who owns christina o yacht

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Chase United
• Disneyland Resort
• Gateway Bronco
• Royal Salute
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

Boat of the Week: This Historic 325-Foot Superyacht Hosted JFK, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth Taylor

Christina o , owned by aristotle onassis, has a rich past that includes visits by prime ministers and presidents, love affairs with famous opera singers, and 42 phone lines. it is now available for charter., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

• These Charter Yachts Let You Tag Hammerhead Sharks and Count Spirit Bears for Research
• These Luxe Villas Are the Place to Stay in This Retro-Chic Enclave on the Tuscan Coast
• The 7 Most Exciting New Superyacht Marinas in the World
• Share This Article

Related Stories

• Acura Is Working on an All-Electric Sports Car to Replace the NSX
• BMW Just Sold More EVs In Europe Than Tesla for the First Time
• ‘They Should Feel Like They’ve Risked Death’: The Hypercar Startup That Wants to Deliver Old-School Fear on the Road

It wasn’t always a glamorous superyacht . The vessel started out as Canadian Navy Frigate,  HMCS Stormont , built in 1943 by Vickers of Montreal. It played an active role in World War II. In 1952, Onassis acquired it for $34,000 as part of a block purchase of ten ships that he intended to convert into a fleet of whaling vessels. When plans fell through, he kept Stormont for himself, spending $4 million (or about $46 million in today’s dollars) to convert it into a luxury superyacht—the first true gigayacht. He lengthened the hull by 29 feet and named it Christina after his daughter.

No expense was spared for its rebirth. Powered by steam engines that delivered a top speed of 21 knots, the yacht was equipped with five fast launches, a glass-bottomed boat for underwater observation, a small dinghy, two kayaks, a Fiat 500, and a five-seater Piaggio P.136L-2. (This was the same seaplane that crashed in 1973, killing Onassis’s 24-year-old son Alexander.)

Christina was one of the few yachts of its time to have an elevator, not to mention a surgical operating theater with radiography equipment. The mosaiced swimming pool also broke molds, with a minotaur-themed lifting floor that converted into a dance floor.

A close-knit group of Onassis’s friends and family partied alongside powerful figures and stars of the silver screen, including Marilyn Monroe, Margot Fonteyn, Frank Sinatra, the Rockefellers, the Rothschilds and Paul Getty. Ex-King Farouk of Egypt referred to the yacht as “the height of opulence.” The guests were entertained in reception lounges that are now famous with whispered stories.

The wood-paneled Jackie O Lapis Lounge on the main deck—named after a lapis-lazuli fireplace rumored to have cost a princely sum of one dollar per square centimeter—is stocked with rare books and a self-playing electric piano. The fake El Grecos that Onassis hung during his ownership—“If people want to believe they are authentic, why spoil their pleasure,” he once quipped—have been switched for real masterpieces by Renoir, Le Corbusier and Chirico.

Adjacent is Ari’s Bar where orca teeth serve as armrests for stools and are engraved with scenes from Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey . Wood from a sunken Spanish galleon was used for the bar. On the walls hang portraits of John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, all guests aboard the boat.

Christina was also a place where Onassis conducted business, thanks to the network of 42 telephone lines across the boat. John F. Kennedy and Winston Churchill had their first encounter on the yacht. Britain’s wartime Prime Minister enjoyed eight voyages between 1958 and 1965 and was the only guest for whom Onassis gave up his own suite. The Library is named in his honor.

The 16 additional guest cabins are named after and inspired by Greek islands. The Ithaca suite was Christina’s cabin, which she surrendered to Greta Garbo, Maria Callas and Jackie Kennedy (prior to her marriage to Onassis in 1975) whenever they visited. They each feature wood, marble and gold bathroom fittings. The pastel color schemes were selected by Jackie O, who was renowned for her restoration of the White House.

Maria Callas embarked on a nine-year-long love affair with Onassis in 1959. The Maria Callas Lounge contains her original grand Steinway piano. Her wedding rings from her first marriage and a solid silver Tiffany dish presented to her by JFK are displayed by the entrance, and the entire collection of her operatic recordings are available to play. For film nights, there is a remote-controlled projector.

After Onassis’ death in 1975, his daughter gifted the boat to the Greek government and a slow deterioration ensued. In 1999, a new owner, Onassis family friend John Paul Papanicolaou, undertook a sizable refit estimated at $50 million that replaced 65 percent of the steel hull. He also renamed the vessel Christina O .

Subsequent refit work from 2016 to 2018 added an aft deck bimini system and a boarding platform for easier guest transfers. Two sets of Vosper stabilizer fins were installed, along with cold rooms, an incineration chamber and garbage compactor for the lower deck galley. A split-level Jacuzzi deck now overlooks a bar and large dining table with intricate marquetry inlays depicting the tales of Ulysses.

A pair of restored mahogany HackerCraft tenders sit alongside original features, such as the circular staircase with its onyx and silver handrail, vintage wall lights and leather settees.

The vessel has recently been a case of life imitating art. Christina O played a starring role in the Netflix series  The Crown and 2022 comedy  Triangle of Sadness . The 1956 wedding reception held on board for Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly was echoed in 2019 when supermodel Heidi Klum was married on board. Most recently, Rupert Murdoch chartered the yacht in July for a family reunion in Positano, Italy.

Other amenities include a spa with two full-time therapists forming part of the 38 crew and a chest of water toys, including an inflatable slide and Flyboard. Those weren’t toys that were available when Onassis acquired the vessel and turned it into a superyacht, but one imagines he would’ve approved.

Christina O can be chartered around $768,500 per week with Morley Yachts.

Click here to see more images of Christina O.

