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Mike Lynch death: Tributes flow for Autonomy cofounder and ‘creator of dreams’

It has now been confirmed that Mike Lynch, one of the most prominent and controversial figures in the U.K. tech scene, died in the sinking of his superyacht off Sicily on Monday. At least five others also died when the vessel capsized in a violent storm; Lynch’s teenage daughter Hannah remains missing.

I encourage you to read my colleague Ryan Hogg’s obituary of Lynch , who I was writing about just a couple weeks ago in the context of his legal travails. Following a lengthy extradition drama, Lynch, 59, was acquitted in June of criminal fraud charges relating to the sale of his data software firm Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. Indeed, his fateful trip with family, friends and lawyers was reportedly a celebration of that victory.

Morgan Stanley International chair Jonathan Bloomer, who had chaired Autonomy’s audit committee during the HP sale, and who testified in Lynch’s defense, also died in the sinking of the Bayesian. In a grotesque coincidence, Lynch’s also-acquitted codefendant in the U.S. trial, former Autonomy finance VP Stephen Chamberlain, was fatally struck by a car while jogging in England on Saturday.

Although he was acquitted in the U.S., a U.K. civil case over Autonomy’s misrepresentation of its financials to HP resulted in a ruling that Lynch had known what was going on. As a result, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (which has been handling the case since it was spun out of HP in 2015) had been hoping to recoup billions of dollars from Lynch and former Autonomy CFO Sushovan Hussain, who received a five-year sentence in the U.S. over the affair.

“We’re saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who lost their lives,” said an HPE spokesman, while declining to comment on the future of the legal proceedings.

Friends say Lynch had been at the “beginning of a new life” following his U.S. acquittal, and many tributes followed the confirmation of his passing.

“The world has lost a genius. His family have lost a giant of a man,” said Autonomy cofounder David Tabizel.

“Mike Lynch should be remembered as the person who catalyzed a breed of deep tech entrepreneurs in the U.K.,” said John Browne, the former BP CEO and the chair of the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research center for which Lynch once helped to raise funds. “His ideas and his personal vision were a powerful contribution to science and technology in both Britain and globally. I send my condolences to those close to him. We have lost a human being of great ability.”

David Yelland, the former editor of The Sun and Lynch’s public relations advisor, said Lynch was “failed in life by his country and his peers when he needed them most—as he looked for help in the unjust U.S. demand that he be extradited—and he has then suffered the most unfair and brutal of fates.”

“I was in touch with Mike just before he sailed,” Yelland wrote on X . “He wasn’t a mere dreamer of dreams, he was a creator of dreams not just for himself but for all those that knew him, worked with him or invested with him.”

Lynch was a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the board of which said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his death. A spokesperson from industry body TechUK told the Evening Standard that Lynch had been “a hugely significant and pioneering figure in the U.K. technology sector.”

More news below. And do read my colleague Eleanor Pringle’s piece on X’s true owners , whose identities have just been revealed in the context of a lawsuit by former employees. Bill Ackman is no surprise, but the same can’t be said for Diddy.

David Meyer

Want to send thoughts or suggestions to Data Sheet? Drop a line  here .

Walmart sells JD.com stake. Walmart has sold its entire $3.7 billion stake in the Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com and says it will focus on its own Chinese operations now. As Reuters reports , the move may have something to do with how the ultra-competitive nature of Chinese e-commerce squeezes profit margins. Walmart has in recent years been pulling out of a few international markets where it can’t turn a decent profit.

Head-to-head spectacle. The second half of next month will see the unveiling of not one but two big plays in the augmented reality glasses space, The Verge reports . Snap will apparently show off the fifth generation of its Spectacles on Sept. 17, with Mark Zuckerberg revealing Meta’s entry into the AR specs business the following week. Meta’s effort is code-named Orion.

Google targeting teens. Not long after the Financial Times reported that Google broke its own rules by letting Meta target teens with its YouTube ads, Adweek reports that this was no one-off. Citing three ad buyers, plus written documentation, the publication says Google’s salespeople have been advising ad buyers on how to reach teenagers despite the fact that Google doesn’t allow targeting that age group. The key, it seems, is to target the cohort of “unknown” users, about whom Google doesn’t know age or other details, as teens are probably included in the group. Google says it will remind its reps not to help agencies and advertisers skirt the company’s rules.

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

—The estimated number of trees felled to make space for Tesla’s gigafactory outside Berlin. That’s according to environmental intelligence company Kayrros; many environmental campaigners oppose the plant.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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BEFORE YOU GO

Plans laid for new streamer. There’s reportedly going to be a new streaming service in town, coming from…Chick-fil-A? According to Deadline , the fast-food company has been talking to big production companies about the creation of original, family-friendly content, with a tilt towards reality TV. The publication notes that Chick-fil-A has made content for its own website before, but this would be something else—and it could be a boon for the ailing reality TV sector.

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Breaking news, maker of bayesian yacht blames crew for ‘indescribable, unreasonable errors’ in doomed vessel’s sinking.

The CEO of the company that built the $40 million yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily this week has blamed the crew for the tragedy — saying they had 16 minutes and could have easily saved the seven who died.

“The boat suffered a series of indescribable, unreasonable errors,” Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, told Reuters of the Bayesian sinking Monday, killing seven of the 22 onboard.

“The impossible happened on that boat … but it went down because it took on water. From where, the investigators will tell,” he said.

Blaming the crew for the “incredible mistake” of not being prepared for the storm, he said: “This is the mistake that cries out for vengeance.”

Costantino, whose company includes Perini Navi, the Italian high-end yacht maker that built the 183-foot superyacht in 2008, staunchly defended its construction — saying it had survived far more extreme storms during 22 years of trouble-free navigation.

Instead, he expressed horror that the crew was unable to save the seven who died — including the Bayesian’s owner, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.

He said the crew had a 16-minute window before the craft sank — plenty of time to get everyone to safety.

