Turkey

Istanbul Naval Shipyard (Istanbul Tersanesi Komutanligi)

The historic 135.94-metres motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/210" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savarona135.94m (445'12&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1931">Savarona</a>, which hosted modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the final years of his life, is back on the water after undergoing a refit, adhering to the ship's original specifications.Drydocking maintenance and repair operations started in September 2023 at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5485" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Istanbul Naval Shipyard (Istanbul Tersanesi Komutanligi) (Company)">Istanbul Shipyard</a> Command’s drydock as part of the recommissioning efforts, with Turkish Naval Forces launching the initiative.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/33371/image/large-3eb4c0c0d7d5c49d131ef783da2e8592.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/33371"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/210" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savarona135.94m (445'12&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1931">Savarona</a>’s heritageThis historic vessel, previously named Gunes Dil, was built in Germany by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blohm & Voss GmbH (Company)">Blohm &amp; Voss</a> in 1931, with a steel hull and steel superstructure. During a period of illness, Atatürk lived aboard this yacht for several months. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/210" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savarona135.94m (445'12&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1931">Savarona</a> was therefore the location of many meetings and state visits, underscoring its importance in Turkish history.In the late 1980s, after being dismantled, the yacht was leased by Turkish businessperson Kahraman Sadıkoğlu, who undertook a comprehensive renovation of the yacht. Sadıkoğlu's renovation preserved Atatürk’s room as a museum in its original state, honouring the yacht's historical significance.&nbsp;After Sadıkoğlu's contract ended in 2013, the Culture and Tourism Ministry took over the vessel, and by mid-2019, it was transferred to the Naval Forces Command.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/75270/image/large-67263cca37648ff4adad4b1c093ed31e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/75270">Repair worksDuring the repair works carried out by the Naval Forces last year, Turkish media reports that asbestos had been found in the coatings, circuits, and insulation of the yacht. Additionally, materials that did not meet certain quality standards were used in the electric cables and pipe circuits.Following the discovery, the I<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5485" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Istanbul Naval Shipyard (Istanbul Tersanesi Komutanligi) (Company)">stanbul Shipyard Command</a> began the decontamination of the affected areas at the end of last November. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/210" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savarona135.94m (445'12&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1931">Savarona</a>’s twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines and the machine control system were also overhauled as part of the extensive maintenance and repair work that the shipyard personnel completed.The yacht has now been launched for sea trials, following the completion of the repairs. The Defense Ministry had earlier announced that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/210" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savarona135.94m (445'12&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH1931">Savarona</a> would be used for the sea training of Naval Academy students following the completion of the maintenance works, says local media.

Historical Turkish yacht Savarona relaunched after a refit

The historical Turkish superyacht Savarona has been relaunched after a refit at the Istanbul Shipyard Command’s drydock.