Travellers in Reykjavík might have noticed a giant yacht parked in the sound outside the old harbour. The superyacht, named The Octopus, is one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world and belongs to Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen. It is not known whether Allen is visiting Iceland along with his yacht. Allen, and his yacht, have previously visited Iceland on several occasions.
The first visit by the Octopus to Iceland was in 2010. Allen and his girlfriend flew to Iceland in a private jet and stayed on-board the yacht to celebrate her 30th birthday. The ship will remain in Iceland until mid-August.
Two helicopters, two submersibles
The Octopus ranks as the ninth largest privately owned super-yacht. It is 126 meters (414 feet) long, making it 50-60 meters (164-197 feet) longer than the largest trawlers in the Icelandic fleet. It is equipped with a helipad and two helicopters as well as two submersibles. Allen has used the yacht as a base to pursue his passions, which are the study of marine archaeology and shipwrecks, but especially underwater volcanism and geothermal activity on the seabed.
“The yacht is a dream come true for scientists. It is the best equipped ocean research vessel in the world,“ argues Icelandic volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson who has worked closely with Allen in the past. Haraldur has travelled with Paul Allen around the world to study volcanoes, both above ground and those on the seabed. Recently he accompanied Allen to Papua New Guinea and the Salomon Islands to study underwater geothermal vents.
In an interview with the local news service Visir.is Haraldur refuses to say whether or not Allen is on-board the yacht. He also stresses that none of the studies which will be undertaken from aboard the yacht require permits, since the submersibles will not touch or disturb the seabed.
Marine archaeology and the Battle of the Atlantic
Haraldur tells Visir.is that the Octopus has not only studied geothermal activity or underwater volcanoes:
“The Octopus has also studied the Battleship Hood, which was the largest battleship of the British Navy in the Second World War. It sank between Iceland and Greenland in the second half of the war, after being attacked by the German Battleship Bismarck. The wreck of Hood has now been found, and the Octopus has participated in studies of the wreck which lies at a depth of 3 km (1.9 miles).“
Travellers in Reykjavík might have noticed a giant yacht parked in the sound outside the old harbour. The superyacht, named The Octopus, is one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world and belongs to Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen. It is not known whether Allen is visiting Iceland along with his yacht. Allen, and his yacht, have previously visited Iceland on several occasions.
The first visit by the Octopus to Iceland was in 2010. Allen and his girlfriend flew to Iceland in a private jet and stayed on-board the yacht to celebrate her 30th birthday. The ship will remain in Iceland until mid-August.
Two helicopters, two submersibles
The Octopus ranks as the ninth largest privately owned super-yacht. It is 126 meters (414 feet) long, making it 50-60 meters (164-197 feet) longer than the largest trawlers in the Icelandic fleet. It is equipped with a helipad and two helicopters as well as two submersibles. Allen has used the yacht as a base to pursue his passions, which are the study of marine archaeology and shipwrecks, but especially underwater volcanism and geothermal activity on the seabed.
“The yacht is a dream come true for scientists. It is the best equipped ocean research vessel in the world,“ argues Icelandic volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson who has worked closely with Allen in the past. Haraldur has travelled with Paul Allen around the world to study volcanoes, both above ground and those on the seabed. Recently he accompanied Allen to Papua New Guinea and the Salomon Islands to study underwater geothermal vents.
In an interview with the local news service Visir.is Haraldur refuses to say whether or not Allen is on-board the yacht. He also stresses that none of the studies which will be undertaken from aboard the yacht require permits, since the submersibles will not touch or disturb the seabed.
Marine archaeology and the Battle of the Atlantic
Haraldur tells Visir.is that the Octopus has not only studied geothermal activity or underwater volcanoes:
“The Octopus has also studied the Battleship Hood, which was the largest battleship of the British Navy in the Second World War. It sank between Iceland and Greenland in the second half of the war, after being attacked by the German Battleship Bismarck. The wreck of Hood has now been found, and the Octopus has participated in studies of the wreck which lies at a depth of 3 km (1.9 miles).“