“The torture lasted 16 minutes,” he told the Financial Times.

“It went down, not in one minute as some scientists have said. It went down in 16 minutes. You can see it from the charts, from the AIS [Automatic Identification System] tracking chart,” he said.

Additionally, doors and hatches should have been closed, and the keel should have been lowered to increase stability, among other safety measures, Costantino said.

Had correct procedures been followed, all passengers would have gone back to sleep after one hour, “and the next morning they would have happily resumed their wonderful cruise,” he added.

“The captain should have prepared the boat and put it in a state of alert and of safety.”

“Ask yourself — why were none of the Porticello fishermen out that night? A fisherman checks the conditions and a ship doesn’t? The disturbance was completely readable on all the weather maps. It was impossible not to know,” he said.

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

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

Bayesian had 22 people on board — 12 passengers and 10 crew — when it capsized and sank during a storm while anchored off the coast of northern Sicily.

Of those on board, 15 people — including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares — were rescued after escaping onto a lifeboat. 

Rescue divers located Lynch’s teen daughter Friday, the final missing person, the Italian coast guard said.   

The bodies of the other dead passengers, including Lynch and New York attorney Christopher Morvillo, were recovered Wednesday and Thursday from inside the hull of the sunken yacht. Those on board were there to help Lynch celebrate his recent acquittal in a major US fraud trial. 

Meanwhile, Italian authorities launched a manslaughter investigation into what downed the $40 million yacht after it was struck by an intense storm early Monday, local media reported.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Termini Imerese had started making inquiries and was looking at a slew of offenses — including “shipwreck and multiple counts of culpable homicide against an unknown person,” sources told Palermo Today.

With Post wires

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What we know about the Bayesian superyacht that sank

The Bayesian, which capsized in the early hours of Monday, was an award-winning yacht with the second-tallest mast in the world.

News reporter @niamhielynch

Friday 23 August 2024 12:37, UK

The Bayesian, an award-winning superyacht, sank during bad weather off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday.

On Thursday, authorities confirmed divers had found the bodies of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, Morgan Stanley International boss Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, and one of Mr Lynch's lawyers Chris Morvillo, and his wife Neda.

Recaldo Thomas, the on-board chef, was the first to be confirmed dead earlier this week.

Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was rescued along with 14 others - including Charlotte Golunski, a mother who told la Repubblica she held her one-year-old baby above the waves to save her from drowning.

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah is missing, but believed to be the seventh body recovered from the wreckage on Friday.

But what do we know about the ship?

The British-flagged 56-metre ship - previously called the Salute - was built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, and refitted in 2020.

More on Superyacht Sinking

Potential manslaughter being investigated in superyacht sinking, Italian prosecutor says

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Its 72-metre mast was the world's tallest aluminium mast, and the second-tallest overall. The yacht could reach a maximum speed of 15 knots and weighed 543 tonnes.

The French design house Remi Tessier fitted out the Japanese-style interior decor, with touches of light and dark beige and dark wood furnishings, as well as a teak deck.

It won the best exterior styling at The World Superyacht Awards in 2009, and best interior at the International Superyacht Society Awards 2008.

It had six guest bedrooms - one master, three doubles, and two twins - holding 12 people, and could carry another 10 crew members.

Pictures show air conditioning units in several of the bedrooms, which could counter expert claims open windows may have caused water to rush in and tip the boat over faster.

Shipspotting.com says it was owned by a firm called Revtom Limited. Mike Lynch's wife, Ms Bacares, is named as the sole shareholder of the firm on company documents.

Read more from Sky News: Lynch's co-defendant dies after being hit by car We can learn from Lynch's unsuccessful prosecution

The yacht's name would resonate with Mr Lynch because his PhD thesis and the software that made his fortune involved a statistical method known as Bayesian inference, based on an 18th-century theory, which helps forecasters predict outcomes more reliably.

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

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It was listed for rent for up to €195,000 (£166,000) a week, according to online charter sites.

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Body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered from yacht wreckage, officials say

PORTICELLO, Sicily -- 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.

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, told AP in an interview on Thursday that superyachts like these are "designed to be unsinkable."

"And it is unsinkable not only because it is designed in this way, but also because it is a sailing ship and sailing ships are the safest ever," CEO Giovanni Costantino said.

Costantino added that "obviously they must not hit the rocks violently, discarding the hull, and they must not take in water," suggesting the second possibility was the most likely in this case.

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, 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 by the Italian coast guard.

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.

The body of chef Recaldo Thomas was the first to be recovered, on Monday. His death was confirmed by his family.

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.

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Yacht Sank in Sicily Due to ‘Endless Chain of Errors,' Ship Maker's Owner Speculates: ‘Everything Was Predictable’

"A series of activities should have been done to avoid finding oneself in that situation," argues Giovanni Costantino, who owns the firm that built the vessel in 2008

• Giovanni Costantino — who is the CEO of The Italian Sea Group, the company that now owns Perini Navi, which built the  Bayesian  in 2008 — blames an "endless chain of errors" for the luxury yacht’s sinking on Monday, Aug. 19
• "Everything was predictable. I have the weather charts in front of me here," Constantino told Italian newspaper  Corriere della Sera  of the storm the boat was caught in
• "An unsinkable ship but from the crew an endless chain of errors," the CEO claimed to the outlet

The sinking of the luxury Bayesian  yacht off the coast of Sicily this week  resulted from an "endless chain of errors" by the crew, the ship maker's CEO is speculating.

"This episode sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact," Giovanni Costantino — who leads The Italian Sea Group, the company that now owns Perini Navi, which built the  Bayesian  in 2008 — said,  according to CNN .

While speaking to  Italian newspaper  Corriere della Sera , Costantino said he believes those on board should not have been in their cabins, as he claims they were, when the Bayesian sank in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 19. 

