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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.

PERINI NAVI PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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.

"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. 

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty

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.

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." 

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty

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."

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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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Sinking of a superyacht adds to questions billionaire Mike Lynch wanted to put behind him

It was a sunny August morning when software entrepreneur Mike Lynch, 59, gathered 10 of his closest friends along with his wife and daughter on the dock of Porto di Milazzo, on the northern coast of Sicily. They had come to celebrate his freedom. Only months before, several of the guests played crucial roles in persuading a San Francisco jury to acquit Lynch of federal charges related to the sale of his software firm Autonomy to HP for $11 billion. 

Five days after the yacht left port, Lynch, his daughter, four guests, and a hired chef were dead in the Mediterranean Sea after a storm flooded the ship. The drowned included the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, a star witness at Lynch’s trial, as well as one of Lynch’s lead defense attorneys. Among the survivors were a former Autonomy exec who went on to become a partner at Lynch’s venture capital firm, a second member of his defense team, and Lynch’s wife, who reportedly owns nearly all his fortune. The same day of the drowning, U.K. news outlets reported that Lynch’s codefendant in the fraud trial, Stephen Chamberlain, who had also been acquitted, had been fatally run over by a car as he was out jogging—a shocking coincidence.

Less than a week after the tragedy, there are far more questions than answers. Did the yacht named Bayesian —an homage to a statistical theorem for predicting future outcomes—simply fall victim to a terrible storm? How did most of the crew and a few passengers escape, and why couldn’t they reach Lynch and the six others who did not make it out? Italian officials are looking into manslaughter charges, but it’s not yet clear who they may have in their crosshairs. Giovanni Costantino, who runs the Italian Sea Group that owns Perini Navi, the Italian maker of the yacht, had harsh words for the crew, whom he blames. “This is the mistake that cries out for vengeance,” he told Reuters .

There are also huge questions swirling around the business ventures of the man dubbed the “British Bill Gates.” While the Bayesian excursion was to serve as a celebration of Lynch’s acquittal on all charges in the U.S.—where he had spent months under house arrest—the reality is that his legal troubles were far from over. In a January 2022 civil trial, the U.K.’s High Court found that the company, which by then had changed its name to Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), had “substantially succeeded” in proving that Autonomy leaders had fraudulently made it look like the company was earning more revenue than it was. In 2019 Autonomy’s CFO was convicted of 16 counts and sentenced to five years in prison. At this time, the U.K. case is in a holding pattern as the judge determines what damages are owed to HPE. (The company’s spokesperson Adam Bauer says HPE is “saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who lost their lives.”)

But Lynch’s passing also looms over Invoke Capital, the venture firm he founded in 2011 and whose managing partner—Charlotte Golunski—survived the yacht disaster and saved her 1-year-old baby. One of Invoke’s most prominent bets was a 2013 seed-stage investment in Darktrace, a cybersecurity firm on whose board Lynch sat until 2018. Darktrace has developed a reputation as a sleek AI cybersecurity startup with ties to spy agencies like MI5 and the U.S. National Security Agency. It also became the target of short-sellers who in 2023 expressed doubt over Darktrace’s financial filings—the same sort of allegations that plagued Lynch’s Autonomy. 

Darktrace insists that the short-sellers’ allegations were baseless, and they say an EY audit it commissioned showed this to be the case. In April Darktrace received a $5.3 billion acquisition offer from the giant private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The deal, which Fortune reported will likely go forward despite Lynch’s death, stood to help rehabilitate Lynch’s business reputation. As of Aug. 14, he and his wife collectively owned 3.21% of the company, which would be worth some $170 million upon the deal’s completion. Invoke Capital has not responded to multiple requests for comment, and Darktrace declined to comment.

Following his U.S. acquittal, Lynch was pleased enough with the state of things that he had begun celebrating weeks before the yacht party. In the days following the not-guilty verdict, Lynch and his wife; Stephen Chamberlain and his wife; the attorney Chris Morvillo—who drowned on the Bayesian —and 20 other lawyers gathered at a restaurant at a hotel near the San Francisco courthouse.

