Russian billionaire's $363 million superyacht docks in Auckland (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
The "most loved and loathed ship on the sea", with a military submarine theme courtesy, Philippe Starck, arrives for an indeterminant stay.
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A $US300 million ($NZ363 million) superyacht owned by Moscow-based billionaire Andrey Melnichenko docked in Auckland this morning.
The vessel, simply known as "A" (an initial shared by Mr Melnichenko and his Serbian model wife Aleksandra), is tied beside the tank farm at Wynyard Quarter.
The 119m vessel was designed by Philippe Starck, the Frenchman responsible for another controversial superyacht - Steve Jobs boxy "Venus."
The Wall Street Journal calls A's faux military design - which falls somewhere between a navy stealth ship and a submarine "the most loved and loathed ship on the sea" (see the Journal's video tour of the interior here).
A private security guard told NBR he was not sure if Mr Melnichenko was onboard, but that it was usual form for the owner to fly in later.
The 41-year-old Belarusian - who made his fortune from fertiliser - has no set schedule for his stay.
Click any image to zoom.
This could be the Russian billionaire - at least, if he puts out his own garbage.
Liberal use of mirror glass gives the tub a Miami Vice feel.
Accordign to a SuperYachts.com profile, A has seven cabins for 14 guests, who are attended to by 42 crew..
Its twin high speed diesel engines deliver 24,000hp for a top speed of 23 knots and cruising speed of 19.5 knots. At cruising speed it can cover 6500 nautical miles over more than a fortnight.
It has three pools, one a massage pool near the stern with a glass that can be viewed from the entry hall below, which also serves as a disco, the Wall Street Journal says.
NBR staff
Mon, 23 Sep 2013
Mon, 23 Sep 2013
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Russian billionaire's $363 million superyacht docks in Auckland (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
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