‘Impressive’: 62-metre superyacht with helipad docks in Victoria

A superyacht worth millions and equipped with a helipad is docked in Victoria, and passersby have mixed reactions about the giant vessel at the Inner Harbour.

With a top speed of 16 knots, the 62-metre-long yacht called Seaxplorer 62 Anawa was built in 2020 and is worth $100 million, according to the website superyachtfan.com.

It says it can fit 12 guests and 20 crew members.

“It looks modern yet somehow mysterious. Would I spend time on it? For sure,” one passerby told CHEK News Tuesday. “I have no idea what it is. The front is quite different.”

Vessel Finder, a website that tracks boats around the world, says Anawa arrived in B.C.’s capital Monday evening after departing Sidney earlier that afternoon.

“Anawa (Ala Wai) is actually a canal in Hawaii, in Honolulu,” said one passerby. “Oh, really? It wouldn’t fit,” added another with a laugh.

The vessel from Netherlands-based Damen Yachting is owned by Jorge Paulo Lemann, an 83-year-old billionaire investment banker and businessman who co-founded the private equity firm 3G Capital that’s behind brands like Burger King and Heinz.

Forbes says Lemann’s worth $14.8 billion.

“We saw it coming in yesterday. I thought it was coming in backwards. A Brazilian billionaire, apparently? It’s impressive,” said one James Bay resident.

In August 2020, luxury lifestyle magazine Boat International raved about Anawa, calling it a custom-designed yacht that allows for “30 days autonomy on the water” with its chopper hangar, two tender garages and storage facilities.

For Victoria’s Ron Aird, it’s “amazing” to look at.

“It’s great. I think it’s a good companion for the sauna barge. They’re both on the cutting edge design-wise, which is a treat for Victoria,” he said.

Across the pier, a 44-metre barge that made waves after being transformed into a floating Nordic spa is docked and set to open soon.

READ ALSO: New floating Nordic spa docks in Victoria’s Inner Harbour

“I don’t think it’s that big compared to the cruise ships, which I don’t like. It’s not intrusive at all,” added Aird, pointing to the property next door. “Over there, it’s all parking lot, so I’d like to see something to do with the ocean.”

But not everyone was a fan of the yacht, especially its exterior that’s painted turquoise.

“I really don’t like the design of it. It’s not one of the nicest boats here. It’s okay, I hope it doesn’t stay too long. It kind of obstructs the view,” said one passerby.

“It’s definitely unnecessary, for sure,” added another.

SuperYachtFan says the price of a vessel “can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the size, age, and level of luxury of the yacht, as well as the materials and technology used in its construction.”

It says Anawa costs about $10 million annually to operate, and a crew on board tells CHEK News the vessel will be in the Victoria area for about three months.

(Photo: CHEK News)

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