Brian Heberlig, an attorney at Steptoe who gave the closing argument in Lynch’s trial, recalls that Morvillo gave a moving toast, telling those assembled that the trial was more than just a job, but one of their life’s works. “He really was a brilliant man,” Heberlig told Fortune , fighting back tears as he remembered Lynch. “And he ran his legal defense the same way I imagine he ran Autonomy. He let the experts do their jobs, while still having a strong grasp on the material. As he used to say, ‘Let the brain surgeons do the surgery.’”

That night was the last time Heberlig ever saw Lynch or Morvillo.

A ‘virtually unsinkable’ boat

The sailing party departed Aug. 14—five days before the storm—and comprised 12 guests and 10 crew members. The Bayesian was one of the biggest yachts of its kind. Its first stop was a cluster of small islands off the coast of Sicily. Then it jetted across the sea to the Sicilian town of Cefalù, before putting down anchor for the final time on the coast of Palermo, a favorite getaway for the rich and famous, and a former haunt for the Mafia.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who reportedly held the couple’s entire $1.1 billion fortune, was jolted awake on Aug. 18 as the boat began to tilt. Glass from a shattered window exploded across the deck, according to reports, cutting her feet as she ran to investigate.

Black and white security  footage  appears to show the outline of what is believed to be the 184-foot sailing yacht, which used call sign 2ICB8, slowly disappearing behind a thicker and thicker veil of rain. Nearby villagers and fishermen say they saw a sea tornado called a waterspout. Soon after, the yacht lay on the ocean floor.

Theories are swirling about why the yacht sank. One holds that a bay door was left open in the storm, causing the ship to flood and sink in minutes. Another holds that the Bayesian’ s 246-foot-tall aluminum mast—one of the tallest in the world— broke in the wind and took the boat down with it.

Most news reports say the yacht sank almost instantly, but the CEO of the company that bought the boat’s maker after it went bankrupt in 2021 disputes that. In a Financial Times report, he called the boat “virtually unsinkable,” and says that it dragged its anchor for 16 minutes before it sank. 

During those fateful moments, a far older nearby yacht, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, built in 1957, was drifting on a similar course as the Bayesian and not only survived, but also came to help. Some onboard saw a red flare shooting across the rainy sky—an emergency signal from those who had fled the doomed yacht, drawing the attention to a life raft filled with 15 of the 22 passengers.

Passenger Golunski, 35, who helped run Autonomy the first year it was at HP, described holding her 1-year old daughter Sophia as she screamed for help. One of Lynch’s most trusted employees, Golunski was a founding partner at Invoke Capital, the London-based firm that backed Darktrace. Lynch’s wife Bacares was also in the life raft along with Clifford Chance lawyer Ayla Ronald, 36, who reportedly texted to her father: “there are deaths.”

The lifeboat survivors were soon plucked from the sea while the Bayesian came to its current resting place 50 meters below the surface. Over the course of the next 72 hours, a team of scuba divers from the Guardia Costiera and specially trained cave divers from the Vigili del Fuoco, the local fire department, used boats and a helicopter to triangulate the yacht’s position. The divers, working in bursts of 8 to 12 minutes, searched the Bayesian’ s six guest suites, master suite, multiple living areas, and dining room.

The body of the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was the first to be found, floating on the water’s surface. On Wednesday, two days after the wreck, four more bodies were discovered, and on Thursday a fifth. Among them were Lynch and Chris Morvillo of the prestigious law firm Clifford Chance, who had made the controversial decision to have Lynch testify, and questioned him on the stand right before he was acquitted. The others discovered were Morvillo’s wife, Neda, as well as the Morgan Stanley banker and key witness Jonathan Bloomer, who had been a former executive director at Autonomy, and his wife, Judy. The body of Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, was pulled from the sea on Friday.

The U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency tells Fortune it is in contact with the Italian authorities but would not provide further information. The U.K.’s Foreign Office told Fortune it is providing “consular support to a number of British nationals and their families…and are in contact with the local authorities.”

More questions than answers

Even as loved ones and the survivors begin to come to terms with the human toll of the tragedy, the business world has begun assessing Lynch’s complicated past and his many business dealings. 

Lynch was born of modest means to a nurse and firefighter in a suburb of London. From an early age he showed a proclivity toward technology and a fiery determination. He studied natural sciences at Cambridge, then returned for a PhD in artificial neural networks, the building blocks of artificial intelligence. When he was still studying for his PhD, he started his first venture, Cambridge Neurodynamics, monetizing computerized fingerprint recognition, eventually evolving into Autonomy. 

