A superyacht once owned by Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi is making waves again – on the way to becoming the first zero emissions high-speed yacht.
From a scrapyard in Malta to a refurb dock in Norway, the Che Guevara, named after one of Qaddafi's heroes, is undergoing a remarkable makeover.
Out will go the Jacuzzi party deck as the vessel is transformed into the sleek Hydrogen Viking whose only emission is drinkable water.
"It's a brilliant project. There is a feeling of satisfaction in taking Qaddafi's old boat and turning it into something positive and exciting," designer Rory Coase told The National.
We're toying with the idea of putting the master cabin in the engine room
Brothers Per Erik and Gille Berger bought the ship two years ago and, thanks to technological advancement in in the automotive industry, are now developing an emissions-free yacht.
"They found this notorious boat that was ripe for refurbishment. The fact that this is Qaddafi's boat is another twist in the tale," Mr Coase said.
"The boat was in a pretty poor condition but it was structurally sound. We completely gutted it, stripping it all the way down."
Norwegian shipbuilder Green Yacht is working alongside Coase Design on the revamp.
Mr Coase hopes to complete the project by summer 2022, making the sleek yacht one of a kind.
The plan is to install hydrogen fuel cells and an electrically driven pod propulsion unit under the hull.
Corvus Energy is developing and supplying hydrogen fuel cells using technology from Toyota.
"We are going for light, big pieces of glass. It will be fresh, clean and modern," Mr Coase said.
With the new fuel cells in operation, the engine room will no longer need an engine.
"With pod drives you get the engine room back, which is this massive standing space," Mr Coase said.
"We're toying with the idea of putting the master cabin in the engine room, with steps up to the bathing platform. Suddenly you open up a huge amount of extra space."
The plan is to create a uniquely environmental, high-speed yacht and use it as an educational attraction. However, Mr Coase expects the Hydrogen Viking to be converted back into a hydrogen-fuelled private yacht in the future and sold.
One feature the designer aims to keep is Qaddafi's captain's chair – in which no one else was allowed to sit.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fixtures:
Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm
Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm
Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon
1999 - 1st round
2000 - 1st round
2001 - Quarter-finalist
2002 - 1st round
2003 - Winner
2004 - Winner
2005 - Winner
2006 - Winner
2007 - Winner
2008 - Finalist
2009 - Winner
2010 - Quarter-finalist
2011 - Quarter-finalist
2012 - Winner
2013 - 2nd round
2014 - Finalist
2015 - Finalist
2016 - Semi-finalist
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
SPECS
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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
