Holland yacht breaks records

THE world’s biggest single-masted yacht — costing more than €45 million and designed by Kinsale-based designer Ron Holland – was unveiled yesterday.

The Mirabella V, at 246ft long with a 295ft high mast, was earlier this month handed over by shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft (VT) to its owner, US businessman Joe Vittoria.

The former head of car hire firm Avis will charter out the record-breaking yacht for $250,000 a week.

Despite the price tag, the yacht, which was unveiled yesterday at Portsmouth Naval Base, has already been booked for a month over the Christmas and New Year period.

Mr Vittoria is planning to take Mirabella on its maiden voyage starting this Saturday heading for Naples, the home town of his wife, Luciana. Mr Vittoria said yesterday: "It is nice to see Mirabella V reach this point. She has been sailing well but we haven't sailed her very hard yet and I am looking forward to doing that. I am very excited about it."

Mirabella V named by Mrs Vittoria will carry up to 12 passengers in luxury surroundings with facilities on board including a 600-bottle wine cellar, an outdoor cinema, jacuzzi and dip pool.

Guests will also be able to sail small yachts, enjoy remote controlled replicas of the Mirabella V, ride jet skis and have their own 29ft motor launch all carried in a garage at the stern of the vessel. The interior decor of the yacht, which involves a mix of modern design with antiques, was created by Mrs Vittoria.

Her attention to detail, down to which flowers should be included and where they were put, has led to a delay of about a week before yesterday's unveiling.

She said yesterday: "I am a perfectionist. For me the details are very important, I notice every little thing, but the Mirabella V has lived up to what I expected."

Mrs Vittoria has imported silks from specialist museum supplier Antico in Italy for the decor as well as decking out the lavish interior with antique furniture topped with Cristofle cutlery and Bagni Volpi sheets and table linen from Italy.

Mr Vittoria said: "The challenge that Mirabella V presented was enormous and I admire VT for taking on such a daunting task, particularly with such little experience in yacht building.

"However, the result is a yacht that will attract superlatives wherever she goes and it's a huge credit to all those who have been involved."

VT project director Rob Carr said: "Designed and built in three years, Mirabella V is a landmark ship in all respects and the experience VT Shipbuilding has gained from this project will shape the way we do business in the future."