who owns topaz yacht

A Closer Look at the $527 Million Superyacht Topaz

“If I were rich, I would …” is a thought that crosses everyone’s mind because let’s face it; nobody loves being poor. Christians may say that their Bible teaches against the love of money for it is the root of all evil, but how many have you seen turn down a bag of cash to avoid going against their faith? Although there is truth in the warning since most crimes are money-motivated, we all would want to have enough pair shoes and matching clothes or maybe take a vacation to whichever part of the world we have always wanted to go. For some, they have traveled the world and do not just own cars and multiple homes; they own football clubs. We are talking about the likes of Roman Abramovich who owns Chelsea Football Club and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, the owner of Manchester City Football Club. As if that is not enough, they go ahead to acquire the most expensive yachts in the world. Most of us would retire if we had such wealth, but usually, when you get to the top, the view is too good to leave, and the only way to ensure staying there is making more money. That said, let’s focus on Sheikh Mansour’s yacht named Topaz and see what we can learn about it as Wikipedia highlights .

Features of Topaz

Topaz boasts of a length of 482 feet with a beam that is 70.5 feet long. When the project of building Topaz started, it was in a 554 feet dry dock, but given the length of the boat, the builders had to take it to a larger dock to complete its sides. It, therefore, ended up in a 720 feet dock allowing its completion and launching in 2012. For such a large boat, you would think that the speed would be compromised but thanks to the twin Pielstick diesel-fuel engines that produce a horsepower of 7,990 hp each, the boat can cruise at 22.9 knots and reach a maximum speed of at least 25.5 knots. Getting lost at sea is impossible since the navigation equipment is topnotch and is powered not just by the diesel generators, but by another emergency diesel generator. You are also guaranteed of comfort even when the boat is anchored in rough waters because of the generators power stabilizers as well as all other amenities on the boat.

Accommodation on the boat is large enough for 62 guests housed in 26 cabins while the crew members can be as many as 79. Keeping fit while on board is enabled by the swimming pools and the fully-equipped gym that comes with the latest in sports technology. When in the mood to relax, you can opt to either unwind in the two Jacuzzis or catch a movie in the movie theater. Those who love water sports have their needs well addressed through the jet-ski, and inflatable boats. Enjoying the open seas is facilitated by the catamaran while a little underwater adventure is possible through the mini-submarine. With the owner being a businessman, he had to have a conference room on the boat so that it is not all pleasure while cruising the seas. Of course also with so much on his plate, Sheikh Mansour is bound to get emergencies and if he is on the boat, then getting to the location where his attention is required is made possible by flying him away on a helicopter since the boat has double helicopter landing pads. Additionally, when the temperatures rise beyond the comfort of the guests, then the air conditioning unit helps to keep them comfortable.

Who is responsible for Topaz’s interior design?

A yacht is supposed to be like a home in the seas, and therefore you can only entrust an expert who can meet every specification that suits your needs. Topaz’s interior design was, like most renowned yachts, done by Terence Disdale, and he admits that designing and building a yacht is a challenging process that can take four years. Terence is responsible for designing Roman’s Eclipse, and other yachts that are in his portfolio include Montkaj, Ecstacea and Al Salamah. His expertise does not need any advertisements; usually, his clients are those who have been guests in a boat he designed or have chartered one of them and were impressed. For a person who has won more than 30 international design awards, it is no wonder that multibillionaires entrust their money to him.

The man behind Topaz’s exterior design

Human beings are advised to be as beautiful on the inside as they attempt to be on the outside, and Topaz is the ideal definition of both interior and exterior beauty. Tim Heywood is a man who has been in the design industry for over 40 years and who draws his inspiration from everything around him; it could be transportation, nature, architecture, or engineering. He also does not limit his design to specific times; whether it is ancient Egyptian or contemporary, Tim is ready to incorporate whatever he finds suitable. So excellent is his work that his creations have achieved many awards. For instance, when he designed the Al Mirqab , it ended up being termed as the “Motor Yacht of the Year” during the 2009 world Superyacht awards. Also, another yacht that defined his career has to be Pelorus, which was voted among the most beautiful yachts ever to grace the seas.

