 Vosper Thornycroft workers are racing to complete the �35m yacht |
It has been hailed as the world's largest single-masted yacht by its designers. The "superyacht" Mirabella V is 75-metres-long with a 295 feet mast and will be the last vessel to be constructed at Vosper Thornycroft's shipyards in Southampton, Hampshire.
The Woolston plant will close next month, with its workforce relocating to Portsmouth.
Up to 200 workers are now adding the finishing touches to the �35m, 780-tonne luxury vessel comprising of a mixture of carbon fibre, glass, PVC foam and twelve layers of Kevlar.
On completion, the Mirabella which has a hull large enough to fit a double-decker bus in, will house 12 crew, 12 guests and jet skis.
Sailing in style
It will also boast a sauna, gym, jacuzzi, plunge pool, dining area and a 600-bottle wine cellar.
Some radio-controlled models of the superyacht are being built as well.
 Mirabella V owner Joe Vittoria |
Joe Vittoria, former head of Avis Car Rentals, who is having the yacht built, said he would be looking to charter the boat at a cost of $250,000 a week.
"It is mostly a commercial opportunity.
"But I am not going to lie and say there isn't something to having a large boat myself."
The yard's closure brings to an end to almost 100 years of shipbuilding at the site.
The 31-acre waterfront site has been sold off for housing and business development over the next 10 years.
Mark Adams, Vospers employee team leader, said: "It is obviously very sad but what a last one to build."
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