Madame Gu Explained

Madame Gu is a superyacht built in 2013[1] at the Dutch Feadship yard in Makkum. She was built as Project Dream. Madame Gu is designed by Andrew Winch Designs, who were responsible for both interior and exterior, opting for contemporary details in a classical style.[2] Naval architecture was done by De Voogt Naval Architects.

History

In March 2022, Forbes reported that the yacht Madame Gu, formerly known as Dream, was still owned by Andrei Skoch. At 352 feet and registered in the Cayman Islands with a value of $156 million, by that month it had been sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. It was recorded in the UAE on March 6, and blocked by the US on June 2, 2022.[3] When designating it blocked property, US Department of the Treasury noted it contained a private helicopter, an elevator, beach club, gym, and also required "significant maintenance and repair" including around $1 million for painting annually.[4] On June 23, 2022, it was recorded docked in Dubai, and had been since March 25. The Washington Post said the docking was a "a test for the close partnership between the United States and United Arab Emirates." It was observed flying an Emirati flag.[5]

Design

The length of the yacht is 99m (325feet) and the beam is 13.6m (44.6feet). The draught of Madame Gu is 4.6m (15.1feet). The hull material is steel, while the superstructure is made out of aluminum with teak laid decks. The yacht is Lloyd's registered, issued by the Cayman Islands.

Engine

The main engines are four MTU 20V 4000 M73 with a power of 4.828hp each. Madame Gu can reach a maximum speed of 24kn.

Prizes

At the World Superyachts Award gala in Amsterdam she won the award for best Displacement Motor Yacht of 2,000GT and above. She was also presented with prize of Superyacht of the Year 2014.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 99 Metre Feadship delivered and named Madame Gu.
  2. Web site: Madame Gu - Struik & Hamerslag. 2021-03-19. www.struikinteriors.nl.
  3. "Biden And Allies Are Coming For Russian Billionaires’ Yachts: Forbes Tracked Down 51. Here’s Where To Find Them", Giacomo Tognini, March 1, 2022; Forbes
  4. "U.S. Treasury Severs More Networks Providing Support for Putin and Russia’s Elites - Press release," June 2, 2022; U.S. Department of the Treasury
  5. "Sanctioned Russian oligarch yacht in Dubai as pressure grows", Isabel Debre of the AP, June 23, 2022; The Washington Post
  6. http://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/madame-gu-named-superyacht-of-the-year/ Superyacht of the Year 2014