black pearl racing yacht

BP321 – BLACK PEARL 56′

Specifications.

Current name: Black Pearl 56′ Launch: 2020 Category: Racing Type: Botin 56 Builder: King Marine Engineering: Pure Eng. Project Mgmnt: M. Lagesse/M. Costa LOA: 17.1 m Beam: 4.7 m Displacement: 8800 kg Draft: 4 m

The new Black Pearl 56’ was designed for experienced offshore yachtsman Stefan Jentzsch, who has assembled a fantastic crew to compete in most coastal and offshore races worldwide. The new 56’ is a true offshore racer, thought for reduced crew on a rotating watch system, and including water ballast technology.

The boat was built by King Marine and launched in 2020, under the project management of Marc Lagesse and Micky Costa. The rig was built by Southern Spars, and the sails were designed by Doyle. This is another racing yacht engineered by Pure, following our nonstop relationship that started back in 2009.

RACE RESULTS

• 2023/05 1st IRC and CSA Antigua Bermuda Race
• 2022/12 – 2nd Overall IRC RORC Transatlantic Race 2022

GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

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Black Pearl

What if an owner’s vision is revolutionary?

Exterior design

Interior design

Specifications

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Botin 56 Black Pearl: Custom offshore 56-footer

• Toby Hodges
• February 10, 2021

The latest Black Pearl will be a new custom Botin 56, a 56-footer that should push the boundaries of offshore performance to the limits

Stefan Jentzsch enjoyed a stunning run of racing successes with his 2014 Carkeek 47 Black Pearl , including the 1st sub-50ft yacht in the 2017 Caribbean 600 , a class win in the challenging 2019 Rolex Middle Sea Race and an impressive overall victory in the 2017 Cape to Rio. Now, he’s shortly to take delivery of a new Botin 56. 

For his latest build Jentzsch turned to Botin Partners for a custom 56-footer that would push the boundaries of offshore performance to the limits. The outcome is the result of a close collaboration between Jentzsch, his long-standing race team, Botin, Doyle Sails, Valencia-based King Marine and Carbo-Link.

The Botin 56  is a one-off, which has been optimised as a pure offshore racer, with a small coachroof for protection and an otherwise flush deck. The deck-stepped mast is one of a number of measures that ensure as much water as possible stays outside of the boat.

Doyle’s Structured Luff sails were integrated as part of the project from the outset. Given the extent to which these reduce compression loads in the rig, making this decision at an early stage had an impact on structural engineering calculations. The smaller halyard loads also facilitate easier sail handling and manoeuvres.

The new Black Pearl will clearly be a boat to look out for. Her programme for this winter includes the RORC Transatlantic and Caribbean 600 races in January and February, after which she will return to Europe for the 2021 season.

If she manages to find the same success as her predecessor the Carkeek 47, and the signs are positive that she might, she should prove a mighty force on the offshore circuit.

Specifications: 

LOA: 17.10m / 56ft 1in Beam: 4.70m / 15ft 5in Draught: 4.00m / 13ft 1in Displacement: 8,800kg / 19,400lb Builder: www.botinpartners.com

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Black Pearl Yacht: An Insider’s Guide

Launched back in 2016, the Black Pearl was designed under the codename Oceanco Y712 and then that was switched to Project Solar. The final name, Black Pearl, is an obvious nod to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. 

As the codename suggests, it was yacht maker Oceanco, based in the Netherlands, who designed and built the vessel. Both the interior and exterior design were handled by designer Nuvolari Lenard.

Unlike most of the larger yachts in the world, the Black Pearl is a sailing yacht and features a massive set of sails. Though it does feature diesel engines these are a backup to the sailing rig.

Who is the Black Pearl Yacht Owner?

Originally the Black Pearl was commissioned by Russian oligarch Oleg Burlakov. However, Burlakov died in the year 2021. Since that time the yacht has remained in the possession of his family but it is unclear who, if anyone, is the sole owner at this time. 

How Big is the Black Pearl Yacht?

