Spain authorities detained the Superyacht Crescent, owned by Russian Oligarch Igor Sechin in March 2022.
Superyacht Crescent: Key Features
The Lürssen-built, 135 meters (444.9 feet) long Crescent yacht debuted in 2017.
The yacht features a two-level glass atrium, a retractable helicopter hangar, and a substantial pool.
It can accommodate up to 18 guests in 9 cabins and has a crew of 40 in 20 cabins.
The yacht has two propellers driven by twin 7,512-hp MTU diesel engines, giving it a top speed of 15 knots (28 km/h) and a cruising speed of 11 knots (20 km/h).
Design and Ownership Details
The yacht’s exterior design is from Espen Øino, and Zuretti Design was responsible for the interior design.
The yacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and is owned by the Caymanese firm, Black Dragon Minerals LLS.
However, it is believed to belong to Igor Sechin, the sanctioned chief executive of Russian oil giant Rosneft.
Spanish authorities detained the yacht in March 2022 because it belonged to Sechin, the Russian Oligarch under sanctions related to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Superyacht Crescent: Seizure Details
On March 16, 2022, Spanish authorities stopped the Crescent yacht in Port Tarraco, Tarragona, because they suspected it might belong to Igor Sechin.
The Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda took the yacht and decided to keep it if they found its owner to be related to the European Sanctions.
Then, on June 13, 2023, the FBI and other law enforcement people went on the Crescent yacht as part of a bigger plan that started with the yacht being taken in Tarragona in March 2022.
Who is Igor Sechin?
Igor Ivanovich Sechin is a Russian oligarch and government official widely regarded as a close confidant and an influential figure in the inner circle of Vladimir Putin.
His relationship with Putin dates back to the early 1990s when he served as the chief of staff to Putin during his tenure as the deputy mayor of St. Petersburg in 1994.
In 2004, Putin entrusted Sechin with the role of chairman at Rosneft, the Russian state-owned oil company. During his tenure, Sechin also served as Deputy Prime Minister in Putin’s cabinet from 2008 to 2012.
Currently, Sechin is the chief executive officer, president, and chairman of the management board of Rosneft.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sechin has faced sanctions imposed by several foreign governments.
Sanctions on Igor Sechin
- On March 20, 2014, the United States government sanctioned Sechin in response to the Russian government’s role in the ongoing unrest in Ukraine.
- On March 10, 2022, Britain imposed sanctions on Sechin, hitting him with asset freezes and travel bans because of his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. At that time, Sechin was already on the U.S. and EU sanctions lists.
- On February 28, 2022, the European Union blacklisted Sechin and had all his assets frozen.
- In March 2022, the UK government imposed sanctions that involved freezing Sechin’s assets and a travel ban.
FAQ – Superyacht Crescent
Q.1 What is Superyacht Crescent, and who owns it?
The Superyacht Crescent is a luxurious vessel built by Lürssen, measuring 135 meters (444.9 feet) in length. While it is registered in the Cayman Islands under the name Black Dragon Minerals LLS, it is widely believed to be owned by Russian oligarch Igor Sechin, the CEO of Rosneft.
Q.2 Why was Superyacht Crescent detained?
Spanish authorities detained the yacht due to suspicions that it belonged to Igor Sechin, a Russian oligarch who was under sanctions related to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Q.3 When did the FBI and other law enforcement agencies get involved in this case?
On June 13, 2023, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies boarded the Crescent yacht as part of a larger plan that began with the yacht’s detention in Tarragona in March 2022.
