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Kurt Strand, yacht designer from Southern California, has presented his latest ambitious project, a 135-metre mega yacht “California”.The contemporary design of the vessel with a 10-metre beam and impressive interior volume of 8,000 GT will be trademarked with large glass walls, glass balconies, foldable glass doors and retractable sections at the living areas.California will host three pools with waterfalls on the lower decks aft, with one of these even equipped with a surf riding machine reflecting California lifestyle. The yacht begins with masculine Gladiator helmet style of the bow continuously flowing into feminine shaped lines of the rest of the vessel. The fore deck will host panoramic spa pool with a helicopter landing pad behind. A helicopter garage is meanwhile located underneath. A huge outdoor lounge area is placed further, behind the landing pad. Designed with a hybrid electric propulsion system, California receives power from high efficient diesel generators. Apart from maximum speed of 20 knots provided by 3 Azipods propels, the yacht can run at a reduced speed of 11 knots for up to 5 hours on the battery power of 60-tonne lithium-ion battery bank.California will be also trademarked with water cleaning system and an automatic angled solar panel system, assisting the power supply when in harbour. Furthermore, all the tenders and water toys designed for California will be fully electric powered. The interiors of California were designed by Zen, featuring reclaimed wood , natural stone, large aquariums and wall waterfalls. The entertaining options will comprise a club style lounge area with bar, night club, game rooms, a gym with a turkish hammam, massage studio, wellness spa, along with a 24-seat movie theatre, a bowling alley and a showroom for classic cars collection. Kurt Strand has not though revealed any renderings of the interior. Still, the studio reports, that some of the largest mega yacht builders in world have shown their interest in the project. Meanwhile, 122-metre superyacht concept Aurora Borealis can be listed among other inspirational projects of Kurt Strad. However, the concept has not yet been announced in-built, in contrast to a 67-metre superyacht recently unveiled by Amels under the same name.

Serbian designer Igor Jankovic has revealed a new 72-metre concept of a high-performance sailing yacht named Osseo. The vessel is conceived for smooth sailing thanks to innovative DynaRig system and high-end technological features.The concept is trademarked with a carbon fibre and graphene hull, ensuring high resistance against corrosion. The yacht’s exterior colour palette is combined of black and chameleon blue-purple colours. Osseo’s sophisticated interiors will match her exterior layout, offering accommodation for up to 12 guests. The vessel designed for hosting events, will feature vast areas for leisure and entertainment. Her main saloon represents an open area for gathering and relaxing. Osseo will be also trademarked with beach club under a semi-transparent roof and tinted glass, suitable for all-day use. At night, this area can be transformed into amusement zone with ambient lights and pool.Osseo will be powered by diesel electric engines.Meanwhile, 106-metre Black Pearl launched by Oceanco in 2016, remains the largest sailing yacht in the world. She is capable of crossing the Atlantic burning just 20 liters of fuel thanks to alternative power sources. Her black appearance is her distinctive trademark, set to inspire many vessels projects.Images courtesy: Igor Jankovic / Behance

"The talented young designer Giovanni Griggio, immediately understood the DNA of the company and gave shape to this original and beautiful project", said Fulvio Dodich, RSY CEOThe Rosetti Superyachts shipyard is specialised in the production of steel and aluminium yachts in the 35-140 metre range. The beautiful RSY 52m Supply Vessel Superyacht represents a totally new approach to a category of vessels that Rosetti knows very well. The foundation of the concept behind this 52-metre Supply Vessel, developed by Rosetti Superyachts with the Italian designer Giovanni Griggio, of Phi Design Lab is to combine the functionality typical of a Supply Vessel with the design features and quality finish of a superyacht.“To convey added value to this concept, I decided to introduce design elements characterised by a biomimetic structure in the side of the hull and in several areas in the interiors,” explains Giovanni Griggio. “I was inspired by the venation pattern of leaves. Nature always offers many inspiring tips, especially at a structural level, and we are always ready to learn.”The project is based on a biomimetic concept: it’s inspired by the vein structure of leaves, with stylistic features adopted both on the outer hull and in the interiors. The end result is a yacht which is able to meet all the owner’s needs, even the most demanding ones.An example is the aft tender garage, which can be easily transformed into an 80m2 beach club: the terraces can be opened thus creating an 80 sqm area overlooking the sea. Area of the gym and a spa includes a sauna and Turkish bath, with natural light filtering through the transparent bottom of the swimming pool on the upper deck.The enormous 142 m2 aft deck (typical of supply vessel) can fit a helipad or a swimming pool, with a solarium and a living area. The sun deck offers a dining area and an open-air cinema, with a folding screen.“Our vocation to explore is confirmed in the decision to offer an innovative layout with a more marked character, planned by a young designer who stands out for his creative spirit and initiative”, adds Fulvio Dodich.The 52-metre Supply Vessel has a central living area and an asymmetrical layout on the two sides. The sliding doors completely allow obtaining an open space of the deck and the main salon. The saloon is full of natural light via full-height windows on the hull. Forward of the main deck, the owner has a dedicated area that includes a full-beam suite, walk-in wardrobe, private study, bathroom with double access and private hammam. On the lower deck four double cabins, or twin cabins, can host up to 8 guests. The crew’s area is located on the lower deck and separated, so they can access the guests’ cabins through a service door in the laundry area, so they do not need to walk through the common areas.Last time the shipyard has unveiled two 35- and 50-metres Supply Vessels.@Photos by The Rosetti Superyachts Press Office

