12,600-ton Yacht Busted

Mainstream news sources are reporting that authorities in Gibraltar seized one of the largest and most advanced super-yachts in the world over an unsettled bill.

The Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper reports that the German shipbuilder, Nobiskrug, is claiming it’s owed 15.3 million euros ($16.2 million) in overdue payments for the 468-ft Sailing Yacht A. "The brand new vessel was arrested when it stopped in Gibraltar last Wednesday for what should have been a short refueling stop before sailing to a Spanish yard to undergo additional work," wrote reporter Brian Reyes.

The Nobiskrug website says the yacht, designed by French interior designer Philippe Starck, was delivered earlier this month to its client. Valla Yachts Limited is the vessel’s Bermuda-registered owner.

Gibraltar’s Admiralty Marshal Liam Yeats said Monday the vessel was under arrest and is currently at anchor in the British enclave’s territorial waters. “She ain’t going anywhere, not swiftly,” Chief Justice Anthony Dudley said. “I’m not going to be pushed around just because it’s a big yacht. I don’t care if it’s a big yacht or a 20-ft pleasure boat. It takes the time it takes.”