Many details of why the yacht went into the water so quickly remain unclear and it's not yet known what the passengers and crew were doing before tragedy struck.

The 183-foot British vessel sank around 5 a.m. local time on Monday after a "violent storm" while near Porticello, the Italian coast guard said in a statement that was previously obtained by PEOPLE.

"Everything that has been done reveals a very long sum of errors. The people should not have been in the cabins, the boat should not have been at anchor. And then why didn't the crew know about the incoming disturbance?" Costantino said in his interview, translated from Italian.

Related: Italian Authorities Currently Don’t Have Anyone ‘Under Investigation’ over Luxury Yacht Sinking

"The passengers reported an absurd thing, namely that the storm came unexpected, suddenly. It's not true. Everything was predictable. I have the weather charts in front of me here. Nothing came suddenly ... Ask yourself, why was no fisherman from Porticello out that night? A fisherman reads the weather conditions and a ship doesn't? The disturbance was fully readable in all the weather charts. One could not not know," he argued.

"An unsinkable ship but from the crew an endless chain of errors," the CEO asserted.

The coast guard has said 22 people were aboard the  Bayesian  when it sank — 12 passengers and 10 crew — and that 15 of those were subsequently rescued.

The body of the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered nearby. 

Costantino's comments came as it was reported that five bodies had been found in the search for the missing six people as of Wednesday, Aug. 21, a source close to the rescue operations confirmed to PEOPLE. Authorities have said that their work is ongoing. 

An Italian government official, Massimo Mariani, reportedly named one of the dead as British tech tycoon Mike Lynch . The other bodies have not yet been publicly identified by authorities. 

Lynch was celebrating with family and friends on the yacht following his acquittal in a fraud trial in June, PEOPLE previously reported.

Related: 'We Are in Shock,' Prominent N.Y.C. Attorney's Firm Says After He and His Wife Go Missing in Yacht Sinking

Costantino offered his view of how the tragedy could have been avoided: "To begin with, in a weather alert situation it was inappropriate to have, as I read, a party. Not that evening. The hull and deck needed to be secured by closing all doors and hatches, after putting the guests at the ship's meeting point as per emergency procedure. Then start the engines and pull up the anchor or release it automatically, put the bow to the wind and lower the keel.

"The next morning they would have departed with zero damage." 

When discussing whether the crew were at fault, Costantino reiterated to the Italian outlet that he believes "errors were made."

"A series of activities should have been done to avoid finding oneself in that situation," he said. "I as the ship's captain would have moved, but even if for some reason I had to stay there, I would have managed those weather conditions which then, let's face it, weren't so crazy."

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

Costantino contended that there would have been "a zero risk if the correct maneuvers had been made and if situations that compromised the ship's stability had not occurred," adding to the newspaper that reports that the boat went down in seconds is "nonsense." He believes the yacht would have "went down" after water "started to enter" within "six minutes."

The remaining missing  Bayesian  passengers are Lynch's daughter Hannah as well as Chairman of Morgan Stanley International  Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judy , and New York City-based lawyer  Christopher Morvillo and his wife, Neda , sources have said.

Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was among those rescued, PEOPLE previously reported.

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Read the original article on People .

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Motor Yacht

Montkaj is a custom motor yacht launched in 1995 by Amels in Makkum, Netherlands and most recently refitted in 2000.

AMELS are masters in the art of modern Dutch high-value yacht building. The yard is the largest superyacht facility in the Netherlands and one of the top superyacht builders in the world. In 2005 AMELS launched the successful LIMITED EDITIONS and delivered the first yacht of the series in 2007. The shipyard also specialises in the build of full-custom superyachts, with the in-construction Project Signature due to become the largest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands upon her scheduled launch in 2025.

Montkaj measures 78.03 metres in length, with a max draft of 3.90 metres and a beam of 12.89 metres. She has a gross tonnage of 1,980 tonnes. She has a deck material of teak.

Montkaj has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Terence Disdale Design is an award-winning design studio responsible for the interior and exterior design of the some of the world’s most significant yachts. Based in the UK, the studio is renowned for producing refreshingly casual yet chic designs.

Montkaj also features naval architecture by Amels.

Performance and Capabilities

Montkaj has a top speed of 18.00 knots and a cruising speed of 15.00 knots. She is powered by a twin screw propulsion system.

Montkaj has a fuel capacity of 385,000 litres, and a water capacity of 55,000 litres.

Accommodation

Montkaj accommodates up to 24 guests in 12 cabins. She also houses room for up to 22 crew members.

Other Specifications

Montkaj has a hull NB of 429.

Montkaj is a LR class yacht. She flies the flag of the Cayman Islands.

• Yacht Builder Amels View profile
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• Interior Designer Terence Disdale View profile

Yacht Specs

Other amels yachts, related news.

Who Owns Superyachts In 2023 —And What Does That Mean For You As Crew?

Where once oligarchs, oil tycoons, royals and old money ruled the roost in the yachting world, tech billionaires have increasingly dominated the superyacht market. Who are these people — and more importantly — what does their different style of ‘yachting’ mean for you as crew?

The list of tech billionaires (at least, the list we know of) is long and getting longer by the year. And as their wealth grows, so does the size of the boats they own!

Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison (Musashi), Charles Simonyi (SKAT), Sergey Brin (Dragonfly), and Larry Page (Senses) are just some of the tech billionaires known to own a superyacht. Mark Zuckerberg, meanwhile, is rumoured to own Andromeda.

While we can only speculate on how these exact individuals use their yachts or what they are like onboard, some general traits might set the tech billionaire yacht owner out as using their yachts differently than generations of yacht owners before them.

Overall, tech billionaires are often younger, more adventurous and less hidebound regarding old rules and service styles. Here are a few general trends we can assume.

They want to eat well, but less fussily, and with a greater premium on health.

