Friday, March 9, 2012

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko's super yacht A makes Singapore port call

Wow moment: Super yacht "A" was berthed across from my workplace on Sentosa and I just had to take a closer look. I first saw her stern on and wondered what on earth it was. It was worth the walk from HarbourFront as this vessel is an amazing piece of naval architecture.

Some sea sights are well worth a second look - like this unusual looking super yacht that sailed into Singapore waters earlier this week. Named simply "A", she's a floating fortune and is said to be one of the world's most expensive private yachts worth more than US$300 million.

Exuding class and presence even when not moving, warship buffs would notice more than passing similarities between this nautical beauty and the United States Navy's upcoming Zumwalt-class destroyers.


Artist impression of a Zumwalt-class destroyer

According to Google, super yacht A is owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko who built his fortune in energy and banking. Off duty crew lurking pierside were tight-lipped but polite and said nothing.

His bank account apparently paid for a yacht with a futuristic design like no other afloat. At 119 metres long, super yacht A is longer than the Singapore Navy's Formidable-class stealth frigates (114 m). Her wave-piercing bow harks back to the bow design of World War One dreadnoughts. The sleek yacht is more than a showpiece. Her powerful engines push her through the water at a cool 24 knots and she's said to have three 10m long fast craft that can be deployed from a stern hatch.


The single blockhouse superstructure, gently angled sides, clean deck and hull design with a lack of protuberances make her a head-turner.

Painted haze grey, super yacht A would probably make most navies blush with pride.

If only our warships could look as cool as this.

Name: A (yes, just a single letter)
Owner: Andrey Melnichenko
Builder: Blohm und Voss, Germany
Crew: 37
Length: 119m
Top speed: 24 knots
Range: 6,500 nm

Fast Facts:
* "A" is said to be named after the billionaire's initials and those of his wife, Aleksandra
* Her radical design has generated waves of love-it-or-hate-it comments on yachting forums
* Her bow is said to be designed to cut through ice sheets

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi

Just to clarify that the Zumwalts had made it off the drawing board. 2 of them are under construction and there appears to be no surprises in their production schedule.

Definitely a striking similarity to the Zumwalt's bow.

David Boey said...

Hi,
Thanks for catching the error.

Have amended text and included pix of Zumwalt destroyer. Can't wait to see one alongside at Changi.

Warm regards,


David

Anonymous said...

Playground of the rich.

Unknown said...

“Named simply ‘A’, she's a floating fortune and is said to be one of the world's most expensive private yachts worth more than US$300 million.” - She totally exudes elegance! Its sleek exterior would make you stop and stare. I guess its tag price of more than $300 million does reflect its extremely high value and caliber, making it fit for a billionaire. I wonder how grand it looks on the inside.

Lilia Dyal