The mighty Al Lusail, a glorious superyacht sailing towards Seychelles for a jubilant jaunt, was interrupted by some technical problems. Guess there is no perfect life even if you come from the very house of affluence- Qatar. Al Lusail, a 404-foot Lurssen beauty that accommodates 36 guests in 18 cabins, faced engine issues on her way to Seychelles from Spain. The yacht that was transiting in the Suez Canal had to be diverted to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. During the voyage (before diverting), the otherwise always private megayacht broadcasted a message on its AIS that read “Jeddah Armed Guards,” perhaps to ward off any harmful perpetrators.
It was owing to engine problems that the $500 million luxury vessel belonging to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani himself, had to reach a safe haven and address the issues. With the two nations Qatar and Saudi Arabia now having better relations, it is natural that the half-a-billion-dollar floating asset of the Emir went to the nearest safe space in a trying time, according to the YouTube channel eSysman SuperYachts.
It is unlikely that the Emir would be on the vessel with ongoing Eid celebrations; he is bound to be with family. But someone from the Al Thani family is certainly craving the pristine beaches and beauty of Seychelles, which is why the wonderful vessel of the Qatar royal family has been employed.
Al Lusail, delivered in 2017, and since it belongs to the royal family of Qatar, it has always been sheathed in secrecy. Still, its exterior by H2 Yacht Design is praiseworthy and instantly recognizable. As privacy is paramount, the ship is equipped with massive glass facades so guests don’t feel deprived of the mesmerizing atmosphere outside. The interiors, expectedly lavish, are the work of March & White, boasting a contemporary yet timeless interior.
The boat houses 36 guests who are serviced by an estimated crew of 56. The vessel that is longer than a football field features an indoor pool, a massive beach club, gym, a movie theater, an elaborate spa and beauty area, and multiple private dining experiences, befitting royalty and their esteemed guests. The large outdoor deck is dominated by the beach club with an extendable swimming platform, barbecue pits, and a giant helipad. Al Lusail’s tender garage can accommodate a 30-foot garage that holds two limousine tenders and a D-RIB boat.
When it comes to the Al Lusail, it packs quite a performance. Barring this slight hiccup en route to Seychelles, Al Lusail moves swiftly with huge twin MTU engines, allowing the boat to achieve a top speed of 15 knots with a range of 4,500 nautical miles. It is quite commendable for a yacht that boasts six decks and a volume of 8,489 tons.
Docking their country’s leader’s superyacht in Saudi Arabia would have been a difficult decision for Qatar, as the nations have had strained relations since 2017. That year, Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, imposed a blockade on the tiny nation of Qatar. Although relations have improved since then, they are still strained.
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