht LUNA came into the picture in 2014, when she was bought by the oligarch from friend and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich. She is known as the world’s largest expedition yacht, boasting nine decks after an additional one was added in a £50m refit in 2016.

At 115m, she is home to the largest swimming pool on any superyacht in the world, as well as two helipads, a spa, gym and a dance floor. A beach club, a jacuzzi and a tender garage to house a vast array of water toys are among her superb repertoire of amenities.

LUNA is at the very height of luxury, with interiors the exude sophistication and a host of facilities to ensure the most comfortable and enjoyable experience on board.

Superyacht LUNA is known as the world’s largest expedition yacht, boasting nine decks after an additional one was added in a £50m refit in 2016.

Although the fate of this stunning luxury yacht still remains unclear, it should now be handed over to Akhmedova. In a statement, she has said she's already received a lot of interest in the yacht and a sale is expected to happen swiftly.

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M/Y Luna: The 115m Superyacht Has Finally Left Dubai

After a gruelling few years of legal battles, the 115m superyacht ‘Luna’ has finally left Dubai. In 2017, the vessel was at the centre of a prolific divorce settlement between Farkhad Akhmedov and his ex-wife Tatiana Akhmedova which would continue over the following years. Luna is now free, and has been heading up the Suez Canal to explore the Mediterranean. SEO

Luna’s Rocky History

Farkhad Akhmedov came into possession of Luna in 2014, after purchasing it from Roman Abramovich for US$360. In 2017, Akhmedov and his wife Tatiana entered into a legal dispute concerning their divorce. At this time, Luna was in Port Rashid, Dubai, for maintenance work. The superyacht was then under court order to remain in its current location whilst resolving the dispute. After many setbacks and obstacles, she is now back where she belongs, on the open water.

Luna’s Design

Luna is an explorer superyacht built by Lloyd Werft at their German shipyard. Her interior features a design by Donald Starkey Designs, whilst Newcruise provided their expertise to create her striking exterior. The vessel has room to accommodate up to 50 guests and 18 crew members over her five decks. Luna’s luxurious facilities include two helipads, an expansive beach club, and a spa with a steam bath, plunge pool and sauna.

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By SuperyachtNews 02 Apr 2019

115m MY 'Luna' released from Dubai

The saga for the akhmedov fortune has taken another turn….

The Luna saga, which saw the 115m Lloyd Werft-built superyacht seized in Dubai last year as a result of an acrimonious divorce battle between Farkhad Akhmedov and his British wife Tatiana Akhmedov, has taken a new turn with an appeals court in Dubai determining that the seizure of the vessel, which had been enforced by a freezing order on the part of the British courts, does not hold sway in the Emirates.

The couple, who married in 1993, have been part of a divorce battle that is considered to have yielded the largest divorce settlement in British history, with the British courts ruling in 2016 that Ms Akhmedov was owed £453 million for her ‘equal contributions to the welfare of the family’.

The judgement further stated that Mr Akhmedov had attempted to ring-fence a number of assets from the UK courts, including the superyacht Luna, thereby restricting his wife’s access to his global assets.

In 2017, Luna was detained by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts while she was undergoing maintenance in Port Rashid, as a London court sought to enforce the pay-out.

In November 2018, a new development saw judges in Dubai rule that a commercial court in the Emirati state had no requirement to uphold a freezing order enforced by a UK court, as well as claiming that the vessel belonged to Mr Akhmedov by right. Last week, following a battle in the UAE appeals court, it was, once again, determined that the British freezing order need not be upheld by the UAE commercial courts.

Given the nature of the divorce proceedings, which has seen the use of, supposedly, falsified divorce documents on the part of Mr Akhmedov and the employ of Baroness Fiona Shackleton, one of the world’s most acclaimed divorce lawyers, on the part of Mrs Akhmedov, it is more than likely that there is plenty more to come in the fight for Luna and the Akhmedov fortune.

However, in the meantime, Mr Akhmedov has use of the vessel again.

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115m Superyacht Luna – The world’s largest expedition yacht delivered.

