The World's First Megayacht 'Lady Moura' and Billionaire Owner Targeted by Eco Activists

Our world is (sadly) built on inequality and injustice, and neither seems to show any signs of improvement despite honest efforts from various sides. Eco activists like those in Extinction Rebellion believe that a correction is possible, even though it's not legal and most likely not ethical either: strip the world's one-percenters of their wealth.

A less drastic measure would be to overtax the rich so some of the luxuries they can afford today, and which come at the cost of life on our planet, wouldn't be affordable anymore. In other words, whether you seize luxury assets like superyachts and private jets or you overtax them, the effect would be the same: there'd be less superyachts and private jets in the world, poisoning our waters and air.

That's the simplistic take on the reasoning behind campaigns from Extinction Rebellion. We're not here to discuss its merits, justification, or viability; these are decisions each of us has to make for ourselves. But it is noteworthy to note (ha!) that the number of "attacks" has increased in recent months and that the angry voices are getting louder.

Lady Moura, go home!

The latest attack happened in Ibiza over Catholic Easter, in early April. Lady Moura, known widely within the industry as the world's first megayacht since it was built at a time when the concept of megayachts didn't even exist, had docked there to kick off the summer cruising season.

Since it changed hands for the first time in September 2021, Lady Moura has become a fixture in party-ready glamorous locations like Ibiza. That's because its new owner, unlike the original one, is quite the party guy who, as it so happens, is also quite fond of showing off his wealth to the world.

This time, Lady Moura attracted the kind of attention no one would want to court: a group of activists gathered on the dock outside the megayacht and, unfurling banners with printed messages, turned it into a "how not to" example. If the owner is looking for the silver lining, it comes in the fact that, unlike other protests of the kind, no spraying of paint was involved.

The message from Extinction Rebellion is that the owner of Lady Moura, controversial Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, and others like him are driving out locals from local businesses and killing the planet in the process, with their huge carbon footprint. A lifestyle like Pliego's is the reason why social inequalities persist – and get worse, they also said.

Unlike what happened with billionaire Nancy Laurie's Kaos last year, the protest didn't include the offer of a solution or anything even as remotely as aggressive as "eat the rich." But it did spur a travel warning from local authorities, according to one media outlet. Not that this turned out to bother the one-percenters arriving for the kick-off of the summer season.

Lady Moura, a vessel like no other in the world

Lady Moura was delivered by Blohm & Voss in 1990 to Saudi Arabian businessman Nasser Al-Rashid, as a fully custom build that aimed to mimic a multi-generational, family-ready leisure craft. In reality, the ship is a giant even by today's standards: it's 105 meters (344 feet) long and comes with an incredible interior volume of 6,359 GT spread across seven decks.

In more concrete terms, that means the capacity to accommodate 26 guests and 72 crew and a laundry list of features that is mind-blowing for the regular Joe and Jane, who deems the occasional summer cruise the epitome of luxury. Lady Moura has two professional galleys, two laundry rooms, and two ICU units with permanent staff on call. It has a helipad and sumptuous interiors, a bakery, a nightclub with a DJ stand, a private cinema, and the now-standard fully-equipped gym.

Lady Moura has its own sewage treatment plant and the ability to stay afloat for up to three months without needing to dock for provisions or fuel. If the proverbial no.2 ever hits the fan, Lady Moura could very well be the vessel to ride out the Apocalypse.

Lady Moura isn't just the world's first megayacht, it is also the world's first superyacht to feature a beach club – a feature that's become standard on all of today's pleasure craft regardless of size. It is decked in precious metals and materials, from rich carpets to rare marble and the occasional gold touch. Urban legend has it that the Lady Moura nameplate was made of solid gold during the original ownership, but that's probably one we shouldn't put too much stock in.

Lady Moura was initially listed with a reported $250 million asking, but it sold after almost two years for half the amount. That's all hearsay, of course. When you have a vessel of this size and players this rich, these are not details they will openly discuss with the media – ever.

As it happens, this is exactly the kind of detail that has put Lady Moura in the crossfire with eco activists.

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