None of us viewers EVER imagined we would get so involved and intrigued with the ownership and movements of super yachts. What a Hoot! You could write the book on this era when it’s (finally?) over. Thanks 👍
This gal is from KS. No amt of water around here for a yacht let alone a super Yacht! We’re about as landlocked as one can get. A vid showed up in my recommendations and I’m hooked.
Snag is these yachts are merely ego trips(!), status symbols and vanity projects for the gazillionaires who own them - they still have their blood money [and low friends in high places]......
A moment in history many books and movies will be made from. Either it's about these yachts and the war or about the successful to this point coup of America.
I must admit that you are one heck of a bloody good reporter up-dating us with your investigative work on Russians-under-sanction-owned yachts. I was not aware until now that Heesen Yacht is Russian-owned. Thank you for the info.
It's sick, this is all very very sick, no laws nWo is what this is, no rule of law, just racist evil and it just goes on because we the people are toothless serfs to the filth at the top, I can't believe anyone can think liberal democracies are anything but the worst possible advanced Panopticon-ic medieval fiefdoms.
probably because the judge doesnt want to do the us' illegal dirty work and seize a perfectly legal ship just becuase the us says its a proceed of crime which we all know it isnt, now it is costing a poor island nations people millions a week . funny how the sanctions are costing tax payers around the world billions of dollars but the politicians are getting handouts from doing it
@@kokomo9764 yea, the global anti-capitalist (sanctions are) dictator which is a debt-based bankrupt yet still prints to infinity since it is immune to hyperinflation as world reserve, "aids" other countries. And its the Russian, not American oligarchs having their yachts seized. It should be all oligarchs or no oligarchs. The onky thing fishy here is the world accepting American fraud, war and lagal injustice.
It shows how many enable the behaviour of these people. Oligarchs aren't the only questionable employers that people happily accept jobs and payment from. Choices were made. Consequences follow.
@@yt.personal.identification "Consequences follow." Do they!? I haven't seen evidence of this comforting assertion yet. Money talks (behind closed doors, apparently) and accountability is out of the office, indefinitely.
@@squireson Really? You don't recognise that some of the employees on these boats are facing consequences for their choice to enable an oligarchs lifestyle?
I think it is ludicrous the Fiji gov’t should have to pay that humongous bill each month. I find it highly suspicious that this stay actually happened when it did, smells fishy to me.
Simple solution - Charge those fees to the individuals in the Government that say the Government has to pay them. Faster than you can blink, they will find laws or write laws that make the yacht owner/s have to pay them.
The maritime law update we need is this. Cease AIS transmission, and your Insurance ends that day. If the AIS goes off air, then within 20 minutes the phone should ring and an email to the Management company should arrive stating. "You have 90 minutes to get it back on air, or the Insurer will guarantee the safety of the crew by boarding with Law Enforcement.".... as per your Maritime Insurance clause on crew safety. After 90 minutes, the Insurance is voided. Knowing where the crew is is the first foundational step in crew safety.
According to an early episode, if I remember right, it is ok to turn of the AIS. If but only if the ships position could be in danger. Say for examples for a pirate attack. You do not want to broadcast your position to pirates. So when travel in those water, it is a matter of safety to turn of the AIS. However, in the way that some superyacht have turn of they signal. It is not for safety reason. But to hide your ship from different countries government. And that should not and is not ok in anyday. Except for the eight thursday in the week.
@@ExAnalogia To be fair if a government agent attempts to seize another nation's flagged vessel in international waters, that would make them privateers (aka pirates). I mean unless the EU/US are using their navies to seize vessels, though I believe I had read they're contracting this to private entities with what are essentially modern letters of marque. After all, Somali pirates fancied themselves the local coast guard, so it's all relative as to who is the pirate and who is the pirated.
You are the best Ship Shape Reporter on these super yacht's. Keep up your reporting. You answer people commenting on these beautiful vessel's. They are a work of ART, to me. You talk about the all around effect it has on everything. You are so lucky to have worked on them. Wish I could Job shadow you, my super yacht friend reporter. Thank you so much.
Love the info I’ve learned on your channel! Started following about the sanctions…. Ending up with a greater knowledge of the yachts and how “ thing work” that I’ve seen in some marinara’s. You start to see how it very much has to be organized like jets and airports .. so involved and much more sophisticated
In light of the circumstances and the history of the proceeding, the fact that an ex parte motion was both entertained, and granted, is questionable. The DPP’s comments were entirely justified. We may see the Court of Appeal reverse the order on Wednesday due, in part, to the lack of transparency and fairness to the State (which is unusual, since the issue of fairness is usually relevant for the party affected by the State - and I almost mistakenly wrote ‘Crown’, however, Fiji has been a republic since 1987, although it is still a member State of the Commonwealth of Nations, despite a brief period when it was not, following its shift to a Republican government). Alternatively, we may see some surprising revelations arising on Wednesday. The cost to the State is not surprising, since the vessel was arrested then, abortively, seized. We can likely anticipate that a new proceeding may arise, or be appended to the current proceeding, addressing the responsibility for maintenance of the vessel. I would be interested to know the extent of US involvement, although that will likely be concealed from us to an extent.
I'm still wondering how its legal to arbitarily decide someone's personal wealth or items are up for grabs. These boats are not a threat and not in US waters so they really aren't under any jurisdiction I can find in any treaty's ever signed up to. I would also like to know where they and the associated money will go if the US gets hold of them. The lack of transparency from the US says a lot.
@@siraff4461 As I understand it, the boat has been seized because it is suspected to have been involved in money laundering. Assets seized by the US government are sold and the money put in the federal Treasury. This is what happens when the assets of drug smugglers are seized. I'm not a lawyer but I suspect the seizure is covered by international Maritime law.
@@valiantflower8087 the people that work for corrupt Russian multimillionaire s don't care where the money comes from and when it all goes pear shaped they cry . Get a job on not so a luxury tub.
Can you explain why Turkey is considered a safe have for all these Russian ships? I thought that Turkey had closed the Dardanelles and the Bosporus to Russian warships (even though I have read that they do not have the right to do that) so I would have thought that Turkey was on Russia's bad side. Although today I read that Turkey, who is part of NATO, has said they will veto Finland and Sweden's request to join NATO, which I guess will make Russia very very happy.