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Written by Chelsea Smith

Expedition motor yacht LUNA

The 115m megayacht LUNA was delivered to her new owner on the 10 th of April just south of Kristiansand’s coast in Norway. The explorer motor yacht LUNA is the world’s largest expedition yacht which was launched last October by Lloyd Werft and Stahlbau Nord Shipyards in Germany. The 115m Expedition Motor yacht LUNA recently underwent outfitting, painting and sea trials before being delivered to her famous owner.

The 115m (377ft) long range expedition yacht LUNA’s hull was recently painted a prominent navy blue with waterline stripes instead of her previous white colour, further enhancing the striking exterior features of this 115m luxury Superyacht LUNA.

The Luxury yacht LUNA has an interior designed by the distinguished designer Donald_Starkey . Her innovative exterior styling was designed by Newcruise Design which featuring two helicopter pads facing forward and to the rear around the large communications tower. The Explorer Yacht LUNA also features transom doors at the sides, which lead directly to that yacht’s high quality tenders.

M/Y LUNA has an expansive open aft deck that boasts a covered swimming pool and sunbathing areas, with a dedicated open luxury leisure area featuring a beach club leading down to the swim platform.

The superyacht Luna is truly an expedition yacht allowing her owner to cruise great distances without having to refuel in pure luxury, even while traversing rough seas.

It is understood that Megayacht ECLIPSE , which is soon to become the world’s largest superyacht, will also be delivered to the same owner as Superyacht LUNA, in time for summer.

Contact  CharterWorld for information on chartering an explorer motor yacht this summer.

Pingback by Superyacht ECLIPSE Preparing for Delivery to Owner in NORWAY — 2010-04-17 @ 6:54 am

[…] According to Norwegian newspaper FVN.no Yacht ECLIPSE, the largest private superyacht in the world at 162.5 plus meters, is to have sea trials in Norway Kristiansand on the 17th or 18th of May. Once the sea trials are completed motor yacht ECLIPSE will be handed over to her new owner, a well know yacht owner who has built a fleet of superyachts including the also recently launch Explorer yacht LUNA. […]

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Superyacht Luna - World's Largest Expedition Yacht

By B. Roberts

Luna, the world’s largest exploration yacht has been undergoing sea-trials, outfitting and major paint works in preparation for delivery to her owner, rumoured to be a prolific superyacht owner. Luna has been kept so top secret, there is even less information about her than the Eclipse.

The 115m long range expedition yacht Luna was built in Germany by Lloyd Werft and Stahlbau Nord Shipyards. The superyacht was launched last October, becoming the second largest yacht to be launched in 2009, after Eclipse. Luna was recently painted to give her hull a stylish navy blue finish with waterline stripes instead of her initial white, giving the awe-inspiring sea-giant a new look.

Number 19 in our Top 100 forecast, Luna's interior was designed by celebrated designer Donald Starkey with the exterior designer still being kept under wraps. The design of the second largest yacht in 2009 somewhat resembles the exterior styling of the groundbreaking Eclipse , featuring similar forward designs on the above decks. Even the names can be said to be of a similar origin.

Superyachts.com have captured images and footage of the stunning expedition superyacht Luna as she undergoes trials and sports her new paint job at the shipyard where she is currently undergoing outfitting. 

Video of the Superyacht Luna For exclusive footage of the luxury expedition yacht Luna undergoing sea trials click here >>

Video of the Superyacht Eclipse Footage of the largest superyacht in the world has rarely been captured, however, for the new video click here >>

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LUNA Yacht – Glamorous $300M Superyacht

LUNA yacht has had an incredible journey over the years and has had a few facelifts as well.

Until now, LUNA is famous for being the world’s largest expedition yacht. Despite its large size, it is also known for having many family-friendly amenities that create a homey feel to it.

LUNA yacht interior

The interior of LUNA is chic but calming, which differs from the intensity of its exterior’s hard lines.

The designer, Lloyd Werft wanted to make sure each room of this vessel was appreciated appropriately.

The lounge and dining room are split by a wall and fireplace, so guests can enjoy different experiences in each room.

Guests can also enjoy a moment of serenity in the low aft deck’s sun worship room.

After some deep breathing exercises here, guests can also take a swim in the large pool that was once the largest pool on a superyacht.

