Yacht on course for launch

A computer-generated image of a bus inside the yacht

About 100 jobs are being secured in a south coast dockyard by work to build the world's largest single-masted yacht.

The sloop Mirabella V will have a mast 90-metres high and is being constructed at the Vosper Thornycroft yard in Southampton.

The 75-metre long vessel is due to be completed in summer 2003 and should be available for charter from winter 2003-04.

The plan is for the yacht, which will have a 150-tonne keel, to be able to manage speeds in excess of 20 knots under sail.

Carrying a mainsail of more than 1,400 square metres, the mast is being built in two cross sections which will then be moulded together, with this task being carried out by Vosper's subsidiary Halmatic.

Fifth yacht

The vessel has been commission by sailing enthusiast Joe Vittoria, who has had four previous but smaller Mirabella yachts made for him at other yards.

The fifth Mirabella will have six guest staterooms, an owner's suite and 14 berths for the crew.

Too big to actually enter some ports, the yacht is expected to sail in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

"Our experience and expertise means that we are one of the few building yards in the world capable of carrying out a project of this size," said Vosper's Mirabella project manager Mike Carter.