Saddam's ageing superyachts a legacy of excess - in pictures

  • Once a floating palace for Saddam Hussein, the luxury yacht Al Mansur sits rusting in Basra in 2003 after the US-led invasion. All photos: AFP
    Once a floating palace for Saddam Hussein, the luxury yacht Al Mansur sits rusting in Basra in 2003 after the US-led invasion. All photos: AFP
  • The yacht, 120 metres long and weighing about 7,000 tonnes, was assembled in Finland and delivered to Iraq in 1983
    The yacht, 120 metres long and weighing about 7,000 tonnes, was assembled in Finland and delivered to Iraq in 1983
  • Al Mansur, which is still moored in Basra, was bombed during the invasion that removed Saddam
    Al Mansur, which is still moored in Basra, was bombed during the invasion that removed Saddam
  • Another luxury yacht, the Basrah Breeze, was never used by the dictator. It is partially open to visitors
    Another luxury yacht, the Basrah Breeze, was never used by the dictator. It is partially open to visitors
  • The Basrah Breeze has swimming pools, a mosque and a missile launcher
    The Basrah Breeze has swimming pools, a mosque and a missile launcher
  • A salon in the Basrah Breeze
    A salon in the Basrah Breeze
  • The destroyed Al Mansur is a few hundred metres away from the Basrah Breeze
    The destroyed Al Mansur is a few hundred metres away from the Basrah Breeze
  • The Basrah Breeze, once a lavish symbol of the regime, is now a spot where visitors take selfies
    The Basrah Breeze, once a lavish symbol of the regime, is now a spot where visitors take selfies
  • 'Everyone who comes is amazed by the luxury of the yacht', said Sajjad Kadhim from the University of Basra's maritime science centre
    'Everyone who comes is amazed by the luxury of the yacht', said Sajjad Kadhim from the University of Basra's maritime science centre
  • The interior is a time capsule bearing all the gilded trimmings typical of Saddam's taste for luxury
    The interior is a time capsule bearing all the gilded trimmings typical of Saddam's taste for luxury
  • The Basrah Breeze was delivered in 1981
    The Basrah Breeze was delivered in 1981
  • The yacht has 13 rooms, three lounge areas and a helipad, and can carry 30 passengers and 35 crew
    The yacht has 13 rooms, three lounge areas and a helipad, and can carry 30 passengers and 35 crew
  • The Basrah Breeze has a secret corridor leading to a submarine, offering an escape route
    The Basrah Breeze has a secret corridor leading to a submarine, offering an escape route
  • The presidential suite has a king-size bed, 18th-century-style armchairs and vast bathrooms with golden faucets
    The presidential suite has a king-size bed, 18th-century-style armchairs and vast bathrooms with golden faucets
  • Fearing the repercussions of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, Saddam had the yacht sail to Saudi Arabia, then to Jordan, says Mr Kadhim
    Fearing the repercussions of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, Saddam had the yacht sail to Saudi Arabia, then to Jordan, says Mr Kadhim
  • By 2007, the Basrah Breeze was moored in Nice, France, and a year later, it became the centre of a protracted legal dispute
    By 2007, the Basrah Breeze was moored in Nice, France, and a year later, it became the centre of a protracted legal dispute
  • Iraqi authorities claimed ownership after a company in the Cayman Islands sought to sell it for about $35 million
    Iraqi authorities claimed ownership after a company in the Cayman Islands sought to sell it for about $35 million
  • In 2009, Iraq decided to keep the vessel moored in Basra after failing to sell it
    In 2009, Iraq decided to keep the vessel moored in Basra after failing to sell it
  • The rusty hull of Al Mansur in the Shatt Al Arab waterway in Basra
    The rusty hull of Al Mansur in the Shatt Al Arab waterway in Basra
  • Al Mansur lists precariously in 2003 after it was bombed during the war
    Al Mansur lists precariously in 2003 after it was bombed during the war
  • Basra's former heritage chief Qahtan Al Obeid says the yacht was attacked during several raids in March 2003
    Basra's former heritage chief Qahtan Al Obeid says the yacht was attacked during several raids in March 2003
  • But by June 2003, it was already listing alarmingly, says Mr Obeid
    But by June 2003, it was already listing alarmingly, says Mr Obeid
  • Dismantling and removing the vessel would be costly and difficult, Mr Obeid says
    Dismantling and removing the vessel would be costly and difficult, Mr Obeid says