SHE has cruised into some of the world's best known harbours, but on Friday, the superyacht Mischief ventured into new territory, gliding through the air over Newcastle port.
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The 52-metre long superyacht was lifted off the deck of a cargo ship and into the harbour in an intricate operation that took hours.
The sight of a vessel worth an estimated $40 million suspended in the air by two cranes would unnerve most. But Mischief's owners, the Malouf family, were as calm as the harbour itself. Indeed, they were so relaxed, the Maloufs remained in Sydney, while their superyacht touched Australian waters for the first time.
"We're pretty confident with the crew," said Ellie Malouf.
Her father, Ian Malouf, the founder of the Dial A Dump Industries waste skips empire, bought Mischief in 2015. He particularly loved the vessel's broad beam. Mischief boasts a 10-metre wide master bedroom, "and that's pretty awesome".
The superyacht has been based in the northern hemisphere. Six weeks ago, after cruising her in the Mediterranean, the Maloufs had Mischief loaded onto the cargo ship, Happy Delta, in Turkey for the voyage to Newcastle.
"It would have been cheaper to drive her back, but not necessarily smarter," said Mr Malouf, explaining a voyage of that distance would place a lot of "wear and tear" on the vessel.
On Saturday, Mischief is bound for Sydney, where she will be available for charter through the company the family started, Ahoy Club.
"It will be the largest commercial superyacht ever brought into the country," Mr Malouf said.
The vessel would "show what seven-star service is all about", Mr Malouf said, with its finely appointed interior and crew of 14, along with an array of "toys" on board, from jet skis and a climbing wall to a laser shooting platform.
"And there are two chefs," said Ellie Malouf, Ahoy Club's Head of Charter.
To charter Mischief costs $495,000 a week. However, if you want her for New Year's Eve, you would be "looking down the barrel of $1 million". But Mr Malouf said there was plenty of interest in chartering the vessel, mostly from overseas customers.
"It's a good addition to Sydney harbour," he said.
First, Mischief had to be gently lowered into Newcastle harbour. The transfer was carefully planned on board Happy Delta, and on shore.
"Clearly it's a challenge," said James Griffiths, the general manager of Newcastle Stevedores.
As the 500-tonne superyacht was lifted, ballast had to be moved on Happy Delta to keep the cargo ship stable. Mr Griffiths explained it was a case of "taking the weight, shifting the weight, then releasing the weight."
The crews also had to contend with a north-westerly wind. At 3.20pm, after being lowered from the cargo ship at Western Basin, Mischief touched Newcastle harbour.
"All went well," Mr Griffiths said.
Sam Collyer, from the Port of Newcastle, said in a typical year, about 40 yachts and pleasure craft were loaded and unloaded here. But he added of the pleasure vessels historically handled in the port, this superyacht was "certainly at the top end, in terms of size".
Ian Malouf said he was "super excited" about Mischief cruising into Sydney harbour for the first time.