More about the owner of Topaz

Obviously for anyone to afford a superyacht, money must not be an issue, and for Sheikh Mansour it is not given that he is among the lucky few to be born into a family with a net worth of more than $1 trillion. However, he still has fortunes of his own and does not depend on the wealth of his family. Sheikh Mansour’s Manchester City is valued at least $1.92 billion, and he owns a 9.1% stake in Daimler AG, which makes him the biggest shareholder. By owning Topaz, Sheikh Mansour also made history since the yacht is now the seventh largest superyacht worldwide. Although it set him back $527 million, he still does not mind spending $6 million on fuel alone.

Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology.

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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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At an incredible 147.25 metres in length, it is no surprise that A+ (formerly named Topaz), a 2012 launch by German yacht-building giant Lurssen, ranks strongly in the Top 10 largest yachts in the world.

She features magnificent Disdale exterior designing and exquisite interiors crafted by the celebrated Tim Heywood Design, and at her time of building in 2012 was forecast to be 4th largest superyacht in the world. 

She can house an incredible 62 guests and up to 79 crew members in her substantial accommodation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, A+ took 4 years to build and is reported to have cost over £400 million. 

Her cruising speed is 19.5 knots, reaching a max of 22 knots - an impressive figure for a boat of her size. 

Despite flying a Cayman Island flag, A+ belongs to Manchester City Football Club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahnan - Emirati royalty and deputy prime minister of the UAE.

Like most royally-owned superyachts, not much is known for certain about A+ other than her basic specifications; although what is known for sure, is that this megayacht has well earned her spot as 7th largest yacht in the world.

• Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Naval Architect Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Exterior Designer Tim Heywood Design View profile
• Interior Designer Terence Disdale View profile

Yacht Specs

Other lurssen yachts, related news.

The Most Expensive Yachts in the World

A version of this article originally appeared in Architectural Digest .

Though superyachts are already among the most costly consumer items available, the prices of the most expensive yachts in the world are still astounding. In recent decades, those with money to burn have settled on these floating palaces as an ideal locus for demonstrating their prosperity, and, as such, the global luxury yacht industry is undergoing a golden age. The world’s überwealthy think of their motor yachts as toys, and they’re constantly trying to outdo each other in scale, design, amenities, materials, and sheer profligacy.

Knowing this, what features does it take to own one of the most expensive yachts in existence? And how much do these opulent vessels actually cost? To that end, AD has compiled a list of the five priciest superyachts currently out on the water. As with many things connected to the very wealthy, details are shrouded in secrecy—often intentionally—to shield the assets from taxation or seizure, or to protect privacy.

Below, dive into the five reportedly most expensive yachts in the world.

5. Dubai ($400 million)

This 531-foot yacht is reportedly owned by United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Though it was originally planned for another Middle Eastern potentate, Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, he suddenly voided the contract in 2001. With exteriors designed by Andrew Winch and interiors by Platinum Yachts, this German-built Blohm + Voss vessel features several Jacuzzis, a pool inlaid with handmade mosaic tiles that is reportedly large enough to hold 115 people, a circular staircase, a discotheque with an appropriately sized dance floor, squash courts, a movie theater, a dining room for 90 guests (the other 25 presumably have to eat in the pool?), a helipad, and a submarine.

4. Topaz ($527 million)

Resembling a stealth bomber, this 483-foot ship is reportedly owned by Russian fertilizer and coal oligarch Andrey Melnichenko. With exteriors by Tim Heywood Design Ltd. and interior designs by Terence Disdale Design, this German-built Lürssen Yacht features a 2,500-square-foot primary bedroom, six guest suites (with moveable walls so they can be transformed into four grand staterooms), glassware and tableware fashioned from French crystal, a helicopter hangar, a 30-foot speedboat tender, and three swimming pools, including one with a glass-bottom dangling menacingly above a disco.

