The superyacht “Octopus” owned by Paul Allen who founded Microsoft along Bill Gates and others is up for sale after the demise of Paul. The “Octopus” was built by Lurssen Yachts of Germany. The “Octopus” was built in 2003  with exteriors designed by Espen Oeino and interiors designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnette of Seattle.

The “Octopus” is 126.2 m long, has a beam of 21 m and a draft of 5.66m. It is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion wherein 8 diesel engines generate 2,400 HP each, or a total combine of 19,200 HP to run two electric drives of 3 MW each which turn the propellers. These two propellers can push the yacht, which has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure and decks made from teak wood to a top speed of 20 knots. It has a cruising speed of 17 knots and a range of  12,500 nautical miles. The yacht also has thrusters which allow it to be navigated accurately in confined waters as well as moor without the aid of tugs.

The “Octopus” is luxuriously appointed across its six decks and has 43 cabins which can accommodate 26 guests and 63 crew members. As Paul Allen was a marine enthusiast, the vessel has travelled wide including to Antarctica. It has a tank deck which can either hold a tender or the Yacht’s submarine, the “Pagoo” which can dive with eight guests and two crew for periods up to eight hours. The “Octopus” also carries an ROV which can dive up to the depth if 3,000 m.

These capabilities are in addition to the normal luxuries like a helicopter deck, gym, swimming pool, sauna, movie theatre, jet skies etc. To allow for diving and to meet any diving exigencies, the “Octopus” has an onboard diving centre and hyperbaric chamber. It also boasts of a glass-bottom in the tank deck for observation.

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