Dilbar’s crew fired following sanctions

The crew of the Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov’s superyacht, Dilbar, has been dismissed after the imposing of western sanctions made the payment of wages difficult, according to new reports.

Yacht management company Sarnia Yachts provided the crew on the sanctioned Russian billionaire’s 512ft superyacht and sent an email to the crew on Monday (7 March), which was obtained by Forbes, stating that ‘normal operation of the yacht has ceased’, and that its crew had to be dismissed ‘as a result of the sanctions imposed’.

Usmanov, whose net worth is an estimated $18.4 billion, was sanctioned by the EU, US, and UK last week.

The email to crew from UK-based Sarnia Yachts detailed that final wages will be paid directly by the owner of Dilbar: ‘As a result of these sanctions, Sarnia yachts are unable to pay our salaries so we are planning for these final salaries, including any unpaid leave due, to be paid to your accounts from the vessel.’

Valued at US$600m, Dilbar is considered the largest yacht in the world by gross tonnage and is currently lying in the German port city of Hamburg. Built by Lürssen and delivered to the Mediterranean in May 2016, Dilbar replaced the owner’s previous yacht of the same name.

Several superyachts have been seized or face potential seizure following sanctions imposed in reaction to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Alisher Usmanov was an early investor in Facebook and is founder of USM Holdings, which works in sectors including extractives and telecoms. USM Holdings sponsors the Everton football club training ground and has bought the naming rights for its new stadium. Usmanov also has significant interests in English football club Arsenal, owns Beechwood House in Highgate, worth an estimated £48 million, and the 16th century Sutton Place estate in Surrey.