Founded in 1996 with David Tabizel and Richard Gaunt, Autonomy used an early version of artificial intelligence to quickly scan what’s known as “unstructured data,” especially including language. Autonomy quickly became a darling of the U.K.’s fledgling tech scene, and it was seen as a crowning achievement when, in 2011, the company struck an $11 billion deal to be purchased by HP, now HPE. The deal, however, was quickly engulfed in scandal when a year later the new owner alleged accounting fraud and wrote down its investment by $8.8 billion.

Despite the baggage around Autonomy, Lynch continued to ride high in the tech world through his venture firm, Invoke Capital, which he founded in 2012. One of its most profitable investments was Darktrace, which he backed in 2013 and joined as a board member. By 2016 he told TechCrunch that 60 employees from Autonomy were working at Invoke, that he’d raised a billion dollars to invest in startups, and that Darktrace was worth $500 million.

While fighting the legal battle over Autonomy and building Invoke, Lynch enjoyed the trappings of a mogul. The same year he announced his billion-dollar startup fund, he was sailing the Bayesian , worth an estimated $25 million. He reportedly also owned a $6 million, 69-acre Georgian manor.

By early 2020 Darktrace shared deep connections with Autonomy, including half of Darktrace’s board and six of its eight top executives. The following year Darktrace went public, soaring 40% above its pre-market value. But the victory lap was brief. In September 2022, an acquisition talk between private equity firm Thoma Bravo and Darktrace fell through , sending share prices tumbling. In early 2023, the short-selling firm Quintessential Capital Management published a 70-page report accusing Darktrace of similar misconduct that had sunk Autonomy.

“We are deeply skeptical about the validity of Darktrace’s financial statements,” the report read. Darktrace’s shares plunged as much as 17% after the report was published, though the company said at the time that the management team and board had “rigorous controls in place.” Darktrace hired EY to perform an audit, which stabilized its share price after the accounting firm found the company’s earlier financial results did not need to be restated. Darktrace never publicly released the report, however, with a spokesperson saying at the time that it contained “commercially sensitive information.”

More recently, Darktrace’s CEO Poppy Gustafsson wrote in the firm’s Q4 trading report of “shareholders voting overwhelmingly in favour” of the acquisition, and added the company is “awaiting the conclusion of the remaining regulatory processes.”

Until very recently, Darktrace had sought to distance itself from Lynch and his VC firm. In December, shareholders passed a resolution that rejected Invoke non-executive director Patrick Jacob’s reappointment to its board. This April, Invoke lost the right to that same board seat when it was discovered its shares had fallen below the required 10% threshold. Nonetheless, in a memorial to Lynch, Gustafsson wrote : “Without Mike, there would be no Darktrace. We owe him so much.”

While the Italian authorities continue to investigate the crash site, one thing is certain: The swirl of legal and business battles that surrounded Lynch during his lifetime are likely to continue after his death. A local Italian news site reports that the public prosecutor’s office in a nearby town, Termini Imerese, is looking into allegations of manslaughter surrounding the sunken boat. And two months before Lynch died, former U.K. Secretary of State David Davis reportedly said he was working with Lynch to scrap U.S./U.K extradition agreements that allowed Lynch’s trial to happen in the first place. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Davis told GB News he would continue that fight in memory of Lynch. “We need to get a grip of this,” said Davis. “Mike, when he’d won his case, almost the first thing he did was ring me up and say, ‘We’re going to have to defeat this treaty, we’re going to have to overcome this treaty and get it changed for the better.’”

“I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” Lynch said after the verdict.

Lynch’s desire to extend the legal fight even after his not-guilty verdict reflects the scrappiness he displayed throughout his life. This helped him ascend to the highest rungs of business and moguldom—but the success also came with a tenuous quality as questions about his business dealings dogged him for years. The not-guilty verdict and the pending Darktrace sale meant Lynch was in position to finally cast off that shadow. But now his ultimate legacy is poised to be tied forever to a mysterious and tragic hour on the Mediterranean Sea.

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Questions for Investigators Trying to Unravel Mystery of Luxury Yacht’s Sinking

The investigators searching for answers about the shipwreck, leaving seven dead, face questions about extreme weather and possible human error or problems with the yacht itself.

