Taxpayers are being asked to foot a £22,000-a-day bill to maintain a superyacht which has been branded the “ugliest yacht in the world”.
The odd-looking 468ft Sailing Yacht A has been left moored off the coast of a major city after sanctions were imposed on its Russian oligarch owner following the invasion of Ukraine.
With the floating 468ft floating palace now out of action, the costs of keeping it afloat have been heaped onto the shoulders of the Italian taxpayer.
READ MORE: M&S to open biggest foodhall outside UK in major expansion
- Advertisement -
Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s £500million yacht, which is moored off the coast of Trieste, is packed with some of the most advanced technology ever fitted to a private vessel.
Spanning eight decks, it can accommodate up to 20 guests across seven cabins, with a further 54 crew members required to keep the extraordinary machine running.
Among its most remarkable features is a spectacular underwater observation lounge, built directly into the yacht’s keel.
The viewing area features a huge curved glass window, measuring around 12 inches thick, allowing guests to watch marine life passing beneath the vessel without getting wet.
The yacht also boasts a luxury spa, a fully-equipped gym and a Jacuzzi.
- Advertisement -
Several elevators connect its multiple decks, while a specially designed “garage” provides storage for smaller boats used to transport guests to and from shore, as reported by What’s The Jam.
There is even a helipad, allowing visitors to arrive by helicopter rather than having to make the journey by sea.
The vessel has three rotating carbon-fibre masts, with the tallest standing approximately 320ft high, which is taller than Big Ben.
- Advertisement -
Its futuristic design, featuring a steel hull and bulletproof glass windows, has divided opinion among locals, with some comparing its unusual silhouette to a floating stealth warship.
But it is the cost of keeping the vessel in port that has caused the biggest outcry.
Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza has said maintaining the yacht costs around $30,000 (£22,000) every day, according to reports.
That includes paying its crew, fuel for generators, specialist cleaning, security and insurance.
The mayor has repeatedly questioned why ordinary residents should be expected to shoulder the cost of preserving a billionaire’s luxury possession.
He described the situation as a “disgrace”, warning that the bill could continue growing for years.
READ MORE: Orphaned groom’s viral wedding invite draws THOUSANDS of strangers
