A 76m research vessel named Petrel listed in its Edinburgh dry dock

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The biggest yachting news stories of April 2023

3 May 2023

From futuristic concepts to much-anticipated deliveries, the month of April saw plenty of attention-grabbing yachting news stories. Catch up on all of BOAT International's top most-read articles below...

1. 127m Oceanco superyacht Koru spotted in Mallorca

Credit: Bjorn Mierop

The most-read news story of April was the delivery of Oceanco's new flagship, the 127-metre Koru. Reportedly commissioned for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the classic-looking yacht left the Netherlands and made a beeline for Mallorca, where she dropped anchor in the bay of Palma. The sailing yacht has been shrouded in secrecy since construction began, but it's thought she has been joined by the 75-metre Damen Yachting support vessel Abeona.

2. Kalizma: New details emerge following shooting off Yemeni coast

Credit: BOAT International

At the end of April, the 50.2-metre classic yacht Kalizma was involved in a major incident off the coast of Yemen that left one dead and one injured. According to the owner, manager and captain, the vessel was attacked by pirates operating under the guise of the Yemeni Coastguard. A statement by the Yemeni Coastguard countered this, calling the incident a case of mistaken identity and accusing Kalizma of behaving suspiciously.

3. 145m Lürssen superyacht Project Luminance heads out on sea trials

Credit: Dr Duu

The 145-metre Lürssen superyacht Project Luminance was spotted heading down the Kiel Canal en route to open sea. The yacht is the 11th largest superyacht in the world and the seventh-largest project built by Lürssen, but few other details have been made public. Exterior design is by Espen Øino while interior design is the work of Francois Zuretti.

4. UAE One: Futuristic 140m “UAE flagship” concept presented by Italian designer

A 140-metre superyacht called UAE One has been revealed by Milan-based designer Enzo Manca. According to Manca, the concept was designed with input from a Sheikh with a focus on privacy and additional space for international meetings, as well as multiple transfer options, including a "mini-internal port" for tenders and a submarine.

5. Feadship launches 84m Project 710 with biofuel generators

Feadship made history with its yacht launch last month. The 84.2-metre Project 710 was eased out of the shed in Aalsmeer, becoming one of the first superyachts in the world equipped with second-generation biofuel generators, which aim to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent. The silver-hulled superyacht has a futuristic look designed RWD in collaboration with MONK Design and will have a range of onboard features including an underwater viewing lounge.

6. Nautilus: U-Boat Worx releases new renderings of 37.5m superyacht-submarine crossover

Dutch submersible specialist U-Boat Worx has released fresh renderings of a 37.5-metre underwater superyacht concept called Nautilus. Capable of functioning as both an on-water vessel as well as a submersible, Nautilus has a depth rating of 150 metres, but is also equipped with al fresco amenities which can be used when the yacht is functioning above water level.

7. 25m Bolide 80 hits 70+ knots on sea trials

The 24.9-metre Bolide 80 "exceeded expectations" by hitting sprint speeds of around 73 knots and cruising speeds of 55 knots during her sea trials. The model was built by Bolide Yachts working closely with Victory Design & Technology and Ranieri & Tonissi, and was launched from an existing Seven Stars facility in Pisa.

8. Wild Water: On board Espen Øino's Land Rover Defender-inspired catamaran

Espen Øino may be the king of supercat design, but his personal multihull reveals a devotion to rugged adventure and stress-free simplicity. His latest design — the Vandal Explorer — is the perfect embodiment of this ethos.

9. Rossinavi launches first 50m hybrid superyacht No Stress

Italian shipyard Rossinavi sent its latest 49.9-metre project No Stress at into the water at its Viareggio facility. The yacht features design by Enrico Gobbi - Team for Design and is equipped with hybrid propulsion and AI technology that monitors consumption when cruising in electric mode. "This is only the beginning, as this technology will be optimised next year, revealing its fullest expression with the launch of the Sea Cat," said chief operating officer Federico Rossi.

10. 60m Royal Huisman sailing yacht Sarissa begins sea trials

The 59.7-metre sailing yacht Sarissa left the Royal Huisman yard to begin sea trials in the North Sea. Also known as Project 404, the custom project features design from Malcolm McKeon and Christian Liaigre. Designed with the race circuit in mind, Sarissa was constructed in Alustar aluminium with a reverse bow and flush deck.