3. Azzam ($600 million)

This 590-foot ship is currently thought to be the largest private yacht in the world and one of the fastest, with a top speed of 35 miles per hour. To achieve this immense scale and speed, it required a pair of gas turbines and two stratospherically potent diesel engines, rendering it very difficult to build. It is reportedly owned by a member of the royal family of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With exteriors by Nauta Yacht and interiors by French decorator Cristophe Leoni, this yacht was also built by Lürssen in Germany. The vessel is set apart by its early 19th-century Empire-style veneered furniture, as well as its state-of-the-art security systems, including a fully bulletproof primary suite and a high-tech missile deterrence capabilities.

2. Eclipse ($1.5 billion)

In addition to being the second-costliest, this 533-footer is thought to be the world’s second-largest private yacht. Owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich , the ship was claimed to be located in Turkey and may be impounded as part of the United Kingdom’s sanctions against Russia. Designed by Terry Disdale and built by Blohm + Voss, it features two-dozen guest cabins, two swimming pools, two helipads, and multiple hot tubs. For privacy and security reasons, it hosts a missile detection system, bulletproof windows in the primary bedroom and on the bridge, an anti-paparazzi shield, and, when all of that fails, a mini-submarine that can take a few VIPs 164 feet under the ocean’s surface.

1. History Supreme ($4.8 billion)

History Supreme has never actually been seen in a major port, and rumors suggest that the yacht may not be real and instead just a publicity stunt. Reportedly owned by Malaysia’s richest man, Robert Kuok, and designed by Stuart Hughes in the UK, the yacht is only a paltry 100 feet long. Its worth is said to be derived from its lavish finishes, including a statue constructed from genuine Tyrannosaurus rex bones, a liquor bottle embedded with an 18.5-carat diamond, and a primary bedroom with one wall made from meteorite and another from a 24-karat gold Aquavista Panoramic Wall Aquarium. If you see it somewhere, let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Jeff Bezos’s yacht?

This is why people like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos work to keep their yachts out of the public eye. Though we are not including Jeff Bezos’s yacht, Koru (Maori for “coil”), in this list because it is a sailing yacht and thus excluded from the realm of these motor yachts, it created controversy in the Netherlands when its presence became known. Jeff Bezos’s abided the $500 million price tag of Oceanco, the Dutch custom yacht builder, to create the 417-foot megayacht. But when the company, at Bezos’s behest, requested that a local bridge be dismantled to make way for its gigantic mast on its journey from the shipyard, public sentiment turned against the cento-billionaire, and Oceano shelved its request. Maybe a port like Monaco would be more accommodating?

Who owns the largest private yacht?

Also not on this list is the world’s largest private yacht, reportedly owned by Alisher Usmanov. Though size and cost typically scale in the world of superyachts, this is not always the case (see #1 in this list.) Also, Somnio, the 728-feet dream-monikered yacht liner that tops our list of the world’s largest private yachts , isn’t quite done being constructed. And it is not, like most of the largest superyachts, privately owned by one individual or family—it’s a kind of floating condo, with 39 eight-figure homes available to potential owners solely by invitation.

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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.

Read the original article on Insider

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Luxury Toys / Marine

Mega yacht topaz, one of the greatest luxury kings that cruises oceans.

By Walter Raymond

July 15, 2018

• Luxury Toys
• Mega Yacht Topaz, One Of…

Meet mega yacht Topaz one of the greatest luxury kings of the oceans, with a length of over 482 feet, the Topaz is among the largest private luxury yachts in the world. It’s owned by billionaire Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

The stunning yacht excels not only for its monumental size but is also one of the most luxurious and comfortable we have seen (along with Azzam and Lady Moura ) It is equipped with a gym, swimming pool, two hot tubs, a conference room, movie theater and lift, as well as two heliports. Its interior was custom designed by Terence Disdale and the exterior by the renowned team of Tim Heywood Design. The skillful engineers from Lurssen Yachts shipyards in Bremen-Vegesack, Germany were responsible for the construction of this beautiful vessel.