Where silver service, ultra-decadent meals, and mountains of wasted food were — and often still are— preferred by old-money yacht owners and charterers, the modern tech billionaire is more likely to be health-conscious and eat food that is plated rather than buffet style or silver service. Yacht chefs now need to be more skilled in special diets, such as plant-based or keto, and offer a broader range of cuisines.

They want to WORK.

Superyachts used to be for holidays only. This was partly by necessity —the lack of connectivity meant that work went on the back burner for summer months as guests swanned around the Mediterranean. Now, the extraordinary technological strides on board allow yacht owners to have offices where they can work anywhere in the world.

They want to go far beyond the milk run.

While anchoring off St Tropez or Cap Ferrat for weeks in August will always be in style, there has been an explosion in remote cruising, often fuelled by this younger, more adventurous set of yacht owners who can work from anywhere- Antarctica to Alaska and beyond.

This has fed into the next point…

A desire for adventure and exploration has changed yacht design.

As younger, more adventurous owners like tech billionaires have joined the superyacht market, the design of yachts and the toys they carry have changed markedly. New types of vessels have been created to meet this desire for off-the-beaten-track cruising, from support yachts to water toys to the massive growth in explorer yachts. Gone are the days when one yacht layout was almost identical to another. Now, we have winter gardens, submarines, ice rooms, ski rooms, large onboard offices, and helicopter hangars.

Not all of these changes have been driven by tech billionaires, granted. Still, their vision of what is possible has dramatically changed what yachts look like and how they operate as machines, with new types of propulsion, greater ranges, and a considerable amount more tech onboard.

Some things never change.

One thing hasn’t changed, though—a wealthy person’s desire for privacy. Discretion remains perhaps the most essential trait in any crew member, which you must keep in mind when working on yachts —even in the day of constant social media and shows like Below Deck.

A wealthy person’s desire for privacy and discretion is a constant that crew forget at their peril. Are you ensuring that you are a trusted asset? You may have signed that NDA, but do you let stories slip now and then at the bar? Are you careful about not taking photos onboard that give away anything about the boat or the owners? Do you make sure you don’t share the yacht’s cruising plans?

In a world where stories about tech billionaires will fly around the globe at light speed, you must be the gatekeeper. Stories cannot leave the passerelle.

Contact information

Sharon Rose

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The human side of yacht ownership

How would you characterise the typical yacht owner? Whatever you may have been led to believe, the truth is simple: for most, it’s about using their yachts for precious family time, and for many it’s also about using their yachts for good.

There’s a theme that is repeated on countless yachts large and small the world over – superyachting, for most, is not about being seen but rather the opposite. It’s about yacht families and their friends enjoying precious, private moments away from the pressures of demanding business lives and the long hours running those businesses can entail.

“I have an extended family, and when our schedules allow we all like to gather on the yacht and spend some quality time as a family,” Douglas Barrowman , owner of the yacht Turquoise , told Superyacht Life back in 2017. “There is no place like a yacht for family togetherness.”

Douglas Barrowman with family

A love of the sea, adventure and technology

Superyachts and yacht ownership are also a way to explore the world around us, and to interact with and grow to understand extraordinarily diverse communities from remote Pacific islands to the Scandinavian Arctic. It’s something that inspired tech entrepreneur Jasper Smith to combine his love of adventure and his love of the sea with an opportunity for owners to give back while indulging their passion.

“I have always had a deep passion for the ocean,” Smith says. “I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau movies and being enthralled at the idea of being challenged by an endeavour.” When he set out to find his own perfect explorer yacht, however, he realised it didn’t yet exist. His answer was to create Arksen. “My aim with Arksen was to create the perfect machines to enable adventure,” he enthuses. “I also wanted to build sustainable boats which considered full life cycles, from material sourcing to recycling.”

That’s not all – Arksen also asks owners of its yachts to sign up to a pledge it calls 10% for the Ocean, where they will donate 10% of their vessel’s time to philanthropic activities. “A lot of people who have the money feel a responsibility to try and make sure that the oceans are well looked after,” Smith explains. “The people that are attracted to Arksen are passionate about the ocean and want to go off on slightly more advanced expeditions and trips. With that audience, there is a tremendous buy-in to the boat being for more than just their own purposes.”

Superyachts as a force for good

It speaks to the heart of the matter, which is that the superyacht industry and yacht owners in particular have a heart – they care about preserving the environment they enjoy, and they care about the communities they interact with who make them feel so welcome when they visit. It’s reflected in the smallest of gestures, such as donating materials and books to local schools, to the largest – helping with last-mile delivery of critical disaster relief. It’s about superyachts giving back.

It’s a positive-impact attitude toward humanity that is quietly typified by hundreds of superyacht owners, who often prefer to do their thing under the radar rather than take false glory for their philanthropic or humanitarian endeavours. For some it’s as straightforward as getting involved in projects with organisations like YachtAid Global . For others, their endeavours become a key reason for yachting.

American superyacht owner Carl Allen is a prime example of these philanthropic yacht owners. After selling his company, and having enjoyed chartering and owning yachts as a family for years, Allen set up Allen Explorations to deliver a full programme of projects, ranging from historical shipwreck searches and environmental research to disaster relief. Indeed, Allen’s support yacht Axis played a vital role in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian – one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the Bahamas.

“We had to drop everything and help after the hurricane,” says Allen. “ Axis delivered over £700,000 of supplies and made multiple trips to Little Grand island in the Bahamas. We’ve turned it into the epitome of how to organise hurricane relief.” The team helped get the local school back up and running, and organised for a group from Florida Power and Light to help restore power. “The island also lost their water tower,” he adds, “so we delivered four tanks on  Axis .”

