Why Igor Sechin's yacht Crescent is stuck in Spain

Crescent is a 135-metre superyacht owned by Igor Sechin. Lürssen built her in 2018. She carries a helicopter hangar in her main mast. This choice limits her speed to fifteen knots but gives her a seven thousand nautical mile range. Spain detained her in March 2022 after sanctions hit Sechin.

Crescent sits at anchor in the Balearic Sea. AIS data shows her position near the Spanish coast. She has not moved since the last broadcast. Her flag is the Cayman Islands. She is registered in George Town.

The yacht belongs to Igor Sechin. He is a Russian oligarch and the CEO of Rosneft. Spain detained Crescent in March 2022. The detention followed sanctions against Sechin after the invasion of Ukraine. The vessel remains held under this legal order.

Lürssen delivered Crescent in 2018. The yard is in Germany. Espen Øino designed the exterior. Zuretti Design handled the interior. The hull measures 135.61 metres long. It is twenty-one metres wide. The gross tonnage is nine thousand thirty-four.

How does the mast hangar change the deck layout?

Most yachts place their helipad on the roof. They leave that space open for guests. Crescent places its hangar inside the main mast. This is an unusual structural choice. It changes how the upper decks are arranged.

The hangar covers the top deck helipad. It sits within the main mast structure. This design removes the need for a separate roof module. It also removes usable deck volume from that area. The forward mast structure houses the upper helipad without projecting beyond the deck edge.

Espen Øino made this decision for the exterior. The shape creates a tapered profile. The bridge wings sit below the hangar level. This placement dictates the view from the navigation station. It also affects the flow of air and light to the upper levels.

There are two helicopter landing pads on board. One is on the bow. The other is on the top deck. The top deck pad can be covered by the hangar. This allows operations in bad weather. It protects the aircraft and the crew.

The steel hull supports the aluminium superstructure. Teak lays the decks. Lloyd's Register classed the vessel. The draught is five point two metres. This depth allows her to enter most marinas. It also requires careful piloting in shallow waters.

Why is Crescent limited to fifteen knots?

Speed is not the priority for this yacht. She runs on twin MTU diesel engines. Each engine produces seven thousand five hundred twelve horsepower. The total power is fifteen thousand two hundred twenty-four horsepower.

These engines drive two propellers. They push the ship to a top speed of fifteen knots. That is about twenty-eight kilometres per hour. This speed is slow for a yacht of this size. Most comparable vessels go faster.

The trade-off is range. At a cruising speed of eleven knots, she can travel seven thousand nautical miles. That is thirteen thousand kilometres. This distance allows her to cross oceans without refuelling. It suits long voyages over fast sprints.

The propulsion layout matches the owner's needs. Igor Sechin travels between Russia and other locations. A long range is more useful than high speed. The design sacrifices pace for endurance. This is a common choice for owners who value privacy and comfort.

The hull form supports this performance. The beam is twenty-one metres. The length is 135.61 metres. The ratio of length to beam affects stability. It also influences fuel consumption. The engineers balanced these factors for the intended mission.

Who owns Crescent and why was she seized?

Crescent is owned by Black Dragon Minerals LLS. This company is based in the Cayman Islands. It holds the title to the vessel. The beneficial owner is Igor Sechin.

Sechin is a close ally of Vladimir Putin. He served as deputy chief of staff. He became chairman of Rosneft in 2004. Rosneft is the Russian state oil company.

The United States sanctioned Sechin in 2014. This followed events in Ukraine. The sanctions included a travel ban. They also froze his US assets. Rosneft was placed on a special list.

The European Union added him to its blacklist in February 2022. This was after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The UK imposed similar sanctions in March. These orders froze all his assets.

Spain detained Crescent in March 2022. Italy seized another of his yachts, Amore Vero. The seizures were part of the asset freeze. The legal process to enforce these freezes is complex. The yacht remains in Spanish custody.

The estimated value of Crescent is six hundred million dollars. This figure comes from market reports. The actual cost to build her is not public. The price differs from the reported value by a large margin.

What amenities does Crescent offer?

The amenities include a swimming pool. There is a gym and a movie theatre. A spa room and beauty salon are available. The beach club offers access to the water. Underwater lights illuminate the hull at night.

Zero speed stabilizers keep the yacht steady. An elevator connects the decks. Air conditioning runs throughout the vessel. A tender garage holds smaller boats. A swimming platform provides direct sea access.

BBQ facilities are located on the upper decks. Beach club areas offer shaded seating. The interior design by Zuretti focuses on luxury. The materials are high quality. The layout maximises space for guests.

How is Crescent tracked globally?

The IMO number is 9785108. The MMSI is 319136700. These identifiers track the vessel globally. AIS broadcasts show her location. The data is public. Anyone can see where she is.