billionaire yacht tracker

Photos show the luxury mega yachts that belong to Russian oligarchs — some of whom have hidden their ships as the UK ramps up sanctions.

• Sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs threaten their luxury assets — including their mega yachts.
• Many countries have implemented sanctions targeting Putin and Russian oligarchs following Russia's attack on Ukraine.
• Insider compiled a photo list of some of the luxury vessels.

Russian billionaires' assets — including their megayachts — are in danger of being seized as countries continue to impose sanctions on Russian oligarchs in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden announced that the US will make a substantial effort to seize Russian oligarchs' assets.

"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets," Biden said in his State of The Union address on March 1. "We are coming for your ill-begotten gains."

Since the US is not in "armed conflict" with Russia it may be legally tricky to seize assets like yachts, Insider reported . 

"The threshold for seizing assets under sanctions is that the US has to be in armed conflict with the owner of the assets," Brian O'Toole, an economic sanctions expert, tweeted last Friday. "The idea of turning Russian corruption into Ukrainian assistance is lovely but this idea is illegal, period."

It can also be difficult to find out who the owners of these yachts are.

Offshore companies typically own the luxury vessels, but enough "public speculation" pointing to a Russian oligarch as an owner is likely "sufficient for a seizure," Insider reported . 

Many of the oligarchs moved their yachts to places where they can't be seized, such as the Maldives, which does not have an extradition treaty with the US.

Insider has compiled a list of photos with mega yachts linked to Russian oligarchs.

Galactica Super Nova

Amid sanctions and seizures targeting Russian billionaires, Galactica Super Nova — said to be linked to the CEO of Russian oil firm Lukoil — is no longer detectable via ship tracker site MarineTraffic , The Daily Beast reported Thursday. 

The superyacht — whose owner is named Vagit Alekperov — had just been in Montenegro last week, Insider reported .

Alekperov is not currently the target of any sanctions. 

The yacht is almost 230 feet long and can hold up to 12 guests and 16 crew members, according to the ship maker Heesen Yachts .

The ship also has a helicopter pad that can turn into an outdoor movie theatre, also according to the ship maker.

The Amore Vero

France seized Amore Vero, a 281-foot megayacht linked to oligarch and politician Igor Sechin, on March 3.

The yacht, Amore Vero, is estimated to have a value of $120 million . It has a swimming pool that doubles as a helicopter pad and a private deck for its owner, according to Oceana , the ship maker.

Per The Wall Street Journal , officials believe that Amore Vero is "owned by a company whose majority shareholder was Mr. Sechin," though the outlet does not provide the name of the company.

Sechin is the CEO of Rosneft, Russia's oil giant, and a former deputy prime minister. A known Putin ally , he was sanctioned by both the EU and the US before France seized his yacht last week .

Sechin was one of seven oligarchs sanctioned by the UK on Thursday. 

People in Russia have referred to Sechin as "Darth Vader" and "the scariest man on Earth," according to The Guardian .

Alisher Usmanov has been sanctioned by the EU, the US, the UK, and Switzerland. His boat remains in Germany, but the country says it hasn't seized it.

Usmanov's Dilbar is "is the largest motor yacht in the world by gross tonnage," according to Lürssen , the German ship's maker.

It's 512-foot long and weighs 15,917 tons. The ship has been docked in Germany for months undergoing a "refitting," but last week Forbes reported that it was unable to leave the dock.

Germany, however, has denied that it formally seized Dilbar.

Forbes said that "the German federal customs agency is the 'responsible enforcement authority' and would have to issue an export waiver for the yacht to leave, and that 'no yacht leaves port that is not allowed to do so.'" 

Still, multiple outlets reported that Usmanov has fired the crew on the Dilbar.

The Uzbekistan-born oligarch is a supporter of Putin. 

"I am proud that I know Putin, and the fact that everybody does not like him is not Putin's problem," Usmanov told Forbes  in a 2010 interview. 

Suleyman Kerimov was sanctioned by the US, and his son, Said Kerimov, owns ICE. The superyacht is worth is an estimated $170 million.

The Kerimov family owns the majority of Polyus Gold, Russia's biggest gold producer .

ICE was dubbed "Superyacht of the Year" in 2006 at the World Super Yacht Awards, according to Boat International . It is approximately 300 feet and has its own resident helicopter, according to Club Yacht .

Quantum Blue

Sergey Galitsky's ship, Quantum Blue, has an estimated value of $250 million and is last known to be docked in Monaco.

Galitsky is the founder of one of Russia's largest supermarket chains, Magnit.

His name is not currently on the list of sanctioned Russian oligarchs,

Though he also is not the target of any current sanctions, Vladimir Potanin's superyacht, Nirvana, is one of at least four ships docked in the Maldives .

Potanin is the Former First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and was a longtime trustee for the Guggenheim museum before stepping down on March 2, according to The New York Times . 

Nirvana is not Potanin's only superyacht, he also owns another named Barbara, according to Fortune .

Alexander Abramov's Titan, Alexei Mordashovis' Nord, and Oleg Deripaska's Clio are also located in the Maldives.

At 533 feet long, Roman Abramovich's Eclipse was the largest yacht on the globe until 2013 when the 590-foot Azzam overthrew it. 

Abramovich, once Russia's richest man , is the departing owner of Chelsea FC soccer club. He was sanctioned by the UK on Thursday along with six other oligarchs, Insider reported .

The luxury boat has a host of amenities, including two helicopter pads, a missile detection system, and a swimming pool more than 50 feet long. It also has space for up to 36 guests and 70 crew members, according to Yacht Harbour .

Insider previously reported that it is currently docked in the Caribbean .

Another yacht named Solaris is linked to Abramovich. The vessel, worth approximately $600 million, left Spain Tuesday after having been under repair since late 2021, Insider reported.

Solaris is 460 feet and can host a total of 36 guests, according to SuperYachtFan .

Tango, owned by the US-sanctioned Viktor Vekselberg, is currently located in Palma, Spain.

Tango can host up to 14 people and is 254 feet long, won the 2012 World Superyacht Awards, and has an estimated worth of $120 million, according to SuperYachtFan .

Vekselberg is a Ukrainian-born businessman who owns Renova, a Russian conglomerate, according to The Guardian .

He was one of nearly two dozen Russian oligarchs and officials that the US sanctioned on Friday.

The US Treasury Department claims that he has close ties with Putin, and has announced that assets such as his $90 million jet and his superyacht Tango have been frozen, Insider reported .

Graceful, a yacht reported to belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin, left Germany just before his invasion of Ukraine, Insider reported in early February.

—Manu Gómez (@GDarkconrad) February 9, 2022

Graceful is 270 feet long and has a saloon, gym, spa, library, and an indoor pool nearly 50 feet long that doubles as a dance floor.

Scheherazade

A mystery yacht remains untouched as the owner remains a mystery.

The owner of the 459-foot Scheherazade is suspected to be a Russian billionaire, though the owner was never publically identified, The New York Times reported .

Many people believe it belongs to Vladimir Putin, nicknaming the vessel "Putin's Yacht."

SuperYachtFan estimates the ship's value sits at $700 million.

Stella Maris

Stella Maris is linked to oil and gas tycoon Rashid Sardarov. It was last seen in Nice, France, according to The Washington Post .

The luxury vessel is priced at $75 million, is 237 feet long, and can hold up to 14 guests, per SuperYachtFan .

Sardarov is not being sanctioned. 

Sailing Yacht A

Sailing Yacht A is believed to belong to Andrey Melnichenko. The boat was seized by Spanish officials Saturday, Reuters reported .

The ship is more than 465 feet long and can hold up to 20 guests, according to SuperYachtFan . The website says that Sailing Yacht A also features an underwater observation area and has a value of more than $500 million.