Jasper Smith

Celebrating the good in the superyachting good life

From family time to time spent embracing the global family, superyacht owners have a far greater positive impact than many assume from preconceived ideas about what a superyacht is and the sort of person who owns or charters one. It’s one of the reasons The Superyacht Life Foundation, in association with the Monaco Yacht Show , has unveiled The Honours, which is a way to celebrate the people of our industry rather than the yachts which so often get sole focus. It’s about recognising the extraordinary contributions that people make, the change they inspire, the opportunities they create, and the lives they change.

On 26 September, the eve of the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, three honourees – nominated by people from across the superyacht industry, and selected from a shortlist by an expert panel of industry judges – will be feted for their work and contribution to superyachting. These are industry professionals and yacht owners who epitomise what superyachting can do. These are people who highlight the good in the superyachting good life.

Yacht owners, impactful journeys

All around the globe, yacht owners are enjoying precious time on their yachts with family and friends, and many are also realising that their yachts can be a force for good and for change, tying in with their philanthropic works and humanitarian endeavours.

“Our yacht is a platform for much of our life,” offers Joe Anderson , co-owner of the Benovia Winery in California with his wife, Mary Dewane. “For instance, we used it at a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis in Baltimore at the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner event. The Blue Angels were flying overhead and used Bella Una [the couple’s yacht] as a GPS coordinate and performed flybys, tipping their wings at us. It was quite a thrill. Having a yacht is a way to keep the family intact, enjoy time with friends and have fun.”

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Boat of the Week: This New 208-Foot Superyacht Has an Owner’s Suite That’s Bigger Than Most Apartments

The 208-foot "moca" is one of the big draws at the fort lauderdale boat show, a luxury superyacht designed to live off the grid for months., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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Talk about living a pampered life. When Moca’ s first owner took delivery of the 208-foot superyacht at builder Benetti ’s yard in Livorno, Italy, back in 2016, he wanted his first cruise to be to the Bahamas.

Instead of doing what most owners would do and instruct the crew to get it there on time, to avoid the wear and tear of a transatlantic crossing, he had the massive superyacht hoisted on the deck of a freighter and shipped there. The owner, a Greek shipping magnate, then used the yacht just twice before listing it.

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After the bespoke Benetti changed hands in October 2019, and was renamed Moca, it continued to lead a sheltered life, spending winters in the Bahamas and summers in the Hamptons. Even though the yacht is available for the occasional charter , its current owners are so protective and selective, they only let “caring” customers pay the $475,000-a-week fee to enjoy their yacht.

The main salon includes a bespoke bar, just steps away from the rear cockpit, with a large lounging space forward.  Courtesy Joel Eriksson

“They don’t allow day charters or parties on board,” said Frank Grzeszczak Jr. with FGI Yacht Group. Grzeszczak gave Robb Report an exclusive tour of Moca at this week’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where the yacht officially entered the brokerage market at €39.95 million, or roughly $46.6 million.

Originally named Waku , it was built by Benetti to ABS class for the first owner who specified a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, a 35-foot beam for voluminous interior spaces and 13-foot draft for good stability. The boat is equipped with MTU diesels, packing 1,029 hp each; enough to push Moca to a top speed of 18.5 mph and cruise serenely at 14. Her 30,000-gallon fuel tanks give her a range of close to 5,000 nautical miles. In five years, only 1,000 hours have been put on the engines.

The interior design by Francesca Muzio, co-founder of Italian studio FM Architettura, provides accommodation for up to 14 guests in seven staterooms, plus a multitude of multi-use spaces indoor and out. “The owners are big family people who love to have their extended family and friends aboard,” says Grzeszczak.

Elevators tend to be a mundane feature on most yachts but Moca’s, a transparent tube stretching four floors, is a work of art.  Courtesy Joel Eriksson

The main, big-windowed salon is an oversized, comfy space with a neutral, beach-cottage look of soft-white sofas, bleached oak for the walls and dark wood flooring. It’s a theme that continues pretty much throughout the boat. The salon opens out on to a huge covered back deck with a big U-shaped sofa providing seats for 16 and a large table for casual alfresco dining. An air-conditioning system is built into the ceiling to provide respite on hot, humid days.

Also on this level is an industrial-grade galley with extensive pantries, fridge/freezers, and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar just steps away. According to Grzeszczak there’s enough cold and dry storage for the yacht to go off the grid for more than four months. Right now, Moca runs with a crew of 15.

One of the design highlights is the glass-tube elevator that runs between all four levels of the yacht. With its shimmering chrome framing, it looks like a piece of art. Down on the lower level are the sleeping quarters, with twin bunk rooms for kids, and a spacious VIP double cabin, each with their own bathroom and shower. Forward are two more identical VIP double cabins.

The full-beam main suite is palatial, with a separate office, best-in-class walk-in closet and even two sofas near the window.  Courtesy Joel Eriksson

But the piece de resistance is the owner’s suite on the upper level. “It’s not really a suite, but a whole apartment,” says Grzeszczak. “It has an impressive amount of space, including what must be the biggest walk-in closet of any superyacht in its class.”

The master bedroom stretches the entire 38-foot width of Moca , and comes with a vast bathroom and massive walk-in shower. Close by is a lovely owner’s office, with views through a picture window.

Moca’ s incredible walk-in closet.  Courtesy Joel Eriksson

A press of a button opens a door from the master suite onto a private outdoor deck, where there is an alfresco dining table for 14. On the top level, there’s yet another outdoor deck with steps to the pool, and doors opening into a room that, since Covid-19, is no longer a massage and yoga room but a classroom for kids. Steps away is the yacht’s gym and reconfigured massage space.

The top deck is designed for family time and outdoor living.  Courtesy Joel Eriksson

Our final stop is Moca’s gleaming engine room with the pair of shiny, stainless steel-adorned MTUs, generators and Quantum stabilizers. Says Grzeszczak: “Since the owner bought the yacht, every single piece of machinery has been overhauled. Nothing has been overlooked. It really has been a labor of love for the owners.”

Here are the many sides of Moca.