I was vacationing in the Netherlands and Belgium by river cruise and motor coach last week and, because I have been following SuperYachtNews, kept my eyes pealed for super yacht yards. I saw one... Oceanco, near Kinderdijk on the Noord. Such FUN! Your channel made my trip to the Netherlands all the more enjoyable! Thanks!
It’s Expected there are many more then just the Judge! Surfacing who’s involved in the Corruption Network has already shown some, many others will surface soon. 👉The real question to ask is where did all the money come from to buy the Yacht in the first place? And as you can see, Operating costs are also high so don’t spend all your money just on the boat! There’s a difference between buying something you want AND sort of bragging that you have the best! There’s a common thread that exists as this group leans towards bragging then just wanting something nice. So where did their money come from?
I heard you mention the weekly costs for the yacht during it's "interment" Is there a typical breakdown for what a mooring costs for a superyacht? Cost per foot (meter), crew cost, other costs per week, etc
Isn't it odd that most of the Oligarch super yachts hiding successfully are in Turkey (only one yacht I know in Vladivostok) and Turkey is the only member disputing the entry of Finland & Sweden into NATO. Hmmm
I think Turkey's membership of Nato was a calculated decision taken as a precursor to eventual European integration (although obviously the EU didn't exist at the time). This sheltering of yachts is either going to be seen in a negative light by the EU, and damage the country's chances of membership, or is a calculated move in such that they will all be handed over at some point in exchange for certain concrssions.
Siezing these yachts is a clear demonstration of insanity. 1) They cannot be sold since no wealthy billionaire is going to buy them after they were seized. 2) It is going to cost any government that seizes any of them over $1 million per week in docking and maintenance costs. 3) Even if they tried to just sell them off to the low bidders, no one would want one since few people can afford the $1 million per week docking and maintenance costs. 4) Most billionaires who can afford yachts like these already own their own yacht and no one will want any yacht that was seized by any government,
Not insane at all. It has nothing to do with value. It is depriving the owners of the assets for a reason. In this case to oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia started a war. The world says stop or we take everything you own that we can. Let's start with the yachts belonging to Russians. The owners can't use them. Goal achieved. They could all sink and there is no cost to the seizer only the owners. Nobody cares about rich Russians. STOP THE WAR. Oligarchs are finished. They stole Russian assets belonging to the Russian people. I expect seized assets will be sold and money repatriated to Russia when Russia has a new Government post Putin and his cronies. Give back to the people what belongs to the people.
Western sanctions on Russians isn't meant to be a way for countries to make money lol, like some used yacht sales company but rather to apply pressure so that those billionaires will pressure Putin to stop mass murdering Ukrainians.
Cut them up and sell the parts? Scuttle them on a reef to provide a haven for fish 🐠 🐟 🎣 🐠! Regular folks would get a kick out of fishing at a point where a famous yacht was sunk and was a home for groupers and bottom fish. It would also be fun to scuba dive there if they weren’t too deep. It could actually serve a useful function. Heck pull those Rolls Royce engines first plus all the fancy fittings.
Thank you for another detailed news update. Lets hope the owners/captains will face legal proceedings regarding switching of their AIS system which is highly illegal. Who do they think there to just turn off such an important communication process to run and hide to protect their selfish interests and assets
I think that when this is all over, court cases should begin with charges against those responsible for switching of their AIS. If it is a law to have it switched on then the law must have been broken.
@@daveroche6522 My family were in charge of the pilotage service in the English Channel 150 years ago. You can't stop a supertanker or large container ship just like that, and nowadays, the Solent is as tightly controlled as an airport. Having your transponder switched off going through the Straits of Gibrakltar is going to get a patrol boat on your tail pdq, and although they visibly hugged the Moroccan side, it's almost as foolish going blind in the Med. You have responsibility to other shipping. Talking of aircraft, there's every likelihood their entire civilian fleet will now be permanently barred from international airspace over airworthiness issues. Could the same happen here?
Any plans for a post that lists all S/Y's under sanction, their owners (ostensibly) and a brief summary for each as to its present disposition and location? Getting impossible to track all these players and keep things straight. Would be nice to see all encapsulated in one place/post. Cheers.
I imagine that the costs will be charged to the vessel before it's allowed to leave. If not the vessel will be sold to recover the monies. Like paying storage fees if your car is impounded for parking tickets. In the meantime I expect the US is paying Fiji to keep the vessel there.
The Fiji government could limit its losses either by towing it out to sea and using it for target practice and making a new coral reef, or by offering day cruises to islanders, and hen parties.
Fiji's Navy consists of 3 small littoral ships, not likely they would sink it with any of those. Not to mention the flak they would take from the environmentalist community that's rampant in the area.
Wow!! How brilliant does one have to be to sail a superyacht across the Pacific to an island 🏝️ paradise AND then get the citizens there to pay (hundreds of thousands per week) for their stay.
Brilliant enough to hire some lawyers sans ethics and offer bribes/threats behind closed doors. On reflection, doesn't seem like brilliance at all. *_Why_** did we burn all the guillotines!?*
Great coverage. I have been following your channel for years. To me it’s frightful that sovereign governments can go after private property of foreign citizens. I’ll leave it at that, as I’m sure the supporters of such action will lambast me to Kingdom come. Ironically, would probably agree with why this is necessary just vehemently oppose the action due to the extremely slippery slope of precedent it establishes.
@@EricaNernie Are you kidding? they guy at the helm doesn't know when he soils his own pants, I would not count on him being a shrewd negotiator of world power
@@EricaNernie Putin is like a cancer and NATO is the chemotherapy. You take your chances and try and stop it now before it gets out of control or do nothing and it will most definitely spread out of control and kill you.
@@integr8er66 Oh yeah and Trump did such an amazing job negotiating with world powers? In 4 years we lost the support of almost every ally we had and were the laughing stock of the world while he sucked up to Putin, Xi and Kim. You really have to stop watching Tucker Carlson and Fox News.
If its a legal requirement to put AIS on when travelling, how come none of the Russian ships where fined or boarded by coast guards when they turned it off ?
Great update. Just think, super yachts are *one* subject affected by the sanctions, which involve mass amounts of human resources & dollars. Fiji is probably not happy to meet this obligation.
