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A Russian billionaire's enormous sailing yacht has been impounded in Gibraltar

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In this photo taken on Feb. 15, 2017, a large yacht floats anchored in the port of Gibraltar after being seized. Authorities in Gibraltar say they have seized one of the largest and most advanced superyachts in the world over an unsettled bill dispute between its owner and its German builder. The Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper reports that shipbuilder Nobiskrug claims 15.3 million euro ($16.2 million) in overdue payments for the 143-meter (468-foot) - long Sailing Yacht A.

Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko's £360 million superyacht has been impounded by the Gibraltar Port Authority over claims he owes the shipbuilder money.

German boatmakers, Norbiskrug, are seeking an additional £13.3 million (£16.5 million) for the vessel from the billionaire, according to reports.

The world's largest sailing yacht, it is described by Norbiskrug as "one
of the greatest PYC [Passenger Yacht Code] superyachts in the world in terms of design and technology."

Sailing Yacht A boasts three masts taller than London's Big Ben clock tower and is almost the length of three Olympic swimming pools.

Gibraltar Admiralty Marshal, Liam Yeats, told the BBC: "The vessel is under arrest and is currently at anchor in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters."

Melnichenko is confident "technical problem" can be resolved. His spokesman said: "We are confident that the yacht will be handed over to the owner's project team in the coming days and this unfortunate episode will be over."

Melnichenko is the 139th richest man in the world, according to Forbes, worth an estimated £10.6 billion.

Melnichenko Andrey

Melnichenko's impounded yacht features eight decks, connected by a series of lifts, a free-floating spiral staircase. It even has an underwater observation pod.

This is not the first time the Russian industrialist has made headlines for his exuberant sea vessels — last year his 390-foot Motor Yacht A was moored alongside the HMS Belfast on the river Thames:

A 390ft motor yacht belonging to Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko, alongside HMS Belfast (right) on the River Thames in London.

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