In a recent maritime mishap, the luxurious super-yacht Venus, belonging to billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs, collided with the mega-vessel Lady Moura, owned by Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego. The incident took place in Italy on July 22nd, where both opulent boats were reportedly worth upwards of $120 million each.
According to a source familiar with the situation, both yachts were anchored when the collision occurred. It was mentioned that no family members were on board the Venus at the time, only the crew. The collision was attributed to a sudden change in wind, which escalated from a breeze to 55 knots in a matter of minutes.
Following the incident, both captains were engaged in discussions about the minor repairs needed for the damages caused during the collision. The Lady Moura was reported to have been anchored on a chain double the length expected for the depth of water, raising questions about the preparedness of the crew.
A video of the nautical mishap was uploaded on Instagram by Pliego’s side, where he expressed his concerns in Spanish about the incident. He questioned the vigilance of the captain and crew for not being able to avoid a collision with a yacht as massive as his own. The billionaire highlighted the significant damage caused, emphasizing the costs involved in fixing it.
The Venus, a 256-foot custom yacht created for Steve Jobs by designer Philippe Starck, never got the opportunity to be used by the late Apple founder before his demise in 2011. On the other hand, the Lady Moura, a 344-foot vessel previously owned by a Saudi businessman, was acquired by Pliego for $125 million. Pliego, the third richest person in Mexico, is a prominent billionaire entrepreneur involved in banking, telecommunications, and retail sectors.
This collision between two iconic billionaire-owned yachts not only shed light on the high-stakes world of maritime luxury but also raised questions about safety measures and vigilance among the crew members. The aftermath of this incident serves as a reminder that even in the opulent realm of super-yachts, accidents can not only be damaging but also costly.
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