The super-yacht off Puerto Portals. Photo: Michael Stadler.

The super-yacht off Puerto Portals. Photo: Michael Stadler.

Jason MoorePalma30/05/2024 09:35
TW
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She was probably one of the most important British yachts of recent history and she has welcomed the rich and famous and even royalty on board.This week she has been moored off the Puerto Portals yacht club. Now named MY Meserret II I and owned by a Turkish businessman she was once called the Leander and owned by the late leading British businessman, (Vice Admiral) Sir Donald Gosling.

Following the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia, she was used by members of the British Royal Family. In summer 2007, she was chartered by then Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall for a holiday in the Mediterranean. In February 2008, she was chartered by King Charles, then Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for their royal tour of islands in the Caribbean.

Gosling named the yacht after the cruiser HMS Leander, the first Royal Navy ship in which he served. She was refitted in 1998 and 2001. Gosling sold the yacht in February 2016 through broker Peter Insull to an unnamed private buyer, who removed the yacht from the charter market.

The Leander was a frequent visitor to Mallorca. During one such visit, when she coincided with the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, Ark Royal, Sir Donald invited the whole crew to Son Amar.

During her ownership by Gosling the yacht was available for charter, certified with accommodation for up to 12 guests, serviced by 23/28 crew. Meserret III remained one of the most expensive British-owned yachts on the charter market, until the launch of the 280-foot Greek-built Annaliesse. Gianni Agnelli of Fiat and the gossip columnist Taki have previously chartered Meserret III.