The Topaz has a steel hull with aluminum superstructure and is powered by two Pelstick diesel engines that produce 7,990 hp each. Her cruising speed is 22.9 knots and the maximum speed is estimated to be around 25.5 knots. She also has special stabilizers to ensure comfort on board when the yacht is anchored, especially in rough water.

With a length of over 482 feet, the Topaz is among the largest private luxury yachts in the world .

Since a member of the royal family owns the yacht, its manufacturers and designers have not disclosed details of its interior. However, it is known that Disdale— responsible for the interior design— arranged and furnished it as a “beach house”, a design concept for luxury yachts that favors a relaxed and functional style and offers the experience of sailing without the excessively formal and severe environments of a family mansion.

Disdale placed the Jacuzzis in the aft deck next to the pool, which at night is illuminated with colored light beams through a system of underwater lighting. The eight decks are connected by a lift that provides access to the helicopter and swimming platforms, and to a fully equipped gym with the latest in sports technology.

The mega yacht is also equipped with auxiliary boats that can be reached from both sides of the ship, or through the stern, where there is a terrace and a large deck with stairs to provide access to the water as well as a variety of water toys stored in the hold: jet skis, inflatable boats, a small catamaran… and even a mini-submarine! The spectacular Topaz— with its futuristic styling and functional design— is also one of the most-expensive luxury super yachts: in 2012, its owner Sheikh Mansour paid $527 million for it.  ■

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Leonardo DiCaprio Throws Private Party on Superyacht TOPAZ

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By Editorial Team   30 May 2014

Superyacht fan and A-List superstar Leonardo DiCaprio was one of a lucky few people in the world allowed to charter the 147m/482 TOPAZ in which he hosted a lavish party on board last month.

As reported on the New York Daily News website, the 80’s-themed party which is thought to have been held in New York in mid-April with around 100 guests welcomed aboard including actor’s Jamie Foxx and Orlando Bloom. 

A crew of more than 80 are said to have been on-hand to serve an undoubtedly impressive spread of fine food, champagne and cocktails whilst the VIP part-goers were entertained into the early hours. ‘Leo wore a velour pantsuit to the ’80s-themed party’, said one insider, adding that DiCaprio hired additional ‘deejays, decor, designers and extra security’ especially for the event.

The 2012-launched superyacht TOPAZ was built by Lürssen to a design by Tim Heywood and is currently ranked 5th amongst the largest superyachts in the world. A spectacular setting for any event, she has very occasionally been made available for rent by her UAE-based Owner to a hand-selected elite few but is not officially available on the global charter fleet.  

DiCaprio is no stranger to superyachts, having shot a number of scenes for ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ on board the 44m/144’ MY LADY M and is regularly seen enjoying time on board charter yachts during prestigious events such as the Cannes Film Festival .

The largest superyacht officially marketed for charter is SERENE , the 133m Italian motor yacht built by Fincantieri, she can accommodate 24 charter guests in her 12 sumptuous staterooms.  Charter rates are from €3,750,000 per week plus expenses.

See the full selection of Lürssen yachts available for charter and find out more about hosting superyacht events and corporate yacht charters .

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134m Fincantieri 2011

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Topaz is one of the largest and most expensive superyacht ever to be built

There is a new yachting beauty in town! The $624 million Topaz is touted to be one of the largest and most expensive yachts ever built. The yacht measuring 147 meters is the fourth-longest yacht ever built, and it happens to be only 15 meters shorter than the Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse . The boat weighs more than 12,000 tonnes, and the Lurssen, the boat’s manufacturer, is unwilling to disclose the name of the billionaire customer who is bagging this beauty. The yacht, the brainchild of British designer Tim Heywood, is also rumored to be commissioned by the Saudi Royal Family. The Topaz yacht, minus the bow section, was hauled out of Lurssen’s yard as “it had become too large,” giving Roman Abramovich a run for his money. Owing to the vessel’s size, its price tag is gauged by experts to be in the range of £300 million – £400 million.

