The Sun – £330million superyacht owned by Russian billionaire one of the world’s biggest sailing ships
A £330 million superyacht – one of the biggest in the world – has sailed for the first time in its first official sailing test. The mammoth vessel, which is complete with eight decks and masts that are nearly 330ft tall, has now been spotted sailing for the first time in Strande, near Kiel in northern Germany.
The mammoth yacht, which is taller than Big Ben, stands at 314ft and dwarfed other vessels in the area as it cut through the waters.
Named the Sailing Yacht A and measuring 468ft in length, it was built for Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, and ordered in March 2011.
The huge yacht, which is thought to be one of the largest sailing yacht, features an underwater observation pod and is one of the largest sailing yachts ever built.
Mr Melnichenko, who made his fortune with investments in coal, fertilisers and banking, is now said to be selling his other vessel, Motor Yacht A.
His newest yacht has eight decks connected by multiple elevators and free-floating spiral staircases as well as a submarine and helipad.
The total sail area is equal to that of half a football pitch, with two double-decker buses able to be hung from the masts.
Run by a crew of 54, the yacht also has a digital control system that allows crews to raise and lowers the sails and anchor just by swiping.
The Russian industrialist’s newest yacht also includes rotating masts that were built by Magma Strustures at Trafalgar Wharf, Portsmouth.
The boat was built at a shipbuilding yard near Hamburg and is powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system with a top speed of 21 knots – about 24 mph.
Image Source: theMirror.co.uk