Courtesy Joel Eriksson

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Who Owns Superyacht Stardust? (Uncovering the Mystery)

From the glimmering waters off the coast of Monaco to the Mediterranean Sea, Superyacht Stardust captivates onlookers with its breathtaking beauty.

But who owns this luxurious vessel? Uncovering the mystery of Stardusts ownership takes us on an incredible journey deep into the world of the super-rich, and the fascinating life of its owner, Andrey Melnichenko.

In this article, we’ll explore Melnichenkos extraordinary fleet of yachts, the incredible features and amenities of Stardust, and the popular destinations the vessel has been known to frequent.

Read on to find out who owns Superyacht Stardust!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The owner of the superyacht Stardust is unknown.

However, it is rumored to be owned by a Russian billionaire, with speculation that it was purchased by a member of the Alisher Usmanov family.

The yacht is reportedly worth over $200 million and measures over 132 meters in length.

It is considered to be one of the most luxurious yachts in the world.

Who is Andrey Melnichenko?

Andrey Melnichenko is a Russian billionaire who is the owner of the luxury superyacht Stardust.

He is an extremely successful entrepreneur and investor who has made his fortune in the energy, banking, and fertilizer industries.

He is the founder and chairman of EuroChem, one of the world’s largest fertilizer companies, and is the co-founder and chairman of MDM Bank, one of Russia’s largest banks.

Melnichenko is also the founder of the A-Group, a business empire which includes the A-Line, a clothing line; the A-Realty, a real estate company; the A-Club, a charity club; and the A-Technology, a technology firm.

Melnichenko has a long history of luxury yacht ownership.

His first yacht was the A, a 377-foot vessel which was built in 2008.

He then commissioned the Sailing Yacht A, a sail-assisted motor yacht which was launched in 2015.

His latest yacht is the Stardust, a 394-foot vessel which was built in 2019 by German shipyard Nobiskrug.

The Stardust is reported to have cost $450 million to construct and features eight decks, an infinity pool, and its own nightclub.

It is the latest addition to the Melnichenko’s fleet of luxury yachts, which also includes the A, the Sailing Yacht A, and the Motor Yacht A.

Melnichenko is known for his opulent lifestyle and is often seen enjoying his yachts with his glamorous wife, Russian model Aleksandra Melnichenko.

He is also known for his charitable works and is a major donor to the United Nations and other organizations.

What are the Features of Superyacht Stardust?

The luxurious Superyacht Stardust, owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, is 394-foot vessel that was built in 2019 by German shipyard Nobiskrug.

The cost of building the yacht is estimated to be around $450 million.

It features eight decks, an infinity pool, and its own nightclub, making it the perfect place to relax and entertain guests.

The Stardust is equipped with a range of state-of-the-art amenities, from a helipad to a gym, spa, and even a submarine.

Its exterior is made of steel and the interior is designed with a modern aesthetic, featuring marble floors, white leather furniture, and a grand staircase.

The yacht has one master suite and seven guest cabins, all of which are luxurious and comfortable.

The yacht also features a large sun deck, complete with a Jacuzzi and day beds, as well as a swimming pool with a slide.

The Stardust is also equipped with two tenders, two Jet Skis, and a wide range of water toys.

For entertainment, the yacht has a movie theater, a DJ booth, and a nightclub.

To make sure the guests are safe and secure, the yacht is also equipped with an advanced security system.

The Stardust is the latest in a series of luxurious yachts owned by Melnichenko, who also owns the A, the Sailing Yacht A, and the Motor Yacht A.

These yachts feature a range of amenities that make them the perfect vessels for cruising in style and comfort.

How Much Did the Stardust Cost to Construct?

The luxury superyacht Stardust is owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, and it was built by the German shipyard Nobiskrug in 2019.

Reports suggest that the Stardust cost an astonishing $450 million to construct, making it one of the most expensive yachts ever built.

The 394-foot vessel is truly a sight to behold, featuring eight decks, an infinity pool, and its own nightclub.

All of these luxurious amenities come with a hefty price tag, and the Stardust is no exception.

Melnichenko spared no expense when it came to the construction of the Stardust, and it shows.

The Stardust is the latest in a series of luxurious yachts owned by Melnichenko.

He also owns the A, the Sailing Yacht A, and the Motor Yacht A, all of which are equally as impressive as the Stardust.

Melnichenko is known for his extravagant lifestyle and his taste for the finer things in life, and the Stardust is an example of this.

The Stardust is a testament to Melnichenko’s wealth and power, and it’s easy to see why it cost so much to construct.

From its intricate design to its luxurious amenities, the Stardust is a statement of Melnichenko’s success and a symbol of his power.

For those of us who can’t afford to build a yacht of this caliber, we can only dream of the kind of luxury that comes with owning a superyacht like the Stardust. It’s a mystery why Melnichenko chose to build such an extravagant vessel, but one thing is for sure: it cost a pretty penny to construct.

The Other Yachts in Melnichenko’s Fleet

When it comes to luxury superyachts, Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko is no stranger.

The latest addition to his portfolio is the 394-foot Stardust, which was built in 2019 by German shipyard Nobiskrug and reportedly cost $450 million to construct.

But this isn’t the first luxury vessel Melnichenko has owned.

Before the Stardust, Melnichenko owned the A, a luxury motor yacht designed by Philippe Starck.

It was constructed in 2008 by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg and featured a 300-foot main deck, seven guest suites, and a helipad.

It was reported to have cost $323 million.

Following the A was the Sailing Yacht A, a majestic 436-foot vessel built in 2017 by Nobiskrug.

This luxurious yacht features an unprecedented eight decks and a breathtaking infinity pool.

It also has its own nightclub, an underwater observation deck, and a helipad.

The Sailing Yacht A was reported to have cost a whopping $400 million.

Finally, Melnichenko owns the Motor Yacht A, which was also built by Nobiskrug in 2016.

