😮 HE FAILED TO BUY A MEGA YACHT ONCE, SO HE BUILT HIS OWN:

In 2003, HBJ attempted to purchase the 115-metre “PELORUS” from Lürssen, the flagship of its era designed by Tim Heywood. ”PELORUS” was a sensation - the 11th largest yacht in the world at the time of her launch and Lürssen's newest flagship. She had an exterior by Tim Heywood, with extraordinary features including two helicopter pads, two swimming pools and a vast sea-level platform created by an opening transom.

HBJ was very interested in acquiring “PELORUS”. However, there was a problem; there was a waiting list of potential buyers. The original Saudi owner of “PELORUS” enjoyed ‘one long, glorious cruise’ after she was delivered in 2003 and then decided to sell.

Which attracted an immediate waiting list of potential buyers eager to acquire one of the world's most spectacular yachts virtually brand new and ready for use. The top bidder proved to be Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire and former Chelsea FC owner, who outbid all other interested parties, including HBJ. Abramovich paid approximately $350 million for “PELORUS”, which became the first yacht in his ever-expanding fleet. Probably the fact that he was known for being a serious yacht collector helped him secure the megayacht.

Tim Heywood, the exterior designer of “PELORUS” met with HBJ : ’I met the client in 2003, after he was unsuccessful in purchasing Pelorus’. ”He wanted a yacht in a similar style to contain a much larger number of guests and family cabins, an internal swimming pool with balconies, a large gym, sauna, hairdressing saloon and all the features which we now take for granted on the larger scale yachts" Heywood said.

Heywood successfully convinced HBJ to build his own megayacht. So basically this failed purchase ultimately led to the creation of a vessel that would surpass “PELORUS” in every way. ”AL MIRQAB” turned out to be 18-meter longer!