MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Megayacht drawing plenty of attention in Lake Union

May 10, 2014, 11:05 PM | Updated: 11:31 pm

The 314-foot long superyacht Vava II is docked in Lake Union. (Alyssa Kleven/MyNorthwest.com)...

The 314-foot long superyacht Vava II is docked in Lake Union. (Alyssa Kleven/MyNorthwest.com)

(Alyssa Kleven/MyNorthwest.com)

A high-priced visitor is drawing plenty of attention on Seattle’s Lake Union this weekend.

The $160 million superyacht VAVA II, owned by billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli and his wife, former Miss UK Kirsty Roper, has been docked on the west side of the lake since Friday.

The yacht, which features its own swimming pool, helicopter landing pad and fold-down beach club, is reportedly the 33rd-largest in the world.

Bertarelli is an an Italian born Swiss businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who ranked 94th in the 2013 annual ranking of the world’s wealthiest people compiled and published by Forbes magazine. Roper is considered the wealthiest woman in the United Kingdom.

The yacht traveled through Ballard’s Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Friday afternoon and narrowly missed hitting the side, according to a post on the Locks’ Facebook page.

The yacht was reportedly refueling in the lake after traveling from Hawaii and stopping in Port Townsend, the Seattle Times reported.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

EdmondsKingston...

Nate Connors

Washington State Ferries to suspend Edmonds/Kingston route

The Edmonds/Kingston ferry route will be suspended for railroad work.

1 hour ago

wa bean dip recall dead mouse...

Jason Sutich

WinCo recalls salsa bean dip trays in WA after video shows apparent dead mouse in product

Boise-based WinCo Foods is recalling two different salsa bean dip trays distributed to eight states, including Washington, due to a potential pest contaminant.

3 hours ago

McDonald's...

DEE-ANN DURBIN, The Associated Press

McDonald’s sued over AI tool that recommends prices to US franchisees

McDonald’s is facing a federal lawsuit that alleges its AI-enhanced pricing tool violates antitrust laws.

3 hours ago

BC school shooting...

Julia Dallas

Bellingham man charged with conspiring to commit murder in connection with BC school shooting

A 30-year-old man from Bellingham was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a BC school shooting.

3 hours ago

cle elum burglaries business...

JASON SLOSS, KIRO 7

Cle Elum businesses targeted in burglaries

Multiple local businesses in Cle Elum were targeted in a series of overnight burglaries early last Thursday morning.

3 hours ago

Jimothy 1...

MyNorthwest Staff

Viral raccoon Jimothy spotted in Ballard

Jimothy, the viral deformed raccoon that has become a national celebrity, was recently spotted in a North Seattle neighborhood.

4 hours ago

Megayacht drawing plenty of attention in Lake Union