Being just 82 metres in length, the luxury yacht ‘Ocean Breeze’ may be considered slightly scrawny compared to some of the jumbo superyachts that are fashionably being custom-built for the rich and famous. Although regardless of its comparably inferior size, Ocean Breeze is fitted out with some of the most excessively extravagant features and facilities one could possibly find onboard a yacht, including an operating theatre, a helipad and an escape tunnel leading to a submarine. Although on being informed of whom once owned this ostentatiously exaggerated boat, the picture starts to add up.

Saddam Hussein had the ship built in 1981 when it was originally called Qadissiyet Saddam after an historic Iraqi military victory. Despite being built with an emphasis on ‘escaping’, it is believed that Saddam Hussein never actually sailed on the yacht, fearing political instability if he left Iraq.

Like anything associated with the notorious Iraqi dictator, battles and conflict prevail, and the megayacht, following a dispute with Jordan over its ownership in 2008 is now back up for sale.  

Although despite its flamboyance and focus on being an elaborate getaway vessel, Saddam Hussein’s Ocean Breeze is overshadowed by other cruisers considered ‘superyachts’. The world’s second largest yacht, known as the 525’ “Platinum”, was originally commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the younger brother to the Sultan of Brunei. This incessantly flamboyant yacht is 160 meters long and has a price tag that is estimated to exceed $300 million. The 252’ Platinum’s enormity and expensiveness can only be described as putting the Ocean Breeze well in the shade.

The ‘world’s largest yacht’ makes them both look inferior in comparison and somewhat predictably some may say. Roman Abramovich’s 557 foot mega yacht comes equipped with a missile detection system, two helipads, a miniature submarine and has a price tag of approximately $480 million.  The Russian oligarch has most certainly beaten the Prince and the late Iraqi President in the ranks at exhibiting the most exuberant display of wealth on the water.

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