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