Superyacht forced to seek shelter from Auckland storm

The Ocean Victory, owned by a Russian billionaire, is the ninth largest superyacht in the world. Photo / Neville Marriner

Not even one of the world's largest superyachts could escape Auckland's wild winter weather.

The Ocean Victory had to make an unscheduled stop off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula yesterday after stormy conditions prevented the ultra-luxury vessel from arriving in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

The yacht is owned by Russian billionaire politician Viktor Rashnikov and was sailing from Suva. The Russian made his fortune in the steel and iron industry and has an estimated net worth of $5.5 billion, according to the Forbes rich list.

Measuring 140m, his Ocean Victory is the ninth-largest superyacht in the world. Built in 2014 by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, it features a long list of luxury amenities.

On board the teak-decked vessel is a helicopter hangar and landing pad, six swimming pools, a movie theatre, gym, beauty salon and a beach club.

In yesterday's stormy conditions the Ocean Victory was forced to settle for mooring in a quiet bay off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula outside Gulf Harbour marina as it was too big to fit inside it.

Ship agent Integrated Marine Group, would not say whether it was handling the vessel last night, but a spokesman said the company was working with "a couple" of significant yachts.