Le Grand Bleu (yacht)

Le Grand Bleu 2010

Le Grand Bleu is one of the largest private yachts in the world at 104 m (341 ft) in length. It was built at the Bremer Vulkan yard in Bremen, Germany, and was launched in 2000. It was designed by Stefano Pastrovich and constructed by Kusch Yachts. It was previously owned by John McCaw, Jr., an American businessman, who sold her to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich in 2002. Abramovich had it refitted to his own preferences by HDW in Kiel, Germany. This included an internal refit and the addition of a 16-foot (4.9 m) swim platform.

In June 2006, Abramovich gave Le Grand Bleu to its current owner, friend and business partner Eugene Shvidler.

Le Grand Bleu is powered by two 4,570 bhp Deutz engines. Details about the interiors are scanty as Abramovich is protective of his family's privacy and highly security-conscious, but they were designed by Terence Disdale.

History

After departing the yard, Le Grand Bleu headed for the Mediterranean and caused quite a stir wherever it went. It was in Monaco in May 2004, serving as a base for Abramovich during Chelsea F.C.'s fixtures against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League.

The yacht needed work when it visited New Zealand over the Christmas New Year period of 2006/7. The work was carried out by Yachtwork .

Its latest drydock and refit was in Port Canaveral, FL in 2008. This refit included a new "green" wastewater treatment system in addition to the current Lloyd's certified system. The new treatment system allows the ship to reuse the wastewater after treatment rather than discharging the wastewater overboard into the sea. As of January 2010, it could frequently be seen docked in Nassau, Bahamas. The boat also boasts two additional yachts on individual cranes that it carries on the topside of the aft of the boat. One 70 ft sailboat on the port side, and a 65 ft powerboat on the starboard side.

Sightings

• On 1 September 2005, Juneau, Alaska, Gastineau Channel
• In January 2009, Nassau, Bahamas
• In December 2011, San Juan Puerto Rico, near Pier 4
• On March 31, 2012, Casa de Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic marina
• In May 2012, Valencia, Spain.
• In June 2012, Antibes, France.
• On June 27, 2012 Portofino, Italy.
• On July 19, 2012 Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
• On July 21, 2012 Cala Gonone, Sardinia.
• On July 26, 2012 in the Coral Riviera front of the walled town of Alghero, Sardinia.
• On July 31, 2012 Porto Rafael, Sardinia
• On August 8, 2012, of the coast of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France.
• On August 10, 2012 moored off the coast of Antibes, France traveling to and from Saint Laurent du Var.
• On August 18, 2012 Porto Rafael, Sardinia.
• On September 1, 2012 Genova, Italy.
• On October 1, 2012, Marmaris, Turkey
• On October 4, 2012, Anchored in the Great Bitter Lake, Suez Canal, Egypt.
• On October 20, 2012, Anchored NE end of One&Only, Reethi Rah, North Male Atoll Maldives
• On November 13, 2012, Anchored S end of Patong beach, Phuket, Thailand
• On November 23, 2012, Anchored Datai Bay, Langkawi, Malaysia
• On November 28, 2012, Keppel Bay Marina, Singapore
• On December 26, 2012 Koh Samui, Thailand
• On February 2, 2013 Koh Rong, Cambodia
• On March 25, 2013 Koh Phangan, Thailand
• On March 26, 2013 Koh Tao, Thailand
• On March 27, 2013 Koh Samui, Thailand
• On March 30, 2013 Saracen bay, Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia
• On April 2, 2013 Con Dao Island, Vietnam
• On April 9, 2013 Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong SAR.
• On April 20, 2013 Kaohsiung City Harbor, Taiwan

See also

• List of motor yachts by length

External links

• [2] Photos and specifications of LGB