20 Million Euros-Worth of Armani Comes to Gibraltar's Ocean Village

Online, December 18, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Mariu, a 49.9 metre (163.7ft) Codecasa-built motoryacht, has just completed a three-week stay at Gibraltar's award-winning Ocean Village Marina. Commissioned for and interior designed by Giorgio Armani, Mariu's stylish presence shows the Marina's commitment to attracting the world's finest megayachts.

Brian Stevendale, Sales & Marketing Director for Ocean Village, comments, "Mariu is the latest in a long line of megayachts that choose to moor in Ocean Village. 82 metre Sarafsa, 71 metre Skat, 54 metre Maridome, 49 metre Lady Michelle... have all been in this season attracted by our fashionable nightspots including Gibraltar's only mega casino and of course the cut-price fuel. We're investing half a million pounds into extending our berth offering from 225 to 323 to include premium berths for yachts up to 90 metres. This makes Ocean Village legitimate competition for other more established marinas around the Mediterranean coastline."

Whilst Mr Armani has moved on from the 'greige' (anthracite grey with a tinge of beige) Mariu to a distinctive military green 65 metre called Main, Mariu continues to cruise on a crewed charter basis. With six cabins to accommodate up to 12 charter guests, Mariu has teak flooring and Armani Casa furnishing throughout as well as Armani toiletries and Armani beauty products. She comes in at a princely 200,000 euros per week - excluding fuel, which she guzzles at speed.

Mariu is typical of the many oversized vessels now being produced in shipyards across the world. Demand for premium berths is reaching a peak as many more dated marinas haven't the depth or capacity to accommodate these megayachts. Ocean Village is directly targeting and catering for this elite audience.

Gibraltar's foremost mixed-use marina project, Ocean Village is all-inclusive with dining, entertainment, retail, office space and three residential plazas up to 17 storeys high accessing seven swimming pools and a health club. Berthing here not only makes financial sense (marine fuel is around 40% cheaper than neighbouring Spain) but it also makes an ideal base for soaking up a sophisticated nightlife and exploring the marinas and beaches which populate the North African and Spanish coastlines.

Daily rates for Ocean Village's new berths start from as little as £15.50 for a 15 metre berth rising to £450 per day for vessels above 75 metres (low season). A 20% discount is available for annual bookings when paid in advance in full. Demand is high and waiting lists exist for certain LOA.

For further information on berths at Ocean Village contact Ocean Village's Sales & Marketing Director Brian Stevendale on [email protected], telephone 00 350 200 40048 or visit www.oceanvillage.gi.

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