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Inside a presidential yacht - What is a presidential yacht? TheCable takes you into the world of the big toy
 

The Nigerian social media space was thrown into a frenzy on Thursday when the supplementary budget document was released and citizens saw that N5 billion was earmarked for a presidential yacht.

“What does the president need a yacht for at a time when Nigerians are grappling with the ripple effects of his economic reforms?” This was the main question on the tongues of many Nigerians.  It did not make it any better that the development was coming days after the Nigerian lawmakers proposed the purchase of luxury vehicles for federal lawmakers. The national assembly is made up of 109 members in the senate and a 360-member house of representatives.

When the presidency explained that the yacht listed in the budget was a naval vessel, people still asked the developmental or national security reasons why the navy needed a presidential yacht.

A presidential yacht is, however, not a novel thing. In fact, world leaders and countries have owned and operated presidential yachts as far back as the 1890s, but only a handful of countries, including the US, Russia, Turkey, Qatar, Italy, and the Philippines have had a presidential yacht at some point in their history.
It is also no news that a presidential yacht is operated by the navy of the host country.

Luxury par excellence… Inside a presidential yacht
A presidential yacht, though sometimes used to host world leaders and other foreign visitors and dignitaries for diplomatic meetings, is largely used for leisure and pleasure. Because of the arguable casual nature of their functions, they are sometimes called presidential “plaything”.

Some of the features of these yachts, depending on their size and sophistication, include a helipad, garden, spa, cinema, library, personal museum, sports centre, pools, suites and hospital. Their sizes vary and can run over 100 meters in length.

Some popular presidential yachts across time include Savarona later named USS Sequoia, USS Mayflower, Al-Mirqab, Honey Fitz, USS Potomac, USS Williamsburg, Morning Glory, BRP Ang Pangulo and Galeb, HRM Britannia. The yachts change hands from time to time, and each president modifies them to suit their taste and needs.

THE FLOATING LUXURY
A presidential yacht also has a helipad, garden, spa, cinema, library, personal museum, sports centre, pools, suites and hospital

The Trump Princess, once owned by former US President Donald Trump, had a hospital with an operating theatre according to this article by Boat International.  The yacht, originally named Nabila, is now called Kingdom 5KR and is owned by a Saudi businessman. The Potomac was redesigned to include an elevator installation to provide for wheelchair accessibility for President Franklin D. Roosevelt so he could access each deck.

Britannia was designed to be converted into a hospital ship in times of war, although she was never used in that capacity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BRP Ang Pangulo was converted into a hospital ship and used as a 28-bed isolation facility for frontline military workers.

The Trump Princess has full-beam owners suite featured a tortoise shell ceiling, a three metre wide bed and a secret exit | Photo: Raphael Montigeneaux
For the US, even before Air Force One existed, the presidential yacht was generally referred to as the “Floating White House”.

Some people have argued that beyond pleasure, presidential yachts serve very important diplomatic functions and are also quite crucial to the overall health of the president.

Stressing its importance, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, said in a 2012 interview that “it’s important for the President to be by himself, to remove himself from the machinery of the White House. Of course, he can get on a plane and go to Florida or anywhere else, but that requires throwing the machinery into motion”.

During a radio address in 1941, Roosevelt said: “I am sitting in the little cabin of the little ship Potomac, in the harbor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a day of sunshine out in the Gulf Stream. I try to get away a couple of times a year on these short trips on salt water. Even when I go to Hyde Park or to Warm Springs, the White House office, the callers, and the telephones all follow me. But at sea, the occasional pouch of mail reduce official work to not more than two or three hours a day”.

BRP Ang Pangulo, the 77 metre yacht was gifted to the Philippines as part of Japan’s post-war reparations but converted into a presidential yacht in the late 1950s. | Photo: Historic Collection/ Alamy Stock Photo

The Britannia, which served the British royal family for over four decades, is said to have advanced diplomatic priorities throughout the Commonwealth. Between 1991 and 1995, the British government estimated that trade missions on the Britannia boosted government coffers by an estimated £3 billion, according to this Forbes article. 

In the early 1970s, Alfred Diete-Spiff, pioneer military governor of Rivers state, procured a yacht, Ogina Bereton, to house the members of the state executive council on working visits to the nooks and creeks of the newly created state. However, the military regime of Murtala Muhammed transferred it to the Nigerian Navy, where it was renamed NNS Ruwan Yaro. The vessel was decommissioned in 2001.

Presidential yachts are gradually losing their reverence and grandiosity as most countries have taken to decommissioning them for various reasons, mainly economic concerns.

WHO NEEDS A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR BIG TOY AT A TIME LIKE THIS?

