Is is a Sub?Is is a Warship?No,it's 'A' Superyacht
by Russia Today on 19 Jul 2008
Yacht A photo by Carl Groll/Yacht-images.com SW
Some lucky spectators in the German city of Kiel on the Baltic Sea have seen a rather strange vessel cutting waves in the harbour. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a freshly launched destroyer painted white just to intensify its stealth qualities, or a type of submarine. But the ship is, in fact, a new toy of reclusive Russian billionaire, 36-year-old Andrey Melnichenko, simply known as “A”.
The yacht 'A' is a present from Andrey Melnichenko to his wife Aleksandra, the former Serbian supermodel he married in 2005. Their wedding at Cote d'Azur cost at least $US 35 million, with Christina Aguileran alone reportedly receiving $US3.6 million for her performance. The name comes from the first letters of their first names, which also provided the 'A' theme for the wedding.
Being 120 metres (390 feet) long it cost its owner around $US 300 million. Melnichenko’s “war-yacht” is neither the biggest nor the most expensive yacht in the world.
What does make it different is its futuristic, naval design created by worldwide famous French designer Philippe Starck. From the outside the yacht does not look like a floating palace. Its aggressive streamlined look, with its axe bow and small superstructure, is reminiscent of the most advanced stealth warships.
The futuristic yacht, originally known as Project Sigma, was built in Kiel at the HDW shipyard, part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The German ship makers Blohm and Voss are possibly best known for constructing the battleship Bismarck, the pride of the Nazi fleet in World War Two.
The interior of the ship is also far from being traditional mahogany and brass, with cream colour leather and stainless steel setting the fashion. Around 12 plasma TVs are disguised as mirrors, the yacht is equipped with standards for its class helipad, swimming pool and a garage for owner’s car, probably not a single one aboard..
Six suites for guests could be easily transformed into 4 super-suites thanks to movable walls. Guests in all rooms can enjoy a collection of 2000 movies from a centralised library.
But security is above all. Electronic finger pads are needed to unlock doors and neither guests nor crew can access the owner's apartments. Spotlights and motion sensors are a heavily feature throughout the vessel.
The Belarus-born banker and founder of one of Russia's largest banks, MDM Bank, has also invested in coal, chemicals and steel. Currently his fortune is estimated at $ 4.6 billion, making him 172 on the Forbes’ list of world’s richest persons.
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