The designers of the world’s first hydrogen-fueled super yacht have denied the $645million vessel is going to Microsoft boss Bill Gates.
It was reported earlier that Bill Gates reportedly paid a cool $645 million for the eco-friendly yacht called Aqua, which boat plans were revealed last year at the Monaco Yacht Show.
The Aqua is 370 feet in length with five decks and accommodations for 14 guests and 31 crew members. It also boasts a gym, yoga studio, beauty room, massage parlor, and a cascading pool at the rear deck.
But all those features pale in comparison to the most impressive on yet: two 28-ton vacuum-sealed tanks cooled to -423F (-253C). The tanks are filled with the liquid hydrogen that will power the ship.
The vessel is not expected to launch until 2024.
A special type of fuel cell will take in the hydrogen ton convert it into electricity. Its only by-product will be water that will be safely discharged into the ocean.
It is expected to reach 17 knots and travel 3,750 miles before needing to refuel, enough to go from New York to Southampton.
Aqua was only a concept when it was first unveiled which is why Gates’ decision to purchase it was a milestone.
Designer Sander Sinot said: “With every project, I challenge my team and myself to surpass ourselves. For the development of AQUA, we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology to combine this in a superyacht with truly innovative features.”
Sinot spent five months getting all the details of the yacht down in cooperation with Lateral Naval Architects. He was hoping at that time that it would eventually become a real vessel and Gates’ order is a clear indication of his interest in alternative fuels.
While the yacht will run purely on liquid hydrogen, there will be a back-up engine that runs on diesel because there are only a few hydrogen refueling stations in the world.
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