Armed pirates attack media magnate’s motoryacht
Motorboat & Yachting: Australian media magnate Kerry Stokes’ 36-metre luxury motoryacht was targeted by three pirates armed with bush knives while moored in Papua New Guinea.
The group boarded Antipodean, a 38-metre Oceanfast superyacht, armed with long bush knives and proceeded to steal diving equipment and food, ABC Australia reports. They made their escape in a separate boat, following a confrontation with the crew. Mr Stokes and his family were not on board at the time.
Sir Peter Barter, former governor of local resort town of Padang, told the media provider: “They did not want to make an issue over this incident, but we insisted that a report was made to police. Regretfully, this incident is already known around Cairns and will deter motor yachts and tourists from visiting Madang and Papua New Guinea.”
Mr Stokes owns Australia’s Seven Network and his personal fortune is estimated at £868million. His current superyacht Antipodean was built by Western Australian yard Oceanfast in 1987.
