The Alfa Nero superyacht may have been sold – and according to government, the proceeds already spent – but that hasn’t deterred lawsuits from people claiming to be its rightful owner fighting on for compensation.
Lawyer David Dorsett is representing Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, the daughter of sanctioned Russian oligarch Andrey Guryev previously cited as the boat’s owner.
Dorsett tells Observer the High Court is due to give a decision within days on what happens to the US$40 million the vessel was sold for. He says his client is fighting to have the boat returned or – at the very least – get financial damages.
Additional legal action is also ongoing by BVI-registered firm Flying Dutchman which is understood to be the vessel’s registered owner.
Last week’s announcement of the Alfa Nero’s sale to an unnamed businessman will have been a trigger for litigation, Dorsett said, adding that he expected lawsuits to be “flying left, right and centre”.
Meanwhile creditors related to the vessel’s colossal debts racked up over the last two years while it’s been docked in Falmouth Harbour continue to clamour for their cash.
Sources tell Observer provisions brokers are among those demanding to get paid.
Government has repeatedly promised to pay all legitimate outstanding debts associated with the boat. Just yesterday, Minister Maria Browne said proceeds from the sale had already been used to settle the boat’s debts with the remainder spent on general government debt.
The Alfa Nero has been a millstone around taxpayers’ necks since it was seized by the government in April last year. Maintenance alone will have totted up to around US$1.7 million.
Despite the owner’s pledges to remove the yacht from the country’s waters as soon as possible, this morning it can still be seen docked in the harbour, while most boats have been taken out as peak hurricane season approaches.
Sources say the humungous vessel is thousands of miles past its due inspection, and there are widespread concerns that it is not currently seaworthy. Information reaching Observer indicates an inspection is set to take place today.
