Gates Orders World First Hydrogen-Powered Yacht (Photos)

Microsoft founder billionaire Bill Gates, one of the world's richest men, has just ordered the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht, worth an estimated £500m ($644m).

According to British 'Guardian', The world's new luxury yacht features an infinity pool, helipad, spa and gym.

the Aqua ship – a 112-metre (370ft) luxury vessel - was shown for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show last year, when it was presented by the Dutch design firm Sinot.

[caption id="attachment_109128" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Yacht ordered by Bill Gates[/caption]

The boat has five decks and space to accommodate 14 guests and 31 crew members. In a further environmentally friendly feature, gel-fuelled fire bowls allow guests to stay warm outside without having to burn wood or coals.

But its most cutting-edge feature is tucked away below decks - two 28-tonne vacuum-sealed tanks that are cooled to -423F (-253C) and filled with liquid hydrogen, which powers the ship. The fuel will generate power for the two one-megawatt motors and propellers via on-board fuel cells, which combine hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity. Water is a byproduct.

It is unlikely that the new yacht will take off to the seas before 2024, but when that happens, it has the potential to reach speeds of 17 knots (about 20mph) and travel 3,750 miles (or roughly London to New York) before it needs to refuel.

Speaking about the project last year, the marine designer Sander Sinot said: “For the development of Aqua we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology, to combine this in a superyacht with truly innovative features.”

Gates, 64, who is now ranked second in the list of the richest men in the world, with a wealth of $ 118 billion, loves to travel on vacations on board the yachts, but he did not own his own yacht in the past.

Gates usually rented yachts for private use. In the past, he had been vacationing off the coast of Sardinia on a $330 million yacht.