Some other amenities on the LUNA superyacht are two tender garages, a gym, a beach club, a steam bath, a plunge pool, and a sauna.

It has a variety of activities for people to enjoy regardless of age.

Though LUNA has gone through many changes in her short lifetime, she continues to be a classic superyacht.

She is not only incredible to look at, but has everything needed for a good time out on the ocean.

LUNA was created to be a space for both adults and children to play in and have an unforgettable experience.

With the hard work of many workers and designers, LUNA has come to achieve that goal.

Specifications

The impressive LUNA yacht measures 115 meters and can reach top speeds of 22.5 knots.

It holds 9 staterooms that can house up to 18 guests and 49 crew members. The engine room of LUNA is different from most superyachts.

Not only is it large in volume, but it has a special polish that keeps the engine room squeaky clean.

Some staff members have described it as the cleanest engine room they have ever worked in.

There are seven generators that power the electric motors that take up less space on the ship, decrease vibrations, and make for a more economical ride.

Many have said that the original paint job was not the best, to put it lightly. One of its 130 jobs was to repaint the whole hull of the LUNA yacht.

It now has a mirror finish from end to end on its 2,000+ square meters of hull.

It took over 70 painters and eight months to finish this massive undertaking.

Now LUNA has a continuous shine along its hull with not a blemish in sight.

The interior of the LUNA yacht is chic but calming, which differs from the intensity of its exterior’s hard lines.

The LUNA yacht was created to be a space for both adults and children to play in and have an unforgettable experience.

LUNA yacht background

Originally built by Llod Werft Roman Abramovich, it was sold to Akhmedov in 2014.

With its change in owners, it also changed in appearance. LUNA had a 14-month-long process with around 130 jobs.

These changes included adding wine fridges and separating the ballast tank system. It took a lot of work, but it definitely improved on a classic superyacht.

Yacht Seizure

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in May 2022, the yacht was seized in a German port due to its owner being tied to the Russian oligarch.

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A Closer Look at $500 Million Superyacht Luna

Luna is a superyacht that is unlike any other in the world . It has some unique accommodations that make it one of the most modern and highly technological yachts on the planet. It also has a variety of safety features to make sure that no one can challenge this yacht on the high seas. Today we are going to take a closer look at this one-of-a-kind superyacht owned by Russian billionaire oligarch Farkhad Akhmedov. Fortunately, the controversy about who actually owns the yacht has recently been lifted “ due to a settlement ” between Farkhad Akhmedov and his ex-wife Tatiana Akhmedov. The biggest shame was that the boat was grounded until the dispute ended. Hopefully the settlement will allow as many people as possible to see this outstanding creation. Now that ownership has been determined, it is only a matter of time before this vessel starts traveling around the world again.

Interesting Features

Luna has many features that are particularly interesting. Perhaps the most intriguing are the safety features that prevent it from being captured or illegally boarded. These features are impressive and expansive, including a missile defense system “among them”. This is not to mention the acoustic guns that are meant to dissuade possible intruders. This is one yacht that no one could possibly be stupid enough to mess with. If the guns and missile defenses aren’t enough to deter a potential intruder, perhaps they should consider the bulletproof windows, 17.5cm steel hull, and bomb-resistant doors. The truth is that a government would have a hard time taking down this yacht, much less an undermanned group of pirates. No one would be dumb enough to pick a fight with one of the meanest vessels on the sea. These features were all custom-designed to protect passengers onboard Luna. It emboldens the captain to take the vessel the way that they want to go without the fear of harassment.

Size Features

Another thing that would deter the inappropriate boarding of Luna would be the sheer size of the yacht . The yacht clocks in at an amazing “337 feet”. Making it one of the biggest yachts in the world. However, its sheer size does not fully encapsulate the excess of the boat. Which also includes two helipads and its own swimming pool. One of the problems with having a superyacht is that their sizes become so big that they can’t dock in ports anymore. In order to correct this problem, they have separate boats, which are extravagant in their own right, to take the passengers to shore. Another option that passengers have is to take helicopters to port, not uncommon for the super rich and famous. These are the gadgets that the highest elites of society spend their disposable income on. The race for the biggest yacht has also become a competition for the world’s richest billionaires , marked by extravagance and excess.

