Northern Star, the largest vessel to berth at the Marina at Marigot Bay to date, caught the eyes of avid and amateur sailors alike when she docked in late March.
Built in 2009 by Lürssen Yachts, Northern Star is 248ft long, 45ft wide, and has a draft of 13ft. She has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. The superyacht, which is flagged in the Cayman Islands, is German built and Canadian owned. She was berthed without anchors and used the marina’s mooring buoys at the main superyacht pier. The mooring buoy system is possible because the area is extremely well sheltered from the wind and there is a lack of tidal currents in the deep bay.
Northern Star is well travelled, having sailed to the Arctic and as far east as Istanbul.
Captain Craig Franks supervised the construction of the yacht during its two-year building period.
The New Zealander was also present during the design process.
“We are a no-nonsense yacht which has a massive fuel range and can go unsupported for weeks at a time with large fridge and freezer capacities, meaning we can be very remote,” noted Franks.
The charter yacht can accommodate 12 guests in six cabins and carries a crew of 25.
Northern Star sets a new record for longest yacht to visit Marigot, the previous record was set by the 243ft motor yacht Siren (now named Polar Star) in 2008.
“The visit of Northern Star followed that of her predecessor whose visit prompted a number of changes in yachting regulations and visa requirements for St. Lucia, which have recently been fully implemented,” explained Bob Hathaway, Marina Manager at Marigot Bay.
In late 2011 the visa requirements for Australian and Russian nationals were waived for pleasure cruisers during a maximum period of six months.
A total of 350 different yachts with an overall length (LOA) exceeding 98ft have berthed in the Marigot Bay Marina since it opened in 2006.
Christy Recaii is a journalist based in St Lucia who has a passion for sailing. She is a Hunter College graduate with a BA in Media Studies. You can find her either on the water or the docks seeking out the next marine scoop! Email: sailingonthebrain@gmail.com