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By Alan Yuhas

More than 180 feet long, with a mast towering about 240 feet and a keel that could be lowered for greater stability, the Bayesian luxury yacht did not, in the eyes of its maker, have the vulnerabilities of a ship that would easily sink.

“It drives me insane,” Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company that made the ship, said after its wreck last week. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

But the $40 million sailing yacht sank within minutes and with fatal results: seven dead, including the British technology billionaire Michael Lynch, his teenage daughter, four of Mr. Lynch’s friends and a member of the crew. Fifteen people, including the captain, escaped on a lifeboat.

Mr. Lynch had invited family, friends and part of his legal team on a cruise in the Mediterranean to celebrate his acquittal in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

The Italian authorities have opened a manslaughter investigation, searching for answers from the survivors, the manufacturer and the wreck itself. They face a range of questions and possible factors.

An ‘earthquake’ in the sky?

When the Bayesian sank around 4 a.m. on Aug. 19, the waters in its area, about half a mile off the Sicilian port of Porticello, were transformed by an extremely sudden and violent storm, according to fishermen, a captain in the area and meteorologists.

But what kind of storm is still a mystery, compounded by the fact that a sailing schooner anchored nearby did not have its own disaster. Also unclear is whether the crew was aware that the Italian authorities had issued general warnings about bad weather the night before.

Karsten Börner, the captain of the nearby passenger ship, said he’d had to steady his ship during “really violent” winds . During the storm, he said, the Bayesian seemed to disappear behind his ship.

Severe lightning and strong gusts were registered by the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, according to Attilio Di Diodato, its director. “It was very intense and brief in duration,” he said.

The yacht, he said, had most likely been hit by a fierce downburst — a blast of powerful wind surging down during a thunderstorm. His agency put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about possible storms.

Locals have said the winds “felt like an earthquake.” A fisherman in Porticello said that he had seen a flare go off in the early-morning hours. His brother ventured to the site once the weather had calmed about 20 minutes later, he said, finding only floating cushions.

The Italian authorities have so far declined to say whether investigators had seen any structural damage to the hull or other parts of the ship.

Open hatches or doors?

The boat executive, Mr. Costantino, has argued that the Bayesian was an extremely safe vessel that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing. His company, the Italian Sea Group, in 2022 bought the yacht’s manufacturer, Perini Navi, which launched the ship in 2008.

Mr. Costantino said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, would be to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

At a news conference on Saturday, almost a week after the sinking, investigators said the yacht had sunk at an angle , with its stern — where the heavy engine was — having gone down first. The wreck was found lying on its right side at the bottom of a bay, about 165 feet deep.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

Water pouring into open hatches or doors could have contributed to the sinking, experts say, but that on its own may not account for the speed at which such a large boat vanished underwater.

Asked about the hatches at the news conference, the authorities declined to comment on whether they had been found open at the wreck.

The authorities have also not specified whether the boat had been anchored, whether it was under power at the time or whether its sails had been unfurled.

A retracted keel?

The Bayesian had a keel — the fin-like structure beneath a boat that can help stabilize it — that could be retracted or extended, according to its manufacturer. On some yachts, keels can be raised to let the large vessel dock in shallower water, and extended downward to help keep a boat level.

But like the hatches, the status of the keel alone may not explain why a large ship sank with such precipitous speed. Investigators have not disclosed what divers may have seen at the wreck, aside from saying divers had faced obstacles like furnishings and electrical wiring in tight quarters. Officials want to raise the wreck to better examine it, a process that may take weeks.

Human error?

Ambrogio Cartosio, the prosecutor in charge of the case, said at the news conference that it was “plausible” crimes had been committed, but that investigators had not zeroed in on any potential suspects.

“There could be responsibilities of the captain only,” he said. “There could be responsibilities of the whole crew. There could be responsibilities of the boat makers. Or there could be responsibilities of those who were in charge of surveilling the boat.”

It remains unclear what kind of emergency training or preparation took place before the disaster, or what kind of coordination there was during it. So far, none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened the night the ship sank.

Prosecutors said they want to ask more questions of the captain and crew, who have been in a Sicilian hotel with other survivors. They said that neither alcohol nor drug tests had been performed on crew members, and that they have been allowed to leave Italy.

