Russian Oligarch Yachts; Ukrainian Solution

War is chaotic and unpredictable. Once started it is very difficult to predict its impact and duration on everything and everyone. People in all industries are ducking their heads and trying to mitigate the damage, regardless of their personal beliefs. The yachting industry represents the cream on top and is the most conspicuous of them all. War is defined by collateral damage. We are all going to pay a price for this terrible fight. What parts for our boats will we discover are coming from this region directly or indirectly. I'd burn all my toys in a heartbeat if it would stop this senseless harming by others.

It's REAL easy. Build the Key stone pipeline, and also we have some of the largest oil reserves in the world (U.S.). Allow companies to pump our own oil out of the ground. In 40 years we probably won't even be using oil anymore and it will be surpassed with natural gas and solar.........why export billions of dollars a year to buy oil from other countries.

Quote from BI

"According to local media outlet Ultima Hora, the man in question is 55-year-old Ukrainian national Taras Ostapchuk, who had been the chief engineer on board Lady Anastasia for more than a decade. Ostapchuk told local reporters that the yacht was owned by the chief executive of a Russian military weapons company and that his actions had been triggered by footage of a Russian missile hitting apartments in Kyiv, Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict". It was reported that Ostapchuk opened several valves in the engine room of the boat that caused a leak and warned the crew to abandon the vessel. "I don't regret anything I've done," he told local reporters.

Exactly. We were a net energy exporter 2 years ago. Stopping Keystone, placing restrictions on drilling only enabled Russia to cash in on higher energy prices

and let’s not forget lifting sanctions to prevent the construction of Russia’s Nord 2 pipeline which had been approved by a non partisan vote in Congress!

mind boggling.

Ukrainians maintain a grim sense of humor through it all. British sources claim Lviv brewery Pravda has stopped bottling 'Pravda Craft Beer' and now bottles "Putin is a D**khead' Molotov Cocktails. A 'Do Not Drink' warning has been added to the label. The reverse label which used to list ingredients and a guarantee of purity now gives instructions for use.

I have to admit that this just gave a good chuckle to my crew!

Reuters is now reporting that Monaco "will also proceed with freezing assets and imposing sanctions on Russians in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said a statement by the Monaco Royal Palace."

If you're working on a Russian yacht right now, I suspect this isn't the kind of adventure you signed up for.

What's the difference between a dollar and a ruble?

A dollar.

What kind of an engineer fail to scuttle the boat after being on board for 10 years ....

Could be like a guy who bought a boat at government auction that had been used for drug runnning. He was stopped by the CG five times the first week he owned it.

One issue that we don't yet know the impact of is Tier 2 suppliers. It's easy for a company to look and see if they have Tier 1 or direct suppliers in Russia or Ukraine. However, the German supplier they use may have outsourced a part or two to the area. All the major auto producers have operations in Russia.

VW is a good example. They've had to halt production in two plants due to problems getting parts from Ukraine, but they've also suspended shipping of cars to Russia.

I'm starting to wonder if this conflict may affect our summer plans to head to the Mediterranean

The other crew onboard tried to stop the scuttling of the yacht: https://www.majorcadailybulletin.co...llorca-for-attempting-sink-russian-yacht.html

It won’t be long before the oligarchs turn on Putin. They re not in their for the glory of mother Russia and certainly not for a return to hard core communism. They want the cleptocracy to continue so they can leave the good life. Take a away their mansions, condos, yachts and jets and they re going to get him out one way or another.

apparently the sanctions are also wrecking havoc on Russian airlines because of leasing company being unable to get paid.

I agree Ken, and wonder what his future prospects in the industry might be? On the one hand, I applaud what he did, and would be tempted to hire him if I had a big boat. Would the insurance company allow it? Would a prudent Captain hire him?

As long as you're not Russian, you're probably safe.