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Who Was on the Sunken Yacht? Tech Mogul Mike Lynch, His Family and Friends.

Mr. Lynch, the former chief executive of the software firm Autonomy, who was acquitted on fraud charges in June, was with friends and family when the yacht went down in a severe storm.

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By Michael J. de la Merced

Michael de la Merced reported on Mike Lynch’s career and legal battles over the course of 13 years across two continents.

A cruise on the Mediterranean Sea aboard a superyacht was supposed to be a celebratory event for the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , who was acquitted in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company, Autonomy, to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

Instead, it turned into a disaster after the yacht, a 180-foot boat called the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily in a violent storm. Of the 22 people aboard, 15 were rescued and seven others died . Search operations ended on Friday after the final body was recovered from the site of the sunken yacht .

Here’s what we know about the passengers.

Mike Lynch and his family

Mr. Lynch, 59, is a British software entrepreneur who had once been described as his country’s Bill Gates. He founded the software firm Autonomy, which analyzed clients’ unorganized data, and turned it into one of the most prominent British technology companies of its time. He became a widely known corporate leader, who advised David Cameron, the British prime minister at the time, and joined the board of the BBC.

In 2011, Mr. Lynch sold Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion, which was far above its market value, earning him hundreds of millions. But HP investors almost immediately soured on the transaction, and the American tech giant quickly fired its chief executive — and then Mr. Lynch.

HP later accused Mr. Lynch of misleading it about the state of Autonomy’s business, setting off a decade-long legal ordeal for the British executive, who denied the accusations. U.S. prosecutors charged him and other executives with fraud, and Autonomy’s chief financial officer was convicted in 2018.

Despite appeals to the British government, Mr. Lynch was extradited to the United States last year and was confined to a townhouse in San Francisco ahead of his criminal trial, which began in March. Facing the possibility of decades in prison if convicted, Mr. Lynch and another colleague were instead acquitted of all charges.

An official in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, said on Thursday that Mr. Lynch’s body had been recovered. His wife, Angela Bacares, 57, accompanied him on the yacht, and she was rescued on Monday when it sank. She was a consistent presence at his trial in the United States. Records show that she controlled Revtom, the company listed as the owner of the Bayesian.

The body of Hannah Lynch , Mr. Lynch and Ms. Bacares’s 18-year-old daughter, was thought to be recovered on Friday.

The other guests

Jonathan Bloomer, 70, chair of Morgan Stanley’s international arm and the chairman of Hiscox, an insurance provider that trades on the London Stock Exchange, was on the yacht when it sank, along with his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71. Their bodies are thought to be among those recovered, but Italian authorities have not identified them.

Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a New York-based partner at the international law firm Clifford Chance, was also on the yacht. A former federal prosecutor who comes from a family of prominent lawyers, Mr. Morvillo represented Mr. Lynch during his criminal trial in San Francisco. His wife, Neda, 57, was with him on the yacht. Their bodies are also assumed to be among those recovered.

“We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” a representative of Clifford Chance said in a statement.

Surviving passengers rescued from the yacht include Charlotte Golunski, a partner at Mr. Lynch’s venture firm, Invoke Capital; Ms. Golunski’s husband, James Emslie; and their one-year-old daughter Sophie. Also rescued were Ayla Ronald, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, and her partner, Matthew Fletcher.

The yacht had a crew of 10, and nine were rescued. The body of the chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered from the water, the Sicilian Civil Protection Department said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting, and Kitty Bennett and Susan Campbell Beachy contributed research.

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

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'Long Tally Of Errors' Could Lead To Manslaughter Charges In Deadly Billionaire Yacht Sinking

Seven people died when a strong storm sank the bayesian superyacht.