Prosecutors also said they were also investigating why the captain, an experienced sailor, left the sinking boat while some passengers were still on board.

Besides possible manslaughter charges, the authorities are investigating the possibility of a negligently caused shipwreck.

The bodies of five passengers were found in one cabin, on the left side of the yacht, the authorities said. The five were most likely trying to flee to the higher side of the boat and were probably sleeping when the boat started to sink, they said.

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Pelorus is a 115m motor yacht custom built by Lurssen Yachts in 2003. The mega yacht’s elegant exterior lines are the work of Tim Heywood. She features interior design by Terence Disdale.

Motor yacht Pelorus has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. With a generous beam of 17.2m, she has a spacious interior with room for up to 22 guests and 42 crew members.

In 2007 Pelorus emerged from a refit carried out by Blohm + Voss shipyard, which saw the addition of a second helicopter pad, new paint and zero-speed stabilizers.

The mega yacht also has a large pool, Jacuzzi, and numerous toys and tender on board.

Pelorus can reach a top speed of 20 knots and cruises comfortably at 18 knots. She is equipped for long-distance cruising, with a range of 6000 nautical miles at 16 knots.

In 2018 Pelorus underwent a major refit by Kusch Yachts.

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The 115-meter megayacht Pelorus, delivered in 2003, has earned a reputation for extraordinary grandeur as well as innovation. Her profile is marked by a high sheer line, giving her a powerful presence. The exterior design by Tim Heywood incorporates the four lower decks within the hull, a creative solution that allows a full-beam floor layout. Her interior has an atmosphere of beach-chic at sea, using natural materials and exotic textures. Outstanding features of Terence Disdale’s design include several terraces with doors that open out of the side of the hull for an indoor/outdoor experience that allows guests to feel truly at one with the sea.

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Saudi businessman’s 377-feet Lurssen superyacht was so magnificent that billionaires started making offers the moment he took delivery of the vessel. Roman Abramovich made an offer so ridiculously high that the sheik immediately sold him his boat after taking just one cruise on it.

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With two 3,900kW Wärtsilä V12 engines and four 465kVA alternators, Pelorus is a powerful beast, and that’s an understatement. Adding the pretty to the powerful is the indomitable team of Tim Heywood on exteriors and beachside villa interiors by Terence Disdale.

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After Abramovich, the luxury vessel went to his now ex-wife, Irina Abramovich, as part of her divorce settlement, who sold the Lurssen beauty in 2011 for $300 million to tycoon David Geffen. Pelorus was then sold to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates) for $215 million and finally went to Chinese billionaire Samuel Tak Lee in 2016.

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115m  /  377'4 | lurssen | 2003 / 2024.

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Special Features:

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The multi-award winning 115m/377'4" motor yacht 'Pelorus' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Bremen shipyard. Her interior is styled by English designer design house Terence Disdale and she was delivered to her owner in May 2003. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Tim Heywood Design and she was last refitted in 2024.

Guest Accommodation

Pelorus has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 24 guests in 12 suites comprising two VIP cabins. Additionally, there are 5 staff cabins aboard. She is also capable of carrying up to 46 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Her features include a dancefloor, spa, beauty salon, elevator, underwater lights, beach club, gym, WiFi and air conditioning.

Range & Performance

Pelorus is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel Wartsila (12 V 26) 12-cylinder 5,300hp engines running at 1000rpm, she comfortably cruises at 17 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 20 knots with a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles from her 380,000 litre fuel tanks at 16 knots. Pelorus features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. Her water tanks store around 100,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Germanischer Lloyd ✠ 100 A1 MY, ✠ MC AUT classification society rules, and is MCA LY2 Compliant.

*Charter Pelorus Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Pelorus is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Pelorus Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Pelorus Photos

Pelorus Awards & Nominations

• International Superyacht Society Awards 2004 Best Power 43m+ Winner
• International Superyacht Society Awards 2004 Best Power Interior Winner

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

M/Y Pelorus

SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTER

Here are a selection of superyachts which are similar to Pelorus yacht which are believed to be available for charter. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

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93m | Feadship

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Superyacht Pelorus – One of the World’s Largest Private Superyachts

Owned by American movie mogul David Geffen, the Pelorus is a superyacht that overwhelmingly lives up to its christened title. Pelorus is the anglicised version of the Greek Pelorios which refers to immenseness.

