 Vosper Thornycroft workers are to relocate to Portsmouth |
One of the world's biggest ever luxury yachts has been launched, bringing to a close a century of shipbuilding in a south coast port. The Mirabella V is the final vessel to be built by VT - formerly known as Vosper Thornycroft - at its Woolston, Southampton, shipyard.
Described as the world's largest single-masted yacht by its designers, the luxury superyacht is big enough to accommodate two double-decker buses.
The official launch of the vessel, which was a private ceremony, at the request of its owner, took place at 1200 GMT on Wednesday
The vessel will now be moved to Portsmouth naval base for a series of trials.
The launch brings to a close 100 years of shipbuilding by VT and its predecessors at the Woolston yard, with the workforce moving to the company's Portsmouth site.
Up to 200 shipbuilders worked on the 780-tonne luxury vessel, made of a mixture of carbon fibre, glass, PVC foam and twelve layers of Kevlar.
The Mirabella V, which is twice as tall as Nelson's Column, houses a sauna, gym, jacuzzi, plunge pool, dining area and a 600-bottle wine cellar.
There is also room for 12 crew, 12 guests and jet skis.
The boat's owner Joe Vittoria, former head of Avis Car Rentals, is planning to charter it at a cost of $250,000 a week.
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