A £220 million superyacht named Milky Way recently arrived in Poole Harbour, Dorset, following its construction in Holland. The 300ft vessel, which features a 55ft swimming pool, is currently undergoing sea trials after its launch in June.
Poole Harbour’s ascent to the global luxury tier
Poole Harbour is rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination for the world's most expensive maritime assets. The region has successfully positioned itself to attract high-net-worth individuals by offering deep-water berths, high-level security, and convenient proximity to London. This strategic positioning has already earned the harbour five gold anchors through the prestigious global marina accreditation scheme managed by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA).
The arrival of the Milky Way follows a recent trend of high-value vessels docking in Dorset. According to the report, this follows the June arrival of the Nautilus, a 239ft expedition yacht owned by Thierry Stern, the president and CEO of Patek Philippe.. the presence of such high-profile vessels suggests that Poole is no longer just a local dock, but a serious competitor in the international luxury yachting circuit.
A 300ft custom build from Dutch shipyard Feadship
The Milky Way represents a significant engineering feat from the renowned Dutch shipyard Feadship. The 2,600-tonne vessel is a fully custom project, featuring an exterior designed by Feadship's Studio De Voogt and an interior crafted by the British design house RWD.. As reported by the source, the project was a highly collaborative effort between the private client and the unified project team .
One of the most striking features of the vessel is a 55ft long swimming pool located on the main deck. This specific addition was reportedly commissioned because the owner is a "keen swimmer." Maarten Janssen, the sales director at Feadship,noted that the project reflects an intimate collaboration to meet the client's precise and unique vision for a custom vessel.
The Cayman Islands' dominance in superyacht registration
The Milky Way is officially registered in the Cayman Islands, a move that highlights the ongoing importance of specific maritime jurisdictions . The Cayman Islands remains the second most popular flag state for superyachts globally, currently hosting 1,607 registered vessels. This registration choice provides a standardized regulatory environment that many owners of multi-million pound assets prefer when navigating international waters.
The identity of the mystery billionaire remains unknown
Despite the high profile of the vessel,several key details about the Milky Way's ownership and itinerary remain unconfirmed. While the yacht was commissioned by a "mystery billionaire," the identity of this individual has not been disclosed to the public. Furthermore, it remains unclear how long the vessel will remain in Dorset during its current sea trials or what its next destination will be after completing its testing phase.
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