Billionaire ex-Premier League owner takes over small English town for weeks with his $300 million superyacht
- Billionaire’s $300 million superyacht in harbor of small UK town
- It’s been there since August
- Locals weren’t happy about the 322-foot (98m) ‘eyesore’
Published on Nov 13, 2024 at 8:21 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Nov 14, 2024 at 4:04 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Billionaire ex-Premier League owner, Joe Lewis, has docked his $300 million superyacht, Aviva, in the town of Dartmouth in Devon, UK, for several months.
Locals weren’t happy about the 322-foot (98m) ‘eyesore’.
It sparked complaints from residents of the picturesque town that it was ‘totally out of place’.
While it isn’t clear whether the former Tottenham Hotspur owner is aboard, it’s thought he may be there for a nearby regatta.
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The superyacht
Accommodating up to 16 people it features lavish amenities, including onyx and marble interiors and a padel tennis court.
It can also hit an impressive top speed of 20 knots and boasts an eco-friendly hybrid electric propulsion system – not unlike this 220-foot all-electric vessel that could become the first fuel-free superyacht.
The 322-foot custom vessel has been docked in the harbor of the sleepy town since August after arriving from Troon, Scotland around August 5.
Why is the billionaire there?
Irritated residents wonder why he chose that location over somewhere more tropical however, a local regatta could be the reason behind its extended stay.
One resident told The Sun: “I guess he’s here for the regatta that starts this week but who knows how long he’ll stay.
“It’s just a huge floating gin palace, miles bigger than anything else in the harbor. We’ve seen his crew come and go in a tender but I don’t know if he’s even onboard – nobody’s heard anything.”
@dudleys_cafe_dartmouth It's getting busy out there on the Dart as we welcome another superb superyacht on this drizzly morning. Aviva joins Elysian & Constance, these 3 superyachts combined are worth £363,000,000 It's nice to dream 😌 #superyacht #megayacht #billionaire #millionaire #dartmouthdevon #devon #exploredartmouth #riverdart #ifonly ♬ оригинальный звук – rvshishkin
It’s still unclear whether the entrepreneur worth $6.4billion is actually aboard.
Aviva had been absent from UK waters for over a year, as its owner faced insider trading charges in the US and was sentenced to three years probation and fined $5 million.
It’s not the only time that billionaire vessels have been spied in UK waters
This $360 million superyacht spotted on the River Thames is so big it dwarfs an entire football field.
It can be chartered from charter firm Cecil Wright & Partners for $3.3 million per week.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
