New York Times<\/a> that Italian investigators had climbed over the weekend aboard a 150-meter-long luxury vehicle anchored in the Marina di Carrara, seeking evidence of ownership of the yacht known locally as “Putin’s yacht.”<\/p>\n“They are working hard, they are controlling every aspect,” yacht captain Guy Bennett-Pearce told the newspaper.<\/p>\n
“It’s not that the area police are coming down here but they were people in black suits,” witnesses told the British daily.<\/p>\n
Bennett-Pearce declined to reveal the identity of the yacht owner, who has a crew of more than 70 percent from Russia.<\/p>\n
He added that he had no choice but to hand over all documents proving the owner’s identity, a witness told The Times about the action, which is believed to have been led by local financial police.<\/p>\n
The Scheherazade is one of the most expensive yachts in the world with a pool that converts into a ballroom, two helicopter landings and numerous satellite links.<\/p>\n
“Everyone calls it Putin’s yacht,” said one local, retired Ernesto Rossi. “This rumor has been heard for several months.”<\/p>\n
Even Bennett-Pearce admitted that he had heard the story from the locals but refused to identify the real owner of his contract “by non-disclosure agreement”.<\/p>\n
The captain later denied that Putin was the owner, saying: “I have not seen him and I have never met him.”<\/p>\n
He added: “I have no doubt that this will clear up all the negative noise and speculation about the boat.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the yacht manufacturers Lurssen Group, when contacted by the media, refused to comment on its owner.<\/p>\n
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