Italian superyacht Akula arrives into Bristol on high tide

If you like big yachts; you’re in for a treat. If you think they exemplify all that is wrong in our world of haves and have-nots, where multi-millionaires can splash the cash on big boys’ toys while many families struggle to heat their own homes; then look away now.

Akula, described as “a luxury private expedition yacht designed with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring unparalleled safety and exceptional seakeeping performance”, arrived into Bristol on the high tide on Tuesday morning.

Built at the Rossinavi shipyard in Viareggio on Italy’s northern Tuscany coast and launched in 2024, she is 59.4 metres in length, has a top speed of 15.5 knots, with a capacity for 10 guests and 13 crew and can spend up to 30 days at sea with a range of more than 8,000 nautical miles.

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Registered in Bloody Bay in Jamaica, the boat is able to support scientists with their research activities including in oceanography, marine biology, and marine archaeology.

And it also has more than 550 square-metres of open deck area, an owner’s private deck, four guest staterooms; and a gym, massage room, sauna and heated swimming pool.

Akula arrived into Bristol on Tuesday morning’s high tide – photo: Rob Browne

It is unknown why Akula is currently in Bristol.

Speaking to Boat International in January, Akula’s owner said that a polar region trip and scientific research support trip planned for 2025 will see the yacht heading to Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the US east coast, “aiming for the Caribbean and ultimately Central America”.

The owner, who was not named, said: “The yacht’s diesel-electric system is so quiet that you hardly notice when she’s moving. There is no vibration or noise.”