A Cinematic Retreat Beneath Canvas and Cloud
Fresh from the global box office success of his Formula 1 drama F1, Brad Pitt has exchanged the roar of racetracks for the calm of open water. As his Apple Studios film passed the 500 million dollar mark worldwide, the actor quietly stepped away from the spotlight. He did not surface in the usual glamorous destinations like Cannes or Capri. Instead, he was seen sailing along the Sicilian coast aboard Black Pearl, one of the most advanced and luxurious sailing yachts in existence. Moored near Palermo and choosing to remain offshore, Pitt, now 61, has reportedly stayed aboard since arriving, favoring seclusion over public appearances in the middle of his post-premiere summer.
The yacht, measuring 350 feet, is far from an ordinary charter. It reflects not only Pitt’s personal taste but also his growing commitment to sustainability. Formerly owned by the late Russian oligarch Oleg Burlakov, Black Pearl is a marvel of marine engineering. Its sail area spans the equivalent of six and a half NBA courts, and it can cruise at impressive speeds without using diesel fuel. With its cutting-edge DynaRig sail system and hybrid propulsion technology, the vessel glides through the Mediterranean almost silently, bringing Pitt to remote islands and hidden coves while leaving a minimal environmental footprint.
Along for the journey is Ines de Ramon, a Spanish jewelry designer who has been Pitt’s partner since 2022. Their route reportedly included stops near Capo Gallo, Mondello, and the Aeolian Islands, as well as Capo Zafferano, all known for their natural beauty and tranquility. These are places far removed from the noise of the summer tourist season. Pitt’s decision to remain onboard, even when docked near picturesque villages, appears less about avoiding attention and more about intentional living. This chapter in his life seems defined not by appearances, but by privacy, stillness, and the subtle luxury of salt air and sea breeze.
A Vessel of Grace, Guiltlessness, and Grandeur
Launched in 2018 by the Dutch shipyard Oceanco, Black Pearl was not designed as just another superyacht. It was envisioned as a model for sustainable seafaring. With an estimated build cost of 300 million dollars, it remains one of the only vessels in its class capable of crossing the Atlantic without relying on fossil fuels. The yacht’s innovative DynaRig system, combined with solar panels and energy regeneration systems, allows it to reach speeds up to 30 knots using wind power alone. During its first transatlantic voyage in 2023, it completed 80 percent of the journey under sail. The yacht used only 32,000 liters of fuel, a fraction compared to the 200,000 liters consumed by traditional motor yachts.
Inside, the yacht is as elegant as it is efficient. Its interiors blend classic luxury with cutting-edge technology. Natural wood finishes, panoramic sea views, and smart design conceal many of the yacht’s most indulgent features. Black Pearl can host up to 12 guests and includes a beach club that converts into a cinema, a jet-stream lap pool, and multiple screening rooms, both indoors and outdoors. A wine cellar that holds 4,000 bottles nods to Pitt’s winemaking at Château Miraval, where he co-produces the acclaimed Fleur de Miraval Champagne and rosé.
Pitt has long held a love for sailing. In 2013, he reportedly purchased a 22-meter vintage yacht, hoping to spend time at sea with his children. That early dream now appears fully realized, though on a much grander scale. Unlike the more ostentatious charters favored by many celebrities, Black Pearl offers something quieter. It is a place where thoughtful design elevates comfort, and where the sea is not just scenery, but part of the story.
A Story of Stillness in the Wake of Success
The choice to charter Black Pearl, reportedly costing 1.2 million dollars per week, is as strategic as it is extravagant. For an actor with a net worth nearing 400 million, the price is less about splurging and more about marking a moment. Just as his character Sonny Hayes in F1 searches for meaning beyond the track, Pitt appears to be seeking clarity and calm beyond the red carpet. Aboard a vessel powered by sunlight and wind, he seems content to let the noise of fame drift into the background.
While the Mediterranean remains crowded with yachts and paparazzi lenses, Black Pearl represents something different. Its design reflects a shift toward sustainable elegance. This is not simply a luxury vessel, but a modern interpretation of leisure in an era where environmental impact matters. Its minimal exterior, smart energy systems, and refined atmosphere suggest a new way forward for high-end travel. Pitt’s choice to sail aboard this yacht places him in alignment with those values, combining style with responsibility.
At present, the yacht is anchored near the volcanic island of Ustica, just north of Palermo. From this position, it is removed from the public gaze and from the rhythm of the celebrity world. The pace aboard the ship is instead set by nature. It moves with the wind, with the sound of water against the hull, and with the desire to vanish for a while. For someone who has lived decades in the spotlight, this moment reads less like retreat and more like renewal. It is a quiet chapter in an extraordinary life, unfolding one mile at a time.