As one might imagine, the power required to navigate this yacht is immense. This is why the yacht boasts fuel tanks that hold up to “850,000 liters”. The boat is capable of going up to 22.5 knots in speed. The boat power comes from 2 Wartsila 4,500kW diesel-electric engines. It is hard to tame the beast that is Luna, an unstoppable force in the aquatic world. Though many are in admiration of the yacht, few will have the ability to get on it. Another concern while aboard the boat is fresh water. Water is crucial for many different functions in the boat from bathrooms to drinking to cooking. Luna was designed to hold ample amounts of fresh water to keep these “amenities” working on long voyages. In fact, the tanks hold up to 176,000 liters of fresh water. Though the amenities do not stop there. The superyacht also boasts a pool, spa, elevator, air conditioning, jacuzzi, and Wi-Fi. This ensures that a person won’t miss out on any of the action while they are traveling out at sea. Superyachts like Luna are designed to be luxurious, and this vessel does not fall short. It is one of the most impressive superyachts in the entire world .

Luxe Features

One of the most stunning features of Luna is that the yacht is equipped with its own gym. This means that you won’t even have to miss a workout while traveling on this example of the finest of modern ingenuity. Some people may look at the watercraft and feel jealous, but they won’t feel so bad then they realize that the maintenance on the vessel can be anywhere from 5-10 million dollars a year. The ability to own and maintain a watercraft of this size and luxuriousness is reserved for the most elite of the elite. Very few people will have the privilege to board a vessel of this caliber. However, there are substantial burdens to owning a boat like this that would make anyone balk. It might be hard not to be jealous, but it is to your advantage to just accept super luxurious excesses for what they are. The boat was obtained for over $360 million, making it an indulgence that few people in the entire world will have.

Overall, Luna is meant to be admired for both its design and its beauty. There is an arms race going on in the yacht world to build the biggest and best boat on the entire ocean. It may not be too long before Luna is surpassed by yet another superyacht. While it may be difficult to imagine the process that goes into building these boats, it takes an entire team. If you are ever lucky enough to get on (or own) a superyacht like this, give yourself a big pat on the back. These superyachts are truly some of man’s most audacious and stunning undertakings. They should be appreciated for what they are, some of the finest and most impressive creations of humankind. They are meant to be admired and cherished. It is difficult to imagine all the hours that went into designing and building superyachts like these, but the observer gets to reap some of the benefits.

Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology.

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Superyacht Luna Owner Russian Oligarch Farkhad Akhmedov Retains Ownership

Originally, Russian oligarch Farkhad Akhmedov was ordered by the London High Court in 2016 to pay his ex-wife, Tatiana Akhmedova, approximately 40% of his fortune in one of the largest divorce settlements in history. Akhmedov, however, failed to pay the $594 million divorce settlement, causing the London court to grant a worldwide freezing order of his assets, under which is superyacht Luna was impounded in Dubai. The judgment stated the Ahkmedov had attempted to ring-fence some of his assets, including Luna, from U.K. courts, thereby restricting his ex-wife’s access to his global assets.

Built by German shipyard Lloyd Werft and launched in 2010, the 115-meter explorer superyacht was originally built for Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Akhmedov bought her in 2014 and accomplished an extensive refit of the vessel that has nine decks, two helipads, a vast swimming pool and space for 50 crew.

The Dubai Court of Appeals has ruled that the country’s lower court order to impound the yacht was wrong, but lawyers acting for Tatiana Akhmedova called the ruling a procedural decision and said the case has been referred to another Dubai court for a further hearing.

In a statement, Ahkmedova’s lawyers said she will continue to pursue her claims in the Dubai Courts and is bolstered by a recently successful measure in British Courts to secure Luna.

Akhmedov said he and his ex-wife, who married in 1993, were divorced in Russia in 2000, yet in 2012 she filed a divorce petition in British courts. Akhmedov’s net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion. He is on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of sanctioned Russian oligarchs and state-owned companies with tie to Vladimir Putin.

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Lunasea: On board the 73m Feadship superyacht

After cruising Lunasea continuously since her 2017 launch, the owners of the 73 metre Feadship superyacht finally found a moment to invite Risa Merl on board to take a look around...

