United Kingdom

Hugh McLean & Sons

The city of Toulon is actively seeking funding to facilitate the disposal of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2823" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hugh McLean & Sons (Company)">Hugh McLean &amp; Sons</a> 34.8-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osprey34.8m (114'2&quot;)Hugh McLean & Sons1953">Osprey</a>, formerly named Vana of Cranbourne. The motor yacht boasts a rich history, initially commissioned in 1953 as HMS Chillingham, serving as a Royal Navy minesweeper. However, in the 1970s, she underwent a conversion into a luxury yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/48025/image/large-487302d28faac84fb45e7769d0d05296.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/48025"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osprey34.8m (114'2&quot;)Hugh McLean & Sons1953">Osprey</a> features interior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/161" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="H2 Yacht Design (Company)">H2 Yacht Design</a>. She can accommodate up to eight guests onboard, and also has accommodation for six crew members, including the captain.&nbsp;The ownership of this yacht remains a mystery, with their identity concealed behind the veil of a shell company, making it exceedingly challenging to discern the identity of one or more individuals associated with the abandoned yacht.However, since <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osprey34.8m (114'2&quot;)Hugh McLean & Sons1953">Osprey</a> arrived at the Toulon harbour in 2019, the vessel has not left and has deteriorated significantly, even becoming a temporary home for squatters. Reports emerged of a potential buyer, but there was a breach in the hull.Alexis Villemin, deputy director general (DGA) at Métropole TPM raised concerns, stating, &nbsp;"The first alarm was when the captain of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osprey34.8m (114'2&quot;)Hugh McLean & Sons1953">Osprey</a> and the chief engineer complained that they were no longer being paid. Then, it was the port fees that were no longer being paid.”The local authorities are waiting for the beginning of 2024 for the prefect to pronounce the forfeiture of ownership of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osprey34.8m (114'2&quot;)Hugh McLean & Sons1953">Osprey</a>, where they will seek funding to dispose of her at an approved site.“The operation is estimated to cost around 250,000 euros,” announced Alexis Villemin.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Osprey34.8m (114'2&quot;)Hugh McLean & Sons1953">Osprey</a> has a wooden hull superstructure. She is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, which give her a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 12 knots.

Toulon plans to scrap abandoned 35m yacht Osprey

The city of Toulon is actively seeking funding to facilitate the disposal of the 34.8-metre motor yacht Osprey.