What does Brigitte Bardot and Godzilla have in common? Their names have both graced a globe-trotting 33-meter Trimaran that has circumnavigated the planet six times. Not its only accolade, this craft is quick. So quick that in 1998 she set a Guinness World Record for circling the globe in 74 days, 20 hours, and 58 minutes.
Originally named Cable & Wireless Adventurer, this needle-nosed rocket ship was designed by British multihull guru Nigel Irens and built in 1997 by British yard Vosper Thornycroft for the sole purpose of circling the world in less than 80 days. After placing a checkmark next to that item on the To-Do list, she was renamed the Ocean 7 Adventurer and relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, where she started a new career as a charter vessel.
This boat was built for long journeys and can travel over 6,400 Kilometers on a single fill-up. Would you like to go from New York to London? Puerto Vallarta to Tahiti? Why not, you’ll arrive at the dock with fuel to spare.
In December 2007, she hit the headlines when she charged into the Southern Ocean to perform a daring rescue of the demasted racing yacht Delta Dore. After locating the vessel, she towed it 960 miles back to Cape Town.
Three years later, she changed hands again, being bought by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) and was renamed Gojira—which happens to be Japanese for Godzilla. The Gojira was initially missioned to track down illegal Japanese whaling factory ships in the Antarctic. While locating the whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the icy and dicey Ross Sea, Gojira set a record for traveling farther south than any other multihull in history.
The Gojira’s good work gained her lots of publicity. So much so that the Japanese owners of the Godzilla movie franchise threatened legal action for the unauthorized use of their trademark, which resulted in another name change. The 109-foot Trimaran is now known as the Brigitte Bardot, in honor of the French model and actor and her long-standing support of Sea Shepherd.
The Brigitte Bardot has traveled to all four corners of the world; Australia, New Zealand, the Faroe Islands, the Caribbean, and even Key West, where she helped protect turtles from poachers. She has locked horns with Japanese whaling ships in the Antarctic, Chinese squid boats off the Galapagos, and Bluefin poachers in the Mediterranean.
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the boat was relocated to the Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Now, the legendary Brigitte Bardot has a For Sale sign hanging from the Pilot House as it no longer fits the needs of the organization.
“These days, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is working more with governments and requiring larger vessels that can accommodate military personnel. Sadly, the Brigitte Bardot has become too small for our needs,” says Octavia Carranza, who captained Brigitte Bardot on missions to Peru in 2018.
“We’ll definitely be sorry to see her go. She’s a remarkable vessel. Extremely fast, cruising easily at 22 to 25 knots. What I always found amazing was sitting on the bridge and watching her slice through the water like a knife,” Captain Carranza said.
Prospective buyers will find that the boat is not a pristine luxury Motoryacht, far from it. Since her first day on the water, she’s been driven hard and put away wet. Her interior is no-frills-basic at best. Two years ago, she was expensively re-powered with two new 500-horsepower Cummins QSC 8.3-liter turbo diesels, replacing the 350-horse versions. The top speed now is close to 30 knots.
“Vessels don’t come more unique than this,” says Joaquin Genrich, the listing broker with Fraser Yachts. “It could take a family completely off the grid. The boat is being marketed at the comparatively low price of $1.499 million USD “asking price,” which leaves plenty of room for a comprehensive refit. Genrich is also quick to point out that the Sea Shepherd organization is a “very highly motivated” seller.
Who’s going to buy her? Genrich reckons it might be someone looking to head out on another world-circling adventure. Or someone eager to own a piece of history. Or someone who just wants to own a really cool boat. “One thing’s certain, says Genrich, “the Brigitte Bardot will take you anywhere you want to go.”