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Augsburg/Colchester, 19 November 2002. MAN B&W Diesel have again been selected to power an attempt for a high-speed water record. The company’s engines powered the vessels that broke the transatlantic record and won the Blue Riband in 1990 and 1998. Today the company is involved in the production of the fastest megayacht in the world. Two 18-cylinder MAN B&W Diesel VP185 engines are being supplied for a new mega yacht that will attempt the unofficial speed record for large motor yachts: a maximum speed of over 70 knots has been designed for, which is approximately 130 km/h.

The additional challenge: This high speed will not be reached by a spartan racing boat, but by a luxury yacht, which is almost 43 metres long. The 8.25 metre wide ship provides her owner and his guests with luxury accommodation on three decks. Owner John Staluppi from Florida is renowned on the mega yacht scene for his high-speed crafts, which have already held the speed twice. The present holder of the record is Juan Carlos, King of Spain, with his 41 metre yacht at a speed of 68 knots (126 km/h).

The owner and his partners, John Rosatti of Millennium Super Yachts, USA and Frank Mulder of Mulder Design, Netherlands opted for a combination of two MAN B&W VP185 Diesel engines and a gas turbine. The two Diesel engines of the 18VP185 type, each have an output of 4 000 kW, and will bring the ship up to approx. 50 knots. In order to achieve 70 knots and thus the speed record, a gas turbine of 6 770 kW will also be installed. The output of the engines will be delivered via three water jet drives.

Above all, the unique power/weight ratio was a justification for the MAN B&W engines. Each V-engine has a max. speed of 1 950 rpm. In addition, the compact design met with the yacht designers’ requirement for maximum economy of space. The ship is presently under construction and will be delivered in 2003.

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