• The Black Pearl’s overall length clocks in at just over 350 feet in total. This makes it the fourth largest sailing yacht in the world.  Though it doesn’t top the ranks of largest yachts in general, it’s still a remarkable size for the type of vessel it is.
• The Pearl’s beam measures 49 feet and it pulls a draft of 22 feet. 
• In terms of displacement, the Black Pearl’s gross tonnage is 2,986.
• In addition to those basic specs, because the Pearl is a sailing yacht it also features a sail area of 2,877 square meters which works out to nearly 31,000 square feet of sail.

In terms of capacity, the Black Pearl is designed for 12 guests though some sources claim 14. It’s also meant to be manned by a crew of between 18 and 27.

How Much Did the Black Pearl Cost?

Russian billionaire Burlakov reportedly spent $200 million on the Black Pearl. Along with that initial cost, words is that it also has an annual running cost of between $15 and $20 million. 

Can You Charter the Black Pearl Yacht?

There are some listings online which suggest you can, in fact, charter the Black Pearl. Some sites list no prices for this rather a price on application disclaimer. However, some other  sites list a cost of $1.2 million euros per week.

It’s also worth noting that while there are claims you can charter the Black Pearl I have been unable to confirm anyone has ever actually chartered the boat. That doesn’t mean it’s never happened, but it raises some flags about its yacht charter status. It’s not unheard of for yacht owners to claim that the boat is available for charter because that can offer tax breaks in some countries. Then, in reality, the boat is never made available for charter so it’s just a charter vessel in name only. 

Is that the case with the Black Pearl? It’s not clear, but it’s a possibility. 

How Fast is the Black Pearl?

At max sailing speed, the Black Pearl has been clocked at an impressive 30 knots. The cruising speed is listed at a modest 12 knots.

Black Pearl’s Power and Engines

Though this is a sailing yacht, the Black Pearl is capable of running under power. She has twin MTU 12V 2000 M72 engines giving her a maximum speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots.

It was estimated that the Pearl could cross the ocean using only 20 liters of fuel and the assistance of the other technologies on board. This obviously heavily relied on the sails themselves but also several other remarkable technologies.

The Pearl is able to generate electricity with its variable pitch propellers which allow it to regain some of the power lost in propelling the ship. The system features two shaft lines with controllable pitch props. Under normal conditions these can be set in a way that minimizes drag and will not allow the shafts to turn. But the ship has the ability to alter the pitch in such a way that the shafts rise and lift the props. This allows them to turn as the boat sails and essentially makes the props into electricity-generating turbines. The natural motion of the water over the prop blades turns them, just like it would with any other water-based turbines. Generated power is stored in batteries on board and can be used for any of the ship’s electrical functions. Overall this makes the technology on board much more efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-saving in the long run. 

Additionally there is heat capture technology that can make use of energy by capturing, storing and reusing it when needed to cut down on the overall waste energy expended during normal operations. 

Design and Features

The Black Pearl was inspired by a smaller yacht that made use of the Dyna-Rig sail system called the Maltese Falcon which is, of course, also named after a movie. The Falcon was a 289 foot yacht and the Pearl was built, in part, to push the envelope on technology and what a Dyna-Rig system can do.

What’s a DynaRig on Sailing Yachts?

DynaRig is a technologically advanced sailing rig that basically puts a massive rig at your fingertips. A single control panel can deploy a huge rigging system as we’ve seen with the 30,000+ square feet deployed on the Black Pearl. 

It can deploy and recover sails with the push of a button in literally just seven minutes. This allows for an incredible leap in time saving and efficiency, as well as fuel saving since a DynaRig-equipped vessel can be ready to go incredibly fast. 

The Black Pearl’s exterior was designed by Nuvolari Lenard and features a stainless steel hull. Arguably the most noteworthy and eye-catching aspect is the DynaRig sail system, however. The three massive DynaRigs can be deployed at the push of a button and they can be folded in to allow the vessel to pass more easily through narrow passages and canals.

The Interior of the Black Pearl Sailing Yacht

Like the exterior, Nuvolary Lenard designed the interior of the yacht as well. It has been described as elegant and luxurious with a Louis XIV inspiration. That means many natural wood elements as well as gold accents.

