MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tycoons and world's top mega-yachts visit Punta del Este

Le Grand Bleu in Punta del Este

The world's fifth largest yacht and one of the most expensive, 100 million US dollars, is currently anchored in the Uruguayan exclusive resort of Punta del Este. “Le Grand Bleu” was built in the Vulkan Bremen shipyards, designed by world famous mega-yachts Kusch Yachts and originally belonged to Roman Abramovich the Russian tycoon who among other things owns the English football club Chelsea.

Currently she belongs to Eugene Shivdler, another Russian magnate linked to the oil business and one of the leading companies in the industry, Yukos-Sibneft. The 113 meters long mega yacht has a crew of 45, carries another 34 small vessels including a mini submarine for detecting mines and a 22 meters long sailing vessel. She also has a landing pad and a helicopter, an F18 flight simulator, aquarium, pool, eight open fires with a deposit of five tons of wood and four huge cranes. Le Grand Bleu is certified by Lloyd's international as environmentally friendly, has its own sewage treatment plant, drinking water plant and a system which limits nitrogen and sulfuric acid emissions. According to Uruguayan Punta del Este migration authorities Le Grand Bleu is carrying eight passengers. Ten days ago she visited Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile. Le Grand Bleu is among the short list of mega yachts which has the 160 meters long "Dubai" as the jewel of the crown. She belongs to Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, heir to the Dubai throne. Second and third largest are the 147 meters long "Prince" and "Al Salamah", with 140 meters belonging to the heir of the Saudi crown. The "Rising Sun" belongs to Larry Elison from Oracle has the "Rising Sun" and "Octopus" is one of three from the founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen. Local Uruguayan media reported that according to press reports from London, Abramovich is scheduled to visit Punta del Este in mid March with his cruise-yacht "Eclipse", probably the world's most luxurious of its kind and valued at 150 million US dollars. The "Eclipse" has a theater, casino, two restaurants, cinema hall, two helicopters and three armored Mercedes Benz plus sophisticated defense equipment including a missile detecting system.