Read More On:

• Christina O

More Marine

This Revamped 161-Foot Trinity Superyacht Could Be Yours for $16 Million

Rescuers Find Remaining Missing Aboard the Sunken ‘Bayesian’ Superyacht 

Tech Mogul Mike Lynch and 5 Others Are Missing After a Yacht Sinks in Italy

A Fleet of Candela’s Electric Foiling Yachts Is Rolling Out to the Red Sea in 2025

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

‘La Dea II’ Superyacht in Photos

12 Must-See Yacht Debuts at This Year’s Cannes Fest

More from our brands, betty halbreich, bergdorf’s legendary personal shopper, dead at 96, most valuable nfl teams 2024: cowboys first to top $10 billion, chris hemsworth plays drums in surprise appearance at ed sheeran’s romania concert, christie’s first sale at new asia headquarters led by $35 m. monet, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

• Yachting for beginners
• Owning a yacht
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yacht
• Indian Ocean
• Mediterranean
• Buying or Selling a Yacht
• Yachting Events
• FAQ – Luxury Yacht Charter
• FAQ – Buying a Yacht
• FAQ – Sell your Yacht
• How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Luxury Yacht?
• All our Blog Post & News

Christina O: The Iconic Superyacht of Legends

History of the Superyacht

The Christina O began her life in 1943 as a Canadian warship named HMCS Stormont , playing a crucial role during World War II, including participation in the D-Day landings. After the war, she was purchased by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis , who transformed the warship into one of the most luxurious yachts the world had ever seen. Renamed Christina O in honor of Onassis’s daughter, the yacht became a floating palace that welcomed celebrities, politicians, and royalty. From Winston Churchill to Marilyn Monroe , the guest list reads like a who’s who of the mid-20th century elite.

Size and Highlights of Christina O

The Christina O is an impressive 325 feet (99 meters) in length, making her one of the largest yachts from her era that still sails today. Her design seamlessly blends classic charm with modern amenities, ensuring comfort and luxury at every turn. Some of the most notable highlights include:

– The Lapis Lounge : Adorned with semi-precious stones, this lounge exudes elegance and tranquility.

– Aristotle Onassis’s Bar: A chic bar area that has seen countless iconic conversations and meetings.

– Minoan Bull Horns : Situated at the entrance of the yacht, these are a nod to Greek mythology and Onassis’s heritage.

– The famous swimming pool : The yacht features a unique mosaic-tiled pool that can be transformed into a dance floor, complete with a replica of the legendary Minoan bull mosaic.

– Lavish Suites : Christina O boasts 17 luxurious staterooms, including the sumptuous Onassis Suite, providing accommodations for up to 34 guests.

Read also: 6 THINGS ABOUT ST DAVID BELOW DECK SUPERYACHT (PRICE, LOCATION, OWNER)

Where does She Cruise?

Christina O continues to sail across the world’s most beautiful waters, often seen gracing the Mediterranean during the summer months. She frequents glamorous destinations such as Monaco, the French Riviera, and the Greek Isles, where she is a regular sight at high-profile events like the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Here is her direct live location.

Who Owns Christina O?

Since Aristotle Onassis’s era, Christina O has changed hands several times. She was saved from neglect in the late 1990s by a family who restored her to her former glory, maintaining the historical integrity while adding modern conveniences. Today, the yacht is available for charter and for sale, allowing a new generation of guests to experience her unique charm and storied past.

How Much is Superyacht Christina O?

Chartering the Christina O offers a taste of unparalleled luxury, with weekly rates ranging from €560,000 to €630,000, depending on the season. This fee includes a dedicated crew, gourmet dining, and access to all the yacht’s facilities. As for purchasing this floating piece of history, the price tag would be in the region of €90 million, reflecting her status, history, size and the meticulous care with which she has been maintained.

The Christina O is not just a superyacht; she is a living piece of history , a symbol of luxury, and a testament to the grandeur of a bygone era. Whether sailing the Mediterranean or docked in a glamorous port, Christina O continues to captivate those who step aboard, offering an experience that is both timeless and unforgettable.

Read also: 10 THINGS YOU’RE WONDERING ABOUT DILBAR YACHT (PRICE, LOCATION, OWNER…)

St Barth vs Anguilla: which one should you pick?

Luxury charter yacht of the month: the 58m kokomo, you might also like.

The Pinnacle of Yachting Discover The Finest Sailing Yachts

Who Owns the Superyachts in Below Deck

In pictures: all aboard iconic superyacht Christina O

Her storied history includes serving in WW2 and hosting Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly’s wedding reception 

• Newsletter sign up Newsletter

The superyacht Christina O did not start her life on the seas as a playground for the rich and famous. Constructed in 1943 by Montreal-based shipbuilder Canadian Vickers, the 99m Canadian frigate - originally called HMCS Stormont - was first used to serve in the Second World War and was present at the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944.

Yacht buying guide: all you need to know when purchasing a superyacht Review: Lamborghini takes to the seas

Acquired in 1954 by Aristotle Onassis, it was the Greek billionaire shipping magnate that transformed the Stormont into one of the world’s most luxurious superyachts . Renamed after his daughter, Onassis spent $4m on the refurbishment of a ship that would become an elite and exclusive entertainment destination.

From John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Winston Churchill to Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy, who Onassis later married, Christina O hosted some of the world’s most influential people during her glory years. The wedding reception of Monaco’s Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly was also held on board, while legendary Hollywood couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were regular guests.

Today the Christina O can be hired for corporate events and be chartered for private use. Charter prices start from €560,000 (£492,900) a week in low season to €630,000 (£554,700) a week in high season. See morleyyachts.com

‘Greatest yacht of them all’

After a number of refits, the ship has been meticulously restored. It can sleep up to 34 guests who can enjoy the same luxury experienced by the famous visitors of yesteryear. Designed to the highest standard, Onassis’s “unique taste is everywhere”, says Boat International magazine. Christina O is regarded by many as the “greatest yacht of them all”.

Swimming pool

One of the highlights aboard the superyacht is the beautiful swimming pool. Designed with a tiled bull mosaic, the pool can turn into a dance floor at the flip of a switch.

Jacuzzi deck

Relaxation is the top activity on the Christina O. As well as the Jacuzzi deck (pictured) the ship also has an indoor air-conditioned gym and a spa which offers beauty treatments and massages.

Callas Lounge

The surroundings inside the yacht are as plush as the exteriors. The Callas Lounge (pictured) is named after the American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas. Regarded as one of the influential opera singers of the 20th century, it’s said that her “opera notes still play in the Callas Lounge”.

Ari’s Bar

The legendary Ari’s Bar is christened in tribute to Aristotle Onassis himself as “this was one of his favourite places in which to enjoy a drink”, says Yacht Charter Fleet .

