Satellite imagery has confirmed that the superyacht Graceful, previously described as Vladimir Putin’s personal pleasure boat, has been relocated to a military port in Severomorsk, near Murmansk. According to Danmarks Radio (DR), the vessel is currently docked at the headquarters of the Northern Fleet, following a transit through Danish waters that saw the ship operate with its maritime tracking system disabled.
Why was the yacht moved to a military port?
Speaking to DR, Hansen noted that the Ukrainians have the capacity to go after a target like this ship. Given that drone attacks have already occurred deep within Russian territory, including a good way up along the Russian Baltic coast by St. Petersburg, moving the 83-meter vessel to a military installation provides security. Alternatively, Hansen noted that the move could be related to necessary repairs for the yacht, which was built in 2014.
The Graceful is designed with high-end amenities, reportedly including an onboard swimming pool and a sauna, according to specifications from H2 Yacht Design.
How was the vessel identified?
Analysts at DR identified the vessel by cross-referencing satellite imagery with technical specifications and images provided by H2 Yacht Design. The identification was confirmed by matching the yacht’s specific length of 83 meters and width of 15 meters against the images. Furthermore, the satellite photos captured unique architectural features, such as the specific placement of the helipad and the distinct design of the bow, which are hallmarks of the Graceful.
What happened during the recent transit?
The yacht’s movement recently drew international attention after it was tracked sailing through Danish waters, marking the first time in nearly four years that the vessel could be followed on tracking services like Marine Traffic. According to DR, the ship had kept its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitter deactivated since the summer of 2022. During the recent voyage, the Graceful was escorted by a Russian destroyer and the patrol and rescue ship Vodevoda. Tracking data indicates that both vessels deactivated their AIS transmitters again while positioned west of Norway, effectively obscuring their movements from civilian monitoring services.
Future trends in maritime asset security
As seen with the Vodevoda, which briefly emitted new radio signals while seven miles from the port, the Russian military appears to be controlling the digital signature of vessels traveling near conflict zones.
FAQ
- Where is the Graceful now? The vessel is docked at a military port in Severomorsk, near Murmansk, according to reports from Danmarks Radio.
- How long is the yacht? The Graceful measures 83 meters in length and 15 meters in width.
- Why was the AIS transmitter turned off? The vessel has operated with its AIS disabled since the summer of 2022, a common practice for ships seeking to avoid public tracking during sensitive movements.
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