Designed according to the specifications of Tim Heywood (external designing) and Terence Disdale (internal designing) designing corporations, the superyacht was built by the German yacht building conglomerate Lurssen. Launched in the year 2003, Pelorus is rated amongst the world’s biggest privately-owned superyachts.

Built in Lurssen’s Bremen shipbuilding yard, the vessel bears the Bermudian registration flag. Prior to being owned by David Geffen, the vessel boasts of several premier ownership rights, first under a Saudi business tycoon and later on with the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

  Key Points

–          The superyacht measures 377. 3 ft lengthwise, 56.4 ft breadth wise and has a draught of almost 15.0 ft

–          Maximal transition speed of 20 metres with a navigational speed of 18 metres

–           Well-equipped to accommodate 20 patrons a crew of 41 members

–          The body of Pelorus is built of steel with an aluminium super-structuring support

–          Functionality is through two Wartsila diesel engines, each generating energy up to 5,300 Horsepower

Amenities aboard the vessel include a couple of heli-decks, Jacuzzis and spas, Jet Skis and several other assorted water activities’ equipments. This accentuates the whole experiencing of living aboard the vessel. The vessel is available for chartering for interested patrons. Pelorus navigates the western part of the Mediterranean while traversing through the waters of the Suez during the months of autumn and winter. Considering the popularity of the vessel and the navigational route it takes, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that the list of potential takers for chartering would be minimal.

You may also like to read:- The Awe-Inspiring Adastra Superyacht References & Image Credits:  superyachtfan, charterworld, superyachttimes

Disclaimer : The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

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Latest News

For sale - PELORUS seeking new direction.

Published 15 February 2023

The iconic  PELORUS is an apex superyacht of unquestionable pedigree. She is a 115m (377.3ft) motor yacht of 5,403GT, with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure custom-built to DNV-GL classification and delivered by Lurssen in 2003. She was designed by two of the world’s most celebrated yacht designers with sweeping exterior styling by Tim Heywood and beachside villa interiors by Terence Disdale.

She was refitted by Blohm+Voss in 2008, when her second helipad was added, and again in 2017 during her class survey. She is now lying at Kusch in Wewelsfleth, Germany, undergoing routine class maintenance.

Exterior features include a sun deck with a large pool with counter-current jets and a jacuzzi, bar and open-air dining.

There are no fewer than five balconies and sea terraces across main and lower decks, two of which serve the dining room and main saloon and another spectacularly opens up a lower deck guest cabin. There are helipads on the foredeck and forward on the owner’s deck where a companionway leads to a private terrace.

An elevator serves lower to sun decks for multi-generational access. The upper deck is designed for entertainment. A huge al fresco space aft has open-air dining and lounges beneath the overhang and plenty of versatile deck space aft, as well as walkaround sidedecks for promenading.

Inside is a panoramic sky lounge with a huge bar and generous lounge and huge screen. The space has nightclub lighting and sound systems and rug rolls away to reveal an illuminated dancefloor. Forward is a tiered cinema.

• The lower deck wellness centre has a gym with sea terrace... 1 of 5 photos
• massage room... 2 of 5 photos
• hair salon... 3 of 5 photos
• steam room... 4 of 5 photos
• and a hydrotherapy spa with plunge pool and relaxation area 5 of 5 photos

As well as a private terraces forward and aft, the dedicated owner’s deck has a bedroom suite with 200-degree views, a huge bathroom and dressing room, as well as a vast lounge and study aft and a butler’s cabin.

There are VIP and guest suites on the upper deck, two guest suites on the main deck and a further three guest suites complete accommodation for 24 guests in 12 cabins. She also sleeps up to 46 crew including seven engineers to ensure reliability and five personal staff for seven-star service.

Her custom tenders, including 11.2m (36.7ft) limo and 8.5m (27.9ft) sport, both by Vikal, are stowed on the main deck aft and launched on horizontal davits through shell doors. She also has storage for a huge selection of toys and scuba diving equipment. Twin 5,300hp Wartsila diesel engines give her a top speed of 20 knots, she cruises comfortably at 18 knots and has a transoceanic maximum range of 6,000nm at her passage speed of 16 knots. Two sets of Quantum zero speed stabilisers ensure comfort on arrival.

