Superyacht Dubai is amongst the largest yachts in the world. At 162 meters it is the second largest yacht in the world. The large private yacht was launched by Platinum Yachts in 2006. Lot of hard work has gone into making this superyacht. In fact, the work on the yacht had started ten years before its launch. Andrew Winch has designed the yacht and the interiors have been designed in-house by Platinum Yachts. Its steel hull and aluminum superstructure makes an imposing site on the water. The megayacht was made for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei.
The construction of the yacht was initially taken up as a joint project between Blohm & Voss and Lurssen shipyards. However the construction was halted until 2001. Subsequently the hull was taken over by Platinum Yachts on behalf of His Highness Sheik Mohammed Rashid al-Maktoum. The name of the yacht has undergone changes during the long construction period. It was initially named Platinum Panhandle and then it was called Golden Star and by the time it was launched it was renamed Dubai. The delay was finally worth it as the final product was simply stunning. Apart from the elegant exterior the interiors of Dubai are spectacular. The blend of bold colors, use of fine fabrics and intricately designed handmade mosaics give it a luxurious but dramatic look and feel.
The super yacht has a total of seven decks with a split level owner’s deck. The design of the yacht allows natural light from the top deck to go down to the lower decks. A circular staircase works as the centerpiece. The design of the staircase is rather dramatic as its steps are made of glass that change color with changing lights. The yacht boasts of a large social area including the main lounge. Dubai has several VIP guest suites and even the crew area is large enough to accommodate up to 115 people. The highlight of the yacht is the helipad that can accommodate a helicopter of up to 9.5 tons. The yacht also carries two tenders, both 10 meters long. The yacht is powered by four MTU diesel engines and has a range of 8,500 miles at a cruising speed of 25 knots.