As you might expect from a yacht that is one of the largest in the world and features the largest DynaRig system ever installed, there are a number of luxury amenities inside for guests to enjoy. When it comes to images of the interior, if you Google it you may find images of a different looking yacht, but there is another motor yacht also named Black Pearl. We’ve included images of the Black Pearl sailing yacht here but if you see others online, make sure you check which yacht is being depicted.

Pictures aside, let’s take a look at some of the standouts on the Black Pearl.

Features and Amenities

Though there are not complete walkthroughs of the Black Pearl available online, there have been many stories published about the remarkable engineering and construction of the yacht which give us a good idea of what’s available.

• One master suite, two VIP cabins and two double guest cabins
• A grand dining room with room for up to 16 diners
• A glass elevator to travel between decks
• On-deck Jacuzzi
• A massive night club area
• Full beam beach club
• Convertible beach club cinema and a huge screen on the mizzen mast measuring 45 feet by 30 feet
• 230ft DynaRig carbon masts designed by Dykstra Naval Architects
• A well-equipped gym for working out

Along with the creature comforts the Black Pearl has a large tender garage full of all kinds of fun stuff for guests to use and play with while they’re on board.

• Inflatables
• SUP both solid and inflatable
• Snorkeling Gear
• Limousine tender
• Beach Lander tender
• Towing tender

The Bottom Line

The Black Pearl was launched in 2016 and used to belong to Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakov until his death in 2021. It’s believed his family maintains control presently. The Black Pearl’s revolutionary design includes the largest DynaRig sail system in the world which allows a single user at a single control panel to launch or store the sails in under seven minutes with the push of a button.

It’s been boasted that the vessel could cross the ocean with just 20 liters of fuel burned and, potentially, using no fuel at all with only a few upgrades, which is all but unheard of in the yachting world. The technology on board is very eco-friendly and reduces waste by generating its own electricity and recycling heat. 

At 350 feet, the Black Pearl is one of the largest sailing yachts in the world and its $200 million price tag means it’s also one of the more expensive.

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Standing at 350ft,  Black Pearl  is the world’s largest sailing yacht and is estimated to have cost in excess of $200 million. The unique vessel was garnering global attention long before her maiden voyage thanks to her revolutionary design, eco-credentials and technological advancements, all of which have set a new industry standard and seen her scoop-up numerous awards for innovation. 

Delivered in 2018 by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, the three-mast yacht is said to be the realization of a radical vision by her owner who wanted “to build something that was out of the ordinary in every way,” according to the ship’s captain Chris Gartner. Who is  Black Pearl’s  owner? This, along with much of her interior details, has never been officially released, all adding to  Black Pearl’s  mystique. That being said, she is widely believed to belong to the Russian businessman, Oleg Burlakov.

This unmistakable vessel is not the product of one designer but in fact the result of an ambitious cross-industry collaboration between some of international yachting’s greatest creative minds. UK-based Ken Freivokh Design (responsible for the iconic  Maltese Falcon ) and Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard (behind Steven Speilberg’s  Seven Seas  yacht) teamed up to create her striking exterior. However, it is not just her aesthetics that sets her apart, but also her utilization of the very latest green technology, which according to Oceanco, has rendered her capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. “How?” one might ask. 

The superyacht is capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel / ©Tom Van Oossanen

In fact, under sail, the yacht can reach an incredible 30 knots and regenerate enough energy to power the boat’s full house load, removing the need to run generators. 

Black Pearl  is also powered by an advanced hybrid propulsion system that Oceanco designed in collaboration with specialist consultancyBMT Nigel Gee. Gartner explains how the complex system generates electricity through the vessel’s spinning propellers: “Her hybrid propulsion installation has two shaft lines, each with a controllable pitch propeller. In normal sailing mode, the propellers are set to minimize drag and prevent the shafts from turning. But when we want to harvest some of that kinetic energy to be stored and used onboard, the pitch of the propellers is altered to create a lifting force as the water passes over them. This rotates the shafts, which are connected to a permanent magnet electric propulsion motor, effectively converting the wind energy that is moving  Black Pearl  through the water into electrical energy.”

