Andrew Roch News Today

The ocean-going playthings of Russia’s elite are in danger of running aground.

While the oligarchs are losing an asset, the crews, engineers and wider community who keep the vessels running risk being left all at sea

My first job in yachting was as a deckhand back in the summer of 2005. I was twenty-one and had taken the summer job before heading back to Scotland for my final year at Uni. Even though the 53-metre motor yacht was a ‘dry ship’ for the lower-tier crew, the Chief Engineer, First Mate and Captain always found time for a drink in the evening. I remember many nights in Puerto Banus when the First Mate came back completely inebriated on several bottles of white wine (because it was cheaper th...