Following several news reports, the Kremlin has confirmed that Russia’s president now has a megayacht at his disposal.
While President Dmitry Medvedev’s administration won’t confirm (or deny) the identity of the yacht, it’s widely believed to be the 53.9-meter (176’8”) Proteksan Turquoise launched in 2009 as Leo Fun (above). It seems highly likely this is indeed the yacht, though, given that she sold quietly last month for use in Russian waters.
Now said to be named Sirius, the superyacht has an expedition style and was available for charter for the past two years. She has accommodations for 12 people, who benefited from a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. Wood soles, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, a pool fitted with hydro-massage jets, and watertoys ranging from canoes to waterskiis were among the amenities. Viktor Khrenikov, a spokesperson for Medvedev’s administration, told The Guardian in the UK, “Everything necessary for a President for work and relaxation has been thought of.” He explained that new furnishings and other features were presently being placed onboard, adding, “The President could use her during the 2014 Olympics,” which will be held in Sochi, Russia.
This isn’t the first state yacht for Russia. Kavkaz, a 45-meter (148-footer), has been in service since delivery in 1980 from Almaz, a shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia. Some news reports state that Sirius will replace Kavkaz and that it’s a long-overdue move. Bolstering that latter sentiment is the fact that some reports state the last refit of Kavkaz took place in 2002.
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