mega yacht le grand bleu

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3606
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

NOT FOR CHARTER *

This Yacht is not for Charter*

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

View Similar Yachts

Or View All luxury yachts for charter

• Luxury Charter Yachts
• Motor Yachts for Charter

Le Grand Bleu

• Amenities & Toys

LE GRAND BLEU yacht NOT for charter*

112.8m  /  370'1 | bremer vulkan | kusch yachts | 2000 / 2008.

Owner & Guests

Cabin Configuration

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Guest elevator
• Ice-class hull
• Lloyds Register ✠ SSC:Yacht(P):G6 service, area:(EP):Ice Class 1D classification
• Interior design from Bannenberg & Rowell
• Up to 35 crew

The 112.8m/370'1" expedition yacht 'Le Grand Bleu' was built by Bremer Vulkan at their Vegesack shipyard. Her interior is styled by English designer design house Bannenberg & Rowell and she was delivered to her owner in May 2000. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Kusch Yachts and she was last refitted in 2008.

Guest Accommodation

Le Grand Bleu has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests in 10 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 35 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

Le Grand Bleu is built with a steel hull and steel/aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel Deutz (SBV 16M 628) 16-cylinder 4,570hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 17 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 19 knots. Le Grand Bleu features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. She was built to Lloyds Register ✠ SSC:Yacht(P):G6 service, area:(EP):Ice Class 1D classification society rules.

*Charter Le Grand Bleu Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Le Grand Bleu is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Le Grand Bleu Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Le Grand Bleu Photos

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

M/Y Le Grand Bleu

SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTER

Here are a selection of superyachts which are similar to Le Grand Bleu yacht which are believed to be available for charter. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

60m | Brooke Marine

from $314,000 p/week

88m | Schichau Unterweser

from $485,000 p/week ♦︎

69m | Svendborg Skibsvaerft

from $129,000 p/week ♦︎

Bleu De Nimes

72m | Clelands Shipbuilding Co

from $529,000 p/week ♦︎

62m | J.J. Sietas

POA ♦︎

56m | Turquoise Yachts

from $294,000 p/week

85m | SilverYachts

from $943,000 p/week ♦︎

67m | Benetti

from $680,000 p/week

75m | Abeking & Rasmussen

from $808,000 p/week ♦︎

Come Together

60m | Amels

from $450,000 p/week

71m | Richards Shipbuilders

from $312,000 p/week ♦︎

71m | Royal Denship

from $388,000 p/week ♦︎

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

Le Grand Bleu

Motor Yacht

Le Grand Bleu is a custom motor yacht launched in 2000 by Bremer Vulkan in Vegesack, Germany and most recently refitted in 2010.

Le Grand Bleu measures 112.80 metres in length, with a max draft of 4.60 metres and a beam of 17.68 metres. She has a gross tonnage of 5,556 tonnes. She has a deck material of teak.

Le Grand Bleu has a steel hull with a steel / aluminium superstructure.

Almost half a century of world-class German engineering. 10 superyachts over 50m. 5 megayachts in the world Top 100. When it comes to building the most iconic yachts on the ocean, with meticulous detail and pinpoint precision engineering, there is no rival to Kusch Yachts.

Her interior design is by Bannenberg & Rowell Design.

Le Grand Bleu also features naval architecture by Kusch Yachts.

Performance and Capabilities

Le Grand Bleu has a top speed of 17.00 knots and a cruising speed of 15.00 knots. She is powered by a twin screw propulsion system.

Accommodation

Le Grand Bleu accommodates up to 20 guests . She also houses room for up to 35 crew members.

Other Specifications

Le Grand Bleu is MCA compliant

Le Grand Bleu is a LR class yacht. She flies the flag of Bermuda.

• Yacht Builder Bremer Vulkan No profile available
• Naval Architect Kusch Yachts View profile
• Exterior Designer Kusch Yachts View profile
• Interior Designer Bannenberg & Rowell Design View profile

Yacht Specs

Related news.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Global Order Book
• Superyacht Insight
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

LE GRAND BLEU

Le Grand Bleu was built for US telecommunications baron John McCaw and was subsequently sold to the Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, who had it refitted to his own preferences, including the addition of a 16ft swim platform at the stern. According to Internet sources, Abramovich passed Le Grand Bleu to his friend and business associate Eugene Shvidler in June 2006. The yacht has a crew of 65 and carries a veritable arsenal of tenders and watertoys, both on her aft decks and in her extensive below-deck garage, where there is a large aquarium. Her watercraft include a 22 metre Dubois-designed sailing yacht, Bellatrix; a 21 metre Sunseeker motor yacht; two 11 metre, 60-knot Buzzi sports boats; and a landing craft to carry a 4x4 Land Rover used for excursions ashore.