  “This yacht was built to be used,” says John Symond, former owner of the 73-metre Feadship Lunasea (previously named Hasna ), designed inside and out by RWD . “We built her to go virtually anywhere in the world, and she stood up to that. In the first two and a half years, we did the equivalent of twice around the globe in distance.

“We [pictured] how we were going to live in each space. We wanted to have everything a family could need, from the big swimming pool to the cinema room to a beautiful spa on the sundeck – and a great galley,” he continues. As soon as Lunasea was launched in 2017, Symond and his wife, Amber, set out on a voyage, travelling through the Mediterranean, South Pacific, Caribbean and up the East Coast of America. 

Lunasea became a home from home, and they found they were on the yacht more than at their houses in Australia and London, spending at least half the year on board, along with Amber’s children. When they weren’t cruising on Lunasea , Symond’s adult children made good use of the boat. Since the owners and their family have been busy enjoying her from day one, it’s no surprise that we haven’t had a chance to look on board, until now.

The Symonds have owned a slew of yachts, working their way up in size to a 37-metre Benetti . They had it for nine years, but as they could only use it for a month each year, the yacht was also chartered. When Symond sold his business, he knew he’d finally have the freedom to do some long-range cruising. He timed Lunasea's launch to coincide with him officially stepping away from his business in 2017. “I wanted to make up for lost time,” he says.

The Symonds had met designer Justin Redman, of UK design firm RWD, several years before Lunasea's inception, when the couple were originally looking to invest in a refit. “We looked at many nice [brokerage] yachts, but every one had serious flaws,” says Symond. “My wife and I are finicky – we believe in quality and good architecture, and if we can’t afford to do it right, we’d rather not do it at all. I convinced myself that I wouldn’t be 100 per cent happy, nor would Amber, unless we built.”

Symond was drawn to Feadship and signed the contract for Lunasea in mid-2014. With hull design by De Voogt Naval Architects , she was built by Royal Van Lent at Feadship’s Kaag Island facility. “We were on the same page when it came to maintaining quality, integrity of the architecture and not cutting corners – we gelled with them,” he says of the Feadship team. “Every time we had a meeting, I felt more and more confident they were serious professionals who take an immense amount of pride in their work.”

Symond briefed RWD to create an exterior that was elegant and timeless with subtle detailing. It should have character without being too shouty. “He had this idea that he wanted to build a Rolls-Royce, not a Mercedes or BMW,” says Charlie Baker, team principal at RWD. Scalloping details on Lunasea's superstructure catch the light and break up the exterior surfaces so they don’t seem fat or bulky. “These surface changes create a highlight – it’s actually quite a sharp line, but when you do it in a subtle way you can’t tell how angular it is,” says Baker. Symond also wanted the mast to be a work of art while hiding all of the technology and ventilation – the wings that hold the domes on the mast were based on the shape of fish tails.

The owner also loves the look of stainless steel, which was employed generously on the sliding aft doors, floating staircases and cap rails, the latter of which are an RWD signature. “The floating cap rail and glass bulwarks on Lunasea are some of the biggest we’ve done and weighed a huge amount,” says Baker. “The use of glass on board in general was a challenge. We didn’t want to break up the glass with any mullions.” Swathes of curved glass are found on the bulwarks, exterior stairways and, of course, the eight-metre-long infinity swimming pool on the main deck. The glass pieces for the pool were made three times to ensure perfect fit and stability.

To say the owners were hands-on in the creation of Lunasea would be an understatement. The Symonds met the RWD design team religiously every six weeks, whether it was at their home in Australia or on board their Benetti in Italy. The owners visited the yard more than a dozen times during the build, often bringing family and friends along to see the progress.

“It was fantastic to have someone who was so engaged. We’ve attracted owners like that in the past, but no one quite like John,” says Baker. “That was the making of the project for us, to have someone who wanted to be part of everything, who was genuinely so interested with what was going to be on his boat.”

As Symond attests, he and Amber were involved in every square inch of the build. “I wouldn’t even buy a chair without me sitting on it first,” he says, noting that he made mistakes in the past by selecting pieces without trying them out and being disappointed after buying them.