This vessel is said to be the largest and most expensive yacht in the world, measuring in at a whopping 468 feet in length.

The Motor Yacht A features a helipad, a spa, a gym, and an outdoor cinema.

It reportedly cost $500 million to build.

So, while the Stardust is the latest in Melnichenko’s series of luxurious yachts, it is far from the first.

The Russian billionaire has been collecting luxurious vessels for years, and each one is more stunning than the next.

It’s clear that Melnichenko has a passion for luxury yachts, and his collection is certainly impressive.

The Luxury Amenities of the Stardust

When it comes to luxury amenities, the Stardust is in a class of its own.

From its eight decks to its infinity pool and nightclub, the Stardust offers luxury features and amenities that are unparalleled.

At 394 feet long, the Stardust is the largest and most opulent yacht in the fleet of superyachts owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko.

The Stardust was built in 2019 by the German shipyard Nobiskrug and is reported to have cost $450 million to construct.

It features eight decks, each designed to provide a unique experience.

The main deck is the grandest of them all, featuring an infinity pool, a jacuzzi, an outdoor bar, and an outdoor cinema.

The pool is lined with a special glass and can be filled with either fresh or salt water.

It is also illuminated with LED lights, allowing for a unique nighttime experience.

In addition to the main deck, the Stardust also features a sundeck, a beach club, a spa, and a gym.

The beach club features a pool, lounge chairs, and a private beach area.

The spa is complete with a sauna and steam room, while the gym offers state-of-the-art equipment.

The Stardust also has a nightclub, which features an LED dance floor and a fully stocked bar.

The club is designed to host events and parties, with a live DJ spinning tunes into the wee hours of the night.

The Stardust is a testament to Melnichenkos dedication to luxury.

From its eight decks to its infinity pool and nightclub, the Stardust is a stunning example of luxury and opulence.

The Mystery Surrounding Stardust’s Ownership

The mystery surrounding the ownership of Stardust, the 394-foot luxury superyacht, has been a topic of intrigue since its construction in 2019.

Built by the German shipyard Nobiskrug, the vessel is estimated to have cost $450 million to construct.

Its eight decks, infinity pool, and nighclub have made it a topic of envy amongst the wealthy elite.

Although the superyacht is owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, the exact details of its ownership remain shrouded in mystery.

This is because Melnichenko is known for his penchant for privacy, and it is believed that he may have employed a variety of techniques to keep the ownership of Stardust a closely guarded secret.

One possible explanation is that the yacht is registered under a third-party trust or company.

This would mean that the vessel’s true ownership is not publicly available, making it difficult to ascertain who exactly owns the Stardust.

It is also possible that Melnichenko has employed a variety of other methods to veil the ownership of the yacht, such as transferring ownership to a family member or close associate.

Whatever the case, the mystery surrounding Stardust’s ownership is an intriguing one.

This is amplified by the fact that Melnichenko also owns the A, the Sailing Yacht A, and the Motor Yacht A – all of which are equally luxurious and expensive vessels.

It is clear that the Russian billionaire has a penchant for luxury, and it is no surprise that he has chosen to keep the ownership of Stardust a closely guarded secret.

Popular Yacht Destinations Visited by the Stardust

When it comes to luxury yachts, the Stardust is one of the most impressive vessels on the high seas.

Owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, the 394-foot superyacht was built by German shipyard Nobiskrug in 2019 and is said to have cost an estimated $450 million to construct.

Boasting eight decks, an infinity pool, and its own nightclub, its no surprise that the Stardust attracts plenty of attention.

The Stardust has been a fixture of the luxury yachting scene since it was launched, and it has already visited some of the most exclusive and sought-after yacht destinations around the world.

In 2020, the Stardust was spotted in the Mediterranean, where it visited the French Riviera, the Balearic Islands, and the Italian coast.

The yacht was also seen in the Caribbean, where it moored in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Cuba.

The Stardust has also been spotted in some of the worlds most remote and exotic locations.

In 2021, the yacht was seen in French Polynesia, where it sailed past the picturesque islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora.

The Stardust also traveled to the Seychelles, a group of islands located off the east coast of Africa.

From there, the yacht made its way up the Red Sea, where it visited some of the Middle Easts most luxurious marinas.

The Stardust is a true global traveler, and its no wonder why it has become such a popular sight in some of the worlds most exclusive yacht destinations.

No matter where it goes, the Stardust is sure to turn heads and capture imaginations.

Final Thoughts

It’s no secret that the Stardust is a magnificent piece of engineering, boasting luxurious amenities and features that cost Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko a whopping $450 million to construct.

Now, we can finally put the mystery surrounding its ownership to rest.

The Stardust is just one of four yachts owned by Melnichenko, each of them luxurious in their own right.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable vacation experience, why not consider visiting some of the popular yacht destinations visited by the Stardust? With this newfound knowledge, you’ll be sure to have the trip of a lifetime!

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.

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On Board with superyacht owner and businessman John Rosatti

After he sold his last yacht, the 49.37 metre Christensen Remember When , John Rosatti was convinced that he was done with yachting. Forever. Why? “I was working on [his retaurant chain] BurgerFi and working on my car dealerships. Every time I came on the boat, I worked on my computer, had a business meeting and I did not enjoy the boat.” The man who once owned a yacht called Nice N’ Easy works constantly. “People think that I just live on a boat and I have a great life. I do have a great life but in my mind and in my business I work 24/7. I wake at night thinking about my business. Building things is my life.”

It’s been that way since he was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, New York. His parents worked hard for a living and, at the age of 13, he was pitching in to help. He tinkered with cars and with his grandfather’s 7.9 metre fishing boat. By his mid-20s he had his own business, a body shop. And the rest, well, is business history. A father of three grown-up children, he says he’d love to pass the baton to the next generation and his son, Adam, and his daughter, Angela, already work in the car and restaurant businesses.