About LE GRAND BLEU , brought to you by BOAT Pro

LE GRAND BLEU is a 112.8 m Motor Yacht, built in Germany by Bremer Vulkan and delivered in 2000.

Her top speed is 17.0 kn and her cruising speed is 15.0 kn and her power comes from two Deutz-MWM diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 20 guests in 10 staterooms, with 35 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 5496.0 GT and a 17.68 m beam.

She was designed by Kono-Design and Kusch Yachts .

The naval architecture was developed by Kusch Yachts , and the interior of the yacht was designed by Di Pilla , Tnt and Bannenberg Design (3 other superyacht interiors designed) - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Steel superstructure.

LE GRAND BLEU is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 72 motor yachts longer than 100m.

LE GRAND BLEU is currently sailing under the Palau flag (along with a total of other 9 yachts). She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Puerto Rico. For more information regarding LE GRAND BLEU's movements, find out more about BOAT Pro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: LE GRAND BLEU
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement , Expedition Yacht
• Builder: Bremer Vulkan
• Naval Architect: Kusch Yachts
• Exterior Designer: Kono-Design , Kusch Yachts
• Interior Designer: Di Pilla , Tnt , Bannenberg Design

Yacht featured in

Yachts like this, from our partners, sponsored listings.

The Stunning Ritz Carlton EVRIMA Yacht

Gliding Across Tokyo’s Sumida River: The Mesmerizing Zipper Boat

CROCUS Yacht: An 48 Meter Beauty by Admiral

PHI Yacht – Royal Huisman’s $45 Million Superyacht

• Zuretti Interior Design
• Zuretti Interior
• Zuccon International Project
• Ziyad al Manaseer
• Zaniz Interiors. Kutayba Alghanim
• Yuriy Kosiuk
• Yuri Milner
• Yersin Yacht

• Superyachts

LE GRAND BLEU Yacht – Elegant $150M Superyacht

LE GRAND BLEU Yacht was first built in 2000 by Bremer Bulkan Shipyard and has had a few updates since then.

Despite her age, she continues to be a trailblazer in the superyacht industry. To this day, LE GRAND BLEU is still one of only 58 motor yachts that measure longer than 100 meters.

LE GRAND BLEU yacht

This vessel has seen a few different owners over the years.

Specifications

Measuring a grand 112 meters long, there is no wonder the LE GRAND BLEU yacht is known for its massive size. Her large size can house up to 20 guests and 35 crew members. Two Deutz engines power the superyacht, giving a max speed of 17 knots.

LE GRAND BLEU has an aluminum superstructure and a steel hull. One of the most notable changes in LE GRAND BLEU over the years was her refit in 2008.

While docked in Florida, they added a wastewater treatment system to LE GRAND BLEU to reuse wastewater and not dump it into the ocean.

Wastewater from ships is a huge source of water pollution, so it is great to see these changes.

Despite its large size, LE GRAND BLEU yacht does not sacrifice elegance and class. Designed by the famous Italian architect, Stefano Pastrovich, LE GRAND BLEU yacht has a sleek design that gives off a sense of sophistication.

Pastrovich is known in the superyacht industry as one of the best designers for both the interior and exterior of yachts. He definitely proved that with this ship.

LE GRAND BLEU interior

Some of the water toys include a 22-meter Dubois sailing yacht, a Sunseeker motor yacht, two Buzzi sports boats, and a landing craft that carries a 4×4 Land Rover. The garage does not only hold all of these tenders, though.

It also houses the superyacht’s own aquarium, so visitors can see the marine life of the ocean without having to go diving.

If that is not enough excitement, a new beach club was installed on LE GRAND BLEU for guests to enjoy the ocean view from the best spot on the ship. 

This superyacht has withstood the test of time and continues to defeat records. Over the years, the LE GRAND BLEU yacht has only become better with age and grown to become what it is today.

It has been fascinating to see the many changes and additions to this vessel, and it will be exciting to see how it can top itself in the future.

Do you have anything to add to this listing?

• Bremer Vulkan
• Luciano Di Pilla Design
• Pastrovich Studio

Love Yachts? Join us.

Related posts.

