Take a good look at the former NOAA research ship pictured here, christened Sahara. Within the next few years, she’ll be among the world’s 20 largest megayachts, thanks to a conversion slated to start later this spring or summer at the hands of Stabbert Maritime Yacht & Ship.
Measuring 308 feet LOA, the vessel was built stateside in 1964, with an ice-class hull. According to information on Stabbert Maritime’s Web site, Sahara has an impressive history. She was the first U.S. vessel to enter China when diplomatic relations permitted Western vessels to cross its border, and she additionally conducted arctic expeditions to research the polar ice caps. Capable of housing 240 people, Sahara was, in every sense, a workhorse, with 300,000-gallon-capacity fuel tanks and an efficient diesel-electric propulsion system that together meant she could circumnavigate without refueling.
Other than Sahara being purchased by a European and set to undergo work at Stabbert Yacht & Ship Shipyard in Seattle, one of the largest facilities on the West Coast of North America, specifics on the conversion haven’t yet been released.
But it’s interesting to note that Dan Stabbert, CEO of the shipyard, says the superyacht may benefit from a new program his company is offering, in which credit-worthy foreign nationals buying and/or refitting U.S. vessels are guaranteed term financing at competitive rates.
Between reduced asking prices on the brokerage market and fewer lenders offering marine financing, Stabbert Yacht & Ship’s offering will be one to watch.
Stan Smith
Hello!
I see on YouTube that the SAHARA has been sold as Scrap and has gone to Mexico to be dismantled..
Is this true and if so who do I contact regarding the SHARAs Fate.
Diane M. Byrne
Hello Stan: The vessel did head to Mexico several years ago, intact when transferred there and offered for sale again as of two years ago. We reached out to some knowledgeable parties to see if they know the latest, but have not yet heard back.
Stanley Smith
Dear Diane,
Thanks for that information.
Could you email me the Scrapyard it went to if you have that formation.
Thankyou,
Stan
Diane M. Byrne
We don’t have any of those details.
Stanley J Smith
Dear Dianne,
Golly so sorry to reply.
thankyou,
I am still interested in that ship and if I can get hold of it I will rescue it if not already scrapped already.
thnkyou for this.
Stanley J Smith
Diane M. Byrne
A Mexican shipyard reportedly scrapped her in 2019.