Melnichenko is an EU-sanctioned Russian billionaire who works in coal and fertilizers, according to Forbes . The magazine also reported that he owns a second yacht, Motor Yacht A, which is similar to a submarine. 

Oligarch Gennady Timchenko's superyacht "Lena" was seized in the port of Sanremo, Italy on March 5, Reuters reported.

Timchenko is the owner of a private investment group, Volga Group and a shareholder of Bank Rossiya. The oligarch has been sanctioned by the EU, which describes him as a "long-time acquaintance of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin."

Timchenko was also sanctioned by the UK on February 22. 

The superyacht is valued at around 50 million euros ($54 million), Reuters reported. It has fold-down terraces, as well as an "owner's suite" which opens out onto the sea with "gull-wing doors," according to its manufacturer, Sanlorenzo.

Italian authorities also seized a $71 million super-yacht belonging to one of the wealthiest men in Russia , Alexei Mordashov. 

The 215-ft "Lady M" superyacht was seized in the Port of Imperia, northern Italy, a source confirmed to Reuters.

The yacht can accommodate up to six guests on and also has accommodation for four crew members, per the Superyacht Times .

The oligarch, who is the chairman of steel mining company, Severstal, has also been sanctioned by the EU, which says Mordashov is "benefiting from his links with Russian decision-makers." Mordashov has insisted he has "absolutely nothing to do" with Russia's attack on Ukraine. 

The Oligarch moved $1.3 billion worth of shares in travel company, TUI, to an offshore tax haven on the day he was hit by sanctions, Insider's Huileng Tan previously reported. 

He was also added to the UK government's sanctions list on March 15.

Some superyachts belonging to Russian billionaires are currently seeking refuge in the Maldives, including a yacht owned by billionaire Oleg Deripaska, Reuters reported.

The billionaire, who is also the founder of one of Russia's largest industrial groups, Basic Element, was added to the UK's sanctions list on March 10.

Also built by Lürssen, the superyacht - which is around 238 feet long - can accommodate 18 guests in nine cabins, per Superyacht Fan.

The superyacht Valerie - worth $140 million - was seized in Barcelona on Monday, Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said on La Sexta television, per Reuters.  

Sanchez did not confirm the owner of the yacht, but two sources confirmed to Reuters that it belonged to Sergei Chemezov, who is said to be a close ally of Putin.

The oligarch, who was previously a KGB spy with Putin in the former Soviet Union, recently said that Russia would emerge victorious from Western sanctions, Reuters previously reported . 

Chemezov, who is the CEO of Russian defense conglomerate Rostec was added to the US sanctions list on March 3. 

His yacht is 279 feet long and can accommodate 17 guests in eight suites, per Superyacht Fan.

Crescent, most likely owned by Igor Sechin but also rumored to belong to Putin, was the third yacht Spain seized as the West ramps up sanctions, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

The superyacht is 443-feet long and costs an estimated $600 million, according to  SuperyachtFan, which also says the vessel hosts a retractable helicopter hangar and a large pool with a glass bottom.

Lady Anastasia

Lady Anastasia is owned by Russian oligarch Alexander Mikheyev but was seized by Spain on Tuesday, according to Reuters . 

The boat is almost 160 feet long and can hold up to 10 guests, according to Yacht Harbour .

Mikheyev, who was sanctioned by the EU, is the head of a helicopters division under Rostec, New York Mag reported .

• Main content

Here are the superyachts seized from Russian oligarchs

As part of an international pressure campaign on Russia, authorities from around the world have seized more than a half-dozen superyachts belonging to billionaire oligarchs allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The yacht seizures since the Feb. 24 invasion are "just the beginning," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in March, as an international task force worked to identify further assets that can be seized or frozen.

“The Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to hold accountable those who facilitate the death and destruction we are witnessing in Ukraine,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said of the ongoing efforts in May.

Here are the superyachts government officials have seized since Russia invaded Ukraine last month.

The Justice Department announced May 5 that the Fijian government had seized billionaire oligarch Suleiman Kerimov 's 348-foot yacht Amadea. The vessel, which is valued at more than $300 million , arrived in Fiji last month. Kerimov, who's worth an estimated $14 billion and has ties to the Russian government, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department over alleged money laundering in 2018.

Special features on the sprawling yacht include a helipad, infinity pool, a jacuzzi and multiple bars, according to a report in Boat International . It can accommodate 16 overnight guests in addition to 36 crew members, the report said.

In April, Spanish law-enforcement officials seized a 255-foot yacht called the Tango, which Justice Department says is owned by oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Vekselberg is an aluminum magnate who the Treasury Department says has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Tango is worth an estimated $90 million, prosecutors said , and Vekselberg allegedly purchased it through shell companies. The 11-year-old yacht has seven staterooms and reportedly includes amenities such as a pool, gym and beauty salon .

Authorities in Italy seized a 215-foot superyacht called the Lady M this month. It's owned by Alexei Mordashov, Russia's richest businessman, and it’s estimated to be worth $27 million . The vessel, which requires a crew of 14, has six guest cabins , a pool and a gym.

But it pales in comparison to another of Mordashov's yachts, the $500 million Nord . The 464-foot vessel, which has two helipads and a waterfall and can accommodate 36 guests, was anchored this month in the Seychelles, where the U.S. and European Union sanctions don’t apply.

Italian officials also seized the 132-foot superyacht Lena, owned by the energy magnate Gennady Timchenko. Estimated to be worth $8 million, it has five cabins and can accommodate 10 guests.

SY A — short for Sailing Yacht A — is one of the world's largest superyachts. Valued at over $440 million, the 469-foot vessel, owned by the fertilizer magnate Andrey Melnichenko, has eight decks, multiple elevators, an underwater observation area and the world's tallest masts . It was seized in the Italian port of Trieste.

Authorities in Spain seized Sergei Chemezov's Valerie, a 279-foot superyacht that had been moored in Barcelona. Chemezov , a former KGB officer, heads the state conglomerate Rostec. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez touted the seizure on La Sexta television. “We are talking about a yacht that we estimate is worth $140 million,” Sanchez said.

Officials in France announced this month that they had seized the 289-foot Amore Vero, which was undergoing repairs in a shipyard near Marseille. When they arrived, authorities said, they found the crew preparing for an urgent departure, even though the repair work was scheduled to last through April. The $120 million boat, which has seven cabins , is linked to Igor Sechin, described by the U.S. Treasury Department as a close ally of Putin's.

Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.

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The Internet Sleuths Obsessively Tracking the Superyachts of Russian Oligarchs

‘Seizure of the yachts feels like a little bit of justice. It sends the message that these oligarchs have to pick a side: Support the dictator or support democracy’

For the first time in several years, Ben, a 36-year-old machinist in Michigan, hasn’t been pulling up Twitter first thing in the morning. Instead, he’s been checking MarineTraffic.com — an open, community-based website that tracks the real-time movement and location of ships — to see which yachts belonging to Russian billionaire oligarchs have been seized as a part of the economic sanctions placed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. “I catch up on everything else later in the day,” he tells me. “But ever since they announced the sanctions, I can’t take my eyes away from #YachtWatch and MarineTraffic.” 

To be sure, a desire to know intimate details about billionaire yachts is nothing new. Within niche communities of maritime enthusiasts and professionals, these extraordinary yachts have always been followed and discussed in great detail. In fact, many yachts have their own Wikipedia pages , and websites like SuperYachtFan.com and SuperYachtTimes.com thrive on outlining the design, specs and ownership of these multi-million dollar vessels. But for the general public to become interested in the intricacies of billionaire yacht ownership and tracking is certainly new. 

To that end, Alex Finley, a former CIA officer turned author , had been researching oligarch yachts for her upcoming novel long before they caught the public’s eye. “I was already in tune with how the yachts and other assets play a role in Putin’s wider agenda,” she tells me. “But when I was kind of shitposting about Russian yachts on Twitter, no, I didn’t think it would turn into a crowdsourced global hunt for super yachts.” 

