AS spectacles go, it will be hard to match. When the 2012 Olympics gets under way, London will witness some magnificent world-beaters. There might even be a few record-breakers within their ranks. And the good news? You don't need a ticket.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's 126m Octopus will reportedly book the biggest berth when the superyachts take over the Thames for the Olympics in July
While the average punter might consider themselves lucky to get a ticket to the badminton preliminaries, and wonder whether the Tube will get them to Stratford without breaking down, the international super-rich will be making their way to the capital aboard some of the largest, most glamorous pleasure vessels the world has seen.
The Thames, normally populated with tugs and tourist boats, will for a few weeks be turned into London's answer to Monaco as superyachts up to 120m long arrive.This will be the finest bling: the sort where three decks is a minimum
and no self-respecting superyacht comes without a helipad. Some have submarines.
From Canary Wharf to the Royal Docks and beyond, anywhere that could berth a superyacht has been earnestly engaged in marketing themselves to the world's billionaires. British Waterways, which manages West India and Millwall Docks, has secured deals with the owners of eight superyachts, and is preparing Wood Wharf, adjacent to Canary Wharf, to provide space for another 20.
"The interest has been excellent," said Gareth Stephens, the harbour and waterspace manager. "It has been from all over. We have had a number of American enquiries and a couple from Australia. The docks are going to be a fantastic place next year."
Its largest booking so far is for a vessel about 120m long. He is bound by a confidentiality agreement not to say who it is, but there is speculation that it is the 126m Octopus, owned by the Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen.
Mark Upton, who runs MGMT, a superyacht advisory service, said: "I am told he is a big fan of the Olympics." His company is involved in re-selling berths and is marketing packages that include tickets for the top Olympic events. It also offers a concierge service for superyacht owners, with everything from tailors and hairdressers to sommeliers.
"I am confident that we will see between 30 and 50 very large yachts in London next summer," Mr Upton said. "West India Dock has a few and from what I understand the Royal Docks has taken bookings this week for three or four boats of a substantial size - in the top 15 per cent of the largest yachts in the world.
"I don't expect there to be much in the way of spaces left by the end of November. It will become something of a tourist attraction. It is something that has never been seen before in London and will probably never be seen again. It is very exciting."
Having attracted everyone's attention, not least the paparazzi, the owners of these boats and their guests will be doing their best to keep a low profile. The traditional way of keeping out of the public eye is to fly on and off the yacht by helicopter. The larger superyachts all come with their own helicopters.
Paul Ashton, the editor of
SuperYacht World, said: "Even some of the smaller superyachts have touch-and-go helipads, where you are not allowed to switch off the engine. You land on deck, the passengers jump on and are whisked away."
Next summer, superyacht passengers will be more likely to make their way to the Olympics by boat. Mr Upton said he had teamed up with Water Chariots to take people to the Olympic Park via Limehouse Basin in custom-built canal boats. To berth a 25m yacht in Docklands can cost ₤2000 ($3225) a day based on a minimum three-week stay, with higher fees for larger boats.
After its brief flirtation with glamour, will the superyachts head back south? Mr Upton hopes not. He said: "London is a good base to explore the British Isles. It would be nice to persuade some of the yachts to spend their summers a little farther north. It's a nice dream."