IT WAS more like the harbour at Monte Carlo than Southampton docks when three of the world's most expensive private yachts were alongside the city's waterfront yesterday.

Billionaire Roman Abramovich's mega-yacht, the £70 million Ecstasea, was berthed next to Tiara, a sleek 178 foot long sailing craft, that is the only vessel of its type with a helicopter pad, and Sir Donald Gosling's Leander, Britain's most expensive charter vessel at £280,000 a week.

The three vessels, regular sights in the millionaires' playgrounds of the South of France and the Mediterranean, were berthed in a row at Ocean Dock.

Ecstasea, which ranks in 16th place of the world's largest motor yachts, at 282 feet long is the smallest of three huge yachts belonging to the Chelsea Football Club owner. Mr Abramovich's largest vessel is the 370 foot Pelorus, equivalent to the length of a football pitch, called at Southampton in April this year while his third yacht is Le Grande Bleu, only just shorter at 367 feet.

A spokesman for the Russian tycoon would not discuss why Ecstasea had been in Southampton for four days but the vessel was due to leave the port yesterday.

Built by a Dutch shipyard in 2004, Ecstasea is said to have a Chinese theme to the yacht's interior that also includes a sauna, swimming pool and helicopter pads.

Tiara, the largest yacht ever built in New Zealand, combines ultimate luxury below decks and the sail power for high performance racing and whose owner is only referred to as an international businessman.