Good day #YachtWatch -ers. Yesterday morning, around 10am, Roman Abramovich’s other yacht [insert eye roll gif] Eclipse was tracked heading toward Gibraltar. She hasn’t pinged in about 8 hours. 1/ pic.twitter.com/cdlr6TH3rW — Alex Finley (@alexzfinley) March 11, 2022

Since creating the #YachtWatch hashtag, Finley says she’s seen the number of people like Ben who regularly check in on her updates of yacht seizures grow exponentially. “I’ve gained something like 20,000 followers in just a few days, and judging by the number of media inquiries, yeah, I guess people are interested,” she explains. 

And more than merely observe, certain people have made contributions that help improve the public’s ability to track and absorb complex maritime information. “Some mariners have helped explain some of the more technical aspects regarding AIS [ automatic identification system ] and navigation and facility infrastructure, for example,” Finley says. “Others have provided great encouragement, or remind me to sleep and hydrate, which I love.” 

Italy are still winning with an early brace, but still lots to play for. Straights of Gibraltar could prove a winning card for @RoyalNavy to get UK on the board, but a strategically timed US Transfer deal with the Maldives could beat everyone! #HuntForRedYachtober #YachtWatch https://t.co/yBOyI7cBSs — Charlie Moore (@c_moore) March 11, 2022

Elsewhere, members of the #YachtWatch community have created makeshift “BINGO” cards that show pictures of yachts along with the name of the Russian billionaire to whom they belong. Others, like Jack Sweeney , a college student who recently gained notoriety for tracking Elon Musk’s private jet, created their own Twitter accounts dedicated to the pursuit. In just over a week, his @RussianYachts account has amassed over 22,000 followers after posting information about yacht ownership and location updates. 

While I figure out more to track the yachts and choose the best solution. Here's a graphic made by @CNN of the latest locations of some of the yachts. pic.twitter.com/z9FgcJNiz2 — Russian Yachts (@RussiaYachts) March 7, 2022

Finley reckons that there’s a sense of “heightened” schadenfreude driving the massive public interest in superyacht seizures. They’re not just watching bad things happen to bad people, they’re watching people who “supported a dictator who started a totally unprovoked war” lose their toys. “These oligarchs have supported Putin’s efforts to destabilize the West and our democratic institutions, while at the same time taking advantage of those very same democratic institutions,” she says. “Seizing the yachts feels like a little bit of justice. It sends the message that these oligarchs have to pick a side: Support the dictator or support democracy. We won’t let you do both anymore.” 

Roman Abramovich's yacht Solaris looks to be heading to Montenegro, a popular place for Russian yachts. His even bigger superyacht Eclipse is in the Atlantic heading toward the Strait of Gibraltar per @MarineTraffic pic.twitter.com/o70Zzl7EEi — Mike Forsythe 傅才德 (@PekingMike) March 11, 2022

With that in mind, Finley argues that a lot of people “are getting into the hunt because they feel like they’re helping a just cause.” 

Plus, unlike most white-collar crime that gets prosecuted over the course of lengthy, closed-door legal battles, the seizure of superyachts has been swift and public. On March 3rd, French authorities took to Twitter to announce they had seized a 281-foot-long yacht belonging to Russian oligarch Igor Sechin. The $120 million vessel was in breach of the law after having attempted “to leave French territorial waters,” and was therefore seized and “immobilized” by French customs. 

Dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre des sanctions de l'Union européenne à l'encontre de la Russie et en soutien à l’Ukraine ?? nous avons procédé à la saisie d’un premier yacht. ➡️ L’Amore Vero est immobilisé en France. pic.twitter.com/ncr4UOP3OD — Olivier Dussopt (@olivierdussopt) March 3, 2022

But of all the major governments cracking down on Russian yachts so far, Ben says he’s rooting for the Italians the most. “It seems like they’re the ones who aren’t pussyfooting around, pardon my French,” he says. “I don’t know what happens to the seized properties after the fact, but I feel like the Italians could end up with an army of superyachts when this is all said and done.” 

So far, Italian authorities have officially seized at least two yachts belonging to Russia oligarchs Gennady Timchenko and Alexei Mordashov — Timchenko’s Lena, a 126-foot, $55-million beast , and Mordashov’s Lady M, a 213-foot, $71-million luxury monstrosity . 

Keeping watch on these Russian's Yacht's pic.twitter.com/BaZQeNyyKB — Russian Yachts (@RussiaYachts) March 6, 2022

According to the Washington Post , MarineTraffic.com “has seen a ‘huge spike’ in interest,” with traffic reaching “a level not seen since a massive ship got stuck in the Suez Canal one year ago.” Ben says he checks the site several times a day, working his way down the curated list of oligarch yachts he’s created there. “Right now I’m watching Clio , Tango , Palladium , Nirvana and Le Grand Bleu ,” he tells me. “Le Grand Bleu has been spinning in circles outside St. Martin for a few days now, so hopefully he runs out of fuel and is forced to make a decision soon.”

That’s when he’ll get the payoff he’s been waiting for: “The day I check my phone during a break and see one of my yachts being chased down or seized by government agents… I can’t even begin to imagine what that’ll feel like.” 

Ultimately, though, when it comes to social media-driven justice , particularly involving the rich and powerful, it’s nearly impossible to not be cynical. Is #YachtWatch just another fleeting #ResistanceTwitter saga, yacht seizures being the latest carrot dangled in front of a terminally logged-on population fruitlessly grasping for control as the world spirals toward nuclear war? Or, could the growing interest in tracking billionaire’s yachts actually lead to systemic change ? 

Melnichenko's $600,000,000 Yacht A is being seized in Italy: https://t.co/oYfVydcANQ — Scott Stedman (@ScottMStedman) March 12, 2022

For her part, Finley is hopeful that it’s the latter. “We arrived at this point in history partly because we in the West allowed a system that’s fueled both inequality and authoritarianism , all because businesses, politicians and the West in general were getting rich from it, too ,” she explains. “I hope the mega-yacht hunt might be a wake-up call that we need to reform the system and make it more transparent.” 

It’s certainly opened Ben’s eyes to the idea that wealth disparity isn’t merely a flaw in the system. “I’m not naive enough to think we don’t live in a world of haves and have-nots, but the sight of all those yachts, crowding around islands in the Caribbean like mayflies to a street lamp stopped me in my tracks,” he says. “It really struck me how they live in a different universe, where laws don’t exist.” 

Ben has “read everything about the tax-dodging leaks and money in the Cayman Islands,” but if it doesn’t go over his head, it just makes him feel powerless. “There’s nothing I can do about billionaires cheating the system — all these guys have gotten away with crimes because they’re billionaires,” he concludes. “But now that I know what can happen with transparency, I like to think this is the beginning of the end for them.” 

Quinn Myers

Quinn Myers is a staff writer at MEL. He reports on internet culture, technology, health, masculinity and the communities that flourish within.

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Schadenfreude at sea: The Internet is watching with glee as Russian oligarchs’ yachts are seized

Schadenfreude abounds online as the luxury toys of Russia’s richest residents are seized

There’s just something satisfying about watching online as a billionaire’s luxury yacht moves around the globe — and then gets snagged by law enforcement as part of sanctions designed to crack down on Russia.

Alex Finley thinks of it as schadenfreude, or getting pleasure from another’s troubles. Finley, an author and former CIA officer, is online tweeting names, locations, ownership and the latest status of various yachts owned by Russian oligarchs.

Seeing the yachts being seized feels like a “little bit of justice,” Finley said.

She’s part of a growing group of online spectators watching and reporting as governments around the world seize Russian oligarchs’ assets as part of sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While money can often be hidden and moved between offshore bank accounts, it’s trickier to conceal a 511-foot megayacht with an indoor pool, multiple helipads and a tracking system.