This was quite big news here in Holland.....Heesen filed for a " mandatory management take over" considering the sanctions placed on Alekperov, and even sued the notary representing him for not cooperating. To no avail; the (lame as allways) Dutch Court ruled against it and Heesen is now potentially heading into serious trouble. As a company they are as sound as they get, and could probably afford keeping afloat for an entire year, or more, without finishing a single yacht, but still. Sucks to see these kind of old, wonderful companies being hurt.
@@Dennis-vh8tz Unfortunately, you are probably right. It´s truly mind boggling how this stupid Russian war ended up affecting so many people, so far away. May it end ASAP!
> Consider who the customer is and how he gained his wealth at the expense of millions of innocent civilians and that nations economy, are these kind old companies not as discreet as they should be, accepting dirty or blood stained money?
@@carlwest859 Shhhh….not so loud. We have boats to build, champagne to drink and checks to cash. I heard of another quite privileged individual once say…Let them eat cake. Having retired from oil/gas, it’s interesting to see all of this, compared to companies that make drill ships, semi-submersible rigs, etc. Let them sit for a couple years and as I’ve said before, the only winners are the lawyers who get their money, or don’t represent you any longer, etc. These battles will be fought for years. The yachts themselves? Sold for cheap.
Maybe a Silly Question but is Turkey allowing Russian Yachts Access now to Seize them later either as "Prizes" or as a "Negotiation Position" during the Peace Talks?
seems like Turkey is a bit too friendly with the Russians. they'd better take under concideration their drones are creating quite a problem with their buddies. playing both sides is never a smart idea. Great to hear that this will be settled soon and I'm sure there will be investigations into the judge who signed the stay.
I totally agree about Turkey comments. They called Finland and Sweden bases for terrorist activity. They need to look closer to home. I worry about their control of access to the Black Sea
Excellent job on your reporting, every 2 or 3 days later I can hear the story either on national news or news feed on my phone. Somebody needs to hire you and pay you the big bucks.
The Fijian story stinks. “Solutions” in poor countries are all about cash and of course the owner of the vessel would not have to dig very far into his deep pockets to have very senior government officials salivating. I would even keep an open mind as to the authenticity of the stated costs of holding the boat as it makes a convenient excuse for arriving at an alternative solution to handing it over to the US Feds - it wouldn’t cost anywhere near that much to simply moor offshore with some Feds on board with the necessary skeleton crew to keep things ship-shape. Where there’s a will, there’s a way - this applies to all parties, whatever their motives. Oh, and GREAT viewing!!! If ever Mr E considers an investigative journalism career I’m sure he only needs to say the word. Stay safe.
Why would a Fijian judge take a highly unusual legal step that costs his government hundreds of thousands of dollars each week? Ummm, where is Clark Kent when we need him?
Because he doesn't want to be an obedient lapdog to a foreign power (the US)? Or, maybe, he's worried Fiji would have to pay to replace Amadea if the US took the yacht, the seizure was later determined to be unlawful, and the US then refused to return the yacht?
The Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury, Adewale "Wally" Adeyemo, had a meeting in New York to explain sanctions to a bunch of international bankers. Really complicated stuff. You can end up fined big dollars for just dealing with a third party that is doing work for a sanctioned firm or individual. In the past some banks have been fined hundreds of millions for breaching sanctions. These guys are walking on egg shells and the lawyers everywhere are working overtime (or you just forgo the work and same lawyer money). Big problems for anyone that was doing, or would like to do, work for Russia.
And the US is who exactly, to dictate to international bankers who they can trade with? If you don't give a shit about the US and don#t care to do business with them, I'm sure one can make lots of money trading with countries like Iran and Russia, as long as you're operating from a country that isn't sanctioning them.
It’s about time that property rights were respected in the US constitution and governments did not openly violate it so routinely. Civil asset seizure has become a major issue where corrupt police can seize assets unrelated to crimes and fund their operations. In some case These are seized without any conviction or the agents of the state having to prove its case. It is why unreasonable fines were complained about in the Magna Carta. Sanctions are similar - and unreasonable restrictions on trade and commerce should be reviewed. Nations that deal with the USA should at least ensure they have sovereignty and do not have to enforce arbitrary administrative whims
@@tomorrow6 yes, they can seize all your stuff by accusing you of being a drug trafficker or something like that, and it's YOU who has to prove that you're not, rather than vice versa.
It's a pity for those Dutch boat builders running into troubles due to the corrupt Russian regime. Dutch boatbuilding is simply world class, fair work and engineering creating superb quality.
To be fair they knew who they were owned by and who they're dealing with, I find it hard to feel sorry for them when it finally came back to bite them.
@@tomriley5790 I love the mental gymnastics some of these commmenters go through in order to justify doing business with corrupt oligarchs who gained all their wealth by stealing it from the Russian people.
Turkey is a safe haven for Russian super yachts? So much for Turkey supporting NATO. I guess that went down the tubes when Turkey bought the Russian S-400 antiaircraft system. It amazes me that they still expected to get F-35s which they could then learn to tune their S-400 systems to. All the while Turkey has strong ties to Russia.
Not superyacht, Funny that here in Greece nobody is talking about the giant property in Kilada that is owned by Putin. Even anchoring in front of that property ( the Dutch royals have a villa nexstdoor, so did Sean Connery) is not allowed. Minutes after you put the anchor down, the guys in black come to chase you away.
It's not costing 600K a week thats just what they are billing somebody that will actually get the boat. Like dollars don't exist until they are printed
I don't see it your way. Ever heard of a car being towed because it was illegally parked? Who paid for the towing and parking fees for the car. It is expensive to the OWNER not the involved towing/parking companies.
Sounds like the Fiji judge got some extra cash on the side for that decision. I would think if the US government wanted the yacht, they would just take and tell Fijian judge to pound sand. Which probably will happen.
Am i the only one that doesn’t really agree with the broad scope of sanctions ? Same with IAS/ Mari time laws? It’s not that I support or agree with the people or give not being targeted i just don’t like the idea of it. Doesn’t feel very free and worldly to me.
I believe in no punishment prior to conviction by a jury of your peers. This government snatching stuff is undemocratic. If the owner has committed a crime, prosecute him.