Yachts, depending on sizes and specifications, cost from tens of thousands of dollars to as high as $10,000,000 or even more. Beyond the cost of purchasing these big toys, one of the main reasons why leaders choose to opt out of operating yachts is the maintenance cost, which runs into 10% to 15% of the purchase price annually.

Queen Elizabeth II, in one of her rare public moments, shed a tear when HRM Britannia was decommissioned in 1997. The vessel is now permanently berthed in Edinburgh and has been converted into a museum. To date, all the clocks on board read 3:01 pm, the exact time the Queen last disembarked from the yacht.

In 2021, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed a £250 million scheme to procure a successor for Britannia. The idea was scrapped by Rishi Sunak, his successor, to cut down on government spending.

On Friday, Ali Ndume, chief whip of the senate, said the controversial presidential yacht, whose budget has been relocated to that of the students’ loan programme, has been delivered but not paid for.

Now that the presidency has said the yacht belongs to the navy and not for the personal use of President Bola Tinubu, what becomes of it? If this luxury vessel is eventually procured, what would it be called? Floating Aso Rock, Aso Yacht or Renewed Hope Yacht? Whatever the outcome, bon voyage!

https://www.thecable.ng/what-is-a-presidential-yacht-thecable-takes-you-into-the-world-of-the-big-toy/amp?nonamp=1

REWIND: In 2010, Jonathan rejected navy’s proposal to buy presidential yacht

If you have been surfing the internet over the past week to keep up with the latest trends in Nigeria, you would most likely have come across “presidential yacht” among the top search results.

In the 2023 supplementary budget, the federal government had earmarked N5 billion for the acquisition of a presidential yacht, which was categorised under the capital expenditure of the navy’s budget.

This allocation had sparked criticisms from Nigerians, particularly in light of the prevailing economic challenges and calls for a reduction in the cost of governance. Amid the backlash from Nigerians, the presidency said the yacht was a naval vessel and not for President Bola Tinubu.

“What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President,” Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy. It is called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high-level security features.”

On Thursday, the senate and house of representatives passed the N2 trillion supplementary budget, but reallocated the appropriation for the yacht to the students’ loan programme.

‘IT WAS ORDERED BY BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION’
On Thursday, the presidency said the naval boat was ordered by the navy during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations,” the presidency said. On Saturday, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the director of naval information, confirmed to TheCable that the yacht was “ordered” during Buhari’s government and that payment for the executive boat was to be made later.

“The crux of the matter is that it was ordered under the previous administration and it was delivered. It was approved but there was no cash backing. The navy is not using it at all. It was just delivered. Decisions will have to be taken at all levels. We are just awaiting instructions,” he said.

Furious with the development, Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the house of representatives committee on navy, said the navy will be investigated over the procurement of the yacht without parliamentary approval.

“My committee has expunged that (the appropriation) from the supplementary budget,” he said. It is no more in the supplementary budget. Does navy procure a presidential yacht without payment and approval for it only for us to see it on the budget item? The house has asked the committee to investigate.”

IN 2010, JONATHAN REJECTED NAVY’S PROPOSAL TO BUY YACHT
This is not the first time that the navy would be seeking to acquire a presidential yacht. In 2010, a similar request was made by the navy during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but it was hastily shot down.

According to a 2010 report by DailyTrust, the navy proposed to procure a presidential yacht for N3.3 billion ahead of the Nigeria at 50 anniversary celebrations in October 2010. Jonathan, however, turned down the request.

The newspaper quoted Ima Niboro, Jonathan’s spokesperson at the time, as saying that the former president directed the navy to liaise with the national assembly to seek the authority for a virement in order to use the funds for the repair of naval warships.

Virement is the process of transferring an approved budgetary provision from one operating cost element or capital project to another, during a financial year.

https://www.thecable.ng/rewind-in-2010-jonathan-rejected-navys-proposal-to-buy-presidential-yacht/amp

Presidential yachts are gradually losing their reverence and grandiosity as most countries have taken to decommissioning them for various reasons, mainly economic concerns.

Beyond the cost of purchasing these big toys, one of the main reasons why leaders choose to opt out of operating yachts is the maintenance cost, which runs into 10% to 15% of the purchase price annually.

Meanwhile, the criminal govt on seat in collaboration with the equally NASS had gone ahead to get luxurious yatch we don't need given budget and going by the financial realities on ground. Not minding the outrageous monies also budgeted for luxury cars for the unconstitutional office of his wife and members of the current NASS.

This has sparked criticisms from Nigerians, particularly in light of the prevailing economic challenges and calls for a reduction in the cost of governance. Amid the backlash from Nigerians, the presidency said the yacht was a naval vessel and not for President Bola Tinubu. Meanwhile, the ever stupid Bayo Onanuga came with this lame damage control thinking all Nigerians are morons;

“What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President,”
nlfpmod Let’s educate the public.

