Billionaires’ excesses are under scrutiny like never before after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
French authorities impounded the superyacht Amore Vero, which Igor Sechin has denied belongs to him.“They’re operated in a super-secretive way so they can use them and deflect attention from the ownership,” said the captain, who asked to remain anonymous because he had signed confidentiality agreements. He said he had not worked on any of the seized yachts.
Friends and former colleagues working on several other boats have reported that female crew members are forced to test regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. Some specific yacht users are known to regularly exchange sex for gifts such as luxury watches. A life of sun, sea and high pay is the reward. Even junior deck hands with little experience pocket €2,500 a month – an attractive salary when room and board are included, and when maritime loopholes mean earnings can be tax free. Senior crew can earn many times that: some of most prized chefs have been known to earn €25,000 a month, while some captains of the biggest yachts – overseeing a staff of as many as 80 – can earn as much as €40,000 a month.