The 184-foot the Bayesian superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily Monday, taking seven people down with it including a billionaire tech CEO and his young daughter. What may seem like a tragic act of God might actually be the result of a string of very bad decisions, and Italian officials are investigating the sinking now as a suspicious act.

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To be clear, there suspicion is not based on Mike Lynch’s recent win in court on fraud charges , which the yacht trip was meant to celebrate . A witness who testified in Lynch’s defense and Lynch’s lawyer and their families were also aboard the yacht and made up the majority of the victims. What the police are interested in are the choices of the crew aboard the Bayesian superyacht. From Daily Beast :

Authorities are now probing whether Lynch, her father, and five other deceased victims, including Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer, could have been saved if not for a chain of human errors in advance of the disastrous shipwreck. According to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica , investigators are looking at how the Bayesian’s crew responded to worsening sea conditions before the 180-ft sailing vessel sank in little more than a minute at 4:06 a.m. in the early hours of Monday. The paper reported that the vessel’s captain, James Cutfield, was heard repeating “we didn’t see the storm coming” when he was treated in hospital after the shipwreck. However, la Repubblica reported that investigators have reviewed Automatic identification system (AIS) data that, along with witness interviews, suggests the crew had over 15 minutes to plan for and respond to the inclement weather, including rising wind and waves. “It was a fast but progressive worsening of the sea and wind conditions,” one source told the paper. The superyacht became unmoored and was overwhelmed by 100-mile-per-hour wind gusts. “Everything that was done reveals a very long tally of errors,” Giovanni Costantino, the CEO of Italian Sea Group, which owns the shipyard where the Bayesian was built, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera . “The passengers should not have been in the cabins, the boat should not have been at anchor. And why didn’t the crew know about the incoming storm?”

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The Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating possibly multiple manslaughter charges in connection with the sinking. Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch was the last person still missing and the last body found Thursday. Divers found Hannah still in her bedroom aboard the Bayesian 150 feet below the surface of the ocean.

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Is the newly launched J Class yacht Topaz the fastest yet?

Holland Jachtbouw (HJB) has launched J8 , now named Topaz . The latest J Class yacht has been hotly anticipated and now brings the J Class Association fleet to a total of eight yachts on the water.

Known as Project J8 while in build, the 42.62 metre J Class yacht Topaz was launched from HJB’s shipyard in Zaandam, The Netherlands.

Designed inside and out by Andre Hoek , Topaz ’s hull design features a reduced wetted surface and higher keel aspect ratio to the longest waterline found on J Class yacht measuring nearly 27 metres. As a long waterline length is often tied to swifter performance, this raises the question: will the newly launched J Class yacht Topaz be the fastest in the J Class fleet?

She will be put to the test in the coming days as she undergoes sea trials and commissioning, overseen by project managers from HJB, Cornelsen and Partners and the Hoek Design office.

How she stacks up compared to the rest of the Js will only be discovered in J Class events in the years to come. Getting the chance to compete against other J Class yachts in an elite fleet is just one of the many reasons to buy a J Class yacht .

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Topaz, the £400million superyacht dreamed up by landlocked British designer, leaves German dock to rule the waves

• Not the biggest billionaire's plaything but one of the most expensive
• Owner's identity remains shrouded in secrecy
• At 147m it is STILL 15m shorter than Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse

By Tom Goodenough

Published: 09:13 EDT, 27 June 2012 | Updated: 12:27 EDT, 27 June 2012

Taking to the water for the first time, the stunning £400million megayacht is one of the largest and most expensive ever to be built.

Four years of work have gone into creating the huge boat which is the brainchild of a British designer based, ironically, in landlocked Rutland.

But despite the conspicuous size of the yacht, named Topaz, the identity of its owner remains shrouded in secrecy.

The stunning megayacht is one of the largest and most expensive ever to be built

At 147-metres, it is the fourth longest yacht ever built and a mere 15-metres shorter than Roman Abramovich's Eclipse, which currently holds the bragging rights.

The vessel also boasts a weight thought to be in excess of 12,000 tonnes.

