Even if the US were to miraculously sell the seized $300 million Amadea superyacht, thanks to this Russian businessman, the authorities might still be unable to recoup the $20 million taxpayers have poured into maintaining the luxury vessel

The concept of ‘finders, keepers’ has taken on a new meaning for the United States of America in the case of the superyacht Amadea. With nearly $1 million spent monthly on maintenance for this mammoth vessel, it’s becoming a case of ‘finders, weepers’! Little did the nation know that their association with the 348-foot-long, $300 million boat would continue beyond two years, becoming an absolute nightmare. After a relentless legal battle, the Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov’s vessel was first seized by US authorities in Fiji in April 2022.

The Amadea now sails under the US flag. Via Youtube / @CBS 8 San Diego

It’s now docked in San Diego, and as much as the government wants to sell it due to huge maintenance costs, the floating financial drain ain’t going anywhere. It was reported in February 2024 that the Lurssen ship was costing the United States Marshals $600,000 a month to maintain.

Also read - Outspoken climate activist Steven Spielberg, sailed his mammoth superyacht just to enjoy the Italian Riviera. The $250 million vessel, which is longer than two Olympic-sized swimming pools, burns around 700 liters of diesel every hour even when it is not moving.

Along with the docking charges, the United States also covers the expenses for fuel, a full-time crew, and insurance for the 348-foot-long Amadea superyacht. Via Youtube / @CBS 8 San Diego

That cost has now gone up to $922,000 a month to maintain, according to court records. Luxurylaunches had shared a detailed breakdown of the upkeep costs that included $360,000 for crew salaries; $75,000 for fuel (nearly $2,500 spent on diesel daily) and $165,000 for maintenance. Add to this another $144,000 to insure the megayacht, and dry-docking fees of $178,000 a month, per Business Insider.

The main deck aft of the Amadea. Via Charterworld

Spending a million on maintaining the Amadea superyacht isn’t the only torment for the US, but also their ongoing legal battle over Amadea ownership with another Russian tycoon, Eduard Khudainatov, who claims he, not Kerimov, is the actual owner of the yacht. The ex-Rosneft CEO’s attorneys have objected to the U.S. government’s efforts to sell the yacht, while also refusing to pay the maintenance costs, so long as the government pursues a sale and forfeiture.

Also read - Centibillionaire Jeff Bezos' $500 million Koru superyacht emits an astounding 1,500 times more greenhouse gases than an average person. Inspite of being the largest sailing yacht in the world the 417-foot long vessel will be responsible for more than 7,150 tons of CO2 every year.

The United States is alleging that the Amadea belongs to Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. Source – TAS

The magnate has roped in a team of US lawyers and public relations executives to pursue the quest of acquiring Amadea yacht. If the United States still miraculously manages to sell the superyacht that boasts hand-painted walls, marble flooring, winter gardens, etc., the proceeds wouldn’t go to the government. Under law, the money would be held while Khudainatov and the government continue their battle in court over the ownership and forfeiture. Is this what being in a soup translates to in real life?