Which yacht is the largest in the world?
The largest yacht in the world currently is the REV Ocean, with a length of 600 ft (182.8 m). What makes the REV Ocean exceptional is that it is not just luxurious, but also the largest research vessel in the world.
This yacht has a capacity to accommodate 55 scientists and 35 crew members. The onboard equipment includes scientific trawls, sonar systems, a laboratory, an auditorium, classrooms, a moonpool, AUVs and submarines, an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) capable of diving to a depth of 6,000 m, and advanced communication devices.
The owner of this yacht invites 400 marine scientists each year, dedicating 3 to 4 weeks for research on solutions to overfishing, climate change, and plastic pollution in the oceans. The Norwegian billionaire, Kjell Inge Rokke, is the owner of REV Ocean. Ironically, his wealth comes from fishing and offshore oil operations.
REV Ocean is a hybrid yacht, featuring luxurious and comfortable interiors for paying guests, while the hull is designed as an Ice Class vessel, equipped with laboratories for polar research. Exploring and vacationing on REV Ocean is easier compared to the Azzam. Additionally, a trip on REV Ocean also means contributing to ocean research.
Despite being the largest yacht in the world, the estimated cost of building REV Ocean is around $350-500 million. Hence, when it comes to price, the Azzam still holds its title as the most expensive yacht.
An interesting aspect of REV Ocean is that research funding and scientist salaries are covered by the revenue generated through tourism fees on the yacht. The owner of this yacht has leased it to a non-profit scientific organization for just $1 per year.
