Border Force boards US billionaire’s £48m superyacht in UK harbour

A £48 million ($60 million) superyacht owned by a US property billionaire has been boarded by Border Force officers in a UK harbour just to make sure it had no stowaway migrants on board.

The 60m-long Bella Vita was photographed in Dartmouth, Devon on Tuesday.

The luxury vessel is owned by Dwight Schar, a US property magnate said to be worth $1.8 billion. He founded construction company NVR and was a minority partner in the Washington Football Team.

Border Force officers then climbed out of the rib and boarded the Bella Vita from the aft of the £48 million superyacht

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The German-built boat can house up to 12 guests and boasts a ‘world renowned crew’, according to a listing online. A cinema, grand piano and a glass elevator can all also be found across six decks of luxury. 

It was built in 2010, and was bought by US Billionaire George Argyros in 2014, and named Huntress. 

It is reported by SuperYachtFan that Mr Argyros and Mr Schar ‘swapped’ boats, with Mr Schar renaming her Bella Vita — the name of the 76m yacht he ‘swapped’ with Mr Argyros. 

Pictures emerged last night which show the Border Force vessel close to the gleaming yacht.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘Border Force’s priority is to keep the public safe and routinely undertakes searches of arriving vessels in line with statutory customs and immigration controls.’ 

The vessel moves along the River Dart, making other boats on the river seem small comparison to its 60 metre length

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