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June, 2006 • MarineNews 33 On May 6, the Burger Boat Company launched the largest aluminum yacht in its 143-year history for the Alshaya Family from Kuwait. Over 1200 onlookers were in attendance as the new 500-ton marine travelift lowered Mirgab V, a 144-ft. tri- deck into the water for the first time. Mohammad Alshaya spoke on behalf of the family and expressed his gratitude for the production of the vessel, said to serve as an ambassador in Europe and the Mid- dle East. In celebration of the launch, a fireworks display, sponsored by the Alshaya family, was shared with the com- munity of Manitowoc. The Alshaya family presented the Burg- er Boat Company with its first big yacht order. After Mirgab V was signed, sever- al other yachts followed including the 154-ft. Tri-deck - Time For Us, two 127- ft. Tri-decks - Areti I & Areti II, 142 ft. Tri-deck - Sea Owl, 144-ft. Fantail Cruis- er - Sycara, a yet to be named 170 ft. Tri- Deck - Hull #508 and a yet to be named 101 ft. High-speed Enclosed Bridge - Hull #509. Since the decision was made to move into the larger market, Burger is cel- ebrating the largest backorder in history and is finalizing three additional yacht projects. The 144-ft. Mirgab V is an in- house designed, engineered and built motor yacht with over 8,100 sq. ft. (752.5 sq. m) of interior and exterior living space. The defining focal point on the yacht is a 40-in. diameter, glass-tube pneumatic elevator surrounded by a circu- lar sculpted bronze stairway and illumi- nated glass treads spanning three stories. This stairway, designed and crafted by Les Metalliers Champenois, is grounded on all three levels with 1,076 sq. ft. of onyx stone. All of the stone and stonework was provided and hand fit by Bigelli Marmi of Italy. The yacht also features side deck bulwarks that fold down into a verandah, an integral swim platform that converts to a grand stairway to the sea. Mirgab V is powered by 12V-4000 MTU engines propelling the semi-dis- placement hull form to nearly 20 knots and will be fully ABS certified and MCA compliant. Richard Davies and Roberta Johnson from Technical Support Limited of Viareggio managed the project and rep- resented the family throughout construc- tion. The vessel will be based in the Mediterranean on the French Riviera and with will be on display at the 2006 Mona- co Yacht Show. Within the last two years Burger Boat Company has undergone a transformation in: • Personnel (growing from 180 to 450 full-time employees) The facilities (complete and total rebuilding of the shipyard, investments in equipment, machinery and off-site loca- tions) Redefining the range of construction (moving from 85 to130 ft. to a new range of 115 to 200 ft.) A new class of all fully certified MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) yacht design and construction Circle 205 on Reader Service Card Burger Launches Largest Project Mirgab V, a 144-ft. tri-deck yacht. JUNE MN2006 5(33-40).qxd 6/2/2006 10:59 AM Page 33
