Lee-Chin’s new billion-dollar yacht docks in Portland

Brian Pitter

2 years ago

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Photo: @HalsallDoug/Twitter

70-year-old Jamaican Billionaire Michael Lee-Chin has had his new billion-dollar yacht doing the rounds on social media after the 377-foot Apho was seen in the waters on the east coast of the island.

The superyacht is a culmination of a collaboration with world-famous shipyard Lurssen Yachts and with the prestigious Nuvolari Lenard design studio. The masterpiece is equipped with six decks, a beauty salon, gym, swimming pool, and jacuzzi. The luxury yacht also boasts an entertainment section, that comprises a dancefloor, piano, and a movie theatre.

Lee-Chin has been a prominent name in business over the last few decades, not only in Jamaica but in the wider region. His fortune mostly comes from a majority stake in the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica as well as other investments which include his ownership of Portland Holdings, an investment company based in Ontario, Canada. In 2001, Michael Lee-Chin became one of the first black men to be listed on Forbes’ annual billionaires’ list back in 2001.

Unknowing to most, the Jamaica-Canadian tycoon is a fond admirer of yachts and is a repeat client of the German shipyard.

One of the most striking features of his latest project is the underwater lights feature that creates a mesmerizing atmosphere in the evening. The yacht was also built to be eco-friendly, including features like Dynamic Positioning capability that aids to preserve at-risk marine elements.

The yacht will eventually become available for charting early next year.