The 59.4 metre long vessel made a four-day stop off the North Wales coast, and was a scene of great curiosity
A striking red super yacht called the Akula made quite the impression when it made a four-day stop off the North Wales coast. The vessel, which arrived near Llanfairfechan in Conwy, was an unmissable sight since it arrived from Portsmouth.
The yacht is currently on a leisurely journey around the British and Irish coastline before embarking on a polar expedition, the Akula stood out against the backdrop of other vessels, like the three-masted Pelican of London tall ship which arrived in Llandudno bay at the weekend.
Named after the Russian word for shark, Akula can host up to 12 guests and nine crew members, and sails under the flag of the Cayman Islands. She’s ranked at number 896 in the global super yacht register.
The super yacht’s presence sparked curiosity and approval, with some people joking online. One person joked: “Thank you for the nice comments about my yacht. Feel free to swim, row, sail or get here anyway you like, you’re all very welcome to come aboard for some fantastic dining, drinks and entertainment. Please dress appropriately.”
The Akula is often confused with another super yacht that previously bore the same name; for over ten years, a reconditioned Royal Netherlands Navy boat, once the property of Jonathan Faiman of Ocado fame, carried the name Akula, reports North Wales Live.
Mr Faiman’s former vessel, equipped with a helicopter deck for his AS350 Squirrel, was sold in 2020 and renamed Omnia. After a $14m refit, the ship now features a sauna and fitness room. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
The new Akula, built on Italy’s northern Tuscany coast and launched in 2024, may not be as luxurious, but it still offers plenty of comforts. The 59.4-metre vessel boasts its own gym, massage room, sauna and heated pool.
Kitted out for expeditions, it comes with two nine-metre tenders, four kayaks, two stand-up paddle boards, and four trekking e-bikes. There’s also a fully equipped diving centre, workshop and dry lab on board.
The ship is valued at around 35m euros, which is approximately £30m.
Local residents have reported seeing one of its tenders off the North Wales coast. One man said: “A small boat came off it and went around the bay.”
“Whether or not it was for special visits on the local tourist trail, I don’t know.”
After staying a mile or two off the coast, the Akula set sail yesterday (Tuesday, April 15). She rounded Anglesey and arrived in Kinsale, on the south coast of Ireland, at around 9am this morning.
In January, the owner of the Akula yacht shared his ambitious travel plans for 2025 with Boat International. He revealed an itinerary which includes Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland before heading to the East Coast of the US, the Caribbean, and ultimately Central America.
He said: “We expect to visit Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland and Greenland.
“After that we’ll head down the East Coast of the US aiming for the Caribbean and ultimately Central America.”
The vessel’s website explains it serves as a support vessel for scientific research – a “base to study the ocean”. It also boasts of the yacht’s ability to provide both adventure and luxury: “Akula offers the perfect blend of adventure and luxury.
“Whether seeking thrilling expeditions to remote corners of the globe or simply a comfortable base to enjoy the beauty of untouched landscapes, her facilities ensure that every day aboard is an unforgettable adventure.”