Ranked 56 in the Top 100 Largest Yachts in the World list, Christina O is the “epitome of elegance and luxury”, says Superyachts.com . “Its capacious deck can host up to 250 guests beneath extensive canopies, perfect for a special occasion or one-off corporate incentive.” Other amenities include the Galaxy Bar on the Compass deck and the large Jacuzzi on the Promenade deck.

Onassis’ Suite

The expansive and luxurious Onassis Suite is situated on the bridge deck and holds a spacious bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and a private en-suite lounge, says Superyachts.com .

Spiral staircase

Christina O’s elegant marble-railed spiral staircase covers three decks and at the bottom is the floor depicting Onassis’ Omega emblem.

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox

A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com

Mike Starling is the former digital features editor at The Week. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon. 

The Week Recommends Europe's most active volcano has inspired Sicily's food, art and wine

By Xandie Nutting Published 22 August 24

The Week Recommends Crossman revisits her painful childhood in this 'disturbing and moving' memoir

By The Week UK Published 22 August 24

Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - what's good for the goose, Joe realigned, and more

By The Week US Published 22 August 24

The Week Recommends Including homes in Verbier, Haute-Savoie and Monti della Luna

By The Week Staff Published 19 January 24

The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats

By The Week UK Last updated 12 August 24

The Week Recommends The Urner Haute Route features some of the wildest terrain in the Alps

By The Week UK Last updated 2 January 24

The Week Recommends Best holidays, adventures and experiences to book in 2024

By The Week UK Last updated 25 June 24

The Week Recommends From husky sleigh rides and tobogganing to searching for Father Christmas on a snowmobile

By The Week UK Published 28 November 23

The Week Recommends Barbados and Grenada offer different perspectives on paradise

By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published 13 November 23

The Week Recommends Enjoy a retreat-like experience that's as relentlessly authentic as it is luxurious

By Dominic Kocur Published 13 November 23

The Week Recommends Pristine golf meets beach and spa paradise at the Solheim Cup host venue

By Alexandra Zagalsky Published 10 November 23

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Advertise With Us

The Week is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

How Aristotle Onassis Designed the World's First Superyacht

Before the Christina O , the superyacht as we know it wasn’t a thing.

But in 1954, shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis happened upon a slender, elegantly shaped anti-submarine frigate that had served at the D-Day landings, and paid its scrap value of $34,000. What happened next was typical of the Golden Greek: Naming the boat after his daughter, he spent almost $4 million creating the original floating pleasure palace, adding revolutionary touches like a helipad and the mosaic-tiled bottom of the seawater pool that would rise to become a dance floor at the touch of a button.

Soon Frank Sinatra was playing the Steinway or flirting with Marilyn Monroe on barstools made of whale foreskins at Ari’s Bar—where Winston Churchill is said to have thought that a young John F. Kennedy was a waiter when they first met in the mid-1950s. For all that went down on the 325-foot Christina O, the ship itself was influential, providing a blueprint for both design and hedonism to a generation of superyachts, especially those of fledgling boat designer Jon Bannenberg, whose interior design of Talitha G for the Getty family owed a debt to this original. After Onassis’s death, in 1975, Christina Onassis (shown above, at age 3, on board) donated her namesake to the Greek government, and the ship was allowed to decay until a 2001 overhaul, followed by another restoration 15 years later. Now it’s available to rent—if only those Spanish-galleon-timber walls could talk.

The Christina O can be chartered for $624,500 a week through Morley Yachts .

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Best Yacht Concepts From Around The World

The Stunning Ritz Carlton EVRIMA Yacht

Gliding Across Tokyo’s Sumida River: The Mesmerizing Zipper Boat

CROCUS Yacht: An 48 Meter Beauty by Admiral

• Zuretti Interior Design
• Zuretti Interior
• Zuccon International Project
• Ziyad al Manaseer
• Zaniz Interiors. Kutayba Alghanim
• Yuriy Kosiuk
• Yuri Milner
• Yersin Yacht

• Superyachts

CHRISTINA O Yacht – Paradise-like $40M Superyacht

Conceptualized by Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate, the Christina O entertained the stars of the 20th century.

Onassis hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor. The $40 million yacht hosted legendary parties, scandals, and luxury on the first personal yacht.

CHRISTINA O yacht interior

After World War II, Onassis bought the River-class frigate and spent $4 million converting the vessel into a luxurious superyacht named after his daughter.

The opulence reflected his tastes, with a Minotaur-themed mosaic swimming pool that could be raised into a dance floor once drained.

Ari’s Bar had barstools upholstered with the foreskins of whales, with whales’ teeth as the footrests and ivory armrests.

The bathrooms were in marble, and the fittings were in gold. The fireplace in the famous Lapis Lazuli lounge was encrusted in lapis lazuli.

Illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans designed and painted the children’s dining room. When Onassis died, his daughter donated the boat to the Greek government, which let the masterpiece go to rot.

In 1999, she was bought back from the Greek government by John Paul Papanicolaou and completely gutted.

The CHRISTINA O yacht was refitted with replicas of the lavish features Onassis was so proud of. The interior of the yacht reflects an English country manor house style.

During the refit, more accommodation was added to the vessel. The staterooms are smaller compared to 21st-century yachts. CHRISTINA O has a master suite and 17 passenger staterooms.

She can accommodate 34 guests on board and 39 crew. A spiral staircase connects the many indoor and outdoor living spaces.

She lacks the indoor boat storage that is now standard on superyachts, but she has many living areas, and the deck space is very generous.

She also features a glass-paneled gym, a music room, and other luxury amenities. The compass deck features areas for lounging and sunbathing, while the deck below, called the promenade deck, had an aft spa pool and dining area.

She also has a tender garage filled with toys for fun on the water.

CHRISTINA O yacht exterior

Canadian Vickers built the CHRISTINA O yacht in 1943. She served in Normandy during WWII but later became a surplus relic.

Onassis bought the vessel for her scrap value. Onassis charged the Howaldt Shipyard in Germany with creating the lavish personal yacht.

Caesar Pinnau, a German professor of architecture, created classic lines and a high stern for the new and improved CHRISTINA O.

