| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Necker Belle |
| Owner | Virgin Limited Edition |
| Operator | Virgin Limited Edition |
| Builder | CMN |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Beam | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Draft | 1.8 m (6 ft) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Speed | 22 knots |
| Capacity | 13 |
| Crew | 5 |
The Necker Belle is a 105-foot[1] (32 m)[2] private charter catamaran yacht,[3] offered through Virgin Limited Edition and based at the resort Necker Island.[4] The Belle superyacht is one of the few luxury sailing catamarans in the world.[5][6]
Prior to being purchased by Richard Branson's Virgin, the yacht was called Lady Barbaretta, and cost £5.3 million for Branson to obtain.[1] It required a two-year refit to emerge as the Belle,[7] operates with a crew of seven, and is currently captained by Captain Piers Helm.[2] The refit won the 2010 best new refit at the World Superyacht Awards.[5] The yacht has a top speed in excess of 20 knots,[7] being rare in the world as being able to do so.[5]
The Necker Nymph excursion submersible also operates from the yacht.[8] It is reputedly the first-of-its-kind "aero submarine", buoyant when not under power.[9]