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Whoever the lucky owner is, they are likely to have very deep pockets.

The identity of the billionaire customer is unknown with Lurssen, the boat's manufacturer, unwilling to discuss personal clients due to strict confidentiality agreements.

The German-built megayacht is thought to be the largest ever - with a gross weight in excess of 12,000 tonnes

Topaz is understood to have been the work of British designer Tim Heywood, who is based in Rutland

The mystery customer is expected to be paying upwards of £300 million for the elegant vessel

As a result, details surrounding the yacht remain sketchy, but a vessel of this size is anticipated to have a price tag of between £300 to £400million.

Topaz is understood to have been the work of British designer Tim Heywood.

The 62-year-old, who has been in the industry for 40 years, has played a major role in producing some of the world's finest yachts.

From his office overlooking Rutland Water, he has designed the likes of the 133-metre 'Mirqab', which was named 2009 yacht of the year, and Roman Abramovich's old boat, the 115-metre Pelorus.

Mr Abramovich's latest vessel, the 163.5m Eclipse, is about to be - well - eclipsed by a 180m monster known only as Project Azzam.

Ousted: But Mr Abramovich is about to lose his title as the owner of the world's largest private yacht - after this incredible vessel was spotted in Germany last month

On the move: The yacht, which was minus its bow section, was quickly taken to the larger 220-metre dock so engineers could continue the awesome project

Huge: Eclipse, owned by Chelsea Football Club owner Mr Abramovich, has two swimming pools, two helipads, a gym, hair salon, dancefloor and a 007-style submarine

It is rumoured the boat, which is longer than some cruise ships, has been commissioned by the Saudi Royal Family.

Stunned photographers captured the vessel earlier this month as it was transported out of the 170-metre dry dock at Lurssen's yard... because it had become too large.

The yacht, which was minus its bow section, was quickly moved to the larger 220-metre dock so engineers could continue the awesome project.

Share or comment on this article: Topaz, the £400million super yacht dreamed up by landlocked British designer, leaves German dock to rule the waves

four pictures of the outside. Gee, thanks guys.

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Body of last missing person, Lynch's daughter, retrieved from yacht wreck

PORTICELLO, Italy – Italian divers have retrieved the body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, who was the last person still unaccounted for after the family’s luxury yacht sank this week off Sicily .

Seven people, including Mr Lynch himself, died when the 56m-long sail boat, the Bayesian, capsized during a fierce, pre-dawn storm on Aug 19 off Porticello, near Palermo. Fifteen people survived, including Mr Lynch’s wife and the yacht’s captain.

Mr Lynch’s family is devastated and in shock, a spokesperson for the family said on Aug 23, in their first public comments since the yacht sank.

“Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coast guard, emergency services and all those who helped in the rescue,” the statement said.

“Their one request now is that their privacy be respected at this time of unspeakable grief.”

Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese are looking into possible human error that might have led to the disaster. As yet, nobody has been placed under formal investigation and none of the survivors have commented publicly.

Hannah’s body was discovered on Aug 23 by specialist divers who have been scouring the submerged vessel for the past five days, a senior official with knowledge of the rescue operation said, declining to be named.

The five other dead passengers were recovered on Aug 21 and 22. The body of the only crew member who died, onboard chef Recaldo Thomas, was found near the wreck on Aug 19.

Official identification of the corpses and autopsies will take place in Palermo.

The sinking has puzzled naval marine experts, who say a boat like the Bayesian, built by Italian high-end yacht manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm and should not, in any case, have sunk as quickly as it did.

The yacht’s captain, Mr James Cutfield, his eight surviving crew members and passengers have been questioned by the coast guard on behalf of prosecutors. Investigators are due to hold a news conference on Aug 24.

Complex salvage operation

Mr Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini, told Reuters the shipwreck was the result of a string of “indescribable, unreasonable errors” made by the crew, and ruled out any design or construction failings.

