helicopter made a pass of the island, and once with the island itself, with its turquoise water and stunning sandy beaches.”
Though Necker Island may well be the jewel in a property repertoire that stretches from the Kenyan Bush to a ski lodge in the Swiss Alps, its status as a landmass makes it occasionally unsuitable for Branson’s 100mph lifestyle. For the times when he has to leave the lush surroundings and expansive beaches, however, Branson can always rely on his ‘mobile island’, a 105ft, all-carbon, multi-hull catamaran named Necker Belle.
“I call it the mobile island because it has everything on board that first attracted me to the island from which I set sail,” Branson explains, all blinding-white teeth and carefree nonchalance. “It’s a wonderful way to see the waters around the island and the incredible surprises they hold in store. I prefer catamarans to motorboats. Motorboats tend to bore me after a while, whereas I find sailing much more tasteful.”
“She might not be an extreme racing boat in that pure sense, but she’ll do upwards of 25 knots in the right wind! The best bit is that with that large open top she’s secure and comfortable. Even at that speed you can still enjoy pleasant company and cocktails on board.”
Costing £5.3million at the turn of the decade, and originally named Lady Barbaretta, the Necker Belle boasts room for 12 seafarers who wish to ride the waves in the lap of luxury. But amidst the polished mahogany interiors and spiral staircases, the yacht hides a nautical secret: a one of a kind, three person submersible, the Necker Nymph.
Designed by Graham Hawkes of Hawkes Ocean Technologies, the Nymph combines underwater innovation with an aerodynamic design. At 4.5m long, the submersible can dive up to 10,000m and is capable of 360-degree manoeuvres. The Nymph began life as the crucial component of Branson’s vision for his subsidiary company Virgin Oceanic, which was going to attempt to dive further and longer than anyone had before. After numerous teething problems, the diving project was eventually shelved in favour of Branson’s well publicised desire to go to space with Virgin Galactic, although the Nymph, much like its big sister the Belle, remains available to rent for intrepid adventurers when on Necker Island.
“The submarine adds a whole new dimension to exploring the Caribbean, and with three
THE SUBMARINE ADDS A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO EXPLORING THE CARIBBEAN, AND WITH THREE PEOPLE ON BOARD IT IS A FANTASTIC WAY TO CRUISE NECKER AND THE NEARBY ISLANDS
people on board the specially designed Necker Nymph it is a fantastic way to cruise Necker and the nearby islands,” Branson explains. “We can use it to dive alongside eagle rays and all manner of animal life. It’s like flying a miniature fighter jet underwater.”
This ability to encounter the flora and fauna of Necker Island and its surroundings is indicative of Branson’s life long love of nature and exploration.
“I have always loved nature,” he agrees. “When I was younger I spent lots of time running around outside, climbing trees and getting into adventures. These experiences helped shape my personality and my passion for exploration. Being outdoors and surrounded by nature gives me time to think, put things into perspective and it encourages me to look at situations creatively. The experiences I can get on the Necker Belle or the Nymph are just an extension of this passion.”
But Branson is aware that he has been blessed by Lady Luck many times over. As well as his overwhelming professional desire to give something back to the wider world by virtue of his investments in exploration and new eco-friendly technologies, Branson’s personal collection of seaborne toys are as ecological as they are unusual.
©Stefan Rousseau
“When I was looking for a yacht, I wanted something that was unique of course, but eco-credentials should definitely play a part in yachting,” he remarks. “A sailing yacht like Necker Belle is to my mind more tasteful than a huge motor yacht, but it is just as fast and enjoyable without burning as much fuel, so it’s a win-win situation.”
And the famously laid-back business leader has a nugget of wisdom for anyone out there who also likes to test the limits of their catamaran’s competitiveness on the high seas.
“If you’re coming first, you’re in a race,” he laughs with a trademark flash of those pearly whites. “If you’re not, then you’re just sailing.”
ONBOARD | SPRING 2017 | 29
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