Destriero Explained
Destriero was a 67m (220feet) long, 13m (43feet) wide, 400-ton
displacement, yacht built by
Fincantieri in their Muggiano yard at
La Spezia in 1991. She was fitted with three
GE Aviation LM1600 gas turbines totalling 60000hp,
[1] providing her with a maximum speed of 110km/h.
Destriero was built with the sponsorship of the
Aga Khan IV and others specifically to cross the
Atlantic Ocean in record time of 3 days and secure the
Blue Riband.
[2] [3] In 1992 Destriero crossed the Atlantic, without refuelling, twice, firstly westbound from Tarifa Point, Spain to Ambrose Light, New York. Her eastbound voyage was from the Ambrose Light to Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, a distance of 3106nmi, at an average speed of 53.09kn. Despite the record time of 58 hours, 34 minutes and 5 seconds, Destriero was denied the Hales Trophy, because she was classed as a "private yacht" and not a "commercial passenger vessel".[4] Destriero did, however receive the Virgin Atlantic Challenge Trophy, awarded by former record-holder Richard Branson for the fastest crossing by any vessel, and the Columbus Atlantic Trophy sponsored by the Costa Smeralda and New York Yacht Clubs for the fastest trans-Atlantic round-trip.
The ship was laid up in HMNB Devonport dockyard, Plymouth, England for ten years, but was removed in February 2009, reportedly for Lürssen ship yard. Destriero was scrapped in 2023.
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: GE Gas Turbines Provide Reliable Propulsion and Onboard Power for 17 Cruise Ships . GE Aviation . 12 March 2007. 2016-03-28.
- News: Fincantieri celebrates 20th anniversary of Destriero record. 28 March 2016. Superyacht Times. Superyacht Company BV. 26 July 2012.
- News: Lloyd. Barbara. Boating; A Race Against Time And Atlantic's Waters. 28 March 2016. New York Times. 1 June 1992.
- Web site: Destriero Laid Up at Devonport . Irishseashipping.com . 26 August 2006 . 2016-03-28 . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220071850/http://www.irishseashipping.com/photofeatures/irishcelticseas/england/destriero260806/destriero260806.htm . February 20, 2012 .