LUCKY LADY Yacht – Majestic $35M Superyacht

HALO Yacht – Awesome $71.5M Superyacht

HIGHLANDER Yacht – Dazzling $10 M Superyacht

MOONRISE Yacht: Exceptional $220 Million Superyacht

• Yachts for sale
• Yachts for charter
• Brokerage News

Le Grand Bleu

• Yacht Harbour
• Yacht Le Grand Bleu

About Le Grand Bleu

Contact agent.

Specifications

Similar yachts.

New listings

LE GRAND BLEU Bremer Vulkan

• Inspiration

LE GRAND BLEU has 5 Photos

Porto-Vecchio

Le grand bleu news.

10 Luxury Superyachts Owned by Famous ...

Similar yachts.

112M FREIRE SUPERYACHT | From EUR€ 3,000,000/wk

• Yachts >
• All Yachts >
• All Motor Yachts Over 100ft/30m >
• LE GRAND BLEU

If you have any questions about the LE GRAND BLEU information page below please contact us .

A Summary of Motor Yacht LE GRAND BLEU

Originating from the Bremer Vulkan Ag ship building company in Germany the LE GRAND BLEU is 113 metre 370 (foot) in length. Launched for 2000 the modern interior design reflects the realisations from Tnt/Di Pilla and their approach to interior yacht design. Superyacht LE GRAND BLEU can accommodate up to 20 guests with 35 crew. She could be described as a modern converted private yacht. This large motor yacht has a helicopter pad capability. She is able to attain a maximum speed of 17 knots.

The superb motor yacht Le Grand Bleu used to be owned by Paul Allen before being purchased by Roman Abramovich then reportedly gifted to Eugene Shvidler

Shipyard Work & Yacht Design with respect to Luxury Yacht LE GRAND BLEU

Kusch Yachts was the naval architecture company involved in the technical nautical composition for LE GRAND BLEU. Also the company Kusch Yachts expertly collaborated on this venture. Interior designer Tnt/Di Pilla was commissioned for the overall internal styling. Created by Bremer Vulkan Ag the vessel was built in the yacht producing country of Germany. She was officially launched in Vegesack in 2000 before being delivered to the owner. A mighty feeling is brought about with a widest beam (width) of 17.68 metres / 58 feet. With a 4.6m (15.1ft) draught (maximum depth) she is deep. The material steel was used in the building of the hull of the motor yacht. Her superstructure over the hull is fashioned with the use of steel. In 2003 extra refit work and updating was additionally performed.

The Main Engines And The Speed/Range The M/Y LE GRAND BLEU is Capable Of:

The SBV 16M 628 engine powering the yacht is made by DEUTZ-MWM. For propulsion LE GRAND BLEU has twin screw propellers. The engine of the ship produces 4570 horse power (or LE GRAND BLEU kilowatts). She is fitted with 2 engines. The combined power for the boat is therefore 9140 HP / 6816 KW.

Aboard Superyacht LE GRAND BLEU She has Main Accommodation Format:

Having bedding for a limit of 20 welcome guests sleeping aboard, the LE GRAND BLEU accommodates everyone in luxury. This ship carries approximately 35 able qualified crew to operate.

A List of the Specifications of the LE GRAND BLEU:

Miscellaneous yacht details.

Around Sept 2009 LE GRAND BLEU cruised to Freshwater, in United Kingdom. LE GRAND BLEU has traveled the cruising ground around England during the month of October 2009. As she enjoys the facility of a helicopter landing pad yacht LE GRAND BLEU boasts excellent far away speedy transfer facility. This motor yacht has a teak deck.

LE GRAND BLEU Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht LE GRAND BLEU displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

Quick Enquiry

Sea Dream | From EUR€ 325,000/wk

111m FULL CUSTOM MEGA YACHT | From EUR€ 2,200,000/wk

MAR | From EUR€ 1,800,000/wk

Roman Abramovich lost this $175 million superyacht to his billionaire buddy Eugene Shvidler in a game of poker. The 370 feet vessel has a large aquarium, two boats, and a landing craft with a Range Rover SUV.

But then, didn’t I begin this story speaking about Roman Abramovich?

You may also like

Inspite of offering $500,000 extra, this posh New York City building rejected Qatar’s billionaire prime minister’s bid to buy two apartments. The swanky building’s co-op board did not even grant the influential royal an interview due to concerns about his large family & entourage.

American taxpayers, already shouldering a $600,000 monthly bill to maintain the seized Amadea superyacht, will now fork out over $5.6 million to repair the 348-foot-long vessel at a specialized dry dock in Seattle.

