The United States seized several superyachts as part of its high-profile crackdown on Russian oligarchs, among them the breathtaking Amadea, an Oceanco masterpiece worth $325 million, and Tango, a striking Feadship vessel. The Tango, valued at $90 million and owned by Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, was the first major trophy in the United States’ action against Russian billionaires.
Nearly three years have passed since the yacht was seized in Palma in April 2022, and in that time, the U.S. government’s dance with the Tango has come at a staggering cost, $32 million in taxpayer money! The now-defunct KleptoCapture Task Force, established in March 2022 by the Biden administration, carried out the operation alongside the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), seizing the yacht at Palma’s port. Since then, the 255-foot motor yacht has barely moved, save for a single relocation five months after its seizure, from Mallorca’s shipyards to Club de Mar, where it remains today, according to Diario de Mallorca.
At the time, the U.S. government was triumphant, even releasing a YouTube video
showcasing the swift operation, with FBI agents and Spanish authorities taking control of the luxury vessel. Now is a good time to take that video down because, after all the fanfare, they have done nothing with the yacht. Adding to the irony, the KleptoCapture Task Force itself has been disbanded by U.S. President Donald Trump.
While $32 million is an eye-watering figure, breaking it down reveals just how expensive Tango’s upkeep has been, roughly $900,000 per month since its seizure in April 2022.
The upkeep of a $90 million superyacht that goes nowhere
Three years is a long time for a yacht to sit idle! The Tango may no longer be cruising picturesque corners of the Mediterranean, but despite being docked in Mallorca, she remains in pristine condition, far from the fate of abandoned vessels. Sitting proudly at one of the most exclusive marinas, Club de Mar de Palma, the Tango continues to steal the spotlight.
Luxury comes at a cost, and the yacht’s plush interiors, expensive furnishings, and delicate artwork require constant upkeep. Diesel is needed to keep the generators running, preventing deterioration. Then there are docking fees, estimated at $500 per day for a 255-foot vessel, and crew salaries, as a skeleton crew must remain on board to maintain the ship. On top of that, annual maintenance typically amounts to 10% of the yacht’s value, translating to $10-$15 million per year.
The U.S. intended to sell the yacht, but the plan stalled due to a lack of approval from authorities. Now, with a new president in office and the KleptoCapture Task Force dissolved, the Tango may finally return to open waters. And she’s not alone; the Amadea has also cost the U.S. around $30 million in upkeep. It’s high time the U.S. decides what to do with these luxury assets because right now, they neither serve a purpose nor sail anywhere, all while guzzling money at an astonishing rate.
The Tango: A yacht that refuses to lose its shine
Despite years of forced inactivity, the Tango remains a showstopper. The winner of the 2012 World Superyacht Awards, this Feadship stunner, designed by Harrison Eidsgaard, still looks every bit the luxury icon. Her sleek hull and immaculate decks continue to turn heads.
Accommodating 14 guests in 7 ultra-luxurious cabins, the Tango boasts a stately owner’s deck featuring an aft seating area, a full-beam stateroom, and a private study.
Lavish amenities include a counter-current swimming pool, an outdoor cinema, and a massage and beauty salon. But she’s not just about luxury; her four MTU diesel engines deliver an impressive top speed of 21 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. With such remarkable features, selling the Tango should be far easier than seizing her, shouldn’t it?