The classic yellow funnel remains to this day. While the yacht retains some of her rugged exteriors, she appears low-slung and eye-catching in the water.

CHRISTINA O yacht specifications

With a length of 99.1m, the CHRISTINA O yacht has a beam of 11.12m and a draft of 4.24m.

She has a volume of 1802 gross tons; she has a top speed of 19 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots. Her MAN engines give her a range of 5000 nautical miles.

She was one of the first boats to fit an onboard stabilization system for guests’ comfort.

Do you have anything to add to this listing?

• Apostolos Molindris & Associates
• Caesar Pinnau
• Canadian Vickers
• Ivor Fitzpatrick

Love Yachts? Join us.

Related posts.

AMEVI Yacht – Surreal $125M Superyacht

JESTER Yacht – Awesome 70m Superyacht

ICE Yacht – Supreme $150M Superyacht

MONTKAJ Yacht – Epic $110M Superyacht

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

Christina O

Motor Yacht

Mega yacht Christina O is the epitome of elegance and luxury and embodies the legend that was Aristotle Onassis. In her original heyday, motor yacht Christina O defined a new category in luxury yachting and hosted some of the world’s most glittering personalities such as Sir Winston Churchill, John F.Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne and countless others.

Originally built in 1943 for use as a Canadian convoy escort, Christina O came into her own when Onassis purchased her in 1954 and converted the sumptuous megayacht at the expense of over US $4m. Christina O became Onassis’ floating mansion and headquarters for over two decades until his death in 1975. Christina Onassis, namesake of the vessel and Aristotle’s daughter, donated her to the Greek government in 1978 where she fell into disrepair. A close family friend purchased Christina O in 1998 and financed an extensive refurbishment and re-powering which has helped restore this incredible yacht to her former glory with the addition of all the latest technology and equipment.

Chartering luxury megayacht Christina O is a spectacular opportunity for those who desire a cruising holiday with the utmost of style and comfort. Christina O’s capacious deck can host up to 250 guests beneath extensive canopies, perfect for a special occasion or one-off corporate incentive. Retaining a dazzling atmosphere of opulence, many photographs and original items from her early days when her guests and cruising destinations were regularly reported in the news.

Christina O boasts eighteen exquisite en-suite cabins, fourteen of which can be configured for either double or twin beds and 10 of which lie forward on the main deck while the remaining eight are housed aft on the cabin deck. The cabins all have an en-suite shower room and are connected by an elegant marble-railed spiral staircase that covers three decks. The Onassis suite is situated on the bridge deck and holds a spacious bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and a private en-suite lounge. The intricate detailing throughout this incredible yacht, from its excess of precious inlay and Baccarat wall lights, is sure to astound.

Other amenities onboard Christina O includes the following: the Galaxy Bar and extensive sunbathing decks on the Compass deck, show lounge, library, massage and beauty salon, children’s playroom, fitness centre, sports lounge and large Jacuzzi on the Promenade deck, ‘Rendezvous’ music lounge, impressive interior dining room, Ari’s Bar, Lapis Lounge and the famous swimming pool whose floor is a replication of the ancient mosaic of Knossos and converts to a dance floor located on the Main deck.

Christina O is available for charter in the Mediterranean for the summer season and the Caribbean and Bahamas during the winter season.

• Yacht Builder Canadian Vickers No profile available
• Exterior Designer Caesar Pinnau No profile available
• Interior Designer Apostolos Molindris & Associates No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other canadian vickers yacht, related news.

Iconic 99m Christina O is now on the market

Other articles

Send a request

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Find more in our Privacy Policy. Learn more

Christina O

• 99.13m | Canadian Vickers | 1943 (2020)
• captain & crew
• chef & cuisine
• specifications
• testimonials

Operations Manager Florin Belciug has worked on Christina O for 13 years and has come to regard the yacht as home.

He started his maritime career on cruise ships, working for Cunard, Seaborne and the Seven Seas before joining Christina O in 2007. ‘Stepping onto Christina O was so different from what I had done before. I loved it from my first day on board and it has become my home and my family. I don’t ever see my life without Christina O.’

The 99.13m Christina O has a unique history like no other yacht in existence. Originally built in 1943 as a frigate by Canadian Vickers, this former war ship was subsequently converted into one of the world’s most iconic superyachts under the discerning eye of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

Spotting her potential as a fabulous craft for entertaining a veritable Who’s Who from the worlds of business, entertainment and politics, Onassis oversaw an ambitious renovation in the early 1950s, transforming her into a sleek classic which easily stands the test of time against the very best 21 st century superyachts.

Among her most jaw-dropping assets are the inimitable Ari’s Bar - which remains almost entirely as it was created 70 years ago - and the mosaic swimming pool whose base can be raised hydraulically to create a dance floor. Further small modifications were also made in 2019.

Another outstanding feature setting her apart from other yachts for charter is the sheer amount of deck space available. Four open decks offer ample space for hosting an incredible 157 partygoers for cocktails or day trips, while clever layout and design also allows for more intimate settings for just a handful of guests.

It’s no surprise to learn that the type of charter guest attracted to Christina O is more impressed by her provenance and pedigree than merely deluxe mod cons. People want to experience her history, charm and unique sense of style. With beautifully appointed accommodation for 36 guests - far more than an average yacht can offer – Christina O is also popular with large families who appreciate the abundance of space on board.

As operations manager, a position which amazingly is not de rigueur on every superyacht, Florin is the first point of contact between guests, captain and crew and his planning starts from the moment a charter contract is signed.   

‘From that point on, the guests are in my hands,’ he explains. ‘I’m in touch with them to organize the trip, create an itinerary, and make plans on board and ashore.

‘I communicate the clients’ needs to the officers, broker, captain and engineer as well as looking after onboard operations including the interior team and service. I also discuss menus with the chef, and study weather reports to decide where and when we will pull up the anchor and drop anchor.

‘I love setting the daily schedule the night before. You wake up and try to follow it, but you also have to adapt and improvise according to the guests’ requests and desires. I’m in touch 100% of the time from start to finish to create the perfect trip for them and their family.’

Naturally, the job involves patience, discretion and the ability to anticipate what guests want, which Florin prides himself on getting right. 

