It would seem that our story about the 50 metre new build Meira has ruffled some feathers back at Neta Marine the yard that has built her and through who the yacht is now for sale.
Emre Karakaya Managing Director of Neta Marine in Bodrum Turkey has sought to clarify the situation telling us “This boat was started to construction in 2007 by Sultan Marine who were building the yacht at our shipyard. Construction stopped 2009 following a disagreement between the builder and the owner of the yacht”.
When Emre Karakaya took over the assets of Neta Marine in 2013 his first aim was improve and renew the shipyard preparing it to build and refit yachts up to 60 metres.
He purchased the unfinished hull of what was then Great Nautilus in April 2014.
He felt the yacht the original design needed to be updated and made a new agreement with the original designer Evan Marshal to modify and enhance both interior and exterior designs of the yacht
Karakaya tells us, “I have completely changed those designs in order to make her competitive in all over the World.” He adds, “I must tell you that it was not easy to changing everything and complete her as of today.”
Work began again on the Project in July/2015 but only after the hull was sandblasted and surveyed by both Class and Flag.
Now renamed Meira. She is now 95% completed in Class by RINA and now flies the flag of Malta
She may well have had her keel laying in 2003 but Karakaya tells us, “Please remember that this boat is a completely new construction now.”
The story has similarities to the building of The Maltese Falcon. Her hull had been left unloved in a Turkish shipyard for many years before Tom Perkins fell in love with her lines.
If Neta Marine can turn out a modern day Maltese Falcon everybody will be very happy!
Peter Hurzeler at Ocean Independence has the yacht list for sale at €15,500,000