The Rising Trend of Superyachts in St. Barts
“Yachting isn’t really a show-off thing anymore,” remarked a local boat enthusiast in St. Barts, glancing at what he described as a “superyacht parking lot” in the Caribbean waters. “It really boils down to how many support ships you possess.”
Among the vessels docked are those owned by high-profile billionaires like Jeff Bezos, David Geffen, and Eric Schmidt, along with many others.
What’s adding to the congestion on the water are the increasingly extravagant “tracked ships” that accommodate guests and crew. These ships come equipped with luxury features like submarines, helicopters, water toys, and dive centers.
Our maritime informant, whom some call “The Captain,” pointed out that Bezos’ support ship even includes a helipad. The Amazon founder’s main vessel, Col, is a stunning $500 million megayacht, which features a wooden carving that looks like Sanchez. His support boat, named Abeona, is a sizable 246-feet long and valued at $75 million, capable of transporting up to 45 crew and guests.
Boats that can be seen anchored off the island include Geffen’s $400 million Rising Sun, Schmidt’s Whisper, and Michael Jordan’s yacht Embrace. Wal-Mart heiress Nancy Walton owns a boat named Chaos, worth $300 million, alongside Jerry Jones’ $225 million Bravo Eugenia and Jan Koum’s newly acquired $330 million Moonrise, which boasts facilities like a hair salon, gym, and movie theater.
Walton’s secondary boat, affectionately referred to as “Calum,” is a 220-foot supporting vessel previously owned by Mark Zuckerberg, rumored to feature its own submarine and helicopter.
Notable celebrities like Patrick Dempsey, David Letterman, and Heidi Klum have also been sighted on the island this week, adding to the buzz.
The crowded waters are a spectacle to behold, resembling a parking lot for luxury yachts. The presence of these boats has brought a noticeable increase in security personnel to the island. In one instance, a photographer reportedly received disapproving glances from Bezos’ security team while trying to capture the scenery.
On land, it appears the scene is just as lively. Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were seen diving into the nightlife at Nikki Beach, a trendy spot, after spending the holidays in Aspen.
