One of the weirdest-looking superyachts is one of the only that's allowed to be sailed in Thailand due to strict rules

Ocean Emerald is one of the most unique superyachts in the world, not only in design, but also in its route patterns.

Most superyachts love to spend time in the marinas of Monaco, St Barts, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi.

But when South Asia comes calling, the docking options get quite territorial. Especially in Thailand.

This funky-looking superyacht has managed to do what nearly every other boat hasn’t been able to, though, as it soars through Thai waters unchallenged.

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How Ocean Emerald outfoxed Thai law to be one of the only foreign superyachts allowed

Yachting laws in Thailand are among the most restrictive in the world – certainly not like Monaco, which opens its shores to every Sailor Tom, Dick, and Bill Gates in peak times.

Instead, Thailand likes its boats to be born and bred.

That is, with the exception of Ocean Emerald.

Owned by Brit-born Thai resident Nigel Plaskett, the vessel was able to take advantage of a very complicated and very brief loosening of the charter restrictions in the country to register as a foreign superyacht there.

The scheme, which ran for less than a year, required the boat owner to have a crew that was entirely documented to work in the country, pay VAT tax to Thailand, and operate with local agents in its chartering business, among many other hurdles.

But Plaskett was able to succeed in this pilot scheme, which closed within the year, and now has one of the only foreign boats in Thailand.

Speaking to Boat International, he claimed that he goes out on the Thai waters for around ten weeks a year, especially on his favorite routes.

“The Thai mentality is to say yes to everything and not to offend by saying no. I am there to manage the crew in that respect, though I try to fade into the background for the sake of the clients,” he said.

“The nicest trip is usually to Ko Chang or Cambodia, then across to Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha Ngan, and finally back up to Bangkok. It’s a triangle that ticks a lot of boxes. There’s a good mix of authentic Thailand alongside more luxurious tourist spots within easy reach.”

Lucky in love but divisive by nature

While we often see some bizarre superyacht designs, Ocean Emerald may be one of the most polarizing.

Born from the same mind that created London’s ‘Gherkin’ building, this Lord Foster creation is entirely divisive.

The arched architecture that sweeps through the bow is loved and hated by large communities, so much so that it featured in a James Bond movie, but it’s ridiculed in chat room forums.

“Ocean Emerald was very much designed for looks over practicality,” Plaskett said.

“Things like storage space are missing, and the top deck was literally an open space when I bought it. There was no nice bar or spa pool. Architects are prone to forget those bits and sometimes prioritise concept over detail.”

Nowadays, these features have been added, but their arched appearance is unmistakable.

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