Using automated Twitter accounts, online tracking sites and homemade bingo cards , casual fans of financial retribution are following the location of the oligarchs’ ships and jets, often hoping to catch them on the run or docked in a country likely to seize them. Social media accounts have sprung up to follow the movements of these luxurious vehicles and keep track of which ones have been frozen or taken into possession by governments.

They use sites like VesselFinder , MarineTraffic or SuperYachtFan where you can type in a ship’s name or unique identifiers, known as an International Maritime Organization (IMO) number or Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). Thanks to similar satellite-based tracking technology, oligarchs’ private jet locations can also be tracked online through sites like Flightradar24.com . It’s not just location information. Some of the more expensive and well known yachts have their own Wikipedia pages and online followings, where details about their most over-the-top features are documented.

The Russian billionaires became the new object of fascination after the White House and European Union moved to sanction dozens of individual oligarchs and their associates as part of the larger Western crackdown on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

“The United States and governments all over the world will work to identify and freeze the assets Russian elites and their family members hold in our respective jurisdictions — their yachts, luxury apartments, money, and other ill-gotten gains,” according to the White House in a March 3 statement.

Yacht watchers have already witnessed a number of seizures. Italian financial police seized the superyacht Lena and another named Lady M, belonging respectively to Russian oligarchs Gennady Timchenko and Alexei Mordashov, according to the Associated Press. VesselFinder showed both on its maps recently, docked in Italian ports.

Late last week, the French Finance Ministry announced on Twitter it had seized a 281-foot-long superyacht worth $120 million that belonged to Russian oligarch Igor Sechin, the CEO of oil giant Rosneft. Called the Amore Vero, that ship’s recent locations were not as easy to find on tracking sites.

After Russian oligarch’s $120 million yacht is seized, Putin allies search for safe waters

Yachts are not always required by law to share their location, though they typically do so for safety. However, some may turn off their automated tracking system if they want to sail under the radar.

“Whether a yacht has a duty to keep its AIS device on under international law or the domestic laws of its flag just depends on the size of the yacht, her flag, and where the yacht is located,” R. Isaak Hurst, an attorney at the International Maritime Group, said in an email.

The Russian-owned megayachts have become a clear object that people can focus their anger and attention on, yacht tracking fans say.

“There’s a symbolic power that the yacht holds in the West’s campaign to rein in the power of Vladimir Putin and his global kleptocracy,” said Oliver Houston, a political campaigner and writer from London. Houston has been active on the #YachtWatch trend on Twitter.

If the rich owners are losing their prized possessions, they might be incentivized to put pressure on Putin to back out of Ukraine, Houston figures.

The practice of tracking billionaires’ jets is hardly new — hobbyists, reporters and observers have long followed executives’ and government leaders’ movements by tracking their private planes. In 2017, a federal investigation probed then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s trip on a political contributor’s plane. ( It was found to be legal .) And while Amazon searched for a second headquarter city in 2018, journalists tracked where founder Jeff Bezos’s jet traveled to try to find clues. (Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

Nineteen-year-old college student Jack Sweeney, who gained fame this year for demanding Elon Musk pay him $50,000 to shut down an account that tracked the billionaire’s private jet, has turned his attention and massive Twitter following to the oligarchs’ property. ( Musk offered the University of Central Florida student $5,000, which Sweeney declined .)

He runs the @RussiaYachts Twitter account, which has shared some locations of the vessels, along with a list of several superyachts and their billionaire owners. Sweeney also created a Twitter account that shares automated updates of oligarchs’ jets movements.

Good morning, Oligarch #YachtWatch fans! I thought it would be a good idea to start the week off with a summary of where things float at the moment. 1. Four yachts were "frozen" last week. NB: not "seized" because it's not like the government took control and can sell them. 1/ — Alex Finley (@alexzfinley) March 7, 2022

He started tracking the oligarchs’ property after getting a flood of messages from people who knew about his flight-tracking prowess. It’s a way to make the locations more transparent, even when their owners are trying to fly (or sail) under the radar.

“They think they’re hidden but they’re not, necessarily,” he said.

Keeping watch on these Russian's Yacht's pic.twitter.com/BaZQeNyyKB — Russian Yachts (@RussiaYachts) March 6, 2022

Private jets are less flashy than the megayachts, at least on the outside, but they’re still an object of fascination online.

“Some are very recognizable. Some have custom paint jobs,” said Jon Ostrower, editor in chief of the Air Current, a news site reporting on the aerospace industry. "[Russian billionaire] Roman Abramovich has an aircraft that he’s always maintained called the Bandit, a 767 painted all white except for this black stripe over the cockpit windows. It was sharp.”

On Twitter, college student Sweeney uses data from ADS-B Exchange , an open-source company that publishes a map of flight movements around the world. Founder Dan Streufert said pretty much any plane flying around the globe has a transponder that broadcasts the plane’s unique ID and its position, for safety reasons such as avoiding collisions. ADS-B Exchange relies on crowdsourced data — aviation and radio hobbyists have receivers that collect data from the flights’ transponders, which the company then plots onto a map.

The system isn’t without its gaps. Areas without participating receivers will show fewer flights, and military planes can turn off their transponders, making some areas — such as Crimea — appear as though they have empty skies.

Streufert said he understands people’s fascination with the massive jets. Not many people have their own private fleets, after all.

“It can help hold not only [the oligarchs] accountable, but also the countries they fly into, because some countries are saying they are going to seize assets,” he said.

Yachts can sometimes be more difficult to track, especially if they are not near a port. MarineTraffic , a website that publishes data about ships’ whereabouts, uses a network of receivers on land as well as satellites to track the boats’ positions no matter where they are.

The company has about 6.5 million unique users each month, ranging from hobbyists to shipping and banking industry professionals who use the data to keep track of assets, said the company’s media and communications leader, Georgios Hatzimanolis.

How the Ever Given was freed from the Suez Canal: A visual analysis

Since the invasion in Ukraine began, MarineTraffic has seen a “huge spike” in interest, he said, a level not seen since a massive ship got stuck in the Suez Canal one year ago. The much-memed plight of the stuck containership Ever Given was monitored on marine tracking sites like MarineTraffic and VesselFinder, where it was often represented by a giant rectangle wedged diagonally in the Suez Canal.

People are also monitoring villas and other lavish properties that belong to Russia’s elite, looking up online listings and satellite images as well as searching public property records while waiting to see if they are seized by local governments.

Still, “the yacht is a particularly powerful symbol — not only of their power, but also of our power to be sure that we are hitting them where it hurts,” #YachtWatch user Houston said.

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Inside the World of Superyachts Owned by Billionaires

Introduction: The Ultimate Status Symbol

In the rarefied world of the ultra-wealthy, few possessions symbolize success and affluence more than a luxurious superyachts owned by billionaires. These floating palaces represent the zenith of luxury, offering unparalleled comfort, cutting-edge technology, and bespoke design. Owned by billionaires who spare no expense in their pursuit of perfection, superyachts are the epitome of opulence on the high seas.

The Top Luxurious Superyachts Owned by Billionaires

Commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the Eclipse is one of the most famous luxurious superyachts in existence. Launched in 2010, this 162.5-meter vessel was the largest yacht in the world at the time. It boasts a range of luxurious features including two helipads, a disco hall, swimming pools, hot tubs, and even a missile detection system. The Eclipse can accommodate up to 36 guests and a crew of 70, ensuring that every whim of its passengers is catered to.

Currently holding the title of the largest private yacht in the world, Azzam measures an astounding 180 meters. Owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Azzam is not just remarkable for its size. It is also one of the fastest superyachts, capable of reaching speeds of over 30 knots. Designed by Nauta Yachts and built by Lürssen Yachts, Azzam features an incredibly sophisticated and elegant interior, inspired by the Empire style.

Owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, Dilbar is another luxurious superyacht that exemplifies luxury. At 156 meters long, Dilbar is known for having the largest gross tonnage of any yacht in the world. Built by Lürssen, this yacht includes a 25-meter swimming pool, a helipad, and lavish accommodations for 40 guests and 80 crew members. Its interior, designed by Andrew Winch, reflects a sophisticated, modern style that provides an exquisite living experience on the water.

Life Aboard a Luxurious Superyacht

Living on a luxurious superyacht owned by a billionaire is akin to residing in a five-star hotel, but with the added benefit of mobility. These vessels come equipped with the finest amenities and technologies to ensure the utmost comfort and entertainment. Gourmet kitchens and luxury dining rooms – private cinemas – state-of-the-art gyms, every detail is designed to provide special experience for the owner.

Superyachts also feature luxurious staterooms and suites, often customized to reflect the owner’s personal taste and style. With expansive decks, private beaches, and Jacuzzis, relaxation and enjoyment are at the forefront of the yachting lifestyle. Additionally, many superyachts have specialized tenders and toys, including jet skis, submarines, and even small sailboats, ensuring endless fun and adventure on the water.

Famous superyachts owned by billionaires

Many of the world’s wealthiest individuals are drawn to the allure of luxurious superyachts. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is reportedly commissioning a 127-meter sailing yacht named Koru. This vessel, designed by Oceanco, is expected to be one of the most advanced and luxurious yachts ever built, featuring a support yacht complete with a helipad.

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has also shown interest in the superyacht lifestyle. He was reported to be interested in the hydrogen-powered superyacht Aqua, designed by “Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design”. This 112-meter yacht emphasizes sustainability, with its innovative use of hydrogen fuel cells, representing a step forward in eco-friendly yachting.

A Closer Look: Roman Abramovich and His Yacht, Eclipse

Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire with a net worth of over $14 billion, is perhaps one of the most renowned yacht owners in the world. His luxurious superyacht, Eclipse, reflects his penchant for luxury and innovation. Launched in 2010, Eclipse was the largest yacht in the world until Azzam took the title in 2013. Nevertheless, Eclipse remains one of the most impressive and expensive yachts, with an estimated cost of $500 million.

• Roman Abramovich: Biography and Success Story

Born on October 24, 1966, in Saratov, Russia, Roman Abramovich experienced a challenging early life. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his relatives. Despite these hardships, Abramovich demonstrated a keen business acumen from a young age. He initially made his fortune in the oil industry, co-founding the oil company Sibneft in 1995. His business ventures expanded rapidly, and he became one of Russia’s wealthiest individuals.

Abramovich is perhaps best known in the Western world for his ownership of the Chelsea Football Club, a premier soccer team in the English Premier League. Under his ownership since 2003, Chelsea has experienced significant success, winning numerous domestic and international titles. His involvement in various industries, from steel to telecommunications, further solidified his status as a global business magnate.

Beyond his business endeavors, Abramovich is also a notable philanthropist, contributing to various charitable causes, particularly in education and healthcare. His luxurious superyacht Eclipse serves as both a symbol of his success and a mobile retreat where he can entertain guests and enjoy the pleasures of yachting.

Conclusion – Superyachts owned by billionaires

The world of luxurious superyachts owned by billionaires is a testament to human ingenuity and the pursuit of luxury. These vessels showcase what happens when limitless resources combine with visionary design. Whether for leisure, status, or both, luxurious superyachts represent the fascinating aspect of modern wealth and lifestyle.

In exploring the stories behind these floating palaces, we not only get a glimpse into the luxurious lives of their owners but also into the incredible craftsmanship and innovation that make these superyachts possible.

For more articles on luxury and opulence, explore our Superyacht collection .

Famous Billionaire Yacht Owners

A Closer Look: Roman Abramovich and His Luxurious Superyacht, Eclipse

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Biden And Allies Are Coming For Russian Billionaires’ Yachts: Forbes Tracked Down 63. Here’s Where To Find Them

Most of the yachts are registered through offshore vehicles and docked in far-flung locales..

Updated to reflect that Anatoly Lomakin is not the owner of the Sea & Us yacht on September 3, 2024. The locations in this article were last updated on January 9, 2023 and the map has not been updated since this story was originally published in March 2022.

R ussian billionaires have been in the spotlight since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24. In his State of the Union address on March 1, President Joe Biden said his administration would work with European countries to target Russian oligarchs by seizing “their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets.”

The United Kingdom and the European Union imposed sanctions on three more Russian billionaires on March 9 and the U.K. sanctioned Roman Abramovich the next day; more sanctions were announced on March 15 and on March 24; new actions have since brought the total number of sanctioned Russian-born billionaires to 50. Several yachts owned by sanctioned billionaires or their family members and associates—Roman Abramovich, Farkhad Akhmedov, Vagit Alekperov, Andrei Guriev, Eduard Khudainatov, Andrei Kuzmichev, Igor Makarov, Andrey Melnichenko, Alexey Mordashov, Dmitry Pumpyansky, Arkady Rotenberg, Gennady Timchenko, Eugene Shvidler, Alisher Usmanov and Viktor Vekselberg—were last tracked in the U.S., EU or in the U.K. and their territories after the individuals were sanctioned, including France, Germany, Gibraltar, Italy, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Their personal assets in the European Union, from private jets and superyachts to luxury real estate, may now be frozen. Italian authorities froze Mordashov’s Lady M yacht and Timchenko’s Lena yacht on March 4. On March 12, Italian police froze Melnichenko’s Sailing Yacht A in Trieste. On March 21, authorities in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar detained Dmitry Pumpyansky’s Axioma yacht, the same day French authorities froze a yacht owned by Alezei Kuzmichev. On April 4, Spain’s Guardia Civil and the FBI seized Vekselberg’s Tango yacht in Palma de Mallorca . On April 13, German authorities froze Dilbar , a yacht that was owned by Alisher Usmanov until he transferred ownership to his sister Gulbakhor Ismailova in 2020. On May 5, Fiji seized Suleiman Kerimov’s yacht Amadea at the request of U.S. authorities.

It’s still unclear whether the EU, the U.S. or the U.K. will declare additional sanctions on other individuals. As recently as February 28, Forbes tracked the wealth of more than 100 Russian billionaires. Using data from yacht valuation experts VesselsValue, Forbes has compiled a list of every yacht owned by Russian-born billionaires and recent dropoffs—both those that have been sanctioned and those that have not. At least 12 Russian billionaires fell out of the three-comma-club on March 1.

According to VesselsValue’s head of superyachts, Sam Tucker, yacht “ownership is notoriously private.” The firm has 90% confidence in its data on these yachts, which are generally owned through offshore companies registered everywhere from the Isle of Man to the Cayman Islands. Collectively, the 63 yachts are worth at least $6.3 billion. The 53 yachts owned by sanctioned Russian billionaires are worth at least $4.7 billion.

“Technically speaking, these yachts are owned by a special purpose vehicle, often being in a different jurisdiction to the beneficial owner,” Tucker said. “There are also lease systems, which further distance the [owner] from the asset.” Lease systems are legal structures commonly used to purchase yachts, allowing individuals to own a yacht through a separate company—often registered in places such as Malta and Cyprus—that then leases the yacht to the individual.

While the Russian economy crashes under the weight of sanctions, yachts owned by the country’s billionaires have anchored in much sunnier climes: everywhere from Monaco and Barcelona to Dubai and the Seychelles.

Here is a list of all of the yachts owned by Russian billionaires and billionaires born in Russia tracked by Forbes and VesselsValue (Location data from VesselsValue, MarineTraffic and VesselFinder):

Alexander Abramov

Sanctioned by australia, u.k., yacht name: titan, length: 257 feet, last recorded location: dubai, united arab emirates on january 9, 2023, registered in: bermuda, value: $82 million.

