UPDATE, DECEMBER 14, 2016: An anonymous buyer acquired the Blue Wonderful Aquariva Super boat last evening at auction, for 430,000 euros (about $458,000). The funds go to the Italian Civil Protection, which is assisting earthquake victims.
See the model below, and then read on for our original article.
Riva has teamed with one of its customers to create a special boat for a charitable auction. It’s not just any charitable auction, though. It benefits the victims of the earthquake in central Italy this past summer. And the customer isn’t just any customer, either. He’s Elton John. Their collaboration: Blue Wonderful Aquariva Super, named for John’s latest song.
More than 2,200 people are living in tents or other temporary structures as a result of the earthquake on August 24. It was a magnitude 6.2, killing nearly 300 people. Furthermore, homes and other buildings, even entire villages, became heaps of rubble.
John announced the news about the Blue Wonderful Aquariva Super during a concert in September at the Monaco Yacht Club. About 1,000 Ferretti Group customers, dealers, and other guests attended the concert, part of a special 30-yacht preview event. The evening was called the Blue Wonderful event, tying John’s song to the concept of enjoying yachting. “A few days ago, the people of Italy experienced a terrible, disastrous earthquake,” John told the audience. “Ferretti (Group) will create, and auction, one special Blue Wonderful Aquariva Super, which I will help choose the color of.”
At a press conference at last week’s Monaco Yacht Show, Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi elaborated a little more. He stated that John would also select other design components. The Ferretti Group dealer network will organize the one-off Blue Wonderful Aquariva Super, Galassi explained. And, various charities aiding the earthquake victims will receive the funds from the winning bid. “At the end of the day, we are Italians,” Galassi said. “It’s the least we can do as a group and as a brand.”
Riva plans to reveal more about the Blue Wonderful Aquariva Super in the coming months. In the meantime, as a reminder, the Aquariva Super (pictured above) serves as both megayacht tenders and primary boats. Measuring 33 feet (10.07 meters), the styling as well as mahogany with maple inlays outside echo classic Riva design cues, especially that of the famed Aquarama.
Leave a Reply