A Hampshire yard has just completed a refit of a luxury superyacht owned by millionaire businessman Lord Sugar.

Burgess Marine at Portchester –relaunched 55m Lady A this week after a 10-month project pronounced an ‘outstanding success’ by the Apprentice star’s team.

The vessel will complete its commissioning in Southampton and then head to the Mediterranean for the summer season.

Lady A, originally named Southern Cross, was built in in Japan 1986 and was formerly owned by Australian tycoon Alan Bond who sold it when he was declared bankrupt.

Since then it has had a number of names and owners including Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias, CEO of Stealth Gas, before Lord Sugar bought her in 2015 and renamed her after his wife Anne.

The £7 million yacht has four double and one twin guest cabin and a stateroom capable of seating 12.

The refit of Lady A, whose modern design belies her age, included minor structural, mechanical and electrical modifications, the installation of new stabilisers and a new colour scheme for the exterior and interior.

The interior makeover has been designed by Fareham studio Design Unlimited.

Major changes to her interior include the complete redesign of her lower guest and owner’s accommodation.

The owner’s suite has been extended using the space from a previous guest cabin, allowing the owner to fully enjoy a huge stateroom and an impressive study.

On the upper deck a new double cabin and en-suite bathroom have been added..

The sundeck has also improved with the addition of a new external bar and the creation of a large sunbathing area on what was once a helicopter landing pad. Teak decking for the job has been supplied by Moody Decking Services in Whitley.

Powered by twin Caterpillar engines, Lady A has a top speed of 16 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles.

One of Britain’s largest independent ship repairer Burgess – which has workshops and offices in Lowestoft, Dover, Portsmouth, Portchester, Southampton, Marchwood, Poole, Avonmouth, Devonport – undertook the project with Southampton-based Shemara Refit and naval architects Houlder.

Lord Sugar told the magazine Superyacht Owner that his choice of Burgess had been influenced by a recommendation from Sir Charles Dunstone, co-founder and chairman of Carphone Warehouse, whose classic motor vessel Shemar underwent a refit at the yard.