Luxury Launches – Are founders truly keepers or weepers? In the case of the superyacht Alfa Nero, the founders have indeed ended up weeping. The 267-foot vessel was abandoned by its owner in February 2022 at Falmouth Harbor.
The ship was eventually seized by the Government of Antigua, but there’s no happy ending to this ship’s tale. In fact, it’s a borderline horror story for the tiny nation of 93,000. Taxpayers are bleeding dry, paying no less than $28,000 weekly for the upkeep of this floating palace that’s being maintained by a skeleton crew.
This amount includes the salary of an Italian captain and $2000 a day in diesel costs to keep its generators running—some may call it extravagance, but in the case of this splendid Oceanco-built superyacht, it is a necessity due to the extravagant interiors. While the lack of an owner hasn’t done much to take away from the luxury vessel’s grandeur, a lack of air conditioning certainly will. Designed by the esteemed Nuvolari & Lenard, Alfa Nero showcases exquisite interiors masterfully crafted by Alberto Pinto.
This elegant vessel accommodates twelve guests in six luxurious cabins dispersed across four expansive decks. The interiors resonate with a tasteful nautical theme, understated in its elegance yet enlivened with sporadic bursts of pop art. Continuous air conditioning ensures the longevity of luxe materials like precious wood, mother of pearl, and soft leather.
The Alfa Nero motoryacht cannot go two days without air conditioning due to her hardwood interiors, and without it, mold will spread through the decks faster than Antiguan officials can manage. “You can’t even open the doors on Alfa Nero without diesel,” said Tom Paterson, the dockmaster at the Antigua Yacht Club. “These boats, from the day they launch to the day they die, are burning fossil fuels.”
With mounting bills, cash-strapped nations find it incredibly hard to maintain seized vessels. While some ships are maintained by their billionaire owners, countries like Fiji and Antigua suffer daily. One Italian official correctly stated, “Our problems are the yachts. If the war continues…the running costs could potentially exceed their actual value.” This demanding 267-foot vessel doesn’t seem so easy to lose, especially with the boat being mired in controversy.
The ship of niceties boasts an infinity pool, a grand piano in the salon, a helipad, a spa, a gym, and a grand master suite complete with a wood-paneled study. The vessel, formerly maintained by a crew of 44, has been reduced to six.
Twenty-five members have sued to recover $2.1 million in unpaid wages, according to Craig Jacas, a local lawyer representing them. “Our clients’ objective is simply to secure what is lawfully owed to them,” Jacas said. It looks like the daily damage of $2,000 for fuel is only the tip of the iceberg.
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Sadly, when the whole sage of seizing Russian yachts began, I had warned via this medium that kids don’t have any rights in Big people things. Antigua felt it was either big enough to get involved or perhaps too small to stay mutual on its own. Either way, it is unfortunate that we got involved and now we have to continue to pay the bills for our action. Where is Big brother to sponsor the diesel? For reference, see my comments in one of the earlier articles:
https://antiguanewsroom.com/two-falmouth-harbour-yachts-confirmed-as-belonging-to-russian-oligarch-abramovich%ef%bf%bc/
In the meantime, Israel continues to kill the people of Palestine and to threat them like dirt in areas Israel has occupied. Yet, no sanctions against Israel.
The amount of aid given to Ukraine could end world hunger in the poorer countries, is anyone interested in that?
How many people in Iraq was killed by invading forces and yet no weapons of mass destruction was found, did the International Criminal Court take any actions?
@ JBF, you are way too smart for this ANR forum … outstanding observations …👏🏾
and SHOOGY force TAXPAYERS to dish out over $100,000.00 all because he REFUSED TO RESIGN LEGALLY!! have to divert $$$ to election because of that PARTY ANIMAL!
#UnnecessarySpendingAllBecauseOfShoogySTUPIDways
Well i dropped out of pre school but …. if the AC is hooked up to APUA power as it is NOT ” running tours ” would that not help ?
🤣🤣🤣🤣 …no fault of the government; somebody had abandoned the vessel.
Sad but true you sound like a big dunce, you need to keep your unhappy poor house backside out of the media until you get your brain functioning..
the ship was NOT abandoned. It was stolen by Antigua from its rightful owner just because… he was russian!
bad karma
In my view, you are so right.
And because of that move, we are now as the African proverb states: the is the wise man’s ladder.
opening us up to much ridicules and unnecessary expense.
@JBF great comment agreed.
My opinion take the damn boat get the damn luxury shit out, ad some seats, and turn it into ” THE Caribbean People FERRY”, and let’s move around from island to island at a correct price…just an 💡
what an excellent idea!
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