Super yacht high and dry

17 August 2016 - 09:27 By ARON HYMAN

The Enigma XK is a refitted 71m Scottish fisheries vessel that can be chartered for luxury trips around Antarctica, starting at R4.1-million for you and 11 buddies.Cape Town harbour port control said the ship was believed to have engine problems. Its local manager, Merwe Wiese, refused to comment, but Lionel Pradines, general manager of MW Marine, said the vessel was in "excellent condition". The yacht stood empty at the V&A Waterfront yesterday.Following the vessel's refit in La Rochelle, France, it has made a series of Antarctic expeditions, and was listed by CNN among the top six of the world's most exclusive yacht charters.It has all the amenities wealthy clients would expect from a super yacht, including a helipad and 360-degree glass saloon.According to Yachtcharterfleet.com, it also has a movie theatre, a Jeep, a deck Jacuzzi and jet skis.Eyos Expeditions, a company that charters the Enigma XK, offers fishing, swimming and water sports in the Antarctic waters."Cruisers will sail the deserted waters with expert guides, doing just about whatever they choose," Forbes.com reported."The itinerary is planned on a day-to-day basis to make the most of the conditions. You can jump in zodiacs and play among the icebergs, hike and kayak through ice cliffs and glaciers, or catch your dinner on exotic fishing tours."Want to discuss climate change? The Enigma XK can head to stations and invite local scientists on board for dinner. A bracing swim in the Antarctic Sea? The yacht will anchor where water is heated a bit by volcanic rocks."Enigma XK accommodates 19 crew, cruises at 11knots with a top speed of 18 knots, and has a range of 12000 nautical miles.If you have extra cash to burn, a private jet to Antarctica saves you a voyage through the stomach-churning Drake Passage...

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