Inspired by seagulls, this 148 feet long trimaran concept runs on hydrogen and is as silent as an electric car.

Faceted like a gemstone, this 308 foot Superyacht concept has three swimming pools, a helipad and the yacht even glows in the dark

Emirati royal, Sheikh Mansour is all set to take delivery of one of the world’s largest yachts. The billionaire owner of the Manchester City football club is said to have paid more than $600 million for the 525 feet long Lurssen built luxury yacht.

After nearly two years of being stuck aboard playing Call of Duty and dipping in the infinity pool, the crew of the ill-starred Alfa Nero superyacht is granted partial payment of their pending salaries by the Antiguan High Court

From a Texas ranch four times the size of Manhattan where he launches rockets from to a stunning waterfront estate in Miami and more. Jeff Bezos may have the most diverse property portfolio, but all his real estate is still worth less than his Koru superyacht and its support vessel.

Sanctioned billionaire Alexei Mordoshov just took his $500 million megayacht Nord on a 1336-mile journey from the sun-kissed islands of Maldives to Seychelles

Russia’s richest man, Alexei Mordashov, has secretly moved his gigantic 465-foot megayacht, Nord, to Abu Dhabi. Will this $500 million ‘Houdini of the high seas’ now make the UAE its new home?

Watch CBS News

West hits Russian oligarchs where it hurts — their mega-yachts

By Megan Cerullo

March 7, 2022 / 1:55 PM EST / MoneyWatch

The U.S. and European Union are cracking down on sanctions against Russian billionaires by taking control of their mega yachts and other valuable assets, including villas and private jets, parked in territory over which their governments have jurisdiction. 

Italy on Friday said it seized a $70 million yacht moored in Liguria, Italy, belonging to Alexey Alexandrovits Mordaschov, a steel magnate with close ties to the Kremlin. 

"Italy's police has just seized 'Lady M Yacht' - a €65 million yacht belonging to Alexey Alexandrovits Mordaschov located in Imperia (Liguria) - in compliance with the recent EU sanctions," Ferdinando Giugliano, a media adviser to Italy's prime minister, said in a tweet.

Italy’s police has just seized “Lady M Yacht” - a €65m yacht belonging to Alexey Alexandrovits Mordaschov located in Imperia (Liguria) - in compliance with the recent EU sanctions. pic.twitter.com/8NzqkXH7lE — Ferdinando Giugliano (@FerdiGiugliano) March 4, 2022

On Saturday, Italy's tax police also froze "Lena," a $54 million yacht belonging to Gennady Nikolayevich Timchenko, the founder of a Moscow, Russia-based private investment group and close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom the EU has sanctioned.

Assets that cannot be moved are even easier to take possession of, or prevent their owners from accessing. 

Italy also froze a $3.2 million property in Tuscany belonging to Oleg Savchenko, who is among the richest Russian business people. Giugliano tweeted an image of a Ministry of Economy and Finance vehicle in front of the estate, named "Villa Lazzareschi." 

Italy’s tax police also froze “Lena” - a €50m yacht belonging to Gennady Nikolayevich Timchenko located in Sanremo (Liguria) - and “Villa Lazzareschi” - a €3m property belonging to Oleg Savchenko located in the province of Lucca (Tuscany). pic.twitter.com/yc1Q2y4d0G — Ferdinando Giugliano (@FerdiGiugliano) March 5, 2022

President Biden has also said the U.S. government is homing in on Russian oligarchs' super-yachts, private planes and other conspicuous symbols of their wealth as Russian President Vladimir Putin escalates his country's attack on Ukraine.  

A new federal task force, dubbed "KleptoCapture," will take aim at what Mr. Biden described in his State of the Union address on Tuesday as "the crimes of Russian oligarchs."  

"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets," Mr. Biden said. "We are coming for your ill-begotten gains."

More than a dozen Russian billionaires are under sanction by the U.S., European Union and the United Kingdom, and some are trying to dodge restrictions by moving assets that are mobile — including mega-yachts — into territories where sanctions don't apply and where their property cannot be seized or their assets frozen. 

The super-yacht "Graceful," believed to be owned by Vladimir Putin himself, left Germany two weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine and recently docked in Kaliningrad, near Russia's nuclear weapons operations, data form MarineTraffic, a maritime tracking website, shows. 