Alexander Abramov's Titan yacht.

Roman Abramovich

Sanctioned by u.k., eu, canada, australia, switzerland, yacht name: eclipse*, length: 533 feet, last recorded location: bodrum, turkey on january 9, 2023, value: $438 million.

*Abramovich also owns eight small vessels “used to support the operations” of Eclipse, named Eclipse 1 through Eclipse 8.

Yacht name: Solaris

Length: 458 feet, last recorded location: marmaris, turkey on january 9, 2023, value: $474 million, yacht name: halo, length: 180 feet, last recorded location: göcek, turkey on december 16, 2022, registered in: cook islands, value: $38 million, yacht name: garcon, length: 220 feet, last recorded location: fethiye, turkey on august 8, 2022, value: $20 million, yacht name: kewpie, length: 80 feet, last recorded location: saint barthélemy on january 6, 2023, value: $3 million, yacht name: sussurro, length: 162 feet, last recorded location: la ciotat, france on january 9, 2023, value: $17 million, yacht name: umbra a, length: 40 feet, last recorded location: not available, registered in: not available, value: $1 million, yacht name: aquamarine*, length: 164 feet, last recorded location: vlissingen, netherlands on april 5, 2022, registered in: russia, value: $29.9 million.

* Aquamarine is owned by Jersey-based MHC Jersey Limited, which is owned by British Virgin Islands-based Norma Investments Limited. Prior to February 24, 2022, Norma’s beneficial owner was Abramovich; Norma’s ownership was transferred to David Davidovich, a business associate of Abramovich, on the same day, according to public filings. Davidovich was sanctioned by the U.K. on April 14 .

Roman Abramovich's Eclipse yacht.

Farkhad Akhmedov

Sanctioned by eu, u.k., canada, switzerland, yacht name: luna, length: 375 feet, last recorded location: hamburg, germany on july 4, 2022 ( frozen by german authorities on may 12, 2022), registered in: marshall islands, value: $196 million.

Farkhad Akhmedov's Luna yacht.

Vagit Alekperov

Sanctioned by u.k., australia, canada, yacht name: galactica super nova, length: 230 feet, last recorded location: off the coast of budva, montenegro on march 2, 2022 (departed tivat, montenegro on march 2), registered in: sierra leone, value: $67 million, yacht name: space, length: 114 feet, last recorded location: sevastopol, crimea on august 23, 2022, value: $8 million, yacht name: galactica, length: 263 feet, last recorded location: vladivostok, russia on october 1, 2022, value: not available.

Vagit Alekperov's Galactica Super Nova yacht.

Oleg Deripaska

Sanctioned by u.s., u.k., eu, canada, switzerland, australia, yacht name: clio, length: 238 feet, last recorded location: adler, russia on october 27, 2022, registered in: cayman islands, value: $58 million, yacht name: sputnik, length: 197 feet, last recorded location: göcek, turkey on november 9, 2022, registered in: antigua and barbuda, value: $19.75 million, yacht name: elden, length: 95 feet, last recorded location: volga river near sknyatino, russia on october 8, 2022, value: $1.9 million.

Oleg Deripaska.

Sergey Galitsky

Yacht name: quantum blue, length: 341 feet, last recorded location: off the coast of salalah, oman on march 22, 2022, value: $213 million.

Sergei Galitsky's Quantum Blue yacht.

Andrei Guriev

Sanctioned by u.s., u.k., yacht name: alfa nero, length: 267 feet, last recorded location: falmouth harbour, antigua and barbuda on november 3, 2022 ( blocked by the u.s. on august 2), value: $81 million.

Andrei Guriev's Alfa Nero yacht.

Dmitry Kamenshchik

Yacht name: flying fox, length: 446 feet, last recorded location: göcek, turkey on december 27, 2022 ( blocked by the u.s. on june 2), value: $455 million.

Dmitry Kamenshchik's Flying Fox yacht.

Suleiman Kerimov

Sanctioned by u.s., eu, u.k., canada, switzerland, australia, japan, yacht name: amadea, length: 348 feet, last recorded location: san diego, california on june 6 ( seized by u.s. authorities on may 5, 2022), registered in: united states, value: $300 million.

Suleiman Kerimov's Amadea yacht.

Igor Kesaev

Yacht name: my sky, length: 168 feet, last recorded location: crossroads superyacht marina, maldives on june 16, 2022, value: $30 million, yacht name: sky, length: 166 feet, last recorded location: limón bay, panama on january 9, 2023, value: $23 million.

Igor Kesaev.

Eduard Khudainatov

Sanctioned by eu, yacht name: divina barbara, length: 115 feet, last recorded location: rendsburg, germany on november 17, 2016, registered in: united kingdom, value: $9 million, alexey kuzmichev, sanctioned by u.s., eu, u.k., canada, switzerland, australia, yacht name: la petite ourse, length: 79 feet, last recorded location: antibes, france on august 11, 2022 ( frozen by french authorities on march 16, 2022; released after court decision on october 5, 2022), registered in: malta, value: $4.5 million, yacht name: la petite ourse ii, length: 54 feet, last recorded location: cannes, france on june 6, 2022 ( frozen by french authorities on march 21, 2022; released after court decision on december 9, 2022), value: $1.2 million, igor makarov, sanctioned by canada, australia, yacht name: areti i, length: 128 feet, last recorded location: st. augustine, florida on october 24, 2022, value: $7 million.

Igor Makarov.

Iskander Makhmudov

Sanctioned by: u.s., u.k., yacht name: predator, length: 239 feet, last recorded location: kuşadası, turkey on january 4, 2023, registered in: st. kitts and nevis, value: $55 million, dmitry mazepin, sanctioned by: u.k., eu, switzerland, canada, australia, yacht name: aldabra, length: 97 feet, last recorded location: bodrum, turkey on october 7, 2022 (frozen by italian authorities), registered in: isle of man, length: 72 feet, last recorded location: n/a (frozen by italian authorities), registered in: n/a, andrey melnichenko, sanctioned by eu, u.k., u.s., switzerland, australia, yacht name: my a, length: 390 feet, last recorded location: ras al khaimah, united arab emirates on may 28, 2022, registered in: isle of man ( deregistered on march 16, 2022), value: $204 million, yacht name: sy a, length: 469 feet, last recorded location: trieste, italy on january 9, 2023 ( frozen by italian authorities on march 12, 2022), value: $578 million (valued by italian government).

Andrey Melnichenko's SY A sailing yacht.

Leonid Mikhelson

Sanctioned by U.K., Canada, Australia

Yacht name: pacific, length: 280 feet, last recorded location: abu dhabi, united arab emirates on december 25, 2022, registered in: malaysia, value: $115 million, yuri milner, yacht name: andromeda, length: 352 feet, last recorded location: off the coast of nassau, bahamas on january 9, 2023, value: $129 million, andrei molchanov, yacht name: aurora, length: 243 feet, last recorded location: istanbul, turkey on august 21, 2022, value: $110 million, alexey mordashov, sanctioned by eu, u.k., u.s., switzerland, australia, japan, yacht name: lady m, length: 213 feet, last recorded location: imperia, italy on june 6, 2022 ( frozen by italian authorities on march 4, 2022), registered in : cayman islands, value: $27 million, yacht name: nord, length: 464 feet, last recorded location: malacca strait near kuala selangor, malaysia on october 24, 2022.

Alexey Mordashov's Nord yacht.

Alexander Nesis

Yacht name: romea, length: 268 feet, last recorded location: malé, maldives on january 9, 2023.

Alexander Nesis.

Vladimir Potanin

Sanctioned by u.s., u.k., canada, australia, yacht name: nirvana, length: 290 feet, last recorded location: dubai, united arab emirates on january 9, 2023 ( blocked by the u.s. on december 15), value: $120 million.

