A brand new £430m superyacht belonging to Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has been spotted for the first time at sea, off the billionaire's playground of Antibes on the French Riviera.
The 460ft vessel, Solaris, is the most costly custom-made superyacht ever built, with 48 cabins across eight decks, a crew of 60 and space for 36 guests.
This exclusive series of photographs and videos shows for the first time the full majestic grandeur of the boat as it awaits its secretive oligarch owner and his friends.
A brand new £430m superyacht belonging to Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has been spotted for the first time at sea, off the billionaire's playground of Antibes on the French Riviera
The 460ft vessel, Solaris, is the most costly custom-made superyacht ever built, with 48 cabins across eight decks, a crew of 60 and space for 36 guests
This exclusive series of photographs and videos shows for the first time the full majestic grandeur of the boat as it awaits its secretive oligarch owner and his friends
Built in Bremerhaven, Germany, Solaris recently completed sea trials and was briefly berthed in Barcelona before moving across to Cape D'Ail near Monaco, and then Antibes.
Yachting photographer Julien Hubert, who captured these images on a drone, said it was one of the biggest yachts he'd ever seen.
'It is definitely among the 15 biggest yachts in the world,' he said, 'and it was creating a lot of interest in the yachting community around the port.'
Abramovich, 54, himself is believed to be on his other, slightly longer, £500m yacht Eclipse, off Croatia at the moment, but it's thought likely he'll want to try out his new toy before long, as it is arguably, the most technologically advanced private boat afloat.
Built in Bremerhaven, Germany, Solaris recently completed sea trials and was briefly berthed in Barcelona before moving across to Cape D'Ail near Monaco, and then Antibes
Yachting photographer Julien Hubert, who captured these images on a drone, said it was one of the biggest yachts he'd ever seen, standing at 460ft
Abramovich, 54, himself is believed to be on his other, slightly longer than Solaris (pictured), £500m yacht Eclipse, off Croatia at the moment, but it's thought likely he'll want to try out his new toy before long, as it is arguably, the most technologically advanced private boat afloat
All his guests will be accommodated in luxurious state rooms and travel between the boat's eight decks by lift.
As well as a gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and at least one swimming pool come as standard on boats such as these and, if it's anything like the 530ft Eclipse, it will also have a beauty salon, complete with beautician and hairdresser.
Eclipse has a night club with dance floor but Solaris instead has an outdoor 'beach club' at the aft section of the upper deck.
Solaris has a flotilla of 20 high-speed jet-skis and at least one helicopter to ferry guests from ship to shore. And it's expected that Abramovich will also