Symond credits his ownership experience for forming the basis of what he wanted on his new boat. Must-haves were generous living spaces, high ceilings and wide doorways to give a sense of space. Also on the wish list was an exterior and underwater lighting plan to make Lunasea sparkle at night. For bespoke tenders, Australian company Vikal created an open chase boat and a nine-metre limo tender, which has electrically descending stairs off the bow. “When you pull into the beach at Saint-Tropez, you don’t have to awkwardly climb over the side,” says Symond.

Lunasea's distinctive layout speaks directly to how the Symonds planned to use her. A formal dining room is found upon entering the main deck, followed by a 10-seat cinema and casual day office, while the galley and owner’s suite are forward. “It might be odd for some people to have a cinema on the main deck, but it’s probably John’s most-used space. He’ll go in there to watch the news in the morning or a movie night with the family,” says Baker. “It’s purposefully designed to feel like a different space from the rest of the boat – the walls are blue velvet, the floor a dark blue Tai Ping carpet. It feels like going into a blue cave, a little hideaway.”

By contrast, Lunasea's other interior living spaces are light and airy. The styling is indicative of the owners’ wishes to create an elegant beach house – relaxed and liveable (but not at all rustic); a space where anyone could feel comfortable. “I wanted the yacht to feel like a home that just happened to be on water,” says Amber Symond. “We didn’t want any ‘themeing’. Rather we wanted a tranquil, restrained feel in decoration, letting the emphasis be on the lines of the yacht, pushing the attention back to the natural beauty of the ocean.”

Amber worked with the design team to choose accent details that became staples of the interior. Leather straps appear to be holding up the mirrors on board, a detail that matches the stitched leather found in the cinema. Bronze is a hallmark as well, with a thin bronze trim along the joinery borders and where the mullions touch the top of windows designed to look like a beautifully dovetailed jewellery box. Walnut, eucalyptus and limed oak tie everything together. Stained walnut flooring runs throughout all the communal living areas, starting in the beach club and extending through the corridors and staircases.

A pure white colour scheme sets the owner’s suite apart, with light Loro Piana fabrics on the walls pairing with a silky eucalyptus flooring, chosen as a nod to the owners’ Australian roots. Their suite is filled with interesting materials, such as a wall panel in blue fanned straw marquetry trimmed in bronze that comes into view the moment you step into the cabin. Dyed blue vellum parchment was used in the cabinets opposite the bed and on door fronts. The pure white marble found in the his-and-hers bathrooms comes from two enormous pieces that the designers and the Symonds discovered in Italy.

The walls are limed oak in all four lower deck guest cabins, which are almost identical in styling – including Carrara marble in the bathrooms – except for subtle variations in fabrics. The two VIPs and two convertible twin/doubles have direct access to the stern beach club. There are also two supernumerary rooms for a nanny or teacher, which came in handy when Amber’s children were on the boat for six months. “We were down in Bora Bora, where the kids could do home schooling then get off the boat and swim with sharks and turtles in crystal-clear waters – it was just incredible,” says Symond.

Though the main deck forgoes a saloon, there are still plenty of places for the family to gather on board. The upper saloon serves as the main convivial space with a comfortable, window-filled saloon and large bar to port, all opening up to an al fresco dining area seating up to 16 when the table is extended. It’s also a space that Symond gravitated to, writing emails here rather than in the master suite office below. 

The sundeck presents another unexpected saloon option. The mid-section of the deck is designed as an indoor/outdoor living room – with an enormous bar – that can be closed off entirely. This space is outfitted more like the interior of a beach house rather than an outdoor patio and can be accessed from the interior staircase, so there’s no need to go outside in inclement weather. Aft on the sundeck are loungers with optional shading, and forward is a spa pool, smaller bar and dining sofa.

The Symonds’ intention to spend extended periods on Lunasea influenced how they designed the crew quarters – and crew schedules. The size of the crew cabins was expanded and the styling enhanced. Crew hires were also upped from 20 to 30, so 10 crew could be on rotation. “We’ve had no crew burnout,” says Symond. “I’ve always been a believer that if you take care of your people, they will take care of you.”

