New launch 61m DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER in Livorno, Italy

29 November 2011 | DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER , the new 61m Benetti Custom megayacht was launched at a Bond styled christening party on Saturday 26th November 2011 at the state-of-the-art Benetti shipyard in Livorno, with her maiden charter voyage under OCEAN Independence charter management scheduled for December 2011.

She started life with the official ID Benetti FB253 61m but to her new Owner she is DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, a name that is the personal signature of experienced yacht Owner Mr. John Staluppi, who has always been a fan of the inimitable Bond, James Bond, saga. Sold as a new build project by OCEAN Independence’s Peter Thompson in early 2010 her naming ceremony was held at Benetti’s Livorno 50m+ facility in the presence of the Owner’s, crew and construction team.

The event took place under sunny Tuscan skies beginning with speeches and presentations by Benetti’s CEO Vincenzo Poerio, Chairman Paolo Vitelli and head of project management Nicola Nicolai to the Owners, their project team and crew. This was followed by a rendition of the theme tune to the Diamonds are forever movie and an acrobatic enactment of a daring Bond fight scene complete with Aston Martin and the magnificent backdrop of the yacht. The yacht was then given a traditional blessing and feted with champagne and lunch.

The yacht will set sail on her maiden charter voyage in December and will be available in the Caribbean for the coming season and the Mediterranean later in 2012, her concept and layout have been meticulously crafted. Her elegant external lines are based on Benetti naval architecture and engineering producing a balanced combination of traditional design elements and modern innovative style solutions that distinguish the long established and respected Italian shipyard throughout the world.

Onboard, customisation to meet the needs and desires of the yacht owner was key to bringing DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER into a class of her own, with a brief to ensure a layout that offers maximum guest satisfaction in terms of space, style, service and comfort, with a view to making her an ultra successful charter yacht. The customisation of the project included the arrangement of the cabins, the location of the wheelhouse, the interior decor and the addition of a top deck above the flybridge to create a private panoramic deck 12m above sea level. Under the hood the engine room gleams in full stainless steel and chrome, the Schttel pump-jet propulsion system gives her an enviable mobility as well as Dynamic Positioning Capability.

The spacious interior layout comprises two panoramic master suites and four guest staterooms, a guest elevator to all decks, a full beam sky lounge and vast open and shaded deck spaces. Of particular note is the additional top deck, located above the sun deck, which is also served by the central elevator. The aft part of the sun-deck also allows easy touch and go helicopter operations.

The accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 cabins, is formed by 4 cabins located on the lower deck, a split level VIP suite come 2nd Owners suite at the front of the main deck and the master Owners suite forward on the upper deck, both with a 180° view sea view. The main deck level is complemented by a fitness room and a relaxation & beauty parlour, which can be open to all guests or sectioned off as part of the VIP / 2nd owners suite.

The magnificent Owner’s suite, as with the rest of the yacht’s layout, has been well thought out for guest use, with the opulent hallway providing seclusion for each area comprising; private study, bathroom, separate toilets, walk-thru wardrobe and the plush main bedroom.

The completely custom design furnishings and interior decor are by Evan K. Marshall/Usonia V, a London based interior specialist who has already designed several yacht interiors for Mr. and Mrs. Staluppi. The sumptuous classic interior uses fine Italian marble, onyx, Madrona burlwood, gold leaf, mother of pearl and Marieux crystal, with great attention paid to every detail to achieve maximum visual impact.

FB253 Diamonds Are Forever has a maximum speed of 16 knots, a cruising speed of 15 knots and an oceanic range of 4800 nautical miles at 12 knots.

For further information contact:
Peter Thompson Tel: +44 77 88 755 334
James Graham-Cloete Tel: +44 207 381 7600