Le Grand Bleu is a superyacht. She was the 36th longest private yacht in the world in 2019, at 113-metre (371 ft) in length.[2] She was built at the Bremer Vulkan yard in Bremen, Germany, and was launched in 2000. She was designed by Stefano Pastrovich and constructed by Kusch Yachts.[3]

Le Grand Bleu
History
OwnerEitan Zimerman
Port of registry Bermuda
BuilderBremer Vulkan
Launched10 March 2000
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics [1]
Tonnage5,556 GT
Length112.80 m (370.1 ft)
Beam17.68 m (58.0 ft)
Draft4.60 m (15.1 ft)
Installed power
  • 2 × Deutz-MWM SBV16M 628 diesel engines;
  • 9,140 hp (6,820 kW) total
PropulsionTwin screws
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Crew35

History edit

 
Le Grand Bleu Tender

Le Grand Bleu was built at the Bremer Vulkan yard in Bremen, Germany, and was launched in 2000.[4] She was designed by Stefano Pastrovich and constructed by Kusch Yachts.[3][4]

She was commissioned by John McCaw, Jr., an American businessman, who sold her to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich in 2002.[5] Abramovich had her refitted to his own preferences by HDW in Kiel, Germany.[6] This included an internal refit and the addition of a 5-metre (16 ft) swim platform.[6][7]

In June 2006, Abramovich lost Le Grand Bleu in a bet to Eugene Shvidler.[5][6] A mini refit in Port Canaveral, Florida in 2008 included a "green" wastewater treatment system.[7]

In 2016, the boat underwent a refit at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg.[4]

In March of 2022, Forbes reported that the yacht Le Grand Bleu was still owned by Shvidler. At 354 feet and registered in Bermuda, it had a value of $109 million. That March it was sanctioned by the UK and Australia, and on June 6, 2022, was recorded in Ponce, Puerto Rico.[8]

Features edit

Le Grand Bleu is powered by two 7,260 kW (9,730 bhp) Deutz engines.[4][9]

The boat also carries two additional yachts, a 22 m (73 ft) sailing yacht, Bellatrix, and a 21 m (68 ft) motor yacht, Sirius A.[6] She also features two Buzzi sports boats and a landing craft to carry a 4x4 Land Rover.[6] She also has 2 helipads on the superstructure and aft deck.[6][7]

She supports a crew of 65 and can accommodate 20 visitors.[6][10]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Le Grand Bleu Specifications". SuperYachts. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Le Grand Bleu Story". Pastrovich Studio. Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Kusch Yachts | Yachtconsulting and Construction - Le Grand Bleu". Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Van Rooy, Charl (30 August 2019). "Motor yacht Le Grand Bleu on the Italian Riviera". Super Yacht Times. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b "One of world's largest yachts to leave Portland harbor". AP NEWS. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Smith, Craig. "£135m luxury superyacht, one of largest in world, wows onlookers after dropping anchor off Fife". The Courier. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Constable, Gemma (14 September 2009). "'Floating palace' visits Isle". Kent Online. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Biden And Allies Are Coming For Russian Billionaires’ Yachts: Forbes Tracked Down 51. Here’s Where To Find Them", Giacomo Tognini, March 1, 2022; Forbes
  9. ^ "Kusch Yachts | Yachtconsulting and Construction - Le Grand Bleu". Kusch Yachts. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  10. ^ McKenzie, Jamie (19 August 2020). "Superyacht once owned by Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich pictured in Firth of Forth near Edinburgh". Edinburg Evening News. Retrieved 3 September 2020.

External links edit