Vladimir Potanin's Nirvana yacht.

Mikhail Prokhorov

Yacht name: av (formerly palladium), length: 312 feet, last recorded location: fort lauderdale, florida on january 9, 2023, value: $157 million.

Mikhail Prokhorov's Palladium yacht.

Dmitry Pumpyansky

Sanctioned by eu, u.k., u.s., switzerland, canada, australia, yacht name: axioma, length: 236 feet, last recorded location: gibraltar on january 9, 2023 ( detained by gibraltarian authorities on march 21, 2022)*, value: $42 million.

*Axioma was auctioned in August 2022 and is no longer owned by Pumpyansky.

Dmitry Pumpyansky's Axioma yacht.

Viktor Rashnikov

Sanctioned by eu, u.k., u.s., canada, switzerland, australia, yacht name: ocean victory, length: 459 feet, last recorded location: malé, maldives on march 1, 2022, value: $294 million.

Viktor Rashnikov's Ocean Victory yacht.

Arkady Rotenberg

Sanctioned by eu, u.s., u.k., australia, canada, japan, switzerland, yacht name: rahil, last recorded location: sochi, russia on december 1, 2022.

Arkady Rotenberg's Russian-registered Rahil yacht.

Boris Rotenberg

Length: 157 feet, last recorded location: marseille, france on january 9, 2023, registered in: luxembourg ( deregistered in april 2022, frozen by french authorities), value: $15 million, dmitry rybolovlev, yacht name: anna, length: 361 feet, value: $250 million.

Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Anatoly Sedykh

Yacht name: hermitage, length: 225 feet, last recorded location: dubai, united arab emirates on december 16, 2022, value: $73 million.

Anatoly Sedykh's Hermitage yacht.

Eugene Shvidler

Sanctioned by u.k., australia (shvidler was born in the u.s.s.r. and is a citizen of the u.s. and the u.k.), yacht name: le grand bleu, length: 354 feet, last recorded location: ponce, puerto rico on june 6, 2022, registered in: palau, value: $109 million.

Eugene Shvidler's Le Grand Bleu yacht.

Andrei Skoch

Sanctioned by u.s., eu, u.k., australia, canada, japan, switzerland, yacht name: madame gu, length: 325 feet, last recorded location: dubai, united arab emirates on march 6, 2022 ( blocked by the u.s. on june 2), value: $156 million.

Andrei Skoch's Madame Gu yacht.

Alexander Svetakov

Yacht name: cloudbreak, length: 246 feet, last recorded location: singapore on january 9, 2023, value: $98 million.

Alexander Svetakov's Cloudbreak yacht.

Gennady Timchenko

Sanctioned by: eu, u.s., u.k., australia, canada, japan, switzerland, yacht name: lena, length: 126 feet, last recorded location: sanremo, italy on september 24, 2022 ( frozen by italian authorities on march 4, 2022), registered in: british virgin islands.

Gennady Timchenko.

Oleg Tinkov

Sanctioned by u.k., australia ( dropped off forbes real-time billionaires on march 1), yacht name: la datcha, length: 252 feet, last recorded location: cabo san lucas, mexico on january 9, 2023, registered in: panama, value: $121 million, yacht name: ycm 90, length: 90 feet, value: $2 million.

Oleg Tinkov's La Datcha yacht.

Alisher Usmanov

Sanctioned by eu, u.k., u.s., australia, canada, japan, switzerland, yacht name: dilbar*, length: 512 feet, last recorded location: hamburg, germany on may 6, 2022 ( blocked by the u.s. on march 3, 2022 and frozen by german authorities on april 13, 2022), value: $588 million, yacht name: begham*, length: 131 feet, last recorded location: olbia, italy on october 25, 2021, value: $10.5 million.

* Dilbar is owned by Caymans-based Navis Marine Ltd. and Begham is owned by Caymans-based Highseas Yachting Ltd. Both Navis Marine Ltd. and Highseas Yachting Ltd. are owned by Cyprus-based Almenor Holdings Ltd. Almenor is in turn owned by Switzerland-based Pomerol Capital SA, which holds the shares "in trust for the benefit of" the Sister Trust, which a German Federal Police investigation found is held by Gulbakhor Ismailova, Usmanov’s sister. Ownership of Navis Marine Ltd. and Highseas Yachting Ltd. was transferred to Almenor in 2020.

Alisher Usmanov's Dilbar yacht.

Viktor Vekselberg

Sanctioned by: u.s., u.k., japan, canada, australia, yacht name: tango, length: 255 feet, last recorded location: palma de mallorca, spain on january 9, 2023 ( blocked by the u.s. on march 13, 2022 and seized by u.s. and spanish authorities on april 4, 2022), value: $90 million.

Viktor Vekselberg's Tango yacht.

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10 of the most impressive superyachts owned by billionaires

From a sailing yacht owned by a russian billionaire industrialist to the luxury launch of the patek philippe ceo, here are the best billionaire-owned boats on the water….

Words: Jonathan Wells

There’s something about billionaires and big boats . Whether they’re superyachts or megayachts, men with money love to splash out on these sizeable sea-going giants. And that all began in 1954 — with the big dreams of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

Onassis, keen to keep his luxury lifestyle afloat when at sea, bought Canadian anti-submarine frigate HMCS Stormont after World War II. He spent millions turning it into an opulent super yacht, named it after his daughter — and the Christina O kicked off a trend among tycoons. To this day, the world’s richest men remain locked in an arms race to build the biggest, fastest, most impressive superyacht of all. Here are 10 of our favourites…

Eclipse, owned by Roman Abramovich

Built by: Blohm+Voss of Hamburg, with interiors and exteriors designed by Terence Disdale. Launched in 2009, it cost $500 million (the equivalent of £623 million today).

Owned by: Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, the owner of private investment company Millhouse LLC and owner of Chelsea Football Club. His current net worth is $17.4 billion.

Key features: 162.5 metres in length / 9 decks / Top speed of 22 knots / Two swimming pools / Disco hall / Mini submarine / 2 helicopter pads / 24 guest cabins

Sailing Yacht A, owned by Andrey Melnichenko

Built by: Nobiskrug, a shipyard on the Eider River in Germany. The original idea came from Jacques Garcia, with interiors designed by Philippe Starck and a reported price tag of over $400 million.

Owned by: Russian billionaire industrialist Andrey Melnichenko, the main beneficiary of both the fertiliser producing EuroChem Group and the coal energy company SUEK. Though his current net worth is $18.7 billion, Sailing Yacht A was seized in Trieste on 12 March 2022 due to the EU’s sanctions on Russian businessmen.

Key features: 119 metres in length / 8 decks / Top speed of 21 knots / Freestanding carbon-fibre rotating masts / Underwater observation pod / 14 guests

Symphony, owned by Bernard Arnault

Built by: Feadship, the fabled shipyard headquartered in Haarlem in The Netherlands. With an exterior designed by Tim Heywood, it reportedly cost around $150 million to construct.

Owned by: French billionaire businessman and art collector Bernard Arnault. Chairman and chief executive of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company, his current net worth is $145.8 billion.

Key features: 101.5 metres in length / 6 decks / Top speed of 22 knots / 6-metre glass-bottom swimming pool / Outdoor cinema / Sundeck Jacuzzi / 8 guest cabins

Faith, owned by Michael Latifi

Built by: Similarly to Symphony above, also Feadship. With exteriors designed by Beaulieu-based RWD, and interiors by Chahan Design, it cost a reported $200 million to construct in 2017.

Owned by: Until recently, Canadian billionaire and part-owner of the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team , Lawrence Stroll. Recently sold to Michael Latifi, father of F1 star Nicholas , a fellow Canadian businessman with a net worth of just under $2 billion.