Lunasea recently sold, and the Symonds are dreaming of what could come next. Much like its predecessor, a future boat would be based on their real-life needs. Since building Lunasea , Symond has become a grandfather, so his focus is on how to make a yacht even more family friendly, with a playroom and nanny’s cabin adjacent to the kids’ rooms – all of which would be set away from guest cabins to limit disruptions. The Symonds also value privacy, so they would like a dedicated owner’s deck. “The next yacht would probably be at least 10 metres longer, but there are no plans to start building yet,” he says.

Of course, going from 37 to 73 metres was already quite a step up for Symond. “I was fulfilling my dream,” he says. “When we started designing the GA for Lunasea , the boat kept growing. I started at 66 metres, then it went up to 68, then 70, then at 73 I said ‘Stop!’ But everything I wanted, everything I dreamt of, I got.” 

This feature is taken from the November 2020 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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Sailing yachts like Mike Lynch's are 'unsinkable bodies', CEO of boat manufacturing firm says

Bayesian superyacht which sank off Italy is an "unsinkable" vessel, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said.

By Ashna Hurynag, news correspondent and Eleonora Chiarella, producer

Sunday 25 August 2024 08:48, UK

Vessels like Mike Lynch's stricken superyacht are "unsinkable", according to the chief executive of the firm which makes and sells them.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, told Sky News there are no flaws with the design and construction of the Bayesian superyacht which capsized in a storm off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on Monday.

Five bodies were found by divers on Wednesday - taking the number of confirmed dead to six.

The Italian Sea Group also owns the firm that built British tech tycoon Mr Lynch's Bayesian, and Mr Costantino said the vessels "are the safest in the most absolute sense".

"Being the manufacturer of Perini [boats], I know very well how the boats have always been designed and built," he said.

"And as Perini is a sailing ship... sailing ships are renowned to be the safest ever."

He said their structure and keel made them "unsinkable bodies".

Read more on this story: Why search of superyacht wreck has been so difficult Hero mum 'slept with baby on deck when storm sank yacht'

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Mr Costantino said news of the sinking "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other".

"This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact," he said.

It is understood Italian prosecutors investigating the incident are continuing to hold interviews with the survivors.

On Tuesday they questioned the captain for more than two hours to help reconstruct what happened and provide useful technical details.

Four British inspectors are also in Porticello and have begun a preliminary assessment of events.

It is understood they will look at all relevant aspects of the incident, including the design, stability, and operation of the vessel. They will also examine the effects of the weather conditions experienced.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel, 15 of whom were rescued - including Briton Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter Sofia.

Divers will resume efforts on Thursday morning to bring ashore a body they found earlier. One more person remains missing.

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Italy's Luna Rossa eliminates American Magic from the America's Cup

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has eliminated NYYC American Magic and advanced to the challenger’s final of the America’s Cup

BARCELONA, Spain -- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli eliminated NYYC American Magic on Thursday and advanced to the challenger’s final of the America’s Cup .

Luna Rossa won the series 5-3 after a flawless and fast regatta where the Italian yacht finished a minute ahead of its American rival.

“We are super happy. It has been a fantastic journey in this semifinal and we are ready for more,” port helmsman Francesco Bruni said.

Luna Rossa had led the series 4-0 before American Magic made it interesting by scoring three consecutive victories.

INEOS Britannia awaits the Italian yacht in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger’s final that will begin on Sept. 26. That will be a rematch of the 2021 matchup that Luna Rossa won.

The winner of the series faces defending champion Team Emirates New Zealand in the America’s Cup final next month.

Luna Rossa sealed the win over the Americans a day after it gifted them their third victory, when some rigging broke free on the Italian yacht and left it disabled in the Mediterranean.

But the shore crew fixed the malfunction on the mainsail overnight.

Luna Rossa took the lead in the decider when it cut behind its rival on the first of six legs and never looked back. The Americans were 700 meters behind when the winner crossed the finish line.

“I would just like to mention American Magic for putting up a hell of a fight. They are a champion team and showed it,” Luna Rossa's starboard helmsman Jimmy Spithill said. “This victory has to go to the shore team. They worked all night and this morning looked like a bunch of zombies.”