Putin ally Roman Abramovich, who made his fortune in the energy business, is not currently on any government sanction lists, but is making moves to unload valuable assets, including Chelsea Football Club. Among those assets is a super-yacht named "Eclipse" that is the third largest pleasure vessel in the world, measuring more than 540 feet long and 72 feet wide, according to Marine Vessel Traffic, a website that tracks the location of ships and other vessels, including privately owned yachts. It recently set sail from St. Barts to Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten — the Dutch side of the Caribbean island Saint Martin.

"Le Grand Bleu," owned by Russian oil titan Eugene Shvidler, is also anchored off the island of St. Martin, where EU sanctions can be enforced. 

Too big to hide

Some oligarchs on sanction lists, who are alleged to have built their wealth in Russia through political corruption, have already been cut off from their own valuable assets. 

The EU's sanctions on Russian oligarchs on Wednesday led to Germany's freezing of a yacht owned by Alisher Usmanov, one of the wealthiest Russians, according to a Forbes report . According to Marine Traffic, the 512-foot yacht, named "Dilbar," had been stationed in Hamburg, Germany, since October 29 for repairs. 

The French Ministry of Economy and Finance on Thursday said its customs agents seized the "Amore Vero" yacht belonging to a company owned by Igor Setchine, director of Russian oil company Rosneft. The yacht had been stationed for repairs in La Ciotat in Southern France's Cote d'Azur region. 

While the crew's intention was to "sail urgently, without having completed the planned work," it was seized before it could depart, the agency said. 

Fleeing hotspots

In hopes of avoiding the same fate, some yacht owners are "hightailing it on the high seas," financier and anti-corruption activist Bill Browder told CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge. 

They are mooring their mega-yachts, some with 100-member-crews, in places like Dubai and the Maldives — a nation of tiny islands in the Indian Ocean, which does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S. "They're parking their assets where they cannot be seized," Browder told CBS MoneyWatch. 

The problem is that ships of this size can't stay indefinitely in a place like the Maldives, which can generate significant income through docking fees, given their need to refuel and stock provisions. 

"There are a number of these yachts in the Maldives, and unless those countries put sanctions in place they're probably safer there," Alasdair Milroy, a maritime accountant and owner of Breaking the Mould Accounting, told CBS MoneyWatch. "But you can only spend so long in someplace like the Maldives on a yacht of that size without needing provisions, or to refuel, so I don't know how well that will last for a longer period. I don't think they'll be able to do that for that long."

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who is in charge of the new U.S. task force targeting Russian oligarchs, issued a stark warning: "We will use every tool to freeze and seize your criminal proceeds," she said in a statement.

Confiscating Russian oligarchs' wealth could be an effective tactic, Browder told CBS MoneyWatch. "It's hugely symbolic, and part of this thing is psychological war. This really has an impact — if not financially, then psychologically."

At least 10 of the 100 largest super-yachts in the world belong to Russian oligarchs, according to Marine Vessel Traffic .

Websites tracking maritime activity show that other oligarchs' yachts are on the move as their owners attempt to shield their assets from seizure. The "Galactica Super Nova," a 230-foot long, $80 million vessel owned by Vagit Alekperov, president of Russian oil company Lukoil, recently left its mooring in Barcelona, Spain, where EU sanctions apply, and set sail for Tivat, Montenegro, in the Balkans, according to VesselFinder.com.  

"Clio," a super-yacht owned by Russian industrialist Oleg Deripaska, is currently anchored off of the Maldives, according to MarineTraffic.com . A handful of other oligarch-owned mega-yachts are also moored in the Maldives, including Alexander Abramov's "Titan," Viktor Rashnikov's "Ocean Victory" and Vladimir Potanin's "Nirvana." 

How sanctions work

Placing an individual or their assets under official sanction does not give another government the legal authority to seize their assets — only to freeze or cut off their owner's access. 

"Generally speaking, sanctions are the authority that allow us to freeze assets. They are most easily understood in context of a bank account — it's literally put into a frozen account that still exists and collects interest and you own it, but you can't get any money from it," said Adam M. Smith, a partner at law firm Gibson Dunn. 

Tangible property must also be under the jurisdiction of the U.S. for any sanctions to work, or for the government to cut off their owner's ability to use an asset like a private yacht or jet. 

Daniel P. Ahn, a sanctions and economic warfare expert at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and former chief economist for the U.S. State Department, said that targeting an individual's yacht can limit its use even it isn't seized.