‘Clients are usually well organized but when they come on holiday, they switch their minds off and just want to relax,’ he says. ‘I have to read this and interpret what they want. Things can change by the hour and that is challenging but I love this part of the job. I’ve never enjoyed routine; I prefer every day to be different.’

In the past 13 years, Florin has worked with a number of excellent captains on board and Christina O’s new captain is no exception.

‘We are very happy to have him with us. He is charming, positive, hands on and has a very nice personality. I think he will be the perfect captain for us.’

With her unique history, Christina O enjoys a level of loyalty among her charter guests that few yachts can boast. Once owned by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, Winston Churchill enjoyed nine cruises while Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy both held their wedding receptions on board.

‘I would say that 50% of her appeal is the history and 50% is the amazing crew, who have impeccable backgrounds in hospitality and make each trip really special,’ adds Florin with pride. ‘She has a classic history and charisma that most boats just don’t have, and many charter clients choose her for this reason. They are impressed from the moment they step on board.’ 

So what can you expect from a stay on Christina O? With a little black book of contacts to rival that of any A lister, Florin is adept at organizing a trip which encompasses the highest levels of gastronomy, adventure and romance, whether it’s an intimate barbecue on a deserted beach or dinner for 20 at one of the world’s best restaurants.

‘I have all the contacts wherever we go,’ says Florin. ‘I’m in touch with ship agents based around the itinerary and that rapport starts three or four months before the charter begins.

‘If you tell me you want to go to an area of Italy, I can consult my files, refresh my memory and within 15 minutes, I can tell you the best spot for a night picnic with a fire camp, the perfect bay for swimming or a wonderful restaurant for supper.

‘I am in control of every operation aside from safety and navigation. My role is to be there for the guests and keep in touch with the captain on every need. I liaise with the heads of every department from housekeeping to the bartender - it’s a team effort and the charter cannot be a success without all the crew involved.’

Themed experiences on board include Champagne receptions, formal black and white parties, casino nights with roulette and blackjack tables and Michelin standard taster menus created by Christina O’s executive chef Damian Perrinel.

‘We might start the evening with a Champagne reception and there will be a contest to see who wins the most chips at the casino before guests are invited to sit down for dinner,’ says Florin. ‘We have a long table which seats 28, and Damian, who has worked at several Michelin-starred French restaurants, will present a seven course degustation menu.

‘After dinner, we will offer drinks and petit fours in Ari’s Bar and perhaps guests will head up to the top deck afterwards to dance to a DJ set or a live band. We often lay out an al fresco breakfast the following day on the deck with a continental buffet as well as a la carte choices like eggs Benedict and eggs Florentine.

‘Lunch can be a casual barbecue and buffet on the deck. Guests also love to take some downtime and enjoy a treatment or relaxation session in the spa, where we have two therapists.’

Christina O will cruise the Tyrrhenian sea in July, navigate from Italy to Turkey during August and head towards Greece in the beginning of September. She is fully available in May and June and has still some availability for the first 2 weeks of July and last week of July and starting from the 12th September 2022.

Images: Stef Bravin

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3697
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

CHRISTINA O Interior & Exterior Photos

99.13m  /  325'3   canadian vickers   1943 / 2020.

• Previous Yacht
• Amenities & Toys
• Rates & Regions
• + Shortlist

Charter Christina O

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

Stef Bravin

Pro Superyacht Photographer

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

90m | Corsair Yachts

from $497,000 p/week

SS Delphine

79m | Great Lakes Ew

from $445,000 p/week ♦︎

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

SIMILAR LUXURY CHARTER YACHTS

Here are a selection of yachts which are similar to the current charter yacht. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

Jackie and Aristotle Onassis's Former Yacht Is Available to Rent

The luxury ship was frequented by the likes of Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe.

Charter company Morley Yachts has made the ship available to charter , for a mere €740,000 a week ($814,133) during the high season. The Christina O's luxurious offerings include a main suite, 17 guest cabins with ensuite showers, a dining room for up to 40 guests, a swimming pool that converts to a dance floor, and more.

The boat's allure has been well-documented, having lured the likes of Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and more onboard. Actor Richard Burton once had a telling conversation about the yacht's power, per the Telegraph . "I don’t think there is a man or woman on earth who would not be seduced by the pure narcissism shamelessly flaunted on this boat," Burton said, to which Aristotle replied, "I have found that to be so."

When he described the Christina O himself, Aristotle tended to be blunt. "Madame," he would often tell women aboard, "You are sitting on the largest penis in the world."

The boat also hosted Jackie 's wedding to Aristotle in 1968, after which she'd be a frequent guest aboard the Christina O, until they divorced in 1975.

Recently, Christina O featured in the Triangle of Sadness , Ruben Östlund's Best Picture nominated film, and in The Crown season five , recreating Princess Diana and Prince Charles's 1991 trip to Italy .

The Christina O was acquired by new owners in 2023. "When people come on board Christina O they typically have an emotional reaction," Tim Morley, who runs Morley Yachts, told Robb Report . "People love it—and it affects almost everybody in this way, young and old."

Chloe is a News Writer for Townandcountrymag.com , where she covers royal news, from the latest additions to Meghan Markle’s staff to Queen Elizabeth’s monochrome fashions ; she also writes about culture, often dissecting TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Killing Eve .

@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-11dm4xz:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-transform:scale(-1, 1);-moz-transform:scale(-1, 1);-ms-transform:scale(-1, 1);transform:scale(-1, 1);background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-11dm4xz:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/latest/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-11dm4xz:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}} Jackie Kennedy @media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-pog6h6:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-pog6h6:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/latest/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-pog6h6:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}}

Jack Schlossberg Comments on Charles's Portrait

A New Tiffany Jewelry Exhibit Jackie Would Love

How Lee Radziwill Helped Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy's Life in Pictures

A Guide to the Kennedy Family Tree

Jackie Kennedy's Two Former DC Homes Are For Sale

A Century's Worth of Kennedy Weddings

Jackie Kennedy and a Very Illegal Garden

Jackie Kennedy's Life as a Newspaper Reporter

Mona Lisa in Washington

The True Story of Jackie & Bunny's Friendship

• Ethics & Leadership
• Fact-Checking
• Media Literacy
• The Craig Newmark Center
• Reporting & Editing
• Ethics & Trust
• Tech & Tools
• Business & Work
• Educators & Students
• Training Catalog
• Custom Teaching
• For ACES Members
• All Categories
• Broadcast & Visual Journalism
• Fact-Checking & Media Literacy
• In-newsroom
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Minneapolis, Minn.
• St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Washington, D.C.
• Poynter ACES Introductory Certificate in Editing
• Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing
• Ethics Training
• Ethics Articles
• Get Ethics Advice
• Fact-Checking Articles
• IFCN Grants
• International Fact-Checking Day
• Teen Fact-Checking Network
• International
• Media Literacy Training
• MediaWise Resources
• Ambassadors
• MediaWise in the News

Support responsible news and fact-based information today!