What's hilarious is that these oligarchs, including Putin stole all their wealth from the Russian people. They had a good thing going but it wasn't enough for them. Those oligarchs now have the option of living in Russia for the rest of their lives with a failed economy (again thanks to those sanctions) or committing suicide.
Fiji definitely cannot afford that. The money would be much better spent on infrastructure and an adequate health system. Such a shame they couldn't keep it to sell to.the U.S for €340,000,000. They could definitely use that. 🙂
@@johnwright3426 Wow. Really?! Pretty sure their situation as a developing nation has been a concern long before this boat and the U.S were involved, but bash away if it makes your day better. 🤔
Some thoughts on sanctions, and there effects. A welder at Heesen yard or a steward at Chelsea FC are willingly contributing to the wealth of some Russian that is of course on board with the Russian government we are told, and as such the welder and the steward should be not paid. If you apply the same logic to say BAE or Lockheed Martin who are suppling a lot of weapons' to Saudi to bomb Yemen then would you sanction all there share holders, that you would presume support the Uk and US governments in backing the Saudi's. Seizing a few yachts is not going to have any effect on this war two many party's are earning a great deal from it and that's before the rebuild contracts come in to play at the end. Us in the west are basically asking the Ukrainian people buy weapons' from us with debt loans from our banks and then expecting civilians to fight the Russian's for us to weaken Russia to our advantage funded by debt that the Ukrainian people will have to service making them slaves of the state, that has sold them to foreign interests. The real effect on the sanctions is on the people and I mean people of the world not just Russia, by driving up food and energy prices that again make a few a great deal of money. Shutting the door on Russia all plays to China as it has become the outlet for Russian exports and cash flow. All wile telling the people of the world that flying a yellow and blue flag or giving an ex Hessen Ukrainian Welder a gun to try and kill a Russian conscript that had no choice but to be on the front line is the right thing to do.
Always interesting. Have watched you since the very beginning. The impact of the yacht seizures/arrests/holds whatever is going to be VERY interesting in the future. These "toys" are for big boys with super deep pockets. Lots of people want to play in this league but few can. Even the ones that do play in this league can get economically crashed out with bad business decisions. I'm sure you've seen that even in the best of times.
None of us viewers EVER imagined we would get so involved and intrigued with the ownership and movements of super yachts. What a Hoot! You could write the book on this era when it’s (finally?) over. Thanks 👍
This gal is from KS. No amt of water around here for a yacht let alone a super Yacht! We’re about as landlocked as one can get. A vid showed up in my recommendations and I’m hooked.
Snag is these yachts are merely ego trips(!), status symbols and vanity projects for the gazillionaires who own them - they still have their blood money [and low friends in high places]......
@Marvin de Bot Some of us NEVER...
It'll be several books by the times its all over ! ))
A moment in history many books and movies will be made from. Either it's about these yachts and the war or about the successful to this point coup of America.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for ajj the hard work you are doing to keep us up to date. Thank you so much
Someone got to that judge with a wad of cash.
roger that Patrick
Yep
Knowing the Russians they probably showed the judge a set of photographs of his family. "nice family you got there ..."
No different than the other judges and government officials that got wads of cash from the US to start this whole thing
I must admit that you are one heck of a bloody good reporter up-dating us with your investigative work on Russians-under-sanction-owned yachts. I was not aware until now that Heesen Yacht is Russian-owned. Thank you for the info.
It's sick, this is all very very sick, no laws nWo is what this is, no rule of law, just racist evil and it just goes on because we the people are toothless serfs to the filth at the top, I can't believe anyone can think liberal democracies are anything but the worst possible advanced Panopticon-ic medieval fiefdoms.
Obviously there is something fishy going on with Amadea in Fiji. If I were a betting man, I would say some money has changed hands.
@@Tugela60 uh no the Russians have bribed the judge. Doesn’t matter the US will still get it. Russia is so pathetic.
probably because the judge doesnt want to do the us' illegal dirty work and seize a perfectly legal ship just becuase the us says its a proceed of crime which we all know it isnt, now it is costing a poor island nations people millions a week . funny how the sanctions are costing tax payers around the world billions of dollars but the politicians are getting handouts from doing it
@@Tugela60 The US provides Fiji with a great deal of financial aid. That can end in a heartbeat, that is how it works.
@@kokomo9764 I'm sure china is more than willing to help them out.
@@kokomo9764 yea, the global anti-capitalist (sanctions are) dictator which is a debt-based bankrupt yet still prints to infinity since it is immune to hyperinflation as world reserve, "aids" other countries. And its the Russian, not American oligarchs having their yachts seized. It should be all oligarchs or no oligarchs.
The onky thing fishy here is the world accepting American fraud, war and lagal injustice.
This shows how sanctions impact the lives of many people in many countries. But the oligarchs are simply inconvenienced.
It shows how many enable the behaviour of these people.
Oligarchs aren't the only questionable employers that people happily accept jobs and payment from.
Choices were made.
Consequences follow.
@@yt.personal.identification Millions will die so The USA can have her way..
@@yt.personal.identification "Consequences follow." Do they!? I haven't seen evidence of this comforting assertion yet.
Money talks (behind closed doors, apparently) and accountability is out of the office, indefinitely.
@@squireson Really? You don't recognise that some of the employees on these boats are facing consequences for their choice to enable an oligarchs lifestyle?
@@yt.personal.identification god imagine being this much of a brainwashed us shill. you're an embarrassment ahaha
I think it is ludicrous the Fiji gov’t should have to pay that humongous bill each month. I find it highly suspicious that this stay actually happened when it did, smells fishy to me.
I have lived in Fiji. It is a small poor country and cash speaks loudly.
Well remember they are not paying the owner, they are paying their own port service, so the money stays where its spent.
Simple solution - Charge those fees to the individuals in the Government that say the Government has to pay them. Faster than you can blink, they will find laws or write laws that make the yacht owner/s have to pay them.
Of course the US is directing the puppet court.
> Perhaps Fiji owns the port and the money is just going in circles less a percentage for handling by the bean counters.
The maritime law update we need is this.
Cease AIS transmission, and your Insurance ends that day.
If the AIS goes off air, then within 20 minutes the phone should ring and an email to the Management company should arrive stating. "You have 90 minutes to get it back on air, or the Insurer will guarantee the safety of the crew by boarding with Law Enforcement.".... as per your Maritime Insurance clause on crew safety. After 90 minutes, the Insurance is voided.
