Striking Pool, Elegant Lines: the 82‑Meter Alfa Nero off Colònia de Sant Jordi

Striking Pool, Elegant Lines: the 82‑Meter Alfa Nero off Colònia de Sant Jordi

A graceful giant anchors again off Mallorca — drawing curious looks at the harbor

In the late afternoon, when the heat shimmers above the Passeig promenade and the seagulls wheel over the fishing boats, you can spot it: a sleek silhouette, not too close to the shore, anchored about half a mile off Colònia de Sant Jordi. The 82‑meter vessel stands out. Not only because of its length, but because of that unusual pool at the stern, whose floor can be lowered to create space for parties or a wide platform.

The ship was built in 2007 at the Dutch yard Oceanco; the exterior design comes from the studio Nuvolari‑Lenard, the interior by Alberto Pinto. Those who delight in details will quickly notice: classical proportions meet modern lines. Inside there is room for twelve guests, attended by a crew of around thirty. That many staff also means: technology, provisions, water, power — it becomes a small economy in itself once a vessel of this size drops anchor nearby.

The movable pool platform at the stern is the topic of conversation. Whether it acts as a stage for a private summer night, serves as a platform for water sports equipment, or opens space for loading and unloading larger items, over the years this 'tricky' element has often been adopted by other shipyards. At sea it offers a practical extension; on land it provides a spectacle for waterfront strollers.

Mallorca knows the Alfa Nero: the vessel has been seen at the Club de Mar in Palma and regularly cruises the Balearics, and other recent arrivals included Yasmine of the Sea. After several years during which the yacht stayed away from the island due to legal issues, it is now back in the Mediterranean circuit. The more recent chapters of its history temporarily linked the ship to Russian businessman Andrey Guryev; in 2024 the boat was auctioned in Antigua. Legal proceedings and ownership changes have altered the life of the Alfa Nero; it is now underway again.

What do you notice ashore? In Colònia people sit on the quay, and the terraces of the small bars fill earlier in the evening. A child points excitedly at the distant silhouette, an old fisherman shakes his head with a smile and says that 'something like this' was rare in the past. Cameras click, phones are raised, and in the background you hear the typical soundscape: motorboats, snippets of conversation in several languages, and the scent of grilled fish from the chiringuito.

Such visits are not just photo opportunities for tourists. The presence of large yachts brings work for local port services, divers, truck drivers and craftsmen who provide on‑board services, a dynamic examined in Barcolana in Trieste: What Mallorca's Coasts Should Learn Now. Specialized yacht service providers in Mallorca are part of a niche with its own dynamics: rigging, yacht management, provision deliveries, special permits — everything plays a role when a vessel of this size anchors.

There is also a quiet, very human side: choosing an anchorage, entering a bay under sail or diesel, searching for good weather and for peace. Many captains and owners appreciate the Balearics for the mix of good protection, range of services and pleasant summer scenery; recent moorings have included notable visitors such as Black Pearl in Puerto Portals: Luxury Sailing Yacht, Sustainability Promises and Open Questions. For the island this remains an attraction that sharpens its maritime image.

A small tip for the curious: anyone standing in the evening on the Paseo or on the pier in Colònia has a good chance of watching the silhouette against the evening light. Respectful distance, binoculars, a cool drink — and the prospect of watching a piece of shipbuilding history that is by now more than just a status symbol.

The Alfa Nero is not just a yacht, it is a mobile story of design, technology and changing ownership. Today it anchors off Mallorca and serves as a reminder of how much the islands shape the western Mediterranean — as a destination, as a workplace and as a place where sea and everyday life cross.