A rather unique and robust vessel has parked up on the Barbican landing stage which has over the last few years become a popular spot for the superyacht class of boat-owners.

According to a number of yachting publications and websites the Shinkai - which means 'deep sea' in Japanese - is a 55-metre Feadship explorer yacht. However, it is far from your 'average' superyacht, replete with the usual accoutrements of hottubs, helicopters and bikini-clad hunnies often seen on board such boats.

By comparison, the Shinkai is a far more serious vessel, created by the Dutch firm of yacht-builders to tackle the colder waters of the northern oceans and is packed with sensible ocean-going accessories which include a submarine, a custom-built gyrostabiliser and a Toyota Land Cruiser stored in a seal

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