Some of the world’s top superyachts have this week sailed into town for the Dubai International Boat Show.
But there was one megayacht to rule them all.
Moonlight II is so big it dropped anchor outside Dubai Harbour – the new home of the boat show.
The 91.4-metre vessel designed for entertaining on an elite scale can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins along with 35 crew and is equipped with a cinema, helipad, spa, beach club, lift, Jacuzzi, gym and a room for a number of jet skis.
The six-deck boat is not for sale, is owned by an Emirati and is being operated as a luxury yacht for charter. Boats of similar size sell for €80 million to €90 million ($88.3m-99.3m).
The National was granted rare access to the superyacht by its operator – Burgess Yachts - on the first day of Dubai Boat Show.
It costs as much as €644,000 a week to rent a week – that doesn’t even include fuel or food but does grant you luxury and privacy.
We push out past Dubai Marina and JBR skylines as Skydive Dubai planes fly overhead and dock at the boat's “beach club”, a lounge area for watersports. Two wings drop down on either side of this so people can use jet skis, kayaks or even go scuba diving.
Moonlight II was built in 2005 in Onex Neorion Shipyards in Syros, Greece and runs at cruising speeds of 13 knots, propelled by two diesel engines.
It has two lifeboats and its two anchors, each weighing two tonnes, keep the superyacht firmly secured, allowing the guests to retire to cabins featuring plasma screens.
Who rents 'Moonlight II' for a week?
This was not disclosed but expect a mix of high earners from traditional sectors such as oil and gas to techies to even cryptocurrency gurus.
Burgess Yachts can devise itineraries for those with the pockets deep enough, with a tour of the Arabian Gulf and into the Sea of Oman to Muscat among the most popular for a week’s rental.
Standing at the bridge is Captain Arni Brzac. He is a veteran of the industry, having worked in commercial shipping for years before switching to superyachts.
“It is very challenging,” he said of the career switch to ferrying around the super-rich. “It is like a complete turn. But I prefer superyachts and I prefer the challenge. But forget the word 'no'. No is not a word in our vocabulary.”
The superyacht is among the scores of luxury vessels on display at the Dubai Boat Show until Sunday. It is back after missing two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in a new home at Dubai Harbour.
The event, now in its 28th year, is about 20 per cent bigger than 2019 in terms of companies and exhibitors, organisers say. It features 800 brands and vessels from more than 54 countries in a region that is home to 12.6 per cent of the world's superyachts. The show’s "superyacht avenue" will showcase about 50 of the vessels from some of the world’s leading companies such as Feadship, Majesty and Nomad.
Visitors will be able to witness launches from brands such as Gulf Craft, Sunreef Yachts, Al Daen, Blue Gulf Boats and Al Fajer.
Other innovations include urban hydrogen flying boats, which operate with foils that lift the hull clear of the water; electric powered boats; and “e-foils”, which are essentially surfboards that enable riders to travel above the water.
“What the city missed in not having a boat show was made up for by people taking boats out to discover the great outdoors,” said Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of events management at Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers of the event.
Sea trials of boats for interested clients take place for the first time, while an increased focus on marine lifestyle, leisure and futuristic gadgets draws in more people than in previous years when the show was more trade-focused.
“Covid has changed the recreation preferences of people," said Ms LohMirmand. "Some of the clients will tell you the past two years were the best for them in recent times. While we were not able to run the boat show, it provided a great opportunity for people to take the boats out and discover. The last two years gave Dubai and UAE the time to prep for the big comeback.”
Dubai Boat Show runs at Dubai Harbour until Sunday and is open to the public. Tickets starts at Dh35 for adults. For more information visit www.boatshowdubai.com
First vessels arrive at Dubai Harbour in 2020 - in pictures
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
Liverpool’s fixtures until end of 2019
Saturday, November 30, Brighton (h)
Wednesday, December 4, Everton (h)
Saturday, December 7, Bournemouth (a)
Tuesday, December 10, Salzburg (a) CL
Saturday, December 14, Watford (h)
Tuesday, December 17, Aston Villa (a) League Cup
Wednesday, December 18, Club World Cup in Qatar
Saturday, December 21, Club World Cup in Qatar
Thursday, December 26, Leicester (a)
Sunday, December 29, Wolves (h)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
