Yacht Tycoon Andreas Liveras killed in Mumbai Terror Attacks
November 28th, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Andreas Liveras - megayacht tycoon - killed in Mumbai terror attacks
Superyacht builder, Andreas Liveras, the 73-year-old Cypriot émigré who made a fortune in the luxury Mediterranean yacht charter business was named as the only Briton known to have been killed in the Mumbai terror attacks.
The city’s St George’s hospital confirmed that Andreas Liveras died Wednesday night after receiving multiple gunshot wounds at the Taj Palace Hotel. He was in Bombay to attend a trade show, and had gone to the hotel for a meal.
A legendary Mediterranean luxury yacht charter tycoon, Andreas Liveras moved to Britain in 1963 and built up an estimated fortune of £315 million. He was ranked 265 in the 2008 Sunday Times Rich List.
Andreas specialized in buying large ships and renovating them into opulent floating palaces. Among superyacht enthusiasts, his impressive fleet of luxury Mediterranean yacht charter vessels is well known. He restored such classic yachts as Rosenkavalier, Princess Tanya, Princess Lauren, and Altair. These projects made waves in the megayacht charter community and inspired greater ventures in the future. Said Andreas, “I have always been interested in the largest yachts because I knew the largest yachts were the busiest in the industry.”
Andreas eventually sold off his fleet of older yachts after the first of two new superyacht charter vessels was launched. His company’s current fleet comprises the 85-meter mega motor yacht ALYSIA and the 90-meter motor yacht LAUREN L. Both are equipped with spas, pools, gymnasiums and helicopter landing pads. The mega yachts cost more than £500,000/wk to charter.
A farmer’s son, born in Cyprus, Andreas came to London with his family in 1963 where he took a job as a deliveryman for the then tiny Fleur de Lys Patisseries. “I started work as a driver,” says Andreas, “and after three years with the company got my first big break. The owner wanted to sell, and I wanted it but didn’t have the money. Even so, we came to terms and agreed a price of £2,500 and the deal was done. We didn’t even bother with a contract. Every Saturday, I would send him an envelope with postal orders for £10 or £20 until he was paid in full. It took a little time to pay, but it got paid and we stayed the best of friends.”
Operating for a London vasement, Andreas had three people making cakes and pastries, and one van, which he drove to deliver the sweet creations to restaurants. The business expanded, and within three years employed over 450 people. In 1985, the business was sold to Express Dairies for an 8-figure multi-million pound deal.
Andreas decided to retire and indulge in his growing passion for yachts. He bought his first yacht, a 27-meter Benetti which he named Princess Natasha after his grandaughter. After a life of waking up each morning at 5 am to work in the pastry factory, Andreas became restless in his retirement. He noticed a yacht moored next to his was for sale, so he bought it, named it Princess Sophia after his niece, and set about to renovate it for charter. Said Andreas, “I decided to turn my hobby into a business.”
Andreas was involved in every aspect of the charter process. His commitment to rigorous safety standards and knowing every detail onboard the yachts is legendary. He knew all of his crewmembers personally, and played a paternal role in guiding their activities to achieve a seamless charter operation.
He truly enjoyed his work. “I really see no reason for a man to retire when he is happy at his work. I love the sea, I love my yachts, and I love meeting people. Without these, I would be lost.”
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Tags: Alysia, Andreas Liveras, charter market, Lauren L, Mediterranean yacht charter, Mumbai terrorist attacks, Sunday Times Rich List, Superyacht