Heesen' second largest yacht Galactica Star is being offered for sale in a sealed bid arrangement starting on April 4, 2019 with the close of bidding on May 19th. The sale process was proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and approved by U.S. federal court, as a part of ongoing corruption case against two Nigerian nationals, according to The Marine News.The sale follows a court-ordered seizure of the yacht's owner's assets due to possible connections to an ongoing Nigerian oil corruption scandal, triggered by the Panama Papers investigation.The superyacht was allegedly bought by Nigerian oil magnate Kolawole Aluko, who is one of four defendants accused of cheating Nigeria out of almost $1.8 billion in siphoned crude oil sales, reports The Marine News. The U.S. government also accused Aluko and another oil executive, Olajide Omokore, of laundering money in the United States and using it to acquire the yacht, among other assets.The US and Nigerian governments received Federal Court approval to sell the superyacht last month in Texas. According to Law360, a legal news source, U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison approved it due to high maintenance and dockage fees, estimating the combined cost at around $170,000 per month.The sealed bid will be managed by Fraser, with the MRP set at $42,000,000. Following the close of bidding, the winning bidder will have five days to deposit five percent of the accepted total into an escrow account.Custom motor yacht Galactica Star was built by Heesen in Netherlands at their Oss shipyard and delivered to her owner in 2013. She features exterior styling by Omega Architects, and engineering by Van Oossanen & Associates. Meanwhile, the yacht's interior has been designed by Bannenberg & Rowell. Galactica Star accommodates up to 12 guests overnight in 6 cabins, comprising a master suite, 1 VIP stateroom, and 4 double cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 13 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. The most alluring feature about the vessel is what goes on below the waterline. Van Ossaanen Naval Architects successfully created a yacht that cruises 30% more efficiently than a conventional round-bilged motor yacht in this size range. Powered by 2 MTU 5,592 HP diesel engines and propelled by twin screw propellers, Galactica Star is capable of a top speed of 27 knots, and comfortably cruises at 24 knots. With her 90,000 fuel tanks she has a maximum range of 4,200 nautical miles at 14 knots. Her water tanks store around 30,000 litres of fresh water. The yacht used to be popular for charter among celebrities, for instance, once rented by American music industry power couple, Jay Z and Beyonce for a holiday cruise, according to WithinNigeria.

RM Sotheby’s has introduced one of the lots of the forthcoming Villa Erba auction. The 1950s Riva yacht, once part of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly’s fleet, has been put to this years’ bid. The event will take place on May 25, 2019 at the lake Como, Italy.Hull No. 62 out of Riva Tritone series was gifted to the reigning prince of Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III in early 1958 by a close relative, wealthy Milanese textile industrialist, Mr Gianoglio. The vessel was to represent admiration and gratitude of the presenter.The hull of the yacht christened Via, features red and white stripes on the wood, reflecting the Principality’s livery colours. Via is powered by two Chris-Craft MCL six-cylinder engines of 5.5 litres, each capable of 175 HP at 3,400 rpm. The engines also feature an automatic diverter dubbing the ‘Chris-O-Matic’, launched when auto industry in the USA was fascinated with pushbutton automatic transmission. Via was widely employed by the Prince’s family after his marriage to Princess Grace Kelly in 1956. According to RM Sotheby’s, she also served as the prince’s flagship, flying both the flag of Monaco and the personal flag of the prince.However, Prince Rainier III later replaced Via with a smaller yacht, Riva Junior, used for short trips and water-skiing with Princess Grace and their children. Still, Via remained in their home port, maintained under long-term custodianship of her second owner in Monaco. Several years ago, the vessel was sent to a Dutch specialist for renovation. The refit works took several years, returning the yacht to her original specification, with her original engines restored. The yacht was refurbished, while her Chris-O-Matic transmission was also rebuilt.In 2014, the restored craft was purchased by the current owner, anticipating a returned to the home port of Monaco. Riva Via still represents a symbol of wealth and glamour, embodying the spirit of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace.RM Sotheby’s was incorporated in 1991 as a classic car auction company RM Auctions, with headquarters in Blenheim, Ontario. Since 2015, the company has been partially owned by the world’s one of the most renowned auction houses, Sotheby’s. RM holds the top position in the rating of the most expensive cars ever sold at an auction, with the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48,405,000 in August 2018.