Tranquility (yacht)

History
Cayman Islands
NameTranquility
OwnerGenting Group
BuilderOceanco
Yard numberY709
Launched2013 [1]
In service2014 [2]
Identification
General characteristics
Class and typeMotor yacht
Tonnage2998 gross tons
Length91.50 m (300.2 ft)
Beam14.50 m (47.6 ft)
Draught4 m (13 ft)
PropulsionTwin 4,828hp/3,600kW MTU 20V 4000 M73L diesel engines
Speed19.50 knots (36 km/h) (max)
Capacity26 guests
Crew28

Tranquility, previously known as Equanimity, is a 91.50 m (300.2 ft) superyacht launched at the Oceanco yard in Alblasserdam, with Oceanco responsible for the exterior design, while Winch Design worked on the interior. The yacht was allegedly purchased by Malaysian financier Jho Low using money stolen from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. It was seized by the Malaysian authorities in 2018, judicially sold to the Genting Group in early 2019,[3] and renamed Tranquility.[4][5]

Design

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The length of the yacht is 91.50 m (300.2 ft) and the beam is 14.50 m (47.6 ft). The draught of Equanimity is 4 m (13 ft). The steel hull is strengthened to Ice Class E, with the superstructure made out of aluminium with teak laid decks. The yacht is built to RINA classification society rules, issued by Cayman Islands.

Equanimity is built to comply with the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC).

The ships facilities include a sauna, helicopter landing pad, swimming pool, gym, spa, movie theatre and an on deck Jacuzzi.

The tender garage houses two 10.5 metre tenders, that can carry up to 12 guests and two crew each. She is well equipped for adventure with a range of water toys including Jet Skis, Wave Runners, SeaBobs and an electric surfboard.

Engines

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Power is delivered by twin 4,828 hp/3,600 kW MTU 20V 4000 M73L diesel engines with 271,000 L (72,000 US gal) fuel tanks.

Seizure and judgement

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In March 2018, it was reported that Indonesian authorities seized Equanimity in February. The US Department of Justice has been working on this case in relation to the 1MDB scandal since 2016 and has named Jho Low, the alleged owner of Equanimity, as a key figure in the US lawsuit. They believe funds used for the acquisition of the yacht were transferred from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB between 2009 and 2015.[6][7]

In late April 2018, it was reported that Equanimity was released to its owner after an Indonesian court declared that the seizure of the yacht was invalid.[8][9] However, Indonesian police seized the yacht again three months later after a request for legal assistance from the United States.

In August 2018, Equanimity was brought back to Malaysia from Indonesia and seized under Malaysian law following the activation of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties between Indonesia, the United States and Malaysia.[10][11] However, in a statement through his legal team, Low accused Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad of violating the "rule of law" for seizing the yacht.[12][13]

On 19 October 2018, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur declared that the Equanimity belongs to two 1MDB subsidiaries, namely, 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited and 1MDB Global Investment Limited, after its registered owner Equanimity (Cayman) Ltd failed to appear in court to claim the superyacht.[14][15]

The luxury superyacht was docked at the Boustead Cruise Centre terminal in Pulau Indah, Port Klang.[16] It reportedly cost the government RM3 million to maintain the yacht every month.[17][18]

Auction

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On 29 October 2018, Malaysia started an auction of the Equanimity through the yacht brokerage firm Burgess, which was appointed by the High Court of Malaya to assist with the sale of the superyacht.[19][20]

On 3 April 2019, Malaysia's Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said the Admiralty Court in Kuala Lumpur had approved the offer by Genting to purchase the vessel, Equanimity, at the price of US$126 million.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Oceanco launches 91.50 metre superyacht PA164". SuperYacht Times. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  2. ^ "Oceanco delivers 91.5 metre superyacht Equanimity". SuperYacht Times. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  3. ^ a b "Malaysia to sell 1MDB-linked superyacht to casino operator Genting for $170 million". The Straits Times. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  4. ^ "Jho Low's Equanimity gets new name: It's Tranquility now - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  5. ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (2019-04-30). "No more Equanimity, it's Tranquility now". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  6. ^ "Equanimity seized by Indonesian authorities". Boat International. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  7. ^ "M/Y 'Equanimity' seized in Bali". SuperYacht News. 2018-04-23. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  8. ^ "Court rules 'Equanimity' free to leave Indonesia". SuperYacht News. 2018-04-23. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  9. ^ "U.S. Blocked From Seizing $250 Million Yacht Linked to 1MDB Probe". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  10. ^ "Equanimity docks at Port Klang - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  11. ^ "Equanimity was properly seized under the laws of Malaysia, says AG - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  12. ^ "Mahathir violates 'rule of law' in yacht seizure, says Jho Low". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  13. ^ "Jho Low recalls 1988 judicial crisis to slam Dr M over yacht". Free Malaysia Today. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  14. ^ "After High Court ruling, Malaysia now free to sell superyacht Equanimity (updated) - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  15. ^ "Equanimity belongs to 1MDB, High Court rules | Malay Mail". Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  16. ^ "'Superyacht' arrives in Malaysia amid media fanfare". Free Malaysia Today. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  17. ^ "9 months to determine who owns Equanimity". Free Malaysia Today. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  18. ^ "Equanimity most expensive yacht to be auctioned - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  19. ^ "Malaysia starts auction of Jho Low's RM1b luxury yacht - Business News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  20. ^ "Malaysia picks Burgess as central agent for Equanimity sale". Edgeprop.my. Retrieved 2018-10-31.