Knowing where the crew is is the first foundational step in crew safety.
According to an early episode, if I remember right, it is ok to turn of the AIS. If but only if the ships position could be in danger.
Say for examples for a pirate attack. You do not want to broadcast your position to pirates. So when travel in those water, it is a matter of safety to turn of the
AIS.
However, in the way that some superyacht have turn of they signal. It is not for safety reason. But to hide your ship from different countries government.
And that should not and is not ok in anyday. Except for the eight thursday in the week.
@@ExAnalogia To be fair if a government agent attempts to seize another nation's flagged vessel in international waters, that would make them privateers (aka pirates). I mean unless the EU/US are using their navies to seize vessels, though I believe I had read they're contracting this to private entities with what are essentially modern letters of marque. After all, Somali pirates fancied themselves the local coast guard, so it's all relative as to who is the pirate and who is the pirated.
You are the best Ship Shape Reporter on these super yacht's. Keep up your reporting. You answer people commenting on these beautiful vessel's. They are a work of ART, to me. You talk about the all around effect it has on everything. You are so lucky to have worked on them. Wish I could Job shadow you, my super yacht friend reporter. Thank you so much.
Sound like that Fiji judge got a big bag of Rubles.
My thoughts also, except Rubles are worthless, unless in Russia.
Love the info I’ve learned on your channel! Started following about the sanctions…. Ending up with a greater knowledge of the yachts and how “ thing work” that I’ve seen in some marinara’s. You start to see how it very much has to be organized like jets and airports .. so involved and much more sophisticated
I always keep my super yacht in the marinara and I want to know who told you. What's your sauce?
@@daktagreen I legitimately got a good laugh out of that comment.
In light of the circumstances and the history of the proceeding, the fact that an ex parte motion was both entertained, and granted, is questionable. The DPP’s comments were entirely justified. We may see the Court of Appeal reverse the order on Wednesday due, in part, to the lack of transparency and fairness to the State (which is unusual, since the issue of fairness is usually relevant for the party affected by the State - and I almost mistakenly wrote ‘Crown’, however, Fiji has been a republic since 1987, although it is still a member State of the Commonwealth of Nations, despite a brief period when it was not, following its shift to a Republican government). Alternatively, we may see some surprising revelations arising on Wednesday. The cost to the State is not surprising, since the vessel was arrested then, abortively, seized. We can likely anticipate that a new proceeding may arise, or be appended to the current proceeding, addressing the responsibility for maintenance of the vessel. I would be interested to know the extent of US involvement, although that will likely be concealed from us to an extent.
In the case of the judge that ordered the stay, follow the money.
It smells like there's been money under the table here.
Likely somebody's palm got greased.
I'm still wondering how its legal to arbitarily decide someone's personal wealth or items are up for grabs.
These boats are not a threat and not in US waters so they really aren't under any jurisdiction I can find in any treaty's ever signed up to.
I would also like to know where they and the associated money will go if the US gets hold of them.
The lack of transparency from the US says a lot.
@@siraff4461 As I understand it, the boat has been seized because it is suspected to have been involved in money laundering. Assets seized by the US government are sold and the money put in the federal Treasury. This is what happens when the assets of drug smugglers are seized. I'm not a lawyer but I suspect the seizure is covered by international Maritime law.
That's a bunch of bull. malarkey otherwise known as Kaka $1000000 week what a joke. Nothing costs that much
I imagine getting the stay in Fiji cost a lot of money too, but not through official channels.
@Bill Kerr LOL
You're information is amazing...
As usual.... Thank You
Seems like the employees of the Dutch shipyard and the British parts suppliers are the ones being hurt by these sanctions.
Shouldn't take blood money,
@@valiantflower8087 the people that work for corrupt Russian multimillionaire s don't care where the money comes from and when it all goes pear shaped they cry . Get a job on not so a luxury tub.
Can you explain why Turkey is considered a safe have for all these Russian ships?
I thought that Turkey had closed the Dardanelles and the Bosporus to Russian warships (even though I have read that they do not have the right to do that) so I would have thought that Turkey was on Russia's bad side. Although today I read that Turkey, who is part of NATO, has said they will veto Finland and Sweden's request to join NATO, which I guess will make Russia very very happy.
It sounds to me like that Judge in Figi made some under the table Money
Having a "hay days" time with the super yacht and the sanctions. Well done
I was vacationing in the Netherlands and Belgium by river cruise and motor coach last week and, because I have been following SuperYachtNews, kept my eyes pealed for super yacht yards. I saw one... Oceanco, near Kinderdijk on the Noord. Such FUN! Your channel made my trip to the Netherlands all the more enjoyable! Thanks!
Thank you for finally covering Vagit Alekperov! He's been under the radar far too long.
THE JUDGE WAS PAID OFF.
It’s Expected there are many more then just the Judge! Surfacing who’s involved in the Corruption Network has already shown some, many others will surface soon.
👉The real question to ask is where did all the money come from to buy the Yacht in the first place?
And as you can see, Operating costs are also high so don’t spend all your money just on the boat!
There’s a difference between buying something you want AND sort of bragging that you have the best!
There’s a common thread that exists as this group leans towards bragging then just wanting something nice.
So where did their money come from?
I heard you mention the weekly costs for the yacht during it's "interment"
Is there a typical breakdown for what a mooring costs for a superyacht? Cost per foot (meter), crew cost, other costs per week, etc
Isn't it odd that most of the Oligarch super yachts hiding successfully are in Turkey (only one yacht I know in Vladivostok) and Turkey is the only member disputing the entry of Finland & Sweden into NATO. Hmmm
I think Turkey's membership of Nato was a calculated decision taken as a precursor to eventual European integration (although obviously the EU didn't exist at the time). This sheltering of yachts is either going to be seen in a negative light by the EU, and damage the country's chances of membership, or is a calculated move in such that they will all be handed over at some point in exchange for certain concrssions.
Erdogan and Vladimir are big buddies as long as it does not come to area of "shared interest".
Dictator Erdogan dreams of a bigger Turkish empire and is best friends with psychopath Putin. You can spot the disaster coming from years away.
@@edwardlees4585 EU membership?
Which mushrooms are you on?
