Officials from several Dominican agencies visited the yacht yesterday, which is linked to a Russian billionaire. It boasts a spectacular design, and the voluminous space is sufficient for comfortable living, according to its manufacturer, who included marine terraces, platforms, and a huge aft pool that extends across the main deck, not to mention its two "twin helipads," spa area, and cinema with seats.
Taken from Listín Diario
SANTO DOMINGO.- For several days now, various rumors have surfaced about the luxury yacht Flying Fox, located in Puerto Don Diego, in Sans Souci. This luxurious yacht is named Flying Fox, after one of the largest bats in the world.
Manufactured by the German shipyard Lurssen and launched in 2019, it is the world's largest charter yacht and has a length of 136 meters with a beam of 22.5 meters.
It has a spectacular design, the voluminous space is sufficient to live in "comfortably" according to its manufacturer, who included marine terraces, platforms and a huge aft pool, which extends across the width of the main deck, not to mention its two "twin helipads", spa area, cinema with seats, among other spaces.
It also offers flexible accommodation for up to 25 guests in 11 cabins, including a master suite and VIP cabins. It also has a crew of 55.
Renting it between October and April for use in the Caribbean costs approximately 3,000,000 euros, according to the Yacht Charter Fleet website.
Among the accolades this vessel has received are being a finalist for Yacht of the Year at the World Yachts Trophies 2019; at the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2020 as a finalist for best naval architecture and a finalist for outstanding lifestyle.
The list continues with the title of best 2000GT displacement motor yacht, given by The World Superyacht Awards 2020, as well as winner as charter yacht in the Robb Report 2020.
On Friday morning, the Dominican Customs Directorate and other government agencies visited the yacht, but no further details about the situation were available.
Cloak of silence over retention
Authorities from several Dominican agencies visited the yacht yesterday, which is linked to a Russian billionaire.
According to sources from this newspaper, the inspection of the vessel was a “detention” amid tensions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in various sanctions from the European Union and the United States against the Eurasian country.
According to the information received, the Flying Fox, with a length of 136 meters and a beam of 22.5 meters, was going to dock in La Romana, but that port did not have sufficient draft and, for that reason, it headed towards San Souci.
The visit by Dominican authorities to this vessel sparked rumors that agents from the U.S. Embassy were present. Listín Diario requested information from the embassy's press attaché, Gabriel Hurst, to ascertain the truth behind this report, to which he replied: "At this time, we have no comment on this matter.".
Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States has announced "swift and severe sanctions," which affect the Russian economy and businessmen close to President Vladimir Putin.
The latest sanctions came on Thursday when the United States announced penalties against the lower house of the Russian Parliament (Duma) and 400 figures and companies close to Putin.
This list includes 328 Russian lawmakers and 48 defense companies, including manufacturers of missiles, helicopters, drones, ammunition, and military equipment. One of the companies is Kronstadt, a drone manufacturer, which has lost access to the U.S. financial system.
Herman Gref, Putin's advisor since 1990 and CEO of Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, as well as billionaire Gennady Timchenko, his wife, and daughter, have also been sanctioned by the United States. Sanctions have also been imposed on 17 executives of the board of the Russian bank Sovcombank.
This decision was made in coordination with the European Union (EU) and the G7. The European Union has imposed sanctions against Russia's central bank, preventing it from using its foreign currency reserves abroad and limiting Russian entities' access to major capital markets, prohibiting the supply of euro banknotes to that economy.
It also imposed sanctions against 877 Duma members and 62 associated entities.
Similarly, it has imposed sanctions on the Russian energy sector, its main economic engine, and banned the import, purchase, and transport of products such as pipes, sheet metal, and wire.
A massive and expensive vessel:
The Flying Fox, an immense yacht built by Imperial Yachts and Lürssen, was first launched in March 2019 and is considered one of the largest luxury yachts in the world. It can accommodate up to two helicopters and features a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure.