IN 2010, JONATHAN REJECTED NAVY’S PROPOSAL TO BUY YACHT

This is not the first time that the navy would be seeking to acquire a presidential yacht. In 2010, a similar request was made by the navy during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but it was hastily shot down.

According to a 2010 report by DailyTrust, the navy proposed to procure a presidential yacht for N3.3 billion ahead of the Nigeria at 50 anniversary celebrations in October 2010. Jonathan, however, turned down the request. The former president directed the navy to liaise with the national assembly to seek the authority for a virement in order to use the funds for the repair of naval warships.

Virement is the process of transferring an approved budgetary provision from one operating cost element or capital project to another, during a financial year.

What a responsible and highly sensitive president. The disaster that came behind him were well known before time but parochial and ethno-regional sentiments beclouded the sense of judgement of many people. nlfpmod Seun

That Yacht is overrated. I don't think the actual amount is up to what was budgeted for elit except you want to tell me the naira is totally useless compare to dollar.

Most Labour Party supporters and a few Nigerians felt it was Tinubu's personal yatch for relaxing with friends and other government appointees.

In Nigeria propaganda spreads faster. Just a few sit down to ask themselves questions before jumping into conclusion. Even with the educated ones.

But Bayo Onanuga said it's an operational boat for high tech naval operations and training while naptu2 claimed in his thread that not all yachts are luxurious
APC hacks and lies sha

Agbado people’s president just want to flex and waste Nigeria and Delta people’s oyel money

Ndi Delta, una mind go dey

benuejosh:
Most Labour Party supporters and a few Nigerians felt it was Tinubu's personal yatch for relaxing with friends and other government appointees.

In Nigeria propaganda spreads faster. Just a few sit down to ask themselves questions before jumping into conclusion. Even with the educated ones.

What do we need Yacht for as a country?

Misplaced priority

SpatialKing:
What do we need Yacht for as a country?

Misplaced priority

You should ask the Nigerian Navy who also requested for it during Jonathan's regime.

Racoon:
Meanwhile, this allocation had sparked criticisms from Nigerians, particularly in light of the prevailing economic challenges and calls for a reduction in the cost of governance. Amid the backlash from Nigerians, the presidency said the yacht was a naval vessel and not for President Bola Tinubu.

“What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President,” Bayo Onanuga, 

I have a feeling Bayo was konking his own head while telling that wonderful half lamba

Hmm

benuejosh:
You should ask the Nigerian Navy who also requested for it during Jonathan's regime.

Did Jonathan approve it?

How come APC government approved
What has Tinubu said about it?

Just like SUVs for his wife is it Jonathan that approved that too?

SpatialKing:
Did Jonathan approve it?

How come APC government approved
What has Tinubu said about it?

Just like SUVs for his wife is it Jonathan that approved that too?

haven't you heard the National Assembly moving the said budget to students loan?

benuejosh:
haven't you heard the National Assembly moving the said budget to students loan?

Why should it be National Assembly?

How about the billions to be spent on SUVs?

benuejosh:
Most Labour Party supporters and a few Nigerians felt it was Tinubu's personal yatch for relaxing with friends and other government appointees.

In Nigeria propaganda spreads faster. Just a few sit down to ask themselves questions before jumping into conclusion. Even with the educated ones.

You're right

The yacht is for intercontinental moving machinery for white substance

SpatialKing:
Why should it be National Assembly?

How about the billions to be spent on SUVs?

Are you talking about Yatch or SUV? As for Yatch i said ask the Nigerian Navy of which i am not their spokesperson.

Words on the street have it that Seyi Tinubu insisted on it ... probably to camp imported Brazilian damsels

And so

A VERY WASTEFUL government.

Corruption

Gaslighting animal republic

Fingers crossed...

benuejosh:
Most Labour Party supporters and a few Nigerians felt it was Tinubu's personal yatch for relaxing with friends and other government appointees.

In Nigeria propaganda spreads faster. Just a few sit down to ask themselves questions before jumping into conclusion. Even with the educated ones.

What's the supposed yacht for? War? Use your head nau

A Navy that is asking for a yatch instead of a submarine.

Is that one a Navy?

No Wonder, an American submarine spent nearly a month on the coast of Nigeria and nobody knew until they left.

What is important to the public is never priority, just their selfish interest.

Amid the present hardship Nigerians are going through this the only thing our government can think of.

USELESS OLD FOOLS.

THE FAILED OLD GENERATION THAT DESTROYED THIS COUNTRY IS STILL IN POWER AND CONTINUES TO DESTROY IT.