Siezing these yachts is a clear demonstration of insanity.
1) They cannot be sold since no wealthy billionaire is going to buy them after they were seized.
2) It is going to cost any government that seizes any of them over $1 million per week in docking and maintenance costs.
3) Even if they tried to just sell them off to the low bidders, no one would want one since few people can afford the $1 million per week docking and maintenance costs.
4) Most billionaires who can afford yachts like these already own their own yacht and no one will want any yacht that was seized by any government,
Not insane at all. It has nothing to do with value. It is depriving the owners of the assets for a reason. In this case to oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia started a war. The world says stop or we take everything you own that we can. Let's start with the yachts belonging to Russians. The owners can't use them. Goal achieved. They could all sink and there is no cost to the seizer only the owners. Nobody cares about rich Russians. STOP THE WAR. Oligarchs are finished. They stole Russian assets belonging to the Russian people. I expect seized assets will be sold and money repatriated to Russia when Russia has a new Government post Putin and his cronies. Give back to the people what belongs to the people.
Western sanctions on Russians isn't meant to be a way for countries to make money lol, like some used yacht sales company but rather to apply pressure so that those billionaires will pressure Putin to stop mass murdering Ukrainians.
Cut them up and sell the parts? Scuttle them on a reef to provide a haven for fish 🐠 🐟 🎣 🐠! Regular folks would get a kick out of fishing at a point where a famous yacht was sunk and was a home for groupers and bottom fish. It would also be fun to scuba dive there if they weren’t too deep. It could actually serve a useful function. Heck pull those Rolls Royce engines first plus all the fancy fittings.
Thank you for another detailed news update. Lets hope the owners/captains will face legal proceedings regarding switching of their AIS system which is highly illegal. Who do they think there to just turn off such an important communication process to run and hide to protect their selfish interests and assets
I think that when this is all over, court cases should begin with charges against those responsible for switching of their AIS. If it is a law to have it switched on then the law must have been broken.
I presume this is an IMO competence, so it'll simply be a fine, no Court hearing. Much like a parking ticket.
Consider: any pilot who switches off the transponder (and/or ADSB? I'm not sure) is in trouble - big time!
@@daveroche6522 My family were in charge of the pilotage service in the English Channel 150 years ago. You can't stop a supertanker or large container ship just like that, and nowadays, the Solent is as tightly controlled as an airport. Having your transponder switched off going through the Straits of Gibrakltar is going to get a patrol boat on your tail pdq, and although they visibly hugged the Moroccan side, it's almost as foolish going blind in the Med. You have responsibility to other shipping.
Talking of aircraft, there's every likelihood their entire civilian fleet will now be permanently barred from international airspace over airworthiness issues. Could the same happen here?
"Sorry, but my AIS has become very unreliable, just can't get the parts to fix it because of the sanctions."
spot on
Your videos are so informative and interesting 🤔 I don't look at any others. Please keep them coming 🙏.
Any plans for a post that lists all S/Y's under sanction, their owners (ostensibly) and a brief summary for each as to its present disposition and location? Getting impossible to track all these players and keep things straight. Would be nice to see all encapsulated in one place/post. Cheers.
Had to giggle. As I took a quick look at the map on the screen I could have sworn I saw "twat" not "tivat". ( OK to laugh now and then )
I imagine that the costs will be charged to the vessel before it's allowed to leave. If not the vessel will be sold to recover the monies. Like paying storage fees if your car is impounded for parking tickets. In the meantime I expect the US is paying Fiji to keep the vessel there.
Exactly. As when your car is towed.
> Biden has first choice on this cream puff.
The prosecutor's public comments aren't made under oath.
If the vessel is let go it will simply put to sea.
Of course the meeting was ex-parte. You can't hand over a suitcase of cash with people watching.
Rubels are invisible anyway.
The Fiji government could limit its losses either by towing it out to sea and using it for target practice and making a new coral reef, or by offering day cruises to islanders, and hen parties.
Fiji's Navy consists of 3 small littoral ships, not likely they would sink it with any of those. Not to mention the flak they would take from the environmentalist community that's rampant in the area.
Wow!! How brilliant does one have to be to sail a superyacht across the Pacific to an island 🏝️ paradise AND then get the citizens there to pay (hundreds of thousands per week) for their stay.
Brilliant enough to hire some lawyers sans ethics and offer bribes/threats behind closed doors.
On reflection, doesn't seem like brilliance at all.
*_Why_** did we burn all the guillotines!?*
I wonder how much longer the judge that allowed the stay will have his job for.
The Judge, He is being bribed, go after the lawyers behind this they get payed and are costing the people of the island money
Sounds like Fiji is cheap place to buy a judgement and that oligarchs still have plenty of cash.
thanks for the update , wonder if that judge will have some troubles for granting that stay
Great coverage. I have been following your channel for years. To me it’s frightful that sovereign governments can go after private property of foreign citizens. I’ll leave it at that, as I’m sure the supporters of such action will lambast me to Kingdom come. Ironically, would probably agree with why this is necessary just vehemently oppose the action due to the extremely slippery slope of precedent it establishes.
And also the slippery slope of running a proxy war with a nuclear power. I hope those in Washington have done their risk calculations correctly.
@@EricaNernie Are you kidding? they guy at the helm doesn't know when he soils his own pants, I would not count on him being a shrewd negotiator of world power
@@integr8er66 No, we got rid of that guy in the last election.
@@EricaNernie Putin is like a cancer and NATO is the chemotherapy. You take your chances and try and stop it now before it gets out of control or do nothing and it will most definitely spread out of control and kill you.
@@integr8er66 Oh yeah and Trump did such an amazing job negotiating with world powers? In 4 years we lost the support of almost every ally we had and were the laughing stock of the world while he sucked up to Putin, Xi and Kim. You really have to stop watching Tucker Carlson and Fox News.
If its a legal requirement to put AIS on when travelling, how come none of the Russian ships where fined or boarded by coast guards when they turned it off ?
We were told it would be sold for 800million, I was part of the crew on the Lautoka wharf that unberthed it 👍🏻
Love Super yachts and the channel. What has happened to Alisher Usmanov other super yacht, the one that he bought while Bilbar went in for a refit.
Great update. Just think, super yachts are *one* subject affected by the sanctions, which involve mass amounts of human resources & dollars. Fiji is probably not happy to meet this obligation.
