Yacht Azul V Takes Below Deck Viewers to Thailand

One of Southeast Asia’s largest charter yachts is about to become familiar to millions of television viewers. The 158-foot (48-meter) yacht Azul V stars in season 13 of Bravo’s Below Deck, premiering October 12. The season takes the series back to Thailand for the first time in several years. Additionally, before the opening scenes even roll for viewers, Azul V’s real crew has earned high praise from the production team.

With returning cast members such as Capt. Kerry Titheradge, season 13 showcases Phuket, an island with rich natural beauty. The only other time the Below Deck franchise filmed there was season seven, in 2019 aboard BG Charade. (The yacht appeared under a pseudonym, too, that being Valor.) Phuket’s waters, dramatic and lush mountains, along with its vibrant nightlife are all on display amid the show’s well-known drama.

Equally notable, the real crew of the yacht Azul V has earned accolades from the production team. In April, the yacht’s social media channels shared a letter from John McRoberts, the executive in charge of production for 51 Minds. In it, he thanked the megayacht’s management team for permitting shooting to take place onboard. McRoberts further singled out Capt. Putra Asmarra Bin Che Nan and first officer Muhlisin Bin Abdul Duan, a.k.a. Achong. “I can confidently say they are one of the greatest crews I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” McRoberts added. Similarly, in the same post, Azul V’s management team credited Capt. Putra and Achong for their “outstanding leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment behind the scenes.”

A 1996 delivery from CRN as Pegaso, the yacht Azul V has quite a story herself even without the TV cameras. In fact, by the early 2010s, she had fallen into a significant state of disrepair under prior ownership. Her then-crew convinced the owner to invest in an extensive rebuild rather than have her destroyed. For two years, she underwent a full steel hull restoration, a renewal of her teak decks, and a rebuild of interior areas, among other things, in La Ciotat, France. The restoration finished in 2015.

This all led to Azul V chartering today in Southeast Asia, where up to 11 guests can stay in six staterooms. The unusual head count comes courtesy of a single-bed cabin on the bridge deck. The remaining guest suites are below deck, including a full-beam VIP with its own lounge. Each has its own name, too: Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pearl, and Amethyst. Her weekly base rate is $155,000.

Interestingly, Below Deck isn’t the superyacht’s television debut. Azul V appeared last year on the British reality series Tempting Fortune. However, with Below Deck having international distribution (the October 12 premiere is for the U.S. market), she’s about to get a bigger turn in the spotlight.

Azul V is also for sale, asking €6.9 million.