A bigger boat might mean more luxury amenities, but it also means bigger problems for Russian oligarchs. Valerie, the spectacular and revolutionary 2011 Lurssen yacht frozen in Spain in March this year, is a good example in this sense.
Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Valerie, renamed Meridian A while frozen in Barcelona, Spain over its supposed ownership by a Russian oligarch, has been formally seized by the local government. The difference is that, while before, it was still under the original ownership even though the owner could not benefit from it, it is now state property, and the state might dispose of it as it sees fit.
That owner, initially believed to be a Ukrainian billionaire, is actually Rostec billionaire Sergei Chemezov, a former KGB agent with very close ties to President Putin. The report notes that Chemezov stopped making monthly payments on Valerie, which has resulted in the official seizure. Whether Valerie will see the same fate as Axioma, of being publicly auctioned, is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to have a closer look at a vessel that, even after all these years, still holds its own against much younger launches. By oligarch standards, Valerie is an old ship, having been designed in 2007 and finally delivered to the owner in 2011, but it remains as beautiful and impressive as on day one, if not as revolutionary.
Photo: Lurssen
And revolutionary it was when it launched: Valerie was the first ship ever to be fitted with at rest stabilization, two Quantum fin stabilizers, and among the first to use glass for railings. Due to its size (Valerie was among the four biggest vessels launched that year), it set a new trend in the industry.
Previously known as Project Firebird, Valerie remains one of the jewels in Lurssen’s crown, instantly recognizable by the “angel wings” on the sun deck. With a design by Espen Oino International, and interior work by Reymond Langton International, it is the perfect combination between modern Art Deco and high performance, with a focus on outdoor relaxation and the most pampered experience of sailing.
No wonder then that it was often the choice for celebrities and high-profile public figures, even though it was never offered publicly for charter. Just last summer, pop icon Jennifer Lopez celebrated turning 52 onboard Valerie, together with her newly-rekindled flame (now husband), actor Ben Affleck.
With a total length of 280 feet (85 meters), Valerie offers an interior volume of 2,755 GT spread across six decks, including the multi-functional sundeck. It has accommodation for up to 17 guests, including a vast owner’s apartment with a private deck and separate quarters for nannies and kids, and a crew of 27 to cater to all cross-generational whims.
Photo: Dynamiq Sales & Charter
Though Valerie went through several refits since delivery, it still retains the original interior styling, which is part Art Deco, part inspired by the iconic Claridge’s of London, and very clean and modern, with stark contrasts between dark and light, glass and leather, rich woods and rare natural stones, like fiddle back sycamore, macassar ebony, crema marfil, travertine, antique brown granite, and white onyx.
Amenities include a panoramic gym packed with Technogym equipment (JLo wouldn’t even consider stepping onboard a yacht without a proper gym), a nearby spa area with massage room, beauty parlor, steam room and Hammam, formal dining areas, a pool and a jacuzzi, countless outdoor relaxation and tanning areas, a bar, an open-air cinema that can become a lounge or a nightclub depending on occasion, and a leather-clad elevator that helps guests move easily between decks. The centerpiece in the main lounge is a Schimmel Pegasus Piano designed by Luigi Colani, which is self-playing.
For more active entertainment, Valerie comes with twin matching tenders, inflatables, and watertoys. The open deck offers landing space for an Airbus H30 helicopter or similar. The recently-overhauled 2000kW MTU 16V4000 engines can take Valerie to a top speed of 17 knots (19.5 mph / 31.5 kph). Range is of 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles / 11,112 km) at a cruising speed of 12 knots (13.8 mph / 22.2 kph).
Photo: Dynamiq Sales & Charter
The first photos of Valerie’s interior were published last year, when it was listed for sale asking $111 million, well below the reported cost of $140 million. It never did sell, which explains why it ended up frozen in Spain – and now seized, and probably heading to auction.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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