This morning we awoke to an unexpected visitor. The Laurel, recently launched subject of considerable speculation, was waiting for us off the tip of Pier 70. Well, not exactly waiting for us.
Said to have been designed by Donald Starkey, probably built by Dakota Creek, reportedly outfitted by Delta Marine, somewhere between 240' and 268' - possibly the largest yacht built in the U.S. since the 1921 - rumored to have been launched in late December by DCI into the Guemes Channel, and spotted around the Sound since January.
While a whole list of local names come to mind, an unnamed NY architect is the likely owner of Laurel. We're pretty sure we saw him waving to us.
UPDATE: She's back in local waters, spotted in Elliott Bay on St. Patrick's Day, 2007.
Greetings from Shilshole! Thanks for stopping by Ship's Blog. I added your site to my subscriptions and look forward to watching things unfold from the Belltown point of view.
Posted by: Kim | February 13, 2006 at 07:54 AM
I have seen this amazing ship up close. Security was very tight, but I was close enought to taste it magnificence. Can't say much except that there is a 24 member crew and it is currently on it's first sail around the world. It is truly beautiful and not modestly outfitted with ammenities.
Posted by: Undisclosed | April 19, 2006 at 10:51 AM
I have never seen a more stately vessel. Its all about taste. I saw her by mere accident when I was in Fort Lauderdale with my Uncle on Thursday May 25th. We were just wanting to see a few boats after a nice lunch I guess luck is with us that we saw this beauty. By chance thats luck. The crew was real attractive and courteous. Good Luck Beauty..
Posted by: jodi | May 28, 2006 at 11:57 AM
I saw her yesterday in the harbour of Split, Croatia. Magnificent boat!
Posted by: Erik | July 02, 2006 at 12:54 PM
I was in Venice, Italy two weeks ago (June 24-27) and found the Laural tied up there, surrounded by fence and security. What a beautiful ship.
Posted by: Roy Rutherford | July 10, 2006 at 01:37 PM
Spotted her moored in Rhodes 3rd week of July, a tremendous sight, even for convinced sailors like us.
Hope for tracking news!
laurelspotter
Posted by: laurelspotter | July 26, 2006 at 01:10 PM
I was in rhodos last week and saw her everyday 17-22 july, she's very beautiful!
Posted by: Sara | July 26, 2006 at 05:30 PM
I also saw it on Rhodos and in Lindos on that time in July. Thanks to your blog I now know what I saw. We also saw the ship in the harbor in Rhodos. Very impressing ship with spotlight únder the water which made you able to all the fish around in the water. Simply great ship.
Greatest ship I have seen sofar.
Claus - Denmark
Posted by: claus | July 28, 2006 at 09:01 AM
hej guys!!! we saw laurel in naxos greece. she was lying at anchor 200 meters away from the beach from the 22th to the 24th july and from the 30th to the 2nd ...we watched her with googles, but didnt see anything special...-> could only read the name laurel
unfortunately...coz in the greek news they said, that brad pitt and angelina jolie were on it!!!
Posted by: rina | August 04, 2006 at 12:16 PM
hej guys!!! we saw laurel in naxos greece. she was lying at anchor 200 meters away from the beach from the 22th to the 24th july and from the 30th to the 2nd ...we watched her with googles, but didnt see anything special...-> could only read the name laurel
unfortunately...coz in the greek news they said, that brad pitt and angelina jolie were on it!!!
Posted by: rina | August 04, 2006 at 12:16 PM
The Laurel is 100m outside the port of Symi (Fri Aug 18th, 4:20am)next to an other yacht that looks amazing too. I can't see the name because it's dark now but it's lights are all blue (like blacklights...) it's impresive!
Posted by: Alex | August 17, 2006 at 06:21 PM
Hi my name is Laurel
Posted by: Laurel | March 24, 2007 at 01:04 PM
Laural docked in Victoria harbour june 11 2007. who is the owner???
Posted by: DANOGORD | June 11, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Just left the inner harbour in Victoria BC 20 minutes ago.
Posted by: Allan | June 14, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Arrived in Ketchikan Alaska this morning, the LAUREL is tied up and looking very impressive.
Posted by: jackson barry | June 22, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Spotted in the Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska this afternoon!
Posted by: WowThatsABigBoat | July 05, 2007 at 02:37 PM
I got some great shots of the Laurel docked at the Seadrome Complex in Juneau last week which I have posted on the URL link:
http://www.icomadvantage.com/laurel/
I had a chance to speak to the crew and look into the aft small craft stowage area. There is indeed a crew of 25. There was one crew member in watch at all times, but nothing of interest security wise. I know who the owner is but I was sworn to secrecy plus it would not be in my best interest to divulge such information.
The boat is indeed a beautiful creation. If you look at the top deck, you will see two glass tubes. These are used to grow plants. The one on the left might be filled with fresh spices.
Posted by: CJ | July 23, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Thanks CJ. I'll have a look at my hi-res image and see if I can spot the plants.
Cheers.
Posted by: Bruce | July 29, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Huge yacht Laurel has been in Sitka, Alaska for a couple of weeks. Never see anyone around except crew members in white shirts. Why is the owner such a mystery?
Posted by: Laurel's mom | August 28, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Laurel just anchored in Juneau, Alaska. The potted trees are doing well.
Posted by: Rose | September 04, 2007 at 10:04 PM
I was recently in Sitka Alaska (8/28) and got some nice photos of the Laurel.
Posted by: Kern Lipscomb | September 05, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Hey, we've just seen it moored Tuesday morning 11th Sept in Vancouver harbour. We thought that the Nova Spirit was a biggy (also moored there last week) until the Laurel appeared. Magnificent! We're now back in a slightly cooler Blightey! :)
Posted by: Tony | September 12, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Just saw the Laurel passing by our front door headed up the ship canal to the Ballard locks. Looks like she will be on the lakes for a bit.
Beautiful Ship.
Posted by: Scott P | September 16, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Laurel came through the canal in Seattle Sunday night, what an awesome sight from 100 feet astern of my vessel. She was completely blacked out except for the nav lights. She passed by at 10:05 pm inbound and 30 min later Ice Bear passed going outbound. Changing of the guard of some sorts for Seattle.
Posted by: Tim | September 18, 2007 at 11:25 AM
At over 240' she's making Seattle's Lake Union look like a pond. 12:15pm 092907
Posted by: David G. | September 29, 2007 at 12:15 PM