Moored alongside HMS Belfast in the pool of London the motor yacht A appeared to many to be every bit as large as the former world war two light cruiser.
The 119 metre A had cruised up the Thames in the early part of September, transiting the Thames Barrier and passing under Tower Bridge an hour later to begin her week long stay in the Capital city.
Designed by legendary Philippe Starck the striking yacht divides opinion of those who appreciate yachts, because of her design is said by many, to resemble capsized hull while others believe her ram bow is reminiscent of a world war one battle cruiser.
One of the most expensive privately owned yachts ever seen in London on the Thames she was built at the same Blohm + Voss shipyard that built the warship Bismark for Germany’s Kriegsmarine in 1939
The 119 metre long vessel has a crew of 42 and because she is greater than 3000 tons gross requires officers to hold unlimited certificates of competency.
Owned by the Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, who has built an industrial empire on coal, potash, steel and extensive banking interests, the vessel is believed to be on the market following the launching of an even bigger and more expensive sailing yacht also called A.
For more photos see http://onthethames.net/2016/09/05/300-million-superyacht-a-cruises-thames/