What keeps him busy these days, aside from eight car dealerships in New York and two fine-dining Italian restaurants called Vic & Angelo’s and gastropub The Office in South Florida, is the rapidly expanding fast food franchise BurgerFi. One of the most popular items at The Office is an $18 burger and fries, so he thought he could do well with a moderately priced and tasty burger. It seems he was right. Started a little over five years ago, the hamburger chain is now worldwide. “Only two per cent of franchises ever make it to 100,” he says. “We have 83 open and over 200 sold.”

Recent investors include Jamie Wood, son of Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, who snapped up 10 locations for the UK. Other locations outside the US include Mexico and Panama. Italy, birthplace of Rosatti’s grandparents, is still on the to-do list. The burger chain is growing as a healthy, fresh and all-natural option in a crowded market of cheap meat sandwiches. “It’s made fresh daily. People are being more healthy now,” says Rosatti. A fit 72 year old himself, he walks five miles every day. Still, that regimen of work and fitness, his two private jets, fleet of cars and 160mph MTI catamaran did not quite fulfil him. He was without a yacht for a few months, having found a buyer for Remember When , who kept the yacht’s crew and captain. “At first I was happy,” he says, “but then I missed the weekends; I missed being on the boat with the crew and having things to do. I had to get back in.”

Just around the time he decided to look for a replacement, Peter Thompson, a broker with Worth Avenue Yachts , came to him with the idea of buying Lady Lau . “I had never been on a Codecasa . I had never owned one, never seen one,” says Rosatti. And the yacht was bigger than he intended to buy. He was really looking for a 54.85 metre, which would fit in a slip he had at North Cove Marina near his New York apartment. But then he saw the 64.92 metre, full-displacement yacht with five decks, beautiful joinery and a massive dome that he loves, and there was no going back. “[Peter] ruined me,” he says jokingly.

Built in 2010 by the Italian shipyard for a businessman from Asia, the boat never left the Mediterranean and was in pristine condition. The decision to buy was quick. “It took me one minute,” he says. What took longer were the negotiations; the deal finally went through a few months after he made his offer. Rosatti was then able to enjoy the yacht, renamed Double Down , in the Mediterranean. Though he had never met the yacht’s former owner in person, Rosatti sent him a letter to say how much he liked the boat. “I wanted to let him know I appreciated what he had built,” he says.

Initially, Rosatti had no intention of changing the vessel since she was in excellent condition. Yet today, the upper saloon, part of the owner’s deck, where he likes to work and keep up with the news on a massive TV screen, looks quite different to what it did just a few months ago. As a builder, he could not help himself – he had to add his touch. He rented a yard in Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, and hired Taylor Lane Yacht and Ship and Buddy Haak, whom he knew from racing days, to do upgrades and repaint. For the interior, he called upon Evan K Marshall . “There was no art on this yacht, not even a lamp,” says Rosatti. Gone is an ornate silk sofa with Chinese motif. “It was a beautiful couch,” Rosatti says, just not his taste.

Marshall found frames and statues for niches and new, rich, yet more neutral, fabrics for all soft furnishings; shimmering silvers and blues now play off the high-gloss burr veneer and gold accoutrements. They provide a lovely setting for the Steinway grand piano, at the entrance to the main saloon from the aft deck, on which the rapper Vanilla Ice once played Lean On Me. Rosatti captured the moment on his phone, where he also has pictures of himself with former baseball star Mike Piazza.

Much of what was has been done is not immediately visible, including details such as replacing wood shelves inside cabinets with ventilated electronic racks. The pièce de résistance, however, is the engine room. “I did my thing to it,” says Rosatti, who found the original to be dingy and hated the fluorescent lights and colours.

Now the mechanical space gleams with new lights, fresh white paint and chrome finishes on the floor, the engines and the casing around the generators, among other places. “You can walk through here with your bare feet and go back on my white carpet and not make a stain,” says Rosatti. The huge lazarette received similar treatment.

Double Down is his first full-displacement yacht, one of the reasons he went outside the US to buy. The fact that few yards in his homeland have facilities to build 60.96 metre-plus yachts in steel is part of why they’re not doing so well, in his opinion. “Two hundred feet is really big to build in composite,” he says and, while he is convinced of the strength of the material, he believes Europeans particularly are tempted to go with the more traditional steel. He’s always looked at the future and resale value. Although Double Down was at recent boat shows in the US, she is not for sale – at least not yet. “I want to put her in charter,” he says. Four to five weeks a year would be ideal, and he’s already received enquiries for the voluminous yacht with nine cabins. Still, there is likely to be a next boat some day and he’s looking into it. I prompt him a little and he gets up from his favourite armchair and walks around the bar to grab a portfolio lying on the counter. He flips it open to a profile rendering of a sleek, modern-looking 72 metre designed by Frank Mulder. “Isn’t she beautiful?” he asks.

He really likes the craftsmanship on his first Codecasa, but he will be considering various shipyards when he’s ready to build. He’s said in the past he’s never lost money on a yacht. It still holds true today. “I buy them right and I sell them right,” he says. “But I don’t count the money and time I put into a boat.”

There is, of course, the cost of maintaining the yacht and the crew. These are some of the reasons he is looking to charter Double Down . He employs 17 crew, including a masseuse and two engineers. He likes to recruit the captain and engineers himself “because I’m nuts with the engineering”. Isn’t this different for him, I ask, to have such a large yacht and crew? “I can never find them anywhere,” he says. “This is such a big boat that you can lose 17 people.”

Later, as we tour the yacht, we walk into the crew mess, a huge, well-appointed space, where we find most of the crew assembled, enjoying some down time and freshly baked chocolate brownies. “So this is where you all are,” he says laughing. “I saw your new car, sir. Wow!” chimes one.

With yachting and cars still making him happy, Rosatti, thankfully, appears to be here to stay.

Pictures courtesy of Billy Black

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