Long before becoming the center of a €17.5 million legal dispute involving Revolut co-founder and CEO Nik Storonsky , the megayacht Nixie already had a troubled history—one that even involves Daniel Vorcaro , according to the British newspaper Financial Times .
When it left the facilities of the German shipyard Lürssen and was launched into the water in the Kiel Canal in February, the 102-meter vessel had already passed through three owners. Commissioned by Canadian billionaire and former hockey player Patrick Dovigi, it changed hands while still under construction, when it was acquired by the owner of Master Bank . After the arrest of the Minas Gerais banker, Dovigi bought back the boat and, in January, resold it to Storonsky.
Now, the law firm Cecil Wright & Partners has filed a lawsuit in the High Court of London against the Russian-British businessman, alleging that he "acted behind the back" of the brokerage firm to avoid paying the commission for the yacht.
In October 2024, a consultant from Storonsky's family office contacted Cecil Wright to ask for help in building a custom yacht for the Revolut CEO. Since projects of this type take a long time, months later he returned to the brokerage firm looking for a vessel that could be purchased while the other, custom-built one was being completed.
That's when Cecil Wright mentioned the Nixie. In January, however, Storonsky's messenger contacted Chris Cecil-Wright, the brokerage's founder, to inform him that the vessel had been purchased directly from Dovigi. In the lawsuit, the law firm claims to be entitled to a 5% commission on the sale, as agreed upon in the brokerage contract.
“It’s very rare for brokers to find themselves in this situation, and it’s the first time it’s happened to me, but I’m very concerned about the matter and, therefore, I’m taking steps to address it,” says Chris Cecil-Wright in an interview with the FT .
With the motto "fewer clients, but with much more quality," the firm is one of the most exclusive luxury yacht brokers in the world. Among their holdings is the 99-meter Madame Gu, owned by Russian billionaire Andrei Skoch.
The yacht was added to the list of assets affected by international sanctions imposed on the businessman, who had millions of dollars in assets frozen and saw his luxury estate become the target of legal and operational disputes in Europe and the United States.
A spokesperson for Storonsky's family office told The Wall Street Journal : "We are aware of the allegation. It is unfounded and will be contested."
Valued at €350 million, at first glance, the Nixie doesn't look like a 102-meter megayacht.
The gray hull, clean lines, and gently curved superstructure give it a surprisingly understated appearance, experts describe.
But a closer look reveals a floating mansion that can accommodate up to 20 guests, served by a crew of 34. It features two helipads, private spas, and movie theaters.
On the lower deck is one of the largest beach clubs ever built by Lürssen. Spanning 270 square meters, the space combines indoor and outdoor areas, bringing together a bar, dining room and lounge, as well as two spacious terraces overlooking the sea.
A retractable platform allows direct access to the water. Nearby, the gym is equipped with a steam shower, cryotherapy chamber, and two retractable balconies. The highlight is the 7.6-meter glass-bottomed infinity pool, which is semi-suspended at the stern of the main deck and extends over the platform, creating a connection between the yacht and the sea.