We are very excited to bring this superb, universally acclaimed yacht to market with an asking price of EUR 185,000,000. She is lying in Germany at the Kusch shipyard and inspection is highly recommended to appreciate this yacht’s quality and condition. Contact Burgess for more details and to arrange your visit.

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter , please contact a Burgess broker . Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London , Monaco , New York , Miami , Singapore or all other locations .

- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.

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185,000,000 EUR

115M LÜRSSEN 2003 (2017)

Asking price

WELCOME ONBOARD

The 115-meter megayacht Pelorus, delivered in 2003, has earned a reputation for extraordinary grandeur as well as innovation. Her profile is marked by a high sheer line, giving her a powerful presence. The exterior design by Tim Heywood incorporates the four lower decks within the hull, a creative solution that allows a full-beam floor layout. Her interior has an atmosphere of beach-chic at sea, using natural materials and exotic textures. Outstanding features of Terence Disdale’s design include several terraces with doors that open out of the side of the hull for an indoor/outdoor experience that allows guests to feel truly at one with the sea.

Key features

• Multi award-winning yacht
• State-of-the-art cinema with sink-in sofas, Dolby Atmos sound and 120+ 4k films available
• Result of the collaboration between the German shipyard with two of yachting’s most eminent and experienced designers: Tim Heywood and Terence Disdale
• Additional line which curves down towards her bow: a design quirk inspired by the ‘armour belt’ on HMS Belfast
•  Interior design by Terence Disdale relaxed and sophisticated which features a heavy use of natural materials throughout
•  Grand total of four pools, including one on the sundeck which is positioned next to a Jacuzzi with sunpads
•  Four Quantum zero-speed stabilisers to heighten the comfort of those on board
• Grand total of seven tenders, as well as an extensive toy box offering stowage for up to six jet skis and diving equipment

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Who Owns Which Superyacht? (A Complete Guide)

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

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

Short Answer

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

Overview of Superyachts

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

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

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

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

Who are the Owners of Superyachts?

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

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

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

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

The Most Expensive Superyacht in the World

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

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

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

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

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

Notable Superyacht Owners

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

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

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

What Amenities are Included on Superyachts?

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

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

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

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

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

How Much Do Superyachts Cost?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keeping Superyachts Out of the Public Eye

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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PELORUS Yacht – Sumptuous $250 M Superyacht

The PELORUS yacht is named after the Greek word “vast” because she is one of the largest boats in the world. 

Lurssen built the multi-award-winning 115m/377’4″ motor yacht ‘Pelorus’ at their Bremen shipyard in Germany.

Her interior was designed by Terence Disdale , an English design studio, and she was delivered to her owner in May 2003.

Tim Heywood Design created the exterior design for this luxury yacht, which was recently refurbished in 2007.

The PELORUS yacht is designed to comfortably accommodate up to 18 guests in nine suites, comprising two VIP cabins and an additional 41 crew in 20 rooms, to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. 

PELORUS is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the second most popular superyacht flag state.

PELORUS yacht interior

Terence Disdale was in charge of her design, and he developed an interior that embraced the relaxed and informal ambiance of a beachside villa.

The PELORUS yacht is a highly private yacht, and very little information is known about her interior or other particular details from aboard.

The PELORUS yacht has many amenities including two helicopter landing pads, a swimming pool with artificial current, a spa pool, and an owner’s suite with 180-degree panoramic views that open to a private deck.

She is built with stunning engineering technology and features high-caliber systems, including the bowthruster, being provided with a backup.

At the same time, the control of all propulsion units is centralized in a ‘Lipstick’ that allows the yacht to be maneuvered accurately with a single joystick.

One of the most distinctive features of this luxurious mega yacht is the ‘lido’ on the top deck, which has two swimming pools and a vast sea-level platform that is created once the transom is opened.

This location gives good access to the water and an excellent ‘beach area’ where visitors may relax and enjoy the various water toys available.

Aside from that, the PELORUS superyacht includes two helicopter pads for the convenience of its owner and visitors.

Additionally, the superyacht is equipped with a spacious pool, a jacuzzi, a variety of toys, and a tender.

Specifications

The yacht was built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure with a 17.2-meter beam. She has ranked the 48th largest yacht in the world with a length of 377 feet 3 inches or 115 meters and a gross tonnage of 5317.0 GT

She can reach a top speed of 20 knots, and her cruising speed is 18.0 knots for a relaxing experience.