This was quite big news here in Holland.....Heesen filed for a " mandatory management take over" considering the sanctions placed on Alekperov, and even sued the notary representing him for not cooperating. To no avail; the (lame as allways) Dutch Court ruled against it and Heesen is now potentially heading into serious trouble. As a company they are as sound as they get, and could probably afford keeping afloat for an entire year, or more, without finishing a single yacht, but still. Sucks to see these kind of old, wonderful companies being hurt.
But to survive they would presumably lay off most of their thousand employees, who then may not be OK.
@@Dennis-vh8tz Unfortunately, you are probably right. It´s truly mind boggling how this stupid Russian war ended up affecting so many people, so far away. May it end ASAP!
> Consider who the customer is and how he gained his wealth at the expense of millions of innocent civilians and that nations economy, are these kind old companies not as discreet as they should be, accepting dirty or blood stained money?
@@carlwest859 Shhhh….not so loud. We have boats to build, champagne to drink and checks to cash. I heard of another quite privileged individual once say…Let them eat cake.
Having retired from oil/gas, it’s interesting to see all of this, compared to companies that make drill ships, semi-submersible rigs, etc. Let them sit for a couple years and as I’ve said before, the only winners are the lawyers who get their money, or don’t represent you any longer, etc. These battles will be fought for years. The yachts themselves? Sold for cheap.
@@bogeys1242 you mean "relatively cheap". A few hundred million is still a few hundred million.
Maybe a Silly Question but is Turkey allowing Russian Yachts Access now to Seize them later either as "Prizes" or as a "Negotiation Position" during the Peace Talks?
Turkey is more of an ally to Russia then most of the West, even though they are a member of NATO (wish we could kick them out).
Simply to gain political favor with Russia.
I think they just pass through….go through the bosphuras straight to Sochi Russia.
seems like Turkey is a bit too friendly with the Russians. they'd better take under concideration their drones are creating quite a problem with their buddies. playing both sides is never a smart idea. Great to hear that this will be settled soon and I'm sure there will be investigations into the judge who signed the stay.
I think the safety of the yachts is more important to the Russian leaders than the guys who are being used as cannon fodder.
I think the judge was paid off by representatives of the owner.
Also Turkey says that they're going to block the NATO applications for Finland and Sweden. Somebody's playing both sides.
@@glynncleaver7398 It's always been russia's modus operandi. From Tsar to Tsar to Tsar...
I totally agree about Turkey comments. They called Finland and Sweden bases for terrorist activity. They need to look closer to home. I worry about their control of access to the Black Sea
Thank you Sir. Great information and look forward to each of your new reports.
Excellent job on your reporting, every 2 or 3 days later I can hear the story either on national news or news feed on my phone. Somebody needs to hire you and pay you the big bucks.
The Fijian story stinks. “Solutions” in poor countries are all about cash and of course the owner of the vessel would not have to dig very far into his deep pockets to have very senior government officials salivating. I would even keep an open mind as to the authenticity of the stated costs of holding the boat as it makes a convenient excuse for arriving at an alternative solution to handing it over to the US Feds - it wouldn’t cost anywhere near that much to simply moor offshore with some Feds on board with the necessary skeleton crew to keep things ship-shape. Where there’s a will, there’s a way - this applies to all parties, whatever their motives. Oh, and GREAT viewing!!! If ever Mr E considers an investigative journalism career I’m sure he only needs to say the word. Stay safe.
Nothing stinks
the longer the Russian owners and the corrupt USA fight by paying big money to Fiji the more money finds its way to this remote island.
These videos are so calming & tranquil… it’s why I enjoy to listen
Is there any consequence for the ships captain for turning off the AIS?
Why would a Fijian judge take a highly unusual legal step that costs his government hundreds of thousands of dollars each week? Ummm, where is Clark Kent when we need him?
Because he doesn't want to be an obedient lapdog to a foreign power (the US)? Or, maybe, he's worried Fiji would have to pay to replace Amadea if the US took the yacht, the seizure was later determined to be unlawful, and the US then refused to return the yacht?
@@Dennis-vh8tz Dennis seems a bit confused.
How much money did the judge get for a bribe
Thanks for the update 🛥⛵️🚤👍👍👍👍👍👍
The Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury, Adewale "Wally" Adeyemo, had a meeting in New York to explain sanctions to a bunch of international bankers. Really complicated stuff. You can end up fined big dollars for just dealing with a third party that is doing work for a sanctioned firm or individual. In the past some banks have been fined hundreds of millions for breaching sanctions. These guys are walking on egg shells and the lawyers everywhere are working overtime (or you just forgo the work and same lawyer money). Big problems for anyone that was doing, or would like to do, work for Russia.
And the US is who exactly, to dictate to international bankers who they can trade with? If you don't give a shit about the US and don#t care to do business with them, I'm sure one can make lots of money trading with countries like Iran and Russia, as long as you're operating from a country that isn't sanctioning them.
It’s about time that property rights were respected in the US constitution and governments did not openly violate it so routinely.
Civil asset seizure has become a major issue where corrupt police can seize assets unrelated to crimes and fund their operations. In some case These are seized without any conviction or the agents of the state having to prove its case. It is why unreasonable fines were complained about in the Magna Carta.
Sanctions are similar - and unreasonable restrictions on trade and commerce should be reviewed.
Nations that deal with the USA should at least ensure they have sovereignty and do not have to enforce arbitrary administrative whims
@@tomorrow6 yes, they can seize all your stuff by accusing you of being a drug trafficker or something like that, and it's YOU who has to prove that you're not, rather than vice versa.
It's a pity for those Dutch boat builders running into troubles due to the corrupt Russian regime.
Dutch boatbuilding is simply world class, fair work and engineering creating superb quality.
To be fair they knew who they were owned by and who they're dealing with, I find it hard to feel sorry for them when it finally came back to bite them.
@@duc696monster6 Simply: Wrong!
@@tomriley5790 I love the mental gymnastics some of these commmenters go through in order to justify doing business with corrupt oligarchs who gained all their wealth by stealing it from the Russian people.
All the cool people
Who owns the port in Fiji ?
Some Fijian palm got greased .
