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The biggest yachting news stories of June 2024

28 June 2024 • Written by Dea Jusufi

Summer is in full swing and with it comes major excitement in the superyacht world. This month saw Feadship preoccupy the news cycle with three 80-metre-plus builds, though it was two highly-anticipated deliveries – Special One and Haven – that ended up guaranteeing Royal Huisman and Lürssen the top spots. Other spotlit stories include a devastating forest fire in Greece, a superyacht-turned-tourist attraction in Spain and a speedy Saxdor owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai.

BOAT looks back at a busy month and rounds up everything you might have missed...

1. World's largest sportfish Special One handed over to owner

The delivery of Royal Huisman's 52-metre "sportfisher on steroids" Special One was this month's biggest yachting news. Her owner is an experienced yachtsman and passionate fisherman who has outfitted the yacht in equipment geared towards hunting large predatory fish, including swordfish and marlin. Special One's impressive aluminium tower offers a viewing platform to this dedicated fishing area and, at night, the yacht is illuminated by laser-powered exterior lighting.

2. Lürssen's 82m superyacht Haven delivered

Credit: Finn Karstens

Another delivery, Lürssen's 82-metre Haven was handed over to her owner and has now completed her maiden voyage. According to BOATPro, the superyacht is currently anchored near the Spanish island of Ibiza. While full details are undisclosed, Haven's interiors have been designed by British studio RWD, marking the second interior collaboration between the pair since 155-metre Al Said in 2008. Other highlights include an al fresco dining area with a barbecue, pizza oven and outdoor cinema.

3. Crew of 54m charter yacht Persefoni I charged with arson after allegedly sparking forest blaze

Thirteen crew members of the 53.8-metre Mariotti charter yacht Persefoni I were accused of arson after appearing at the criminal court in Piraeus, Greece. The blaze, which destroyed the island's only pine forest, is believed to have been caused by fireworks allegedly launched from the superyacht. The case is ongoing, with the captain and first officer of Persefoni I now jailed ahead of the trial.

4. Feadship forgoes usual stand at 2024 Monaco Yacht Show

Coinciding with its 75th anniversary, Feadship announced it had given up its stand at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. The Dutch builder claimed that its presence at this year's show will be notably more relaxed, which it expects will help foster greater engagement with clients.

5. First look at the yacht owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai

Saxdor Yachts delivered a Saxdor 400 GTO to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Measuring 12.4 metres, the model is the Finnish shipyard's flagship and is characterised by an impressive top speed of 48 knots.

6. Feadship announces 80m superyacht Thalassa set to break a shipyard record

Feadship revealed its latest 80-metre project Thalassa, named after the Greek goddess of the beach. Details are scarce but the shipyard has made note of Thalassa's "extraordinary beach club", which spans 165 square metres and features the largest openings ever built by Feadship. The superyacht is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

7. 92m hybrid electric Feadship Drizzle on sea trials

The 91.8-metre Feadship superyacht Drizzle embarked on sea trials this month, with her delivery expected for July 2024. She is the only Feadship to carry full Hybrid Electric Class notation and was built for a repeat client of the Dutch shipyard, who came to the project with "informed requests based on his long experience of yachting". Drizzle's design highlight is her particularly spacious beach club, which occupies one-quarter of the total length of the lower deck.

8. Feadship launches solar-powered 60m yacht Project 713

June saw more major news from Feadship with the launch of a solar-powered superyacht known as Project 713. The 59.5-metre yacht also harnesses HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), making it an important milestone in Feadship's roadmap to net-zero yacht building by 2030. The yacht features design by Sinot and Studio De Voogt, with the owner playing a huge role in the yacht's design and eco credentials.

9. Motion to sell 106m arrested superyacht Amadea denied by US Courts

This month, the motion to sell the arrested 106.1-metre Amadea was denied by US district judge Dale Ho. Amadea was seized in May 2022 after its UBO (ultimate beneficiary owner) was allegedly sanctioned following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

10. Stranded yacht becomes unlikely tourist attraction in Valencia

Credit: United States Coast Guard

The 24.6-metre Nordic Lily was beached in Pinedo Beach, Valencia for several days as a result of a water leak. The Sanlorenzo superyacht became an unexpected attraction for those spending their June weekend along the Spanish promenade. She has since been salvaged and towed to Real Club Nautico Valencia.