Little information has been released about Black Pearl’ s  interiors / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Her interiors – which remain a closely guarded secret – were also designed by Nuvolari Lenard and French architect Gerard Villate. Other than that, what we do know is that she has six cabins providing accommodation for up to 12 guests, including a master suite and two VIP cabins.  Black Pearl’s  total interior volume is a roomy 2,700 GT, significantly overshadowing the world’s second-largest sailing yacht the  EOS  at 1500 GT. 

No actual pictures of the inside of the vessel have ever been released but according to Nuvolari Lenard, the interior is a celebration of Louis XVI French design (think elaborate neoclassical touches like wood carvings, gold accents and sumptuous fabrics) as well as some art deco touches. The Italian design studio has also  shared a handful of interior renderings  to give us a hint of what may lie inside the  Black Pearl  yacht. These include an elaborately decorated dining room that can seat up to 16 guests. We would expect to see this same level of grandeur throughout her accommodation. 

Relax 

The Black Pearl yacht is said to have plenty onboard to keep passengers entertained / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Black Pearl  is said to have a wealth of recreational spaces spread across her three decks, though due to her secretive nature, little information has been published as to what delights she offers her passengers. Aerial photographs reveal a pool aft of the main deck as well as a hot tub aft of the upper deck. There is also a fold-down platform at the aft of the yacht which is likely to transform into a full-beam beach club. 

Ken Freivokh Design  features a mysterious unnamed 328-ft-plus DynaRig yacht on its website which some may speculate could give us an insight into the luxury facilities on board the vessel. The unidentified yacht includes a substantial toy and tender garage housing two limousine tenders, a hydroplane and a range of utility tenders and jet skis. It is also said to feature a helipad and an extending forward deck that can be used for entertaining guests as well as spotting dolphins. If that wasn’t enough, other out-of-this-world amenities include a glass-fronted swimming pool and an aquarium. Could  Black Pearl  host similar facilities? It’s anyone’s guess. 

A true sailing vessel, the  Black Pearl  yacht is built for adventure and her lower carbon footprint means her voyages are much kinder to the planet than those of a typical motor yacht of similar stature. 

Despite her transatlantic credentials she appears to spend most of her time cruising around Europe with regular sightings in Gibraltar as well as stopovers on the Isle of Portland on England’s south coast, the Spanish ports of Cadiz and Tarragona, the Russian city of St.Petersburg and of course Monaco where her owner is said to reside.

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By SuperyachtNews 22 Dec 2020

Black Pearl: paving the way to a sustainable future

Captain of 107m black pearl, chris gartner, reveals the yacht’s impact on the superyacht market since its delivery….

Delivered in 2018, the 107m  Oceanco Black Pearl has been lauded as a trailblazing vessel, featuring forward-thinking technological systems with a focus on sustainability. In a conversation with SuperyachtNews.com , Captain Chris Gartner discusses this unique project’s impact on the market, which he prefers to refer to as an ‘auxiliary-powered sailing ship’ because of the stigma attached to sailing yachts in the superyacht industry.

While it may be true that such a stigma exists – deriving perhaps from a lack of interesting sailing yacht projects and a slowdown in new build orders – it would be difficult to reconcile Black Pearl with the same sector. In addition to the vessel’s sheer size, its array of innovative features and systems, which are already proving to be invaluable to on-board operations, set it apart from any other vessel on the water today. As well as power regeneration, cutting-edge power management, efficient hull insulation and waste-heat recovery, Black Pearl ’s most notable feature is perhaps its three 70m DynaRig carbon masts.

Inspired by the Maltese Falcon , Black Pearl ’s DynaRig concept was created in consultation with the Falcon ’s original design team, but as an evolution rather than a replica. “We are version 10-plus of the DynaRig,” explains Captain Gartner. “ Black Pearl ’s rig is on another level due to the fact that it has been built with modifications that allow the mast to turn more efficiently, quickly and quietly, and because the systems have been sped up, the boat is much more manoeuvrable. We are also able to hinge down the top three metres of each rig to reduce our air draft, which allows to go under obstacles such as bridges.”

The yacht’s hybrid propulsion system and regeneration mode when under sail allows a significant reduction to its overall carbon footprint. “One of the coolest things about the boat is we can drag the controlled-pitch propellers through the water while sailing, which in turn generates power that goes into our battery storage system on board,” adds Captain Gartner. “We can then cover the house loads through wind power, thus allowing us to shut down all of our diesel-powered generators and engines and run fossil free.”

