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MY Alamshar  (Project 305) - Devonport - 50,00 m - 2003 / 2014

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It might be the longest yacht building process in history: Commissioned by the Aga Khan and built by Devonport in Plymouth to an exterior design from Pininfarina, Project 305 was orginally launched in 2003 after a five years construction period. She was built to break the transatlantic speed record and was supposed to reach a top speed of 60 knots, powered by Rolls Royce engines and gas turbines. Since 1992 the Aga Khan’s Fincantieri yacht DESTRIERO which has been laid up at the Lürssen yard in Bremen for several years now, holds the transatlantic speed record with a 53.1 knots average between New York and England without refueling. Because of technical problems following the 2003 launch, Project 305 (or ALAMSHAR, named after one of the Aga Khan’s racing horses) disappeared in the shipyard again. In 2006, during further sea trials, the turbine blades in the three gas powered engines burnt out. They were replaced with Pratt & Whitney engines, which were originally designed to drive water jets. But it turned out that with this new propulsion system the yacht could not even reach half the expected speed. In March 2008 the Daily Mail reported that the Aga Khan considered claims against Devonport because the 50m yacht was not capable of what it was originally built for: Breaking the transatlantic speed record. Apparently the yacht stayed at the Devonport yard and was spotted on sea trials on 31 May 2013, ten years after her launch (photos by Paul Burgess). Alamshar was finally delivered in July 2014, reaching top speeds of approx. 40 knots on her maiden voyage (photos by Giovanni Romero, taken off Gibraltar).

Photos by Paul Burgess:

Photos by Giovanni Romero:

All photographs are © SEYFFERTH ART and may not be used or reproduced in any way without expressed prior written consent, all rights reserved.