Fact check: What the Obamas and other Democratic speakers got right, wrong on Day 2 of the DNC

Former president barack obama and former first lady michelle obama energized convention attendees. here are some fact checks of their claims..

CHICAGO —  Two decades after exploding onto the political scene at a different Democratic convention, former President Barack Obama, along with former first lady Michelle Obama, energized convention attendees here. The Obamas bestowed their support on nominee Kamala Harris, who aims to follow Obama as the nation’s second Black president.

Barack Obama began his address by praising outgoing President Joe Biden. “I am proud to call him my president, but I am even prouder to call him my friend,” Obama said of Biden, his former vice president.

Obama attacked Harris’ opponent, former President Donald Trump with zingers, once needling Trump for a “ weird obsession with crowd sizes ” (which also involved a suggestive hand gesture).

Barack Obama offered a few notes that rhymed with his career-making 2004 keynote address at the Democratic convention in Boston, in which he argued against the idea that there is a blue America and a red America.

Michelle Obama’s speech also offered some optimistic notes, including the notion that “hope is making a comeback” with Harris’ late entry into the presidential race as Biden’s would-be successor. But the former first lady’s remarks were sometimes even more acerbic than her husband’s.

She said, for example, that Trump had benefited from the “affirmative action of generational wealth” yet still managed to get “a second, third or fourth chance” while regularly “whining” or “cheating.” She also criticized Trump — an early spreader of the “birther” conspiracy theory that doubted that Obama was born in the U.S. — for having made Americans “fear us” as an educated, high-achieving couple who “happen to be Black.”

PolitiFact fact-checks politicians across the political spectrum. We also fact-checked the  Republican National Convention  in July.  Read more about our process.

Here are some fact-checks of claims made during the convention’s second night.

Barack Obama: Under Joe Biden, the U.S. produced “15 million jobs, higher wages, lower health care costs.” 

He’s right about jobs: The U.S. has  added 15.8 million jobs  since January 2021, when Biden was sworn in, though some of those represented the workforce return of workers the pandemic had sidelined.

Wages are up under Biden without factoring in inflation. But for his full tenure, wages have  trailed inflation , which hit a four-decade high under Biden. Nevertheless, wages have outpaced inflation over the past two years, the past year and compared with before the pandemic.

Whether health care costs were lower overall is a trickier question, because there’s great variation from family to family and person to person. However, U.S. health care expenditures as a percentage of gross domestic product peaked during the pandemic in 2020 and have  since fallen  roughly to prepandemic levels. This represented the biggest sustained decline in decades.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.: “Unemployment was soaring” when Biden and Harris took office in January 2021.

Mostly False.

Sanders overstated the unemployment situation when Biden and Harris were inaugurated.

In April 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate surged to 14.8% as millions of Americans lost their jobs.

But by the time Biden took office in January 2021, the rate had fallen to 6.4%, and it continued to fall that year.

So it wasn’t “soaring” any longer, though the rate was still high by historical standards. It was lower than 6.4% for about six years prepandemic.

July’s unemployment rate is 4.3%.

Project 2025

Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia: “And on Page 587, Project 2025 would cut overtime pay for hardworking Americans.”

Labor law experts have told PolitiFact  that the Project 2025 plan would not eliminate overtime pay, but some workers could lose overtime protections if the plan’s proposals are enacted. It’s hard to say how many; it would depend on what’s enacted.

The document proposes that the Labor Department maintain an overtime threshold “that does not punish businesses in lower-cost regions (e.g., the southeast United States).” This threshold is the amount of money executive, administrative or professional employees need to make for an employer to exempt them from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

In 2019, the Trump administration  finalized a rule  that expanded overtime pay eligibility to most salaried workers earning less than about $35,568. The Biden administration  raised that threshold  to $43,888 beginning July 1, and that will rise to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025.

Project 2025’s proposal would return to the Trump-era threshold in some parts of the country. It’s unclear how many workers that would affect, but experts said some would presumably lose the right to overtime wages.

Other proposals in the plan include allowing some workers to choose to accumulate paid time off instead of overtime pay, to work more hours in one week and fewer in the next rather than receive overtime,,and require employers to pay overtime for working on the Sabbath.

Former first lady Michelle Obama: One of Trump’s proposals is “shutting down the Department of Education.”

Trump has said he would  abolish the Education Department , a proposal  he shares with Project 2025 , an agenda independently produced by some Trump allies.

It’s also something conservative groups have pushed for decades. The idea is to save a few essential functions and hand them to other agencies.

Trump’s education agenda also includes universal school choice, not spending federal dollars on schools that have vaccine mandates, allowing prayer in school, making principals directly elected by voters, subsidizing homeschooling and abolishing tenure for K-12 teachers.

Health Care

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.: “Democrats lowered prescription drug prices.”

Mostly True.

The Democrats did take historic steps to lower prices for Medicare recipients, but that’s a limited group of people and for many drugs that will take time.

In August 2022,  Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act,  which allows the federal government to negotiate prices with drugmakers for Medicare. It passed without Republican support. The same law  capped  the monthly price of insulin at $35 for Medicare enrollees starting in 2023.

The Biden-Harris administration  announced  Aug. 15 that the federal government had reached agreements with all participating manufacturers on new negotiated drug prices for the first 10 drugs selected under the new law.

