At least 9 superyachts owned by Russian tycoons switched off their tracking systems after the Ukraine war began, report says

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At least nine yachts tied to Russian moguls have switched off their trackers, Bloomberg reported.

The vessels have gone dark since Russia invaded Ukraine, Bloomberg said.

Some Russian oligarchs have moved their yachts, seemingly to protect them from sanctions.

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The tracking systems on board at least nine superyachts linked to Russian moguls were switched off after the invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Tracking signals from the yachts went dark between February 24, the day Russia began its invasion, and March 11, when US President Joe Biden announced additional sanctions on oligarchs, Bloomberg said, citing data it had compiled.

Most of the yachts identified by Bloomberg as going dark between these dates are linked to Russian oligarchs on Western sanctions lists, such as those considered by the US to be in Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. A few vessels were connected to Russian tycoons who hadn't been sanctioned at the time, Bloomberg said.

The International Maritime Organization's website says all vessels of 300 gross metric tons or more that sail on international voyages must install tracking systems, known as an automatic identification systems, to provide information about their locations to the authorities and other ships.

Since the Ukraine invasion began, Russian oligarchs have been moving their yachts and private jets across the world in an apparent effort to protect their trophy assets from sanctions imposed by the US, UK, and other Western nations.

According to a report by The Daily Beast, Vagit Alekperov's $80 million superyacht, Galactica Super Nova, stopped broadcasting its tracking signal after leaving Montenegro on March 2, leading to speculation that it might be trying to avoid detection. Alekperov, CEO of the Russian energy company Lukoil, hadn't been sanctioned at the time.

GonzoVeritas on March 25th, 2022 at 14:12 UTC »

I have a friend who sells large yachts - mostly 100' plus. I asked him about the oligarchs boats. The ocean, especially the Pacific, is a huge place with many friendly ports, even to a fleeing oligarch. He said that they buy these boats for entertainment and the ability to disappear if necessary.

Privacy and the ability to evade kidnappers, law enforcement, governments, enemies, etc. is a primary concern. It's why some of these boats have deployable submarines. Most have helicopters and launches.

Turning off tracking systems is not illegal, nor is it highly unusual. They bought these hugely expensive boats for privacy. Depending on the port, they may need to turn them back on, but there are no requirements on the high seas to have it on. (a boat's flag of registry may influence that requirement, but they're not flying any flag that would make that so.)

On the subject of seizing their yachts, he said that he nor any of his friends, or even most companies that do repossessions, had much interest in even attempting that with these people. They are dangerous and powerful. Some of these boats are heavily armed and can carry missile systems. (some of these boys have been skimming off the military.)

tl:dr - they don't have to turn tracking on, it's not highly unusual to have it turned off, they bought these things for privacy.

Electronic-Tonight16 on March 25th, 2022 at 12:01 UTC »

This would make a great TV show. "Yacht Hunters"

Think of all the drama that could unfold.

Cycode on March 25th, 2022 at 11:17 UTC »

isn't that illegal? not that they would care, but still.