FB253: Diamonds are for ever

The sea trial was pubblished in Superyacht 33 – Summer 2012

“Diamonds are Forever” is the apotheosis of luxury heightened to pomp. Four decks of utter sumptuousness tailor made for an American owner and his wife who own Millenium Super Yachts.

John Staluppi was born in 1947 in New Jersey, started out with nothing but successfully managed to transform the passion he has for engines and cars into a business. In fact he’s become one of the most accredited Honda dealers in the USA, owner of “Dream Cars” a renowned classic car museum and not only. But going back to the eighties we find John Staluppi starting up Millenium Super Yachts with the substantial wealth he’d put together from his existing companies and passion for yachting and deep sea fishing. It’s thanks to Millenium Super Yachts that models like the 140’ “The World Is Not Enough” and the three decker Christensen 163’ “Casino Royale” have cruised the oceans. Well this tycoon and philanthropist’s personal choice fell onto an Italian made to measure 60 metre quad deck mega yacht built in steel and aluminium by the evocative name “Diamonds are forever”. The yacht is also available for charter at Ocean Independence (www.diamondsyacht.com – www.ocyachts.com ).

Off the chocks in November 2011 and first presented at the Miami Boat show. “Diamonds are Forever” was drawn up by the in house design team and Evan K. Marshall’s interiors studio who had already put his name to John Staluppi’s preceding yachts.

What characterizes this quad deck in particular in addition to the aesthetical beauty, the elegant external lines, is the degree of the exhibited richness of all the interiors. Much of the interiors’ accessories and furniture were designed by Evan K Marshall but were built by Marieux from Holland.

The interiors are classic by definition while light coloured fabrics with numerous well situated mirroring surfaces enhance a sense of luminosity and airiness. Myrtle essences prevail with Madrona in a combination of chromatic fluidity which often is set to accompany mirrors or window panels decorated by silvery paints while others bear the marks of acquaforte or chiselled woods to match bulkheads with gold leaf or silver lining. Marble floors everywhere and rare onyx are also called upon to dress bathrooms in varying different shades for each deck. The main deck’s layout stands out with a huge living room and annexed dining room.

To further enrich this area lighting and precious chandeliers were imported from Sans Souci a Czech company which are paired with Il Normanno Italian table lamps as well as other accessories situated on different decks. Intricate stone works one finds along the ship are made by Guido Menchini & Sons from drawings by Evan K Marshall. What adds much charm to this area is the shape of engraved hand painted curved glass panels, of a colour which is elegantly silvery in appearance and further embellish the glass panels with Swarovski stones which together with two specially commissioned paintings recall the ship’s name. Continuing along the main deck we access the main foyer where a lift and stairway connect to the other decks. Here too Marieux glass panels decorate the area with paintings and Erté art deco sculptures.

The bow hosts a wellness area with massage parlours, sauna, a gym and hairdresser, a VIP suite with 180° ocean view, a twin cabin, a wardrobe and luxury bathroom. The remaining guest quarters are situated on the lower deck where there are three doubles and another twin cabin each one hosting its dedicated bathroom, while the bow section with independent access hosts the crew quarters.

The owners’ apartment extends along the bow for half its length along the upper deck, taking up a generous area with a prestigious ocean view, a large bathroom, with “floating accessories” a dressing room and study. The stern area on the same deck houses a large full beam sky lounge with a living room, bar corner, card table, and piano. Considering this area as being an important one where most of one’s time on board is spent, the sky lounge is richly furnished and embellished with mother of pearl inserts, etchings, and paintings concealing TV screens.

In each of the four corners of the lounge there are art déco statues by Erté wanting to recall Piazza delle Quattro Fontane in Rome each one coming from the America Series called “Liberty”, “Fearless and Free”, “Peace” and “Justice”. A part of the dining area inside opens up in the open towards the stern on the same deck completing the picture with electric sliding doors which in this case separate it from the sky lounge. A great deal of attention to detail has also gone into the external spaces above all along the two upper decks.

The sun deck hosts the helm control station as well as a lounge area astern in which to relax with a Jacuzzi pool and wet bar. The whole of this section can double as a helipad when required. The top deck is reserved for the owner it can be accessed only by lift or by taking to the stairs with an access key.

From a purely technical point of view “Diamonds are Forever” boasts two Caterpillar 3512B engines delivering 1,850 HP each at 1,600 rpm. which propel this steel and aluminium ship to a top speed of 16 knots when semi laden. At 12 knots she’s capable of covering 4,800 nautical miles thanks to a fuel capacity of 135,000 litres. The water tanks contain 20,000 litres and are kept full by a sophisticated watermaker.

Two 12.5 litre Northern lights gen sets provide all electrical power with a standby emergency gen set of 6.5 litres. Fun water toys stowed in the stern garage like water craft provide plenty of amusement while a 7.50 metre tender stands by for added security. Another but smaller tender of 4.20 metres is stowed in the bow area with two sets of jet skis, without forgetting the touch and go type helipad situated on the sun deck with a capacity of 3,000 kg.

Stefano Colotti

For further information: Benetti

The sea trial was pubblished in Superyacht 33 – Summer 2012