Name Nero Tonnage 1,413 GT Launched 2007 Draft 4.87 m | Type Super yacht Length 90 m Weight 0.8051 tons | |
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Port of registry George Town, Cayman Islands Builder Corsair Yachts and Yantai Raffles Shipyard Identification IMO number 1008449
MMSI number 319672000
International callsign ZCOX | ||
Nero is one of the world's largest luxury motor yachts, measuring 90.1 metres (296 ft) in length. The design was inspired by J.P. Morgan's Corsair yachts. She was commissioned by Neil Taylor and built in China at Yantai Raffles Shipyard by Corsair Yachts in 2007 with architecture by IMT Marine Consultants. She features a master duplex suite with ensuite bath and shower rooms, a private sundeck and swimming pool. Guest accommodation includes two 'VIP' suites and two cabins.
Contents
She is one of the yachts in the Burgess Charter Fleet. It was reported in 2009 that she was available for charter through the summer from €322,000 (US$421,000) per week. The initial rates set in 2008 started at €476,000 (US$622,000) in low season and from €490,000 (US$640,000) in high season. As of October 2012 the rates advertised by Burgess are €425,000/€385,000 (US$555,000/$503,000) (high/low).
The yacht was listed for sale with Merle Wood & Associates and Burgess in 2009. The asking price was €75 million (US$98 million). However, in April 2011, it was reported that the asking price for the yacht was reduced to €67.5 million (US$88.2 million). The price was further reduced to €59.9 million (US$78.3 million) in 2012. Costa Crosiere Italy chartered the nero in April 2015 for its new Luxury Cruising Concept, to be Released in December 2015
Nero and J.P. Morgan's legacy
The Nero was commissioned by London-born entrepreneur Neil Taylor. He had originally intended to restore a yacht from J.P. Morgan's era but, when he was unable to find one that met his requirements, he set out to build a modern replica.
Morgan built four large yachts with the name Corsair. The last, Corsair IV, launched in 1930, was 343 feet in length and cost of $2.5 million ($33.3 million in 2011 standards) . Corsair IV was at the time the largest yacht ever built in the US. Morgan used her for 10 years before turning her over to the British Admiralty in 1940. After World War II, there was high demand from rich Americans for luxury cruises. The Skinner and Eddy Corporation established Pacific Cruise Lines in 1946 and quickly acquired Corsair IV, converting her into a luxury cruise vessel. The new Corsair (IV was dropped) began service in September 1947 offering two-week cruises out of Long Beach, California. However, during a cruise to Mexico, she struck rock on 12 November 1949 and was beached at Acapulco. She can now be explored by divers in the seas off Acapulco.
Corsair II had been chartered by the US Navy in 1917 and, as the USS Corsair (SP-159), took part in patrols against enemy submarines off the west coast of France, being returned to Morgan in 1919 with an outstanding rescue record. She was acquired by the US Navy in 1942 and renamed the USS Oceanographer (AGS-3), serving with the Coast and Geodetic Survey. She was decommissioned in October 1944 and broken up for scrap.
Corsair Yachts, Nero's shipbuilder, was a new facility created for the project at Yantai Raffles Shipyard on Shangdong Peninsula, China. Taylor designed the yacht, which was built by 400 craftsmen over three and a half years.
Awards
Nero won Best Motor Yacht over 75 metres (246 ft) at the 2009 ShowBoats International Design Awards.