“One of the coolest things about the boat is we can drag the controlled-pitch propellers through the water while sailing, which in turn generates power that goes into our battery storage system on board...”

Because of the fuel savings that the regeneration system provides, as well as the DyanRig’s ease of use, the Black Pearl has done a lot of sailing since delivery – Captain Gartner estimates around 80 per cent of the time. In fact, on their last trip from Gibraltar to Amsterdam, the yacht sailed 100 per cent of the way from Cadiz to Amsterdam and we were able to regenerate when the conditions allowed.

Most of the technology on board Black Pearl stems from the owner’s commitment to green technology and moving the yachting industry forward. While no new technologies were developed, existing technologies have been taken from different industries and adapted to yachting, and this of course comes with certain challenges. “Anytime you have a brand-new system, you also have trial and error,” says Captain Gartner. “So, we have been working on the systems to try and perfect them and it just gets better and better. Between the DynaRig, propulsion and energy storage systems, it’s really mind blowing and everything is working so well that I know it is going to be the way forward for the industry.” 

Since Black Pearl ’s delivery, Captain Gartner has perceived the market’s reaction to be one of mostly curiosity and captivation. “She really has delivered a statement to the world,” he reflects. “Due to her size, hull shape, rig, efficiency, power regeneration and all the other features that reduce our carbon footprint, the whole industry has been taken aback.” 

While Captain Gartner hopes that Black Pearl will inspire other owners to embrace sustainability and focus on the importance of efficiency in the future, he believes that the yacht’s influence is already evident in the industry. “People are seeing an example of a very large yacht being used in a very efficient way and that wind power can be a good and additional solution to reducing carbon footprint, along with all the other systems we have developed,” he concludes. “It is possible to make these boats efficient and we are leading the way in showing the industry how to do this. I am very excited to see other boats following suit.”

Image courtesy of Black Pearl.

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Black Pearl

Black Pearl is a custom sailing yacht launched in 2016 by Oceanco, in the Netherlands.

Oceanco specialises in building large custom yachts up to 160m in length.

Black Pearl measures 106.70 metres in length and has a beam of 15 feet.

Black Pearl has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

It is not necessary to live, it is necessary to sail; This is the firm belief of Italian design company Nuvolari & Lenard. No stranger to high-profile yacht design, the studio has stamped its distinctive style on a number of the ocean’s biggest and brightest.

Black Pearl also features naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects and Lateral Naval Architects.

Performance and Capabilities

Black Pearl has a top speed of 17.50 knots. .

Accommodation

Black Pearl accommodates up to 12 guests in 6 cabins.

Other Specifications

Black Pearl has a hull NB of Y712.

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Yacht Specs

Other oceanco yachts, related news.

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Step Inside the Black Pearl Yacht

Care for the environment is at the very heart of this game-changing superyacht's design.

By Emma Al-Mousawi

Standing at 350ft, Black Pearl is the world’s largest sailing yacht and is estimated to have cost in excess of $200 million. The unique vessel was garnering global attention long before her maiden voyage thanks to her revolutionary design, eco-credentials and technological advancements, all of which have set a new industry standard and seen her scoop-up numerous awards for innovation. 

Delivered in 2018 by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, the three-mast yacht is said to be the realization of a radical vision by her owner who wanted “to build something that was out of the ordinary in every way,” according to the ship’s captain Chris Gartner. Who is Black Pearl’s owner? This, along with much of her interior details, has never been officially released, all adding to  Black Pearl’s mystique. That being said, she is widely believed to belong to the Russian businessman, Oleg Burlakov.

[See also: What Do We Know About Jeff Bezos and his Yacht?]

The superyacht is capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel / ©Tom Van Oossanen

This unmistakable vessel is not the product of one designer but in fact the result of an ambitious cross-industry collaboration between some of international yachting’s greatest creative minds. UK-based Ken Freivokh Design (responsible for the iconic Maltese Falcon ) and Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard (behind Steven Speilberg’s Seven Seas yacht) teamed up to create her striking exterior. However, it is not just her aesthetics that sets her apart, but also her utilization of the very latest green technology, which according to Oceanco, has rendered her capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. “How?” one might ask. 