That will define the prices to be paid for prescriptions starting in 2026. For 2027 and 2028, 15 more drugs per year will be chosen for price negotiations. Starting in 2029, 20 more will be chosen a year.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham: Donald Trump and J.D. Vance want to “repeal the Affordable Care Act.”

Half True .

Trump’s new position doesn’t match his old one, but more details are needed.

In 2016, Trump campaigned on a promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. As president, Trump supported a failed effort to do just that. In the years since, he has repeatedly stated his intent to dismantle the health care law, including in campaign stops and social media posts throughout 2023.

In March, however, Trump walked back this stance. He wrote on Truth Social that he “isn’t running to terminate” the ACA but to make it “better” and “less expensive.”

Trump hasn’t said how he would do this, and health care policy experts said it’s difficult to know where he stands without a detailed plan. Experts identified an array of possible changes that could be executed under another Trump administration but said a sweeping repeal likely isn’t in the cards given a lack of political support.

Childhood Poverty

Sanders: “We cut childhood poverty by over 40% through an expanded child tax credit.”

Biden’s American Rescue Plan increased the child tax credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for children younger than 6 and to $3,000 for children 6 to 17.

We  previously reported  that supplemental poverty numbers showed poverty among all U.S. children dropped from 9.7% in 2020 to 5.2% in 2021, the Census Bureau said — a decline of 46%. About 5.3 million people were lifted out of poverty, including 2.9 million children.

The provision lapsed after December 2021, facing opposition from Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin, now an independent, who argued that expanding the credit would worsen inflation.

When the expanded tax credit expired, supplemental child poverty  spiked , rising from 12.1% in December 2021 to 17% in January 2022 — a 41% change.

Kamala Harris in a DNC video: Trump “wants to impose what is in effect a national sales tax on everyday products and basic necessities that we import from other countries. … (it) would cost a typical family $3,900 a year.”

Trump has said that  he would propose a 10% tariff on all nondomestic goods sold  in the U.S. Although tariffs are levied separately from taxes, economists say that much of their impact would be passed along to consumers, making them analogous to a tax.

The video’s figure about how much it will cost families is higher than current estimates.

The American Action Forum, a center-right think tank, has  projected  additional costs per household of $1,700 to $2,350 annually.

The Peterson Institute of International Economics, another Washington, D.C.-based think tank,  projected  that such tariffs would cost a middle-income household about $1,700 extra each year.

PolitiFact chief correspondent Louis Jacobson, senior correspondent Amy Sherman, staff writers Samantha Putterman, Sara Swann, Loreben Tuquero and Maria Ramirez Uribe contributed to this story. 

Our convention fact-checks rely on both new and previously reported work. We link to past work whenever possible. In some cases, a fact-check rating may be different tonight than in past versions. In those cases, either details of what the candidate said, or how the candidate said it, differed enough that we evaluated it anew.

This fact check was originally published by PolitiFact , which is part of the Poynter Institute.

Opinion | Media reaction to Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech

It was a speech that wowed not only the obviously partisan crowd in Chicago, but many of the media commentators covering it.

Fact check: How accurate was Kamala Harris’ 2024 DNC speech in Chicago?

Harris leaned into several key policy themes: abortion rights, voting rights and support for Ukraine as it fights a continuing Russian invasion

LIVE: Fact-checking Kamala Harris’ 2024 DNC speech in Chicago

PolitiFact is live fact-checking the fourth and final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Opinion | Who has been the DNC’s most surprising speaker so far?

It’s Stephanie Grisham, a former White House press secretary for Donald Trump who now supports Kamala Harris for president

Fact check: What Walz, Buttigieg, Clinton and others got right and wrong at Day 3 of the DNC

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted his party’s vice presidential nomination on the Democratic convention’s third night

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Start your day informed and inspired.

Get the Poynter newsletter that's right for you.

Watch CBS News

5th body recovered from Mike Lynch's family yacht off Sicily as questions mount over luxury vessel's sinking

By Anna Matranga

Updated on: August 22, 2024 / 10:48 AM EDT / CBS News

Rome — Divers recovered the body of a fifth victim of the Bayesian superyacht wreck Thursday morning, Sicily Civil Protection Chief Salvo Cocina confirmed to CBS News, and the Reuters news agency cited Italian Interior Ministry official Massimo Mariani as saying it was the body of Mike Lynch, the British tech magnate whose wife owned the vessel.

Italian Coast Guard spokesperson Vincenzo Zagarola told CBS News that teams were still working to recover the body of the sixth and final person left missing when the boat went down. The six bodies had remained stuck inside the 184-foot luxury yacht for days after it sank early Monday morning off the coast of Palermo, Sicily in a severe thunderstorm.

Four bodies were retrieved Wednesday from the Bayesian, which was resting on the seafloor at a 90 degree angle at a depth of over 160 feet. The vessel's position and items that moved around inside the ill-fated yacht made recovery efforts slow and hazardous.

Italian authorities have not officially identified the remains recovered from the Bayesian, which belonged to Lynch's wife Angela Bacares. She was among the 15 people who managed to escape from the boat as it sank quickly on Monday morning, but Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among those left missing.

Another victim, the Bayesian superyacht's chef, was found dead soon after the boat capsized. 

Along with Lynch and his daughter, the technology mogul's American lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, and British banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, were believed to have been trapped in the yacht when it sank.

Questions as to how the state-of-the-art boat could have gone down so quickly have mounted steadily since the accident. 

Italian media were reporting Thursday that, after questioning survivors and witnesses, Italian prosecutors had opened an official investigation into a possible "culpable shipwreck." No individuals had been named as potential suspects.

On Thursday, Giovanni Costantino, head of the Italian Sea Group, which owns the company Perini Navi, which built the Bayesian in 2008, blamed human error.

"A Perini ship resisted Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5 [hurricane]. Does it seem to you that it can't resist a tornado from here?" he remarked to the newspaper Corriere della Sera. "It is good practice when the ship is at anchor to have a guard on the bridge, and if there was one he could not have failed to see the storm coming. Instead, it took on water with the guests still in the cabin. ... They ended up in a trap, those poor people ended up like mice."