Key features: 97 metres in length / 9 guest cabins / Glass-bottom swimming pool — with bar / Bell 429 helicopter

Amevi, owned by Lakshmi Mittal

Built by: The Oceanco shipyard, also in The Netherlands. With exterior design by Nuvolari & Lenard and interior design by Alberto Pinto, it launched in 2007 (and cost around $125 million to construct).

Owned by: Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and CEO of Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steelmaking company. He owns 20% of Queen Park Rangers, and has a net worth of $18 billion.

Key features: 80 metres in length / 6 decks / Top speed of 18.5 knots / On-deck Jacuzzi / Helipad / Swimming Pool / Tender Garage / 8 guest cabins

Odessa II, owned by Len Blavatnik

Built by: Nobiskrug, the same German shipyard that built Sailing Yacht A . Both interior and exterior were created by Focus Yacht Design, and the yacht was launched in 2013 with a cost of $80 million.

Owned by: British businessman Sir Leonard Blavatnik. Founder of Access Industries — a multinational industrial group with current holdings in Warner Music Group, Spotify and the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat — he is worth $39.9 billion.

Key features: 74 metres in length / 6 guest cabins / Top speed of 18 knots / Intimate beach club / Baby grand piano / Private master cabhin terrace / Outdoor cinema

Nautilus, owned by Thierry Stern

Built by: Italian shipyard Perini Navi in 2014. With interiors by Rémi Tessier and exterior design by Philippe Briand, Nautilus was estimated to cost around $90 million to construct.

Owned by: Patek Philippe CEO Thierry Stern. Alongside his Gulstream G650 private jet, Nautilus — named for the famous sports watch — is his most costly mode of transport. His current net worth is $3 billion.

Key features: 73 metres in length / 7 guest cabins / Top speed of 16.5 knots / Dedicated wellness deck / 3.5 metre resistance pool / Underfloor heating / Jet Skis

Silver Angel, owned by Richard Caring

Built by: Luxury Italian boatbuilder Benetti. Launched in 2009, the yacht’s interior has been designed by Argent Design and her exterior styling is by Stefano Natucci.

Owned by: Richard Caring, British businessman and multi-millionaire (his wealth peaked at £1.05 billion, so he still makes the cut). Chairman of Caprice Holdings, he owns The Ivy restaurants.

Key features: 64.5 metres in length / Cruising speed of 15 knots / 7 guest cabins / Lalique decor / 5 decks / Oval Jacuzzi pool / Sun deck bar / Aft deck dining table

Lady Beatrice, owned by Frederick Barclay

Built by: Feadship and Royal Van Lent in 1993. Exteriors were created by De Voogt Naval Architects, with interiors by Bannenberg Designs. She cost the equivalent of £63 million to build.

Owned by: Sir David Barclay and his late brother Sir Frederick. The ‘Barclay Brothers’ had joint business pursuits including The Spectator , The Telegraph and delivery company Yodel. Current net worth: £7 billion.

Key features: 60 metres in length / 18 knots maximum speed / Monaco home port / Named for the brothers’ mother, Beatrice Cecelia Taylor / 8 guest cabins

Space, owned by Laurence Graff

Built by: Space was the first in Feadship’s F45 Vantage series , styled by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and launched in 2007. She cost a reported $25 million to construct.

Owned by: Laurence Graff, English jeweller and billionaire businessman. As the founder of Graff Diamonds, he has a global business presence and a current net worth of $6.26 billion.

Key features: 45 metres in length / Top speed of 16 knots / Al fresco dining area / Sun deck Jacuzzi / Breakfast bar / Swimming platform / Steam room

Want more yachts? Here’s the handcradfted, homegrown history of Princess…

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Watch CBS News

Superyacht seized by U.S. from Russian billionaire arrives in San Diego Bay

June 27, 2022 / 3:40 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A $325 million superyacht seized by the United States from a sanctioned Russian oligarch arrived in San Diego Bay on Monday.

The 348-foot-long (106-meter-long) Amadea flew an American flag as it sailed past the retired aircraft carrier USS Midway and under the Coronado Bridge.

"After a transpacific journey of over 5,000 miles (8,047 kilometers), the Amadea has safely docked in a port within the United States, and will remain in the custody of the U.S. government, pending its anticipated forfeiture and sale," the Department of Justice said in a statement.

The FBI linked the Amadea to the Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, and the vessel became a target of Task Force KleptoCapture, launched in March to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs to put pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The U.S. said Kerimov secretly bought the vessel last year through various shell companies.

But Justice Department  officials had been stymied  by a legal effort to contest the American seizure warrant and by a yacht crew that refused to sail for the U.S. American officials won a legal battle in Fiji to take the Cayman Islands-flagged superyacht earlier this month. 

The Amadea made a stop in Honolulu Harbor en route to the U.S. mainland. The Amadea boasts  luxury features  such as a helipad, mosaic-tiled pool, lobster tank and a pizza oven, nestled in a décor of "delicate marble and stones" and "precious woods and delicate silk fabrics," according to court documents.

"The successful seizure and transport of Amadea would not have been possible without extraordinary cooperation from our foreign partners in the global effort to enforce U.S. sanctions imposed in response to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine," the Justice Department said.

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Jeff Bezos’ Giant Yacht Is Apparently Too Big to Anchor Near Others in Florida

The superyacht, called Koru, arrived in Port Everglades in Florida on Nov. 22, and has been docked near a more-than 610-foot-long oil tanker named Magnolia State.

By Lola Fadulu

First, Jeff Bezos’ new megayacht was too big to pass under a bridge in the Netherlands. Now, the massive vessel’s size — it’s more than 400 feet long — has played a role in preventing it from keeping company with other private yachts in Port Everglades, Fla., where it is anchored.

Instead, the megayacht, named Koru, is hanging with huge oil tankers and general container ships. The yacht is docked there because of its size and also because of what berths were available in the seaport, according to a spokeswoman for Port Everglades.

Koru is a sailing yacht, unlike the much bigger diesel-powered boats popular with other billionaires. It is the largest sailing yacht in the world, according to Oceanco , the Dutch company that finished building the boat earlier this year.

The deck space of the three-masted schooner has three Jacuzzis and a swimming pool. The inside has a “timeless, contemporary style,” according to Oceanco, with natural wood tones, warm neutrals, and patterned textiles. It also includes a mermaid on the bow that appears to resemble Mr. Bezos’ partner, Lauren Sánchez.

Koru, which Bloomberg estimated cost about $500 million to build, arrived to the Florida port on Nov. 22 after departing from Gibraltar earlier this month, according to Marine Traffic , a real-time maritime data platform.

It was unclear why exactly Mr. Bezos docked his yacht there, but earlier this month he said that he would be moving back to Miami to be closer to his parents and to Ms. Sánchez.

Mr. Bezos had since 1994 lived in Seattle , where he started Amazon from his garage. He has already purchased two mansions in South Florida, one for $68 million and another for $79 million, according to Bloomberg News .

Bloomberg estimated his net worth to be $171 billion.

Port Everglades charges yachts larger than 400 feet at least $309.50 per 24 hours. Ships that have been closest to Koru include a more-than 610-foot-long oil tanker named Magnolia State .

Koru is Maori for “coil” or “loop” and has come to symbolize new life, growth, and peace in traditional Maori art.

Mr. Bezos’ journey with his new yacht started off rocky . Last year, city officials in Rotterdam, the Dutch city, initially agreed to dismantle De Hef, a 95-year-old bridge, so that Koru could pass through it from the nearby city where it had been built. The dismantling process would have taken more than a day, and putting it back together would have too. But after uproar from the community — including calls to throw eggs at the boat as it would have passed — Oceanco decided against it and the yacht was towed to a different location to have its masts attached.

Jack Begg contributed research.

Lola Fadulu is a general assignment reporter on the Metro desk of The Times. She was part of a team that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2023 for coverage of New York City’s deadliest fire in decades. More about Lola Fadulu