Let’s start with her three imposing 230ft DynaRig carbon masts designed by Dykstra Naval Architects. The innovative structure sees her sails subdivided into smaller sections that can be set or furled at the touch of a button. “The key to the DynaRig’s effectiveness is just how easy it makes sailing Black Pearl rather than relying on propulsion from fossil fuels,”  says Gartner. “With a single person able to set 2,900 sq meters (31, 215 sq ft) of sail area in just under seven minutes, we can quickly and simply turn off the main engines and harness the power of the wind, which costs nothing and is better f or the environment.”

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In fact, under sail, the yacht can reach an incredible 30 knots and regenerate enough energy to power the boat’s full house load, removing the need to run generators. 

Black Pearl is also powered by an advanced hybrid propulsion system that Oceanco designed in collaboration with specialist consultancy BMT Nigel Gee. Gartner explains how the complex system generates electricity through the vessel’s spinning propellers: “Her hybrid propulsion installation has two shaft lines, each with a controllable pitch propeller.

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In normal sailing mode, the propellers are set to minimize drag and prevent the shafts from turning. But when we want to harvest some of that kinetic energy to be stored and used onboard, the pitch of the propellers is altered to create a lifting force as the water passes over them. This rotates the shafts, which are connected to a permanent magnet electric propulsion motor, effectively converting the wind energy that is moving Black Pearl through the water into electrical energy.”

Little information has been released about Black Pearl’ s interiors / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Her interiors – which remain a closely guarded secret – were also designed by Nuvolari Lenard and French architect Gerard Villate . Other than that, what we do know is that she has six cabins providing accommodation for up to 12 guests, including a master suite and two VIP cabins. Black Pearl’s total interior volume is a roomy 2,700 GT, significantly overshadowing the world’s second-largest sailing yacht the EOS at 1500 GT. 

No actual pictures of the inside of the vessel have ever been released but according to Nuvolari Lenard, the interior is a celebration of Louis XVI French design (think elaborate neoclassical touches like wood carvings, gold accents and sumptuous fabrics) as well as some art deco touches. The Italian design studio has also shared a handful of interior renderings to give us a hint of what may lie inside the Black Pearl yacht . These include an elaborately decorated dining room that can seat up to 16 guests. We would expect to see this same level of grandeur throughout her accommodation. 

[See also: What are Explorer Yachts?]

The Black Pearl yacht is said to have plenty onboard to keep passengers entertained / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Black Pearl is said to have a wealth of recreational spaces spread across her three decks, though due to her secretive nature, little information has been published as to what delights she offers her passengers. Aerial photographs reveal a pool aft of the main deck as well as a hot tub aft of the upper deck. There is also a fold-down platform at the aft of the yacht which is likely to transform into a full-beam beach club. 

Ken Freivokh Design features a mysterious unnamed 328-ft-plus DynaRig yacht on its website which some may speculate could give us an insight into the luxury facilities on board the vessel. The unidentified yacht includes a su bstantial toy and tender garage housing two limousine tenders, a hydroplane and a range of utility tenders and jet skis. It is also said to feature a helipad and an extending forward deck that can be used for entertaining guests as well as spotting dolphins. If that wasn’t enough, other out-of-this-world amenities include a glass-fronted swimming pool and an aquarium. Could Black Pearl host similar facilities? It’s anyone’s guess. 

The sailing yacht is regularly seen in European ports / ©Oceanco

A true sailing vessel, the Black Pearl yacht is built for adventure and her lower carbon footprint means her voyages are much kinder to the planet than those of a typical motor yacht of similar stature. 

Despite her transatlantic credentials she appears to spend most of her time cruising around Europe with regular sightings in Gibraltar as well as stopovers on the Isle of Portland on England’s south coast, the Spanish ports of Cadiz and Tarragona, the Russian city of St.Petersburg and of course Monaco where her owner is said to reside.

According to Marine Traffic , at the time of publication, she was docked in Montenegro at the small but glamorous port of Tivat, located in an enclave of the Adriatic. 