One possible factor could have been that the ship's keel — a fin-like structure that sticks out from the bottom of the boat, designed to provide stability and counterweight to the huge mast — was not fully deployed. The yacht had a retractable keel that could be raised for entry into shallow harbors. But a raised keel at sea would have made the ship much more vulnerable to instability in the strong winds that struck early Monday morning.

When asked whether divers had seen the ship's keel in a raised position, a spokesman for the Italian Coast Guard told CBS News that only the prosecutor investigating the incident could confirm such information but that the Coast Guard "was not denying" it. 

The ship's captain, 51-year-old New Zealand national James Cutfileld, was questioned for two hours by prosecutors on Thursday, according to Italian media.

More from CBS News

Italian officials open manslaughter investigation into yacht sinking

Dramatic images show lava spew from huge volcanic fissure in Iceland

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill dozens as cease-fire talks set to resume

How small, cheap drones are helping Ukraine capture Russian ground

Mike Lynch and daughter among missing after yacht sinks: What we know about disaster - and 'alarming' potential cause

The British-flagged luxury vessel named Bayesian was carrying 22 people when it got into difficulty off the coast of Sicily. Seven bodies have now been recovered from the wreckage.

News reporter @samuelosborne93

Friday 23 August 2024 12:24, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Seven bodies have been found after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily.

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel named Bayesian when it got into difficulty in the early hours of Monday, with 15 people rescued.

Here's what we know about the sinking of the luxury vessel so far.

Follow latest updates on the superyacht sinking

What might have caused the sinking?

The British-flagged luxury vessel, named Bayesian, capsized at around 4.30am local time on Monday morning off Palermo, according to ship-tracking site Marine Traffic.

It sank in as little as 60 seconds with 22 people on board, 12 passengers and a crew of 10, according to the Italian coastguard.

Waterspouts, essentially tornados that form over water, were seen as powerful winds battered the area overnight, local media said.

The yacht may have sunk faster with all the doors open due to the hot weather, Sailing Today magazine editor Sam Jefferson has said.

"I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that," he said.

Official pictures show air conditioning units in several of the rooms, however, which could counter the suggestion open windows caused the vessel to sink faster.

The huge mast is also likely to have played a role, he added.

What are waterspouts?

Waterspouts typically occur during thunderstorms and can develop very rapidly, within minutes.

Their spin generally reaches wind speeds between 75-200mph, but can reach as high as 300mph.

They can travel at about 10-20mph typically but can reach greater speeds, making them difficult to avoid - especially in something as slow-moving as a yacht.

Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, called the reports of a tornado or waterspout "rare" and "quite alarming".

"The vessel was at anchor in a recognised anchorage," Mr Schanck said.

"Depending on wind direction and the state of the sea, this informs the captain whether it is a safe area to anchor or not. There was nothing that was too concerning, for my eye. All in all, the captain used the information they had to make a safe call."

Who owns the yacht?

The yacht belonged to the family of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch. He was confirmed to have died after rescuers found his body on Thursday. Mr Lynch was on holiday with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, who is still missing, and his wife Angela Bacares, who was rescued.

Mr Lynch, 59, was known as the " British Bill Gates " and has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case.

In June, a US jury cleared him of all charges, which were related to the 2011 sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP). The yacht trip is believed to have been a celebration of the end of Mr Lynch's legal troubles.

HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the American tech giant.

Mr Lynch was extradited to the US to face trial in May last year and spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco as he awaited trial on 17 charges of conspiracy and wire fraud brought by the US Department of Justice - which were later reduced to 15 charges. He always denied any wrongdoing and was acquitted.

Read more: Lynch's co-defendant dies days before yacht sinking

Who was on board when the boat sank?

The passengers were largely British and American, with crew members were from New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada.

Charlotte Golunski was among the Britons rescued. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm Invoke Capital and has worked there since 2012.

Speaking after the ordeal, Ms Golunski told Italian media that she lost her daughter Sofia for "two seconds" amid the "fury" of the sea but was able to retrieve her. She said she held the infant above the waves until the lifeboat was ready.

"Many people screamed. Luckily the lifeboat inflated and 11 of us were able to get on board," she told ANSA.

The girl's father James Emsley also survived, according to Sicily's civil protection agency.

Also on board were Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley, his wife Judy Bloomer, a top US lawyer Chris Morvillo, who worked on Mr Lynch's criminal case, and his wife Neda Morvillo. Divers confirmed on Thursday that their bodies had been recovered.

The yacht's captain James Cutfield survived, along with South African crew members Leah Randall and Katja Chicken.

Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan chef who was working on the boat, was the first to be found dead, the Italian Coastguard confirmed to Sky News.

During rescue efforts, divers saw "corpses through the portholes" of the wreck as they recovered the body of a man at a depth of 50m (164ft), according to Salvo Cocina, the head of the Civil Protection of Sicily.

What do we know about the vessel?

The Bayesian is owned by a company controlled by Mr Lynch's wife.

It was known for its unusual 72.3m (246ft) single mast - one of the world's tallest made of aluminium - and shared its name with the statistical method Mr Lynch's Autonomy software was based on.

It was built by Italian company Perini Navi in 2008 and last refitted in 2020.

It was listed for rent for up to €195,000 (£166,000) a week, according to online charter sites.

The luxury vessel , which was managed by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons, could accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites.

It won a string of awards for its design, according to online specialist yacht sites.

Mr Schanck, of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, said the vessel would have been equipped with "high standard" life-saving appliances and radio communications.

He added the yacht would have met all international standards and UK Maritime Coastguard Agency regulations before its voyage.

It was previously named Salute, or "health" in Italian, when it flew under a Dutch flag. Its minimalist interior featured light wood with Japanese accents designed by the French designer Remi Tessier, according to descriptions on charter sites.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

What were its last movements?

The boat left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on 14 August and was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, with a navigation status of "at anchor", according to vessel tracking site VesselFinder.

The Bayesian previously travelled to other parts of Sicily before its last sighting off the coast of the port of Porticello.

On Sunday, the boat was seen off the coast of Cefalu before it travelled towards Porticello, MarineTraffic data shows.

In the days before, the yacht travelled around four of the Aeolian islands, just north of Sicily.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation into the sinking.

Related Topics

• Superyacht sinking