Her maximum cruising range is 6000.0 nautical miles for long-distance cruising, with her power coming from two 5,500-hp Wärtsilä 12v 26 engines . 

The PELORUS yacht was bought for US $200 million and has an annual running cost of $15-20 million.

Pelorus Yacht Summary

the PELORUS yacht, aptly named for its grand scale, is a magnificent vessel that showcases unparalleled luxury and design.

Built by Lurssen in Germany, this multi-award-winning motor yacht boasts an impressive length of 115m and a range of exceptional features.

With an interior designed by Terence Disdale, the PELORUS offers a relaxed and inviting ambiance reminiscent of a beachside villa. Its exterior, crafted by Tim Heywood Design, features two helicopter landing pads, a swimming pool with artificial current, and a spa pool, among other amenities.

Accommodating up to 18 guests and a dedicated crew of 41, the PELORUS ensures a comfortable and opulent yachting experience.

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From Russian oligarchs to tech CEOs, here's who owns 10 of the most expensive luxury yachts in the world

• Rising Sun superyacht is valued at $200 million and was purchased by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison in 2004.
• Dilbar, seized by German police from a Russian oligarch, is valued at $735 million.
• These are 10 of the most expensive yachts in the world.

Rising Sun, valued at $200 million

Rising Sun superyacht is valued at $200 million and was purchased by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison in 2004, according to Robb Report .

Rising Sun was later purchased again by Geffen Records executive David Geffen in 2010, according to Club Yacht . Geffen also owns another yacht called Pelorus and his yachts have been frequented by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, according to the outlet.

Aviva, valued at $250 million

Aviva, valued at $250 million is 323 feet long and was built in 2017, according to Robb Report . The boat is so large that it has a paddle tennis court that doubles as an indoor soccer field in its interior, according to the outlet.

Andreas Hering, the project manager of the shipyard where the boat was constructed, told Boat International that "in three years" to "build a big yacht around a padel tennis court was the main brief, I guess."

Octopus, valued at $200 million

Octopus, a 414-foot superyacht owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is valued at $200 million, according to Robb Report.

The boat can accommodate 12 guests in 13 different cabins, according to Yacht Charter Fleet . The boat also has a dance floor and a movie theatre, according to the outlet.

Radiant, valued at $300 million

Radiant, a superyacht built for Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky in 2010, is 360 feet long and worth $300 million, according to Robb Report.

The boat can accommodate up to 20 guests and 44 crew and sports a beauty salon, gym, pool, and jacuzzi, according to the outlet.

Dubai, valued at $400 million

The "Dubai" megayacht, owned by United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is 532 feet long and is worth around $400 million, according to Architectural Digest .

Topaz, valued at $527 million

Topaz was built in Germany for the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Dubai realtor LuxuryProperty.  

The nearly 500-foot yacht has a helicopter pad, gym, pool, and cinema hall, according to the realtor. Mansour owns Abu Dhabi United Group, which acquired Manchester United FC in 2008. 

Eclipse, valued at $600 million

The 533-foot Eclipse superyacht is valued at $600 million, according to the luxury magazine Robb Report .

The Eclipse is owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, one of 16 yachts and vessels that he owns, according to Forbes .

Azzam, valued at $600 million

Azzam is the largest and one of the fastest yachts in the world, according to Architectural Digest.

The boat took around three years to build and sits at 590 feet long and can travel at a speed of 35 miles per hour, according to the outlet.

Azzam is owned by the family of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the Second President of the United Arab Emirates before his death in May 2022.

Al Said, valued at $600 million

The 508-foot Al Said sits in the Lürssen shipyard in Germany and was purchased by the former Sultan of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2008 for $600 million, according to Robb Report.

The yacht can travel up to 25 miles per hour and has a concert hall that can accommodate a 50-person orchestra, according to the outlet.

Dilbar, valued at $735 million

Dilbar, owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, is the largest superyacht in the world and it's valued at $735 million.

In April 2022, the yacht was impounded in Germany . German federal police said they seized the yacht after an investigation into "offshore concealment" and determined that Usmanov's sister is the owner of the yacht. The boat remains at a shipyard in Hamburg, Germany.

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