Oceandiva: Party yacht quits London after 'regulatory' issues

The super yacht was due to remain moored at the Royal Docks in Newham

Plans for a £25m super yacht that was set to host late-night events on the River Thames have been scrapped.

Entertainment firm Smart Group announced on Thursday that luxury party yacht Oceandiva would be leaving London and returning "to EU waters".

It had hoped to host high-end weddings, conferences and exhibitions for up to 1,000 people on the boat.

A local councillor called the decision a "huge victory" for Thames-side residents.

Residents had feared the boat would attract antisocial behaviour and harm the environment.

Chloe Jackson, managing director of Smart Group, blamed "regulatory challenges" and "infrastructural inadequacies", in a letter confirming that the company had scrapped the plan.

She wrote: "It is with deep regret that we will not be able to bring this long-awaited project to fruition.

'Missed opportunity'

"Whilst we acknowledge that this may feel like a victory for some local residents and riverside stakeholders, we are sure you can appreciate it is a sad day for the city and indeed Smart Group, as this carbon-neutral, cutting-edge vessel will no longer be redefining events on the River Thames.

"It is quite simply a missed opportunity for the city."

The yacht had hoped to host events 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 willing to consider innovative and ambitious ideas that add to London's world-class cultural offering.

"Sadiq Khan has had no objections to the Oceandiva - however he agreed with the City of London that docking the boat at Swan Pier would cause adverse impact for local residents."

Oceandiva was originally due to be operational by the end of 2022, but only arrived in London in May 2023.

The super yacht, which was set to be moored at the Royal Docks in Newham, had wanted to make stop-offs at six piers in Greenwich, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.

• Stratford sphere venue plans officially withdrawn

Smart Group withdrew a licensing application to serve alcohol into the early hours on Oceandiva after nearly 1,000 objections were lodged with Newham Council from residents and businesses.

'Completely unsuitable'

In June 2023, the vessel crashed while carrying out test manoeuvres.

The boat struck the anchor of an unmanned barge in the incident near Erith, south east London.

Rachel Bentley, Liberal Democrat councillor for North Bermondsey, campaigned against the yacht's presence.

She said the decision was a "huge victory for Thames-side residents and businesses".

"A vessel the size of a football pitch is completely unsuitable for a narrow urban river," she said.

"Residents of Shad Thames were rightly concerned about rowdy party-goers disembarking into their historic neighbourhoods all day and night."

Newham Council has been contacted for comment.

It comes a month after the US company behind a proposed Las Vegas-style "Sphere" venue in east London withdrew its plans.

Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) said it could not participate in a process that was "merely a political football between rival parties".

MSG had wanted to build its 21,000-capacity entertainment venue in Stratford.

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