The Bayesian is lying on its side, apparently intact at a depth of 50m. Pulling it out of the sea may help investigators determine what happened, but the operation is likely to be complex and costly.

Mr Nick Sloane, a South African engineer who led the operation to salvage the Costa Concordia cruise liner that sank in 2012, said in Italian media interviews on Aug 23 that the operation would cost up to €15 million (S$22 million).

He told daily La Repubblica that salvaging the yacht would take six to eight weeks, including preparation work, and would have to be completed by mid-October, without specifying the reasons for the timing.

Bringing the yacht to the surface will have to be done “very, very slowly”, and might take a couple of days, he said.

Mr Lynch, 59, was one of Britain’s best-known tech entrepreneurs and had invited friends to join him on the yacht to celebrate his acquittal in June in a US fraud trial.

Among those who died in the wreck were Mr Lynch’s lawyer Mr Chris Morvillo and Mr Jonathan Bloomer, a Morgan Stanley banker who had appeared as a character witness in the case on his behalf.

Mr Lynch’s wife, Ms Angela Bacares, headed the company that owned the boat. REUTERS

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Billionaire Yacht Was Piloted Recklessly Before Deadly Sinking, Its Builder Warns

"everything that has been done reveals a very long sum of errors.".

The builder of the sunken superyacht owned by British billionaire Mike Lynch, who died with six others after the vessel went down earlier this week , is blaming an "endless chain of errors" for the maritime disaster.

Flying under a British flag, the 184 foot Bayesian was built in 2008 by Italian builders Perini Navi and should've been "unsinkable" had proper procedures been followed, argues Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, which owns the yacht manufacturer.

"Everything that has been done reveals a very long sum of errors," Costantino told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview, as translated by People . "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?"

Red Sky at Morning

An investigation into the sinking is ongoing. It's believed that a small waterspout , or a waterborne tornado, struck the vessel as it was anchored off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, around 5 am local time on Monday, according to  CNN .

At some point after encountering the fierce winds, the ship's towering mast — the second tallest aluminum mast in the world — snapped, before the vessel appears to have capsized and sank with 22 people on board.

Costantino argues — pretty bluntly, we have to say — that the crew and passengers should've anticipated the stormy conditions.

"The passengers reported an absurd thing, namely that the storm came unexpected, suddenly," he said in the interview, per People . "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?" he added. "A fisherman reads the weather conditions and a ship doesn't? The disturbance was fully readable in all the weather charts."

Batten Down

Their errors didn't end there, according to Costantino, who said in the interview that there would've been "zero risk" had the right maneuvers been made.

The captain and crew, he further explained to the New York Times , should've turned on the engine, lifted anchor, steered the boat into the wind, and lowered the keel for extra stability, while the passengers should've been gathered in the deck's main hall.

Another precaution would be shutting all the doors and hatches on the ship's side and stern. Costantino claimed that the Bayesian could list, or tilt to one side, to 75 degrees without capsizing, and shouldn't have sunk. But if some of those doors and hatches were left open, he told NYT , the ship could've taken on water too quickly.

As it stands, it's unclear how many of these procedures were executed. The ship's captain, James Cutfield, survived the ordeal and was questioned by authorities, but has not spoken to the media.

It's worth noting that Costantino's arguments could be seen as trying to exonerate his company of any wrongdoing. That being said, the speed at which a vessel of Bayesian's size and reputation sank has stunned sailors and investigators , who are trying to understand why most of the crew survived while six passengers perished.

More on nautical terrors: Orcas Strike Again, Sinking Yacht as Oil Tanker Called for Rescue

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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.

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.

Related: Italian Authorities Currently Don’t Have Anyone ‘Under Investigation’ over Luxury Yacht Sinking

"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. 

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.

Related: 'We Are in Shock,' Prominent N.Y.C. Attorney's Firm Says After He and His Wife Go Missing in Yacht Sinking

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." 

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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Read the original article on People .

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Final body, believed to be that of tech tycoon's daughter, recovered from wreck of sunken Sicily superyacht

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