Luna Rossa swept the Americans 4-0 at the same stage in the 2021 America’s Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Americans faced adversity this time around when experienced helmsman Paul Goodison was unable to race in the series after he fell on the boat and cracked some ribs. Lucas Calabrese took his place and performed admirably, according to co-helm Tom Slingsby, despite his limited hours in the super foiling yacht.

American Magic needed to win the two races scheduled on Thursday to advance.

“Huge congratulations to Luna Rossa, the better team won,” Slingsby said. “We've got to hold our heads high, as much as I am stewing on some bad decisions in that race. But given where we were last week, we had a huge improvement in that short time.”

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

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Tech magnate Mike Lynch's body found in sunken superyacht wreckage, officials say

Early reports indicate the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly., by the associated press • published august 22, 2024 • updated on august 22, 2024 at 10:52 am.

The Italian coast guard said Thursday the body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered off the coast of Sicily from the wreckage of a superyacht whose builders had called unsinkable.

One woman remains missing. She has not been identified, but Hannah Lynch, Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, is reportedly unaccounted for. The family had been celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges with the people who defended him at trial in the United States.

Five others were recovered by rescue crews following Monday's tragedy.

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

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

Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office investigators were collecting evidence for a criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy despite no formal suspects having been publicly identified.

The chief executive of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the Bayesian's manufacturer, said superyachts like these are “the safest in the most absolute sense.”

Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.

“First of all, because they have very little surface compared to a yacht facing into the wind,” CEO Giovanni Costantino told Sky News on Wednesday. "Second, with the structure, the drift keel, they become unsinkable bodies.”

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

Morgan Stanley International chair among 6 missing after luxury yacht sinks in Sicily

Investigators are now looking at why the Bayesian, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived by escaping in a lifeboat, including a mother who reported holding her 1-year-old baby over the waves to save her. They were rescued by the sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell.

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

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

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

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

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

Lynch is the only person confirmed dead; the other bodies have not been formally identified.

Besides Hannah Lynch, those missing are Christopher Morvillo, one of Lynch’s U.S. lawyers, and his wife, Neda; Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley’s London-based investment banking subsidiary, and his wife, Judy; and Recaldo Thomas, the superyacht’s chef.

Divers have struggled to find the bodies in the yacht’s hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater.

“We would need a crystal ball to know when we'll be able to find the next body," said Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service.

“It's very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one meter can take up to 24 hours,” Cari said.

This article tagged under:

• WEATHER ALERT Flood Watch Full Story

1,000 rounds of ammunition and fireworks were onboard yacht that burned in Marina del Rey: Owner

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (KABC) -- The owner of a luxury yacht that erupted in flames and sank in Marina del Rey said 1,000 rounds of "unspent ammunition and fireworks" were onboard the vessel, according to fire officials.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department provided an update on the incident in a social media post Thursday morning.

The fire was reported shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at 211 Basin A, where flames engulfed the multi-level, 100-foot boat, the agency said.

Residents in the area said they heard multiple explosions resonating throughout the harbor as yacht was consumed by flames. Fire officials said two people were able to get off the boat uninjured.

Fire crews poured water onto the burning vessel, which later sank into the harbor.

An environmental hazard team was expected to arrive in Marina del Rey Thursday to assist with the cleanup of the burned vessel.

A United States Coast Guard Incident Management Team from Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach is monitoring the cleanup efforts, according to the Coast Guard, which said that the yacht "caught fire and discharged red-dye diesel."

"The fire did not appear to damage any other vessels in the harbor," the USCG said in a statement Thursday. "The Coast Guard is working with Patriot Environmental Services and Clean Harbors organizations to contain and recover the discharge from the yacht."

The yacht's fuel capacity was reported to be 6,000 gallons, according to the Coast Guard. Crews from California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response and the L.A. County Sheriff's Department are also assisting in the efforts.

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network was also notified and was on standby for wildlife response. "No observations of oiled wildlife have been reported at this time," the Coast Guard said Thursday morning. "For your safety and the safety of the animals, do not attempt to capture oiled animals." Witnesses were urged to report oiled wildlife to (877) 823-6926.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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