Yacht crashed into dock

A £70 million superyacht belonging to Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal has suffered significant damage after crashing into a dock at Bizerte Marina in Tunisia.

The 282-foot Benetti vessel, Kingdom 5KR, was attempting to dock on Friday when it “failed to stop in time and clipped the breakwater on the starboard quarter”, according to a witness who spoke to The Yacht Report. The impact caused severe damage to both the bow of the yacht and the stone quay, with images from the scene showing mangled metal and displaced paving slabs.

Kingdom 5KR scraped along the dock after dropping its anchor, causing further damage to the keel and hull. The vessel became wedged on the quayside, with onlookers capturing footage of the aftermath. While no major injuries were reported, an investigation is underway to determine whether mechanical failure or a miscommunication led to the crash. Initial reports suggest the vessel may have experienced a loss of control.

The yacht, originally built for $100 million in 1980 by Saudi billionaire and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, was named Nabila after his daughter. Over the years, it has been owned by a number of prominent figures, including the Sultan of Brunei and Donald Trump, who renamed it Trump Princess in 1988. Trump later sold the yacht in the early 1990s, and it was purchased by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who chose the name Kingdom 5KR to reflect his investment firm, lucky number, and his children’s initials.

Known for its opulence, Kingdom 5KR features five decks and 11 staterooms, with accommodation for up to 22 guests and 31 crew members. Among its many luxurious amenities are a hospital with an operating room, a private cinema, hair salon, sauna and a swimming pool. The yacht also has a helipad, a disco and a library. Powered by twin Nohab diesel engines, it can reach a top speed of 20 knots.

The yacht became widely recognised after appearing in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again, where it was used as the floating headquarters for the villain Maximilian Largo, played by Sean Connery. Its exterior was designed by Jon Bannenberg, and its lavish interiors, which originally included chinchilla bedspreads and a crystal-covered piano, were designed by Luigi Sturchio.

Despite the crash, Prince Al-Waleed, whose net worth is estimated at $18.7 billion, is unlikely to face significant disruption. He has already commissioned a new superyacht, New Kingdom 5KR, which is expected to cost $500 million. In the meantime, he has access to a fleet of private planes and several lavish residences, including a 250,000-square-foot palace in Riyadh.

The financial impact of the damage to the port and the yacht is expected to be considerable, and further details will emerge as the investigation continues.

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