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Headline: Yacht Designer Denies Bill Gates Has Ordered This $644M Superyacht

Caption: A yacht designer has denied Bill Gates has ordered this $644m superyacht. The vessel is powered by liquid hydrogen and fuel cells. The Sunday Telegraph had reported Mr Gates was interested in the yacht, which they say is scheduled to go to sea in 2024. Described as utilising “the fuel of the future”, the yacht makes an eye-catching feature of the hexagonal hydrogen tanks. Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, who launched the AQUA yacht at this September’s Monaco Yacht Show, say they have fused “ground-breaking technology with cutting-edge design". Sinot explain: “AQUA is fuelled by hydrogen, a unique concept which represents a significant progression towards achieving a new balance between nature and technology. The system is based on the use of liquified hydrogen, stored at -253°C in two 28-ton vacuum isolated tanks. The liquified hydrogen is converted into electrical energy by proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with water being the only by-product.” The Dutch company say the 112-metre AQUA would reach speeds of 17 knots and have a range of 3750 nautical miles. Designer Sander Sinot explains how he and his team managed to integrate the hydrogen-electric system capable of catering for all onboard energy needs without having to compromise on esthetics, comfort or usability: "With every project, I challenge my team and myself to surpass ourselves. For development of AQUA we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology to combine this in a 112m superyacht with truly innovative features." Sinot soon realized they had set themselves an extraordinary goal, so started working on an extraordinary design: "Our challenge was to implement fully operational liquid hydrogen and fuel cells in a true superyacht that is not only groundbreaking in technology, but also in design and esthetics." Guest would be able to enjoy four guest state rooms, two VIP state rooms and an owner pavilion. Here Sinot explain the superyacht’s design and features: Entering AQUA is entering a world of privacy and space. The spectacular, extremely spacious and beam-wide owner’s pavilion, occupying the front half of the upper deck, offers an abundance of privacy. The pavilion is arranged in a vast open-plan area of interlinked spaces, divided by finely crafted wooden screens providing intimacy and subdued lighting. Both at the starboard and port sides, floor-to-ceiling band windows supply an amazing impression of openness and freedom. The ceiling, at a height that varies from an ample 280cm to an impressive 380cm at the large central skylight, is supported by an intricately crafted wooden structure. The bedroom section is located at the yacht’s axis and offers an endless sightline all the way up to the AQUA room at the bow. The owner’s pavilion is completed with a large bathroom, dressing room and an intimate private spa section. The AQUA room, located at the bow, at the far end of the owner’s pavilion, offers a top-of-the-world feeling and endless views from the best position on board. Located on AQUA’s beach deck, close to the waterline, the expansive and naturally outfitted VIP state rooms stand out by virtue of their spacious design and highly elaborate furniture. The VIP cabin and other state rooms are focused on openness, luxury and comfort, providing a maximum sense of freedom in a highly detailed minimalist Japanese beach-style setting. The indoor health & wellness center is a water-world of serenity, where the reflecting waves of the water feature complement the onboard environment with their soft, vibrating motion. With an exclusive hydro massage room, a yoga space and workout floor and a massive, gym-wide hatch which opens to reveal the ocean’s surface at water level, creating the perception of exercising and relaxing on an island in the sea. Situated at AQUA’s core, the spectacular circular staircase is one of the yacht’s defining features, winding down from the top deck to the lower deck. A true spectacle manifests itself at the lowest level, facing aft, where two vast liquified hydrogen tanks reveal their hexagonal textured surface structure behind a giant façade of strengthened glass.

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