The Katara, one of the largest mega super yachts in the world, was spotted berthed in FalmouthCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
By Ben Hill
The Sun newspaper
A £300 million-pound superyacht belonging to the Qatari Royal Family has docked in the UK. The Katara, one of the largest mega super yachts in the world, was spotted berthed in Falmouth, Cornwall, next to luxury cruise liner The World. It is believed the yacht is owned by the 40-year-old current Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani or by Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, chairman of the Katara Hospitality Group.
The 7,922 ton yacht, complete with helicopter deck, satellite domes, tenders, and jet skis, was built in Germany at the Lurssen yard. She is powered by two 9,925 hp engines, giving Katara a top speed of 20 knots. The boat is due to leave Cornwall tomorrow, according to the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners’ website. Up to 34 guests can stay on board the yacht and it has capacity for 95 crew members.
The yacht is one of the largest in the world. It is 124m long and generally cruises at about 20 knots. According to Charterworld.com, the boat, which flies under the Qatari flag, was launched in April 2010.
“Katara motoryacht was built at the German shipyard Lurssen, who are the largest high quality builder of large mega yachts, such as this formerly called project Crystal,” the yacht’s description reads. “Her impressive naval architecture was designed by the Lurssen in-house naval architects, with the exterior design by the world renowned designer Espen Oeino.”
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani took over from his dad as the Emir of Qatar seven years ago. He is worth about £939million, half of his dad’s estimated net worth of £1.9billion. The family’s weath comes from the Qatar Investment Authority, which controls oil and gas reserves
CORNISH NASTY
Meanwhile, Cornwall Council has slammed “ignorant” visitors for refusing to wear masks as thousands descended on beaches this weekend. Worried locals fear a local lockdown will be enforced and blasted huge crowds for turning the South coast into “Benidorm on steroids”. Cornwall Council deputy leader Adam Paynter said there are fears in the community of a rise in coronavirus cases due to the inlux of vistors. He also hit out at “ignorant” tourists who have been refusing to wear masks as they head to the South West to soak up the 37.8C heat.
Speaking on LBC, Councillor Paynter said: “I’ve heard two different incidents where people have been overheard saying: ‘Well, I’m not going to wear a mask. I came down here to get away from all of that’. I think that’s pretty ignorant thinking that coronavirus doesn’t exist down here.”
Mr Paynter said he has heard reports of visitors shrugging off face covers as they claim they are on holiday to “get away” from the outbreak. Cornwall has seen “unprecedented” numbers of visitors flocking to its beaches – leaving some locals too scared to leave their homes.
The superyacht has docked in the UK as a heatwave hits this week. Sun-seekers flocked to coastal hotspots as an ‘African heatflare’ prepares to blast the country.
Source: The Sun newspaper