"If it arrives in the West, any port that can refuel is not allowed to do that anymore. So maybe the yacht itself doesn't get seized, but it's a lot less useful thing to have," he said. 

For this reason, sanctioned individuals may choose to try to sell assets like yachts at a loss, rather than risk losing use of them indefinitely. 

"If I was an oligarch, the first thing I would do is I would protest and say I shouldn't be blacklisted. Second would be to see if I can liquidate these assets and claw back something, knowing that otherwise it may rot at the pier without proper maintenance and the like," Ahn said.

As far as their impact goes, the sanctions are more than merely symbolic, he added. "The ultimate objective is to make life very difficult for these oligarchs, and it has been achieved," Ahn said. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

More from CBS News

Social Security projected to cut benefits in 2035 barring a fix

Long-term care insurance moves to make before you turn 65

3 times beginners should invest in gold (and 2 times they shouldn't)

White-coated candy recalled nationwide over salmonella risk

• Hybrids & EVs
• Motorsports

2 Russian Oligarch’s Superyachts Just Seized: 1 Boat Is On the Run

Sanctioned Russian oligarch Eugene Shvidler’s two private jets were recently seized. That’s when he must have drawn a line. His Le Grand Bleu superyacht is now missing. The last whereabouts of the boat were around Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov wasn’t so lucky. After a long search, his $300 million superyacht was seized in the remote Fiji Islands.

What Russian assets are western governments seizing?

Western governments have been snapping up private jets, yachts, property, and bank accounts of oligarchs after Russia invaded Ukraine. The Biden administration created the task force “KleptoCapture” in March. Its charge is to hunt down oligarch assets . 

“Last month, I warned that the department had its eyes on every yacht purchased with dirty money,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. “This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide, not even in the remotest part of the world. We will use every means of enforcing the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine.”

This Russian oligarch’s boat is missing

That would include Shvidler’s superyacht, though its current whereabouts are unknown. Its last whereabouts were in Puerto Rico, according to NBC . At 370 feet, it should be easy to spot. In spite of its age, until recently it was considered one of the longest yachts ever made. 

The length accommodates two (not one!) helipads, two mega-tenders, an owner’s bed which also features a sliding ceiling above, and a glass-bottom observation deck. Where did the money from all of this come from? In the 1990s the Russian oil industry became privatized. Oligarchs made billions of dollars as a result. 

Kerimov was the recipient of this largesse. He was in the right place at the right time and had lots of other oil billionaires as friends. But now that association is getting him into trouble with various world powers over the sanctions. 

This Russian boat was snagged recently

As for the seized superyacht christened Amadea, it was the smaller 350-foot variety. Kerimov, according to the U.S. Treasury, helped Russia through corruption, and also the annexation of Crimea. That helped him take an official position with the Russian government. 

This yacht sleeps 16 people in eight cabins. The Amadea was last registered in the Caymans and is also thought to be worth $300 million. 

The Dilbar superyacht is another boat siezed

German officials seized another oligarch yacht last month. Thought to belong to Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, after a thorough investigation of its registration, Usmanov’s sister Gulbakhor Ismailova actually owned it. 

This one surpasses the other two with a length of 500 feet. It also has two helipads. The U.S. Treasury Department estimates its worth to be almost $750 million.  

So what can we learn from all of this? Being a Russian oligarch is a good gig until your puppet master invades a country for no reason. Then, it’s not .

Floating House or Boat? Millionaire Says Boat After Getting Slapped With a Property Tax Bill

Is Hyundai’s N Division the Next Gazoo Racing?

No New Car’s Emergency Braking Can Avoid Rear-Ending a Motorcycle Over 37 MPH

Ferrari Toots Its Own Horn With the 12Cilindri–Likely for the Final Time

Thom Taylor

Thom Taylor is a celebrated automotive journalist. He was awarded the Top 100 Most Influential People in Hot Rodding from Hot Rod Magazine, and was inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame and the National Rod and Custom Hall of Fame. He’s a member of SEMA and the NHRA.

Thom has authored a number of books, including Hot Rod & Custom Chronicle and several guides for drawing vehicles like a pro, which pull from his distinguished ventures as an automotive illustrator.

Thom joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2019, and focuses his coverage on new vehicle releases, design, and the latest features and tech in the industry. His tenure of 25 years writing about the industry gives him a unique context for the auto news he covers, whether it’s part of the Rusty Monday series or the latest news from Chevy. Thom has built two complete cars from the ground up and driven vintage roadsters at the Indy 500.