Clive SOS in superyacht drama

Clive Palmer's superyacht came close to drifting on to rocks. Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

BILLIONAIRE Clive Palmer - the man planning to build Titanic II - had to make a mercy call to rescuers when his superyacht drifted perilously close to rocks.

Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) received emergency calls from the crew onboard his Horizon yacht Maximus shortly before 7.10pm (AEST) on Wednesday, The Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

The $5 million-plus vessel lost power and began drifting towards rocks on the north-eastern corner of Wavebreak Island on the Broafdwater.

It is believed the mining magnate was entertaining business associates onboard the vessel, with luxury vehicles seen parked outside his Sovereign Islands mega-mansion.

A computer-generated rendering of the Titanic II, which is due to set sail in 2016, and inset: Clive Palmer.

"They told us there was no propulsion and that they had lost power ... and had gone towards the rocks," VMR search and rescue controller Steve  Pomas said.

"The passengers seemed a bit panicked because it could've turned into a nasty situation ... a lot of people had lifejackets on."

It took two hours to tow the vessel to shore.

Clive Palmer gives an update on the progress of his Titanic II ship construction.

It was not the first time Mr Palmer  had called for help out on the water.

"We have assisted Clive once before when he ran aground in a similar-sized boat on the northern Broadwater a few years ago."

 Mr Palmer's string of bad boating luck is ironic considering he plans to build the Titanic II, a modern-day replica of the original, ill-fated cruise ship, which he hopes will set sail in 2016. He has recently promoted the venture overseas, tweeting about the response its had.

Even yesterday he tweeted: "The world has embraced Titanic II".

Mr Palmer was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Bulletin yesterday.

Read more on Clive's latest boat drama at The Gold Coast Bulletin

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Ultimate Aussie superyacht could be yours

The Spirit of Sovereign. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The Spirit of Sovereign boasts spectacular entertaining areas. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

THE Gold Coast family responsible for some of the city's richest developments is putting its spectacular superyacht on the block and they are even willing to throw in the silverware.

The 31.52m vessel, called the Spirit of Sovereign, has been all over Australia and the South Pacific since it was purchased by the Lewis Land Corporation, which developed The Sovereign Islands, Harbour Town and worked with Mirvac on Ephraim Island, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

But now the Lewis family wants to step things up and buy a boat that is about 10m longer, with room for their large extended family with the Spirit of Sovereign to be auctioned off soon on the Gold Coast by Ray White Marine.

In pictures: The spectacular Spirit of Sovereign

Ray White Marine agent Brock Rodwell said even the silverware used on the boat would be included in the sale.

"The boat has a dining room table for 10 and silverware to match, which will be included," he said.

"But they are taking the wine collection they have onboard with them."

The Spirit of Sovereign, built by the world-renowned Warren Yachts of Kincumber, NSW, in 1990 has a full-time crew, which stay onboard.

There is also room for eight guests in the four ensuited cabins, including a master stateroom and VIP bedroom.

The Spirit of Sovereign has massive entertaining areas, including a jacuzzi on the forward deck, outdoor bar on the upper aft deck and a grand saloon inside with every feature and facility, including a state-of-the-art home theatre and sound system.

Thanks to the boat's large galley, the owners have the capacity to cater for anything from an intimate dinner party to a large corporate function.

The Spirit of Sovereign has a 5.4m tender and jetski, which can be stored on the flybridge deck.

The Spirit of Sovereign. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

There is also a platform at the back of the boat, giving easy access to the water for swimming, diving and fishing.

Mr Rodwell said there had already been interest from several Asian buyers in the boat.

"This boat is in fantastic condition and has had two complete refits in the past few years," he said.

The vessel's replacement cost has been estimated to be in excess of $10 million.

Ray White Marine is yet to lock in the auction date for the Spirit of Sovereign, but it will be one of the items listed on either March 21 or April 9.

Click here to see a video of the Spirit of Sovereign.

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