- Written by Robert Firth
- Local Democracy Reporting Service
image source, robert firth
The superyacht was due to remain moored at Royal Docks in Newham.
Plans for a £25m superyacht to host late-night events on the River Thames have been scrapped.
Entertainment company Smart Group announced on Thursday that its luxury party yacht Ocean Diva will leave London and return to “EU waters”.
They wanted to host upscale weddings, conferences and exhibitions on the boat for up to 1,000 people.
A local councilor called the decision a “huge victory” for residents along the River Thames.
Residents feared the boats would spark anti-social behavior and harm the environment.
Smart Group managing director Chloe Jackson blamed “regulatory challenges” and “inadequate infrastructure” in a letter confirming the company had withdrawn its plans.
She writes: “We are extremely disappointed that this long-awaited project cannot be realized.
“Opportunity loss”
“While we understand that this may feel like a victory to some local residents and riverside stakeholders, we cannot continue to operate this carbon-neutral, state-of-the-art vessel in the future. , I am sure you will understand that this is a sad day for the city, and indeed for Smart Group.”We can no longer redefine what happens on the Thames.
“This is truly a missed opportunity for the city.”
image source, robert firth
Yacht had hoped to host an event for up to 1,000 people.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “London is open to investment from around the world and the Mayor is always ready and happy to consider innovative and ambitious ideas that further enhance London’s world-class culture. ” he said.
“Mr Sadiq Khan has nothing against Ocean Diva, but agreed with the City of London that having boats moored at Swan Pier would have a negative impact on local residents.”
Ocean Diva was originally scheduled to be operational by the end of 2022, but did not arrive in London until May 2023.
The superyacht was due to berth at Newham’s Royal Docks, but had hoped to stop at six piers in Greenwich, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.
Smart Group has withdrawn its application for a license to serve early morning alcohol at Ocean Diva after nearly 1,000 objections were lodged with Newham Council by residents and businesses.
“Totally unsuitable”
In June 2023, the ship crashed during a test maneuver.
The boat collided with the anchor of an unoccupied barge in the accident near Erith, south-east London.
Rachel Bentley, Liberal Democrat MP for North Bermondsey, campaigned against the yacht’s presence.
She said the decision was a “huge win for residents and businesses along the River Thames”.
“A boat the size of a soccer field is simply not suitable for narrow urban rivers,” she says.
“Residents in Shad Thames were rightly concerned about unruly partygoers descending on their historic area at any time of the day or night.”
Newham City Council has been contacted for comment.
This comes a month after the US company behind the planned Las Vegas-style “Sphere” venue in east London withdrew its plans.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) said it cannot participate in a process that is “merely a political football between opposing political parties.”
MSG wanted to build a 21,000-capacity entertainment venue in Stratford.
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