Roman Abramovich has been more in the news for his superyachts than even the famous Chelsea. F.C. We can’t blame the scribes as the Russian oligarch does boast an insanely extravagant lineup of yachts (there are at least five linked to Abramovich), of which the grand Eclipse and Solaris megayachts combined are worth close to $1.3 billion. Among his other, less lavish yet elegant ships is the 164-feet Aquamarine. The Guardian has revealed the $40.3 million Aquamarine was part of the billionaire’s fleet until the day of the invasion of Ukraine. According to a Guardian investigation, on 24 February, ownership of the yacht passed from a company previously controlled by Abramovich to a close associate of his, the Russian businessman David Davidovich.
Today the modest-by-Abramovich-standards vessel is covered in scaffolding and perched under a hangar in a dry dock in the Dutch port of Vlissingen. Davidovich told the Guardian that he was the owner of Aquamarine and the Jersey-domiciled company MHC Jersey Ltd, registered as the yacht owner on the maritime database MarineTraffic.
“I can confirm that I am the owner of MHC Jersey Ltd and the Aquamarine yacht,” Davidovich said in a written statement. Abramovich’s $610 million megayacht, Solaris, and $590 million Eclipse megayacht have established celebrity status. The relatively humbler (still posh) $40.3 million Aquamarine may be out of the spotlight, but it is still a shining gem in Ambramovichs necklace of assets. Let’s take a closer look at this graceful schooner:
About the astonishing Aquamarine:
Dutch ship builder Heesen Yachts is behind Aquamarine, the first superyacht in its new 5000 Aluminium class. Built entirely from aluminum, this motor yacht is the first of its kind below 500GT to be IMO Tier III compliant.
While Heesen’s naval architects gave Aquamarine a sleek semi-displacement hull, Omega Architects created a sportier exterior, and Italian designer Cristiano Gatto delivered stunning Japanese-inspired interiors. As per Heesen, Aquamarine is “the perfect yacht for cruising the Bahamas and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.”
The Aquamarine is a fast yacht that can host 12 guests comfortably in four lower deck guest suites. The owner resides on the main deck master stateroom. Compared to Abramovich’s other superyachts that flaunt 8 and 9 decks, respectively,
Aquamarine is much smaller. However, what it lacks in size, Aquamarine makes up for elegance. Other standout features include a raised aft deck flanked with a collection of sun pads. A full-height, multi-purpose tender garage doubles as a luxury beach club connecting directly to the flush swim platform. “It’s a wonderful platform when anchored up somewhere for people to enjoy watersports and a swim,” said Thom Conboy, Heesen’s U.S. representative.
According to Boat International, speaking about the design, Gatto said, “I believe that Japanese accents help to create the right mood on board. Simplicity, linearity, and bright colors are the main themes throughout.” Aquamarine is undergoing repairs at Damen Shiprepair, a Dutch firm specializing in the construction and repair of luxury yachts.
