In the summer of 2016, residents of the quiet Catalan town of Arenys de Mar in Spain woke up to an extraordinary sight. Anchored just 50 meters off Platja de la Musclera beach was a futuristic 280-foot superyacht gleaming in silver and blue hues that shifted with the sun. It was not a navy ship or a film set, as some initially suspected. It was Pacific, the $150 million superyacht belonging to Russian billionaire Leonid Mikhelson, who had quietly arrived on the coast of Barcelona with an entourage of executives and aides.
What began as an unusual maritime spectacle soon became a local sensation when Mikhelson’s team began moving inland, touring town halls, scouting properties, and inquiring about building beach clubs with the same enthusiasm as if they were playing Monopoly.
For ten days, the Pacific remained anchored off the Maresme coast, a region known for its tranquil beaches and hillside villas. Crowds gathered daily on the sands of Musclera to photograph the massive gray yacht, and local police fielded calls from residents mistaking it for a military vessel. While the tycoon himself was seen only once, dining at a well-known restaurant in Arenys that was closed exclusively for his party, his staff and crew made their presence known along the coast. They spent freely at Caldes d’Estrac and Port Balís, arriving in tenders and chauffeured cars, their activity quickly drawing attention from municipal officials and the media alike.
Superyacht Pacific – a color-changing marvel
Built by the German shipyard Lürssen and delivered in 2010, Pacific is one of the most distinctive megayachts ever created. Designed by Argentine naval architect German Frers with interiors by Bannenberg and Rowell of London, the yacht is a blend of stealth, luxury, and engineering precision. Constructed with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, it displaces nearly 2,960 gross tons and cruises at 14.4 knots, reaching a top speed of 21.6 knots thanks to twin MTU diesel engines.
The vessel’s signature feature is its color-changing exterior. Its metallic finish appears silver in some light and pale blue in others, creating a chameleon-like effect that has earned Pacific recognition in ports around the world. Onboard amenities include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, cinema, elevator, and two helipads.
The yacht can accommodate 12 guests in six suites and carries a crew of 28. It is both a statement of power and a tool of mobility, designed to circle the globe while keeping its owner in absolute comfort.
When Pacific dropped anchor in Spain, it had already traveled across the Pacific, Indian, and Mediterranean oceans, visiting destinations from Australia and Indonesia to Florida and Sicily. Its arrival off Barcelona was another stop in a long itinerary, but one that caused an unexpected stir on shore.
Who Is Leonid Mikhelson?
Leonid Mikhelson, now worth approximately $28.5 billion according to Forbes, is the founder and chairman of Novatek, Russia’s largest privately-owned natural gas producer. He rose to prominence during the post-Soviet privatization era and remains one of Russia’s most powerful businessmen. Beyond energy, Mikhelson is known for his deep interest in art, having funded major cultural institutions such as London’s Tate Modern and the New Museum in New York. His vast fortune has allowed him to lead a quiet yet global lifestyle, one that occasionally surfaces in spectacular fashion, as it did in Catalonia.
During that August of 2016, Mikhelson’s envoys appeared at the Sant Vicenç de Montalt town hall to discuss possible investments. According to officials, they arrived “as if they were playing Monopoly, buying everything.” The phrase was not a journalistic exaggeration but a direct quote from the mayor and staff, as reported by La Vanguradia. The team reportedly tried to make a “paga y señal,” or deposit, right on the spot to build “chiringuitos de obra,” permanent beach bars, before being reminded that Spanish public land concessions require official tenders.
The group also expressed interest in purchasing a five-star castle-style hotel in the Castell de l’Oliver area and scouted private estates in the nearby Supermaresme development, a gated community known for hosting prominent Russian and Spanish millionaires. At the time, undeveloped plots in the area started around $2.5 million, a modest figure relative to Mikhelson’s immense fortune.
What unfolded in those days along the Maresme coast was a collision of worlds, the quiet rhythm of Catalan seaside towns meeting the unchecked ambition of one of Russia’s wealthiest men. Several years later, the same superyacht was scampering across the globe to find a safe haven and avoid being seized by the authorities after the Russia-Ukraine war. It goes on to show how quickly things can change.