[See also: Style and Sustainability: The New Sunreef 80 Eco Catamaran]

Emma Al-Mousawi

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Black Pearl — largest DynaRig sailing yacht in the world

Alblasserdam, Netherlands: The 106.7m (350ft) three-masted sailing yacht Black Pearl is unlike any yacht the world has ever seen – the unique and complex vessel is the realisation of a discerning owner's vision.

She is the result of an elaborate and successful collaboration on the part of an international group of designers, engineers, naval architects, builders, and project managers.

The designers, Ken Freivokh Design, Nuvolari Lenard and Villate Design, all played a significant role in Black Pearl's design evolution. Dykstra Naval Architects designed Black Pearl's three 70 metre (230ft) DynaRig carbon masts and sailing system.

The sail area is subdivided into smaller lesser-loaded sails and they can be set or furled by pushing a button. Astonishingly, all 2,900 square meter of sails can be set in 7 minutes.

BMT, Nigel Gee collaborated with Oceanco to create Black Pearl's hybrid propulsion system as well as other on board systems such as waste heat recovery.

Since her launch, Black Pearl has proven to be a new generation landmark sailing yacht with a unique identity. Not only is she the largest sailing yacht in the world, but her unique features such as the state of the art DynaRig system, single level engine room, a hybrid propulsion installation and regeneration mode when under sail – she is set to turn heads the world over – and for decades to come.

Technical Specifications Type Steel Hull and Aluminium Superstructure Length 106.7m / 350ft Beam 15m / 49ft Speed 17.5 knots / up to 30 knots under sail Exterior Design Ken Freivokh Design / Nuvolari Lenard Interior Design Ken Freivokh Design / Nuvolari Lenard / Villate Design Naval Architecture Oceanco / Dykstra Naval Architects Owner's Rep Derek Munro – Yacht Consultancy

Further information: http://www.builtbyoceanco.com

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World’s largest sailing yacht ‘Black Pearl’ arrives in the Mediterranean

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By Oliver Pearson   27 March 2018

Delivered on Friday 16 March, the 107m/350ft sailing yacht ‘Black Pearl’ from Oceanco arrived in the Mediterranean earlier today.

Currently holding the title of world’s largest sailing superyaht, Black Pearl looked triumphant as she made her way to the Mediterranean today.

The result of a fascinating design phase, Black Pearl began life as a concept drawn up by Ken Freivokh in 2010. Codenamed Nautilus, the concept utilised the DynaRig technology engineered by Dykstra Naval Architects and made famous by the 88m/289ft sailing yacht ‘Maltese Falcon’  built by Perini Navi.

In 2012, the Dutch shipyard Oceanco were selected as the builders, bringing in Italian designers Nuvolari Lenard who made a series of changes to the exterior and interior styling to transform her into the sailing yacht we see today.

With such incredible designers playing vital roles in her design, it is unsurprising that Black Pearl has emerged with a unique identity that can be heralded as a landmark moment in the history of sailing yachts.

Indeed, her sleek black-painted steel hull is completed by the huge logo emblazoned on her central mast, making her unlike any other superyacht out on the water right now.

Due to the highly secretive nature of her development phases, there are currently no published images of her interior spaces. It has been confirmed, however, that the collaborative design continued inside and Ken Freivokh, Nuvolari Lenard and Villate Design each had a hand in shaping the look and feel of the social and guest spaces.

As the world’s largest sailing yacht, Black Pearl is sure to cause a sensation in the Mediterranean

Demonstrated by the above images, the DynaRig clearly possesses the same kind of power and performance of the legendary Maltese Falcon. A technology which was dreamed up in the 1960s, it wasn’t until the 21st century that advanced building techniques made it possible to implement the DynaRig on board superyachts.

Greatly improving the efficiency and precision of a vessel, the technology allows a single person to control the angle of the sails by rotating the freestanding masts. Forming a single panel when angled together, the sails ultimately enhance the overall capabilities of the yacht.

What truly distinguishes Black Pearl from her the Perini Navi icon is the unusual reverse bow that was born out of the original concepts and the talents at Oceanco.

Altogether, Black Pearl is truly deserving of her status as a new born legend, and her significance is sure to be felt for many more years to come.