Turkey is a safe haven for Russian super yachts? So much for Turkey supporting NATO. I guess that went down the tubes when Turkey bought the Russian S-400 antiaircraft system. It amazes me that they still expected to get F-35s which they could then learn to tune their S-400 systems to. All the while Turkey has strong ties to Russia.
Sounds like the.judge is on the take
Not superyacht, Funny that here in Greece nobody is talking about the giant property in Kilada that is owned by Putin. Even anchoring in front of that property ( the Dutch royals have a villa nexstdoor, so did Sean Connery) is not allowed. Minutes after you put the anchor down, the guys in black come to chase you away.
Now that Turkey opposes Sweden and Finland to become Members of NATO we can start asking other questions…
I need my daily fix of superyacht news
Flying Fox has 682,500 l fuel tanks, from the "official" brochure
Sounds like the port and that judge are very close that’s a lot of free money 💰
Great reporting
It's not costing 600K a week thats just what they are billing somebody that will actually get the boat. Like dollars don't exist until they are printed
Good update as usual.
My first instinct is to check the finances of that Fijian judge's relatives.
YaY, Yacht Seize New, great job.
Nice looking run about, it will do to go crocodile hunting ,regards from Australia 🇦🇺.
It looks very clean without the bridge on it.
Send the bill to the judge, something Fiji (fishy) went on.
I guess we will never learn if the judge in Fiji is being paid off.
😃If Fiji had been smart they wouldn't have let it dock there to begin with but greed overcame. Sorry not sorry!
Fiji needs to get rid of Amadea asap.
I don't see it your way. Ever heard of a car being towed because it was illegally parked? Who paid for the towing and parking fees for the car. It is expensive to the OWNER not the involved towing/parking companies.
OMG! Thank you ! I don't own a yacht but I've been on a few ..And I pray you stay safe, in reporting!
Thanks a great video
Keep the updates coming 👍
Excellent content.
Money. Someone is getting paid off. And laundering the money.
Sounds like the Fiji judge got some extra cash on the side for that decision. I would think if the US government wanted the yacht, they would just take and tell Fijian judge to pound sand. Which probably will happen.
Fantastic updates always
Just curious to know how many Super Yachts are in Turkey @ the moment 🤔
It strikes me as odd that Turkey would provide safe-haven for Russian super-yachts, but sells Bayraktar drones to Ukraine... 🤔 Money talks, I guess.
Turkey is trying to get whatever it can out of the situation.
Sounds like someone's been paid under the table in Fiji!😀
Great videos! Fiji should rent out rooms and serve luxury dinners on the yacht. Probably not allowed. Courts are so stuffy.
Corruption is never irregular or unexpected......it's always expectedd.
I agree with the writer who suggests the yacht owners pay all fines. Always look forward to your videos though I live no where near an ocean
Good luck with that, like getting blood from a Turnip!
Well those fees are probably a good incentive for Fiji to reject any further russian yachts to dock there...
Am i the only one that doesn’t really agree with the broad scope of sanctions ? Same with IAS/ Mari time laws? It’s not that I support or agree with the people or give not being targeted i just don’t like the idea of it. Doesn’t feel very free and worldly to me.
I believe in no punishment prior to conviction by a jury of your peers. This government snatching stuff is undemocratic. If the owner has committed a crime, prosecute him.
Maybe Putin and his band of merry oligarchs (Russian mafia) should have thought of that before they invaded Ukraine and committed genocide?
What's hilarious is that these oligarchs, including Putin stole all their wealth from the Russian people. They had a good thing going but it wasn't enough for them. Those oligarchs now have the option of living in Russia for the rest of their lives with a failed economy (again thanks to those sanctions) or committing suicide.
@@_Mentat Too bad Russia doesn't believe in the democratic process. lol
Thanks for the video. If Amadea has been officially siezed by the Fiji govt, then presumably they also have to pay for insurance, generator fuel etc.
If Fiji had been smart they wouldn't have let it dock there to begin with but greed overcame. Sorry not sorry!
The judge must be getting paid off under the table!
Love love
LOL, I think the Fijian Government is just out to make some money from this situation!
As always, great info-tainment, thanks!
Justice has no price tag ... NOT!
Thanks for your great work. Can I get a view of a boat owned by an American military contractor?
Fiji definitely cannot afford that. The money would be much better spent on infrastructure and an adequate health system. Such a shame they couldn't keep it to sell to.the U.S for €340,000,000. They could definitely use that. 🙂
@@johnwright3426 Wow. Really?! Pretty sure their situation as a developing nation has been a concern long before this boat and the U.S were involved, but bash away if it makes your day better. 🤔
Thank you as always!
Some thoughts on sanctions, and there effects. A welder at Heesen yard or a steward at Chelsea FC are willingly contributing to the wealth of some Russian that is of course on board with the Russian government we are told, and as such the welder and the steward should be not paid. If you apply the same logic to say BAE or Lockheed Martin who are suppling a lot of weapons' to Saudi to bomb Yemen then would you sanction all there share holders, that you would presume support the Uk and US governments in backing the Saudi's. Seizing a few yachts is not going to have any effect on this war two many party's are earning a great deal from it and that's before the rebuild contracts come in to play at the end. Us in the west are basically asking the Ukrainian people buy weapons' from us with debt loans from our banks and then expecting civilians to fight the Russian's for us to weaken Russia to our advantage funded by debt that the Ukrainian people will have to service making them slaves of the state, that has sold them to foreign interests. The real effect on the sanctions is on the people and I mean people of the world not just Russia, by driving up food and energy prices that again make a few a great deal of money. Shutting the door on Russia all plays to China as it has become the outlet for Russian exports and cash flow. All wile telling the people of the world that flying a yellow and blue flag or giving an ex Hessen Ukrainian Welder a gun to try and kill a Russian conscript that had no choice but to be on the front line is the right thing to do.
i agree in most, but lets not start that here, well spoken
Always interesting. Have watched you since the very beginning. The impact of the yacht seizures/arrests/holds whatever is going to be VERY interesting in the future. These "toys" are for big boys with super deep pockets. Lots of people want to play in this league but few can. Even the ones that do play in this league can get economically crashed out with bad business decisions. I'm sure you've seen that even in the best of times.
I was thinking the Judge was given a bribe.
certainly more entertaining than the depp /heard saga...