Recently, there was quite the commotion in the waters off the coast of Italy as two mega-yachts, the Venus and the Lady Moura, found themselves in a minor collision. These luxury vessels, each worth over $120 million, were involved in an incident that left both parties assessing the damage and discussing repairs.
According to a source familiar with the situation, both yachts were anchored at the time of the collision. The Venus, a 256-foot super-yacht originally commissioned for Steve Jobs, came into contact with the Lady Moura, a 344-foot mega-yacht owned by Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego. Fortunately, no passengers were on board the Venus at the time, only crew members.
The collision occurred due to a sudden change in the wind, which escalated from a breeze to 55 knots in a matter of minutes. While neither boat dragged anchor, it was noted that the Lady Moura had out an extensive chain length given the water depth. Following the incident, both captains were in discussions about the minor repairs needed to rectify the situation.
Pliego reportedly expressed his frustration in Spanish, questioning the awareness of the other yacht’s crew for failing to avoid the collision. Despite the damage being described as a mere scratch, the cost of repairs was expected to be significant. Videos of the incident were shared on social media, capturing the moment of impact between these two iconic vessels.
The Venus, known for its unique design by Philippe Starck, was originally intended for Steve Jobs but passed on to his widow following his untimely death. On the other hand, the Lady Moura, previously owned by a Saudi businessman, now belongs to Pliego, who has diversified business interests in banking, telecommunications, and retail.
The clash between the Venus and the Lady Moura serves as a reminder that even the most extravagant and expensive possessions are not immune to accidents. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance and communication while navigating the high seas, especially when dealing with vessels of such immense size and value.