No landing in Amsterdam for this Maverick. Last week, a striking 146-foot superyacht appeared in Amsterdam’s waters, but its bold presence was short-lived. The vessel, owned by German billionaire Tom Schröder, was politely but firmly denied docking rights in the city center, as reported by Dutch publication Quote. According to a municipal spokesperson, the yacht failed to meet local sustainability regulations and exceeded the maximum size allowed for inner-city mooring.
The yacht had attempted to berth near the Maritime Museum, a popular destination for luxury vessels passing through the Netherlands. However, enforcement officials from Amsterdam’s “water and sailing” division were quick to intervene, asking the captain to keep the vessel moving. “It’s not about who owns it,” said a city representative. “It’s about the rules: oversized and non-sustainable vessels are simply not permitted here.”
Maverick is no ordinary yacht. Commissioned by Schröder and built by the Italian shipyard Cantiere delle Marche, the luxurious explorer yacht is a floating tribute to the 1986 action film Top Gun. In fact, the yacht’s full name—registered as Lt. Pete Maverick Mitchell—is a direct nod to Tom Cruise’s legendary fighter pilot character.
Designed with cinematic flair, the yacht features black side wings on its top deck, echoing the twin tails of the F-14A Tomcat jet. Inside, guests are greeted with Top Gun memorabilia, including a photo signed by Cruise himself.
Even the vessel’s tenders bear the names of key characters from the film: Iceman, Viper, and Goose. Schröder, a self-professed Top Gun superfan, reportedly named one of his sons after Pete Mitchell and plans to use the yacht for a seven-year family circumnavigation of the globe.
Beyond its Hollywood inspiration, Maverick is a technical powerhouse. With a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, the yacht is built for rugged exploration, capable of slicing through icy waters thanks to its 8.5-inch thick ice belt. A powerful A-frame crane and high crow’s nest reinforce its expedition-ready design, while luxury touches like an infinity pool, beach club, sauna, gym, and six elegant cabins ensure that no comfort is sacrificed.
Able to accommodate 13 guests and 7 crew members, the yacht strikes a balance between practical long-distance travel and plush living. The layout was designed with extended family life in mind, including features like a self-service station in the owner’s suite, complete with coffee machine, mini fridge, and laundry facilities.
Tom Schröder is no stranger to ambitious ventures. Once the founder of Solarhybrid AG, a solar energy company that collapsed in 2012, Schröder reinvented himself in the years that followed. He co-founded the Seven Miles Group and Wishcard Technologies before launching the FIL Bros. Family Office in 2021, which focuses on investments in maritime technology and electric mobility. His investment in Cantiere delle Marche, where Maverick was built, signals more than a business move. It’s a personal project that reflects both his cinematic passions and his appetite for bold, self-directed journeys.
The Maverick may be ready to brave polar waters and distant seas, but in Amsterdam, sustainability rules the waves. As the superyacht sails on toward more welcoming destinations, the message from the Dutch capital is unambiguous: if it’s not green, it’s not welcome.