Whilst S/Y Black Pearl will not be available for charter, you can view and compare all Oceanco yachts available to charter .

World's largest modern sailing yachts for charter

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First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

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The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

Image courtesy of TVEL

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New modification of Russian VVER-440 fuel loaded at Paks NPP in Hungary

DECEMBER 14, 2020 — After the recent refueling at power unit 3 of the Hungarian Paks NPP, its VVER-440 reactor has been loaded with a batch of fresh fuel including 18 fuel bundles of the new modification. The new fuel will be introduced at all four operating power units of the Paks NPP, and the amount of new-modification bundles in each refueling will be increased gradually.

Development of the new VVER-440 fuel modification was completed in 2020 under the contract between TVEL JSC and MVM Paks NPP Ltd. Its introduction would optimize the hydro-uranium ratio in the reactor core, enabling to increase the efficiency of fuel usage and advance the economic performance of the power plant operation. All VVER-440 fuel modifications are manufactured at the Elemash Machine-Building Plant, a facility of TVEL Fuel Company in Elektrostal, Moscow Region.

“Introduction of a new fuel is an option to improve technical and economic performance of a nuclear power plant without substantial investment. We are actively engaged in development of new models and modifications of VVER-440 fuel for power plants in Europe. The projects of the new fuels for Loviisa NPP in Finland, Dukovany NPP in the Czech Republic, Mochovce and Bohunice NPPs in Slovakia, are currently at various stages of implementation. Despite the same reactor model, these projects are quite different technically and conceptually, since we take into account the individual needs and requirements of our customers,” commented Natalia Nikipelova, President of TVEL JSC.

For reference:

The project of development and validation of the new fuel has been accomplished with participation of a number of Russian nuclear industry enterprises, such as OKB Gidropress (a part of Rosatom machine-building division Atomenergomash), Bochvar Institute (material science research facility of TVEL Fuel Company), Elemash Machine-building plant and Kurchatov Institute national research center. At the site of OKB Gidropress research and experiment facility, the new fuel passed a range of hydraulic, longevity and vibration tests.

Paks NPP is the only functioning nuclear power plant in Hungary with total installed capacity 2000 MWe. It operates four similar units powered by VVER-440 reactors and commissioned one by one in 1982-1987. Currently, Paks NPP is the only VVER-440 plant in the world operating in extended 15-monthes fuel cycle. The power plant produces about 15 bln kWh annually, about a half of electric power generation in Hungary. In 2018, the project of increasing the duration of Paks NPP fuel cycle won the European competition Quality Innovation Award in the nomination “Innovations of large enterprises”. Russian engineers from TVEL JSC, Kurchatov Institute, OKB Gidropress, Bochvar Institute and Elemash Machine-building plant provided assistance to the Hungarian colleagues in accomplishment of the project.

  TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 73 power reactors in 13 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL.  www.tvel.ru  

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Centers of gravity, not black holes:experts discuss new moscow metro stations, united kingdom architecture news - jan 22, 2015 - 10:43   4462 views.

In 2015 Moscow will see a wide range of new capital transportation facilities, and their design is just as important. We asked four jury members of the recent design competition for metro stations Solntsevo and Novoperedelkino to tell us more about this aspect.

Erken Kagarov, Vice President of The Academy of the Graphic Design, art director of “Art. Lebedev Studio”:

“Being a designer, first of all I did my best to evaluate the visual aspect of the offered solutions. Besides that it was important for me to see something new and original. Otherwise, why bother organizing a competition?

As for the results of the contest, I am under the impression that we tried to get everything at once, and that was a mistake. The winning projects are quite expressive and not too expensive. Unfortunately, they are not at all ground-breaking. If we take a look at the history of Moscow metro and the work of one of its best creators, Alexey Dushkin, we’ll see that he was constantly inventing and reinventing certain techniques and materials: he was the first one to use stainless steel to decorate Mayakovskaya, he came up with the idea of columns lit from below for Kropotkinskaya, he put up stained-glass panels underground, where the sun doesn’t ever shine, on Novokuznetskaya...... Continue Reading

> via  archsovet.msk.ru

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