Boat Adrift in Capraia Island

A sport cruiser of about twelve meters in length was found going adrift, in Porto Vecchio, to the North East of Capraia Island on the night of Saturday twelfth August.  It was a busy night for the Livorno Guardia Costiera in Capraia, as first they found a fifteen meter sailing yacht going adrift, with not enough anchor to hold it in place, and later they received a report that a sport cruiser was missing.  After the boat missing report from the two boaters, the Italian Coast Guard switched its radar and quickly found the sport cruiser going adrift for the owners, who after being returned with there sport cruiser decided to berth in Porto Vecchio yacht marina.  Both boats where ticketed a five hundred Euro fine for not anchoring properly and thus creating a navigational hazard.

The sport cruiser in this anchor drifting accident is a Tullio Abbate 42 Exception, released in 1988 and produced till the end nighties, offering two cabins and twin engines up to 500hp.  The 42 Exception was a replacement to the 42 Offshore S, and was replaced by the 42 Soleil in the noughties.

Sixteen People Injured in Millstone Marina Boat Explosion

A ten meter sport cruiser injured sixteen persons while finishing refuelling at the Millstone Marine in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri on 16:30 of Friday eleven August.  Three of the persons onboard where ejected with the explosion.  Eleven of the injured persons including a six year old child had mild injuries, and were treated on the scene and released, with the other five taken to the hospital for treatment to moderate injuries.  The boat exploded when the operator of the sport cruiser went to ignite the engine.  Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted the accident and from the initial investigation are saying the boat exploded with gas build up in its engine room.

The sport cruiser in this explosion is a Trojan 360 produced from 1999 to 2001 to a design of Fulvio de Simoni.  The 360 Express offered a two cabins interior and was powered by 320hp gas or Cat 306hp diesel engines on V-drive line shaft.  The Trojan 360 came out as a replacement to 1995 to 88 350 with a renewed cockpit design and bit larger bathing platform. Trojan stopped producing boats in 2002.

Hawaii Firestorm

On the eight August the Hawaii Firestorm reached the Lahaina Small boat harbour, devastating most of the 99 boats in the marina with only thirteen boats and there fortunate pier escaping the fire.  The Hawaii Firestorm formed in early August, predominantly reaching Maui, and doing extensive damage to the North West coast and the coastal town of Lahaina, killing 98 persons with 31 people still missing.  The Hawaii Firestorm was contained on the eleventh August, destroying about 2200 buildings in Lahaina alone, and causing over six billion US dollars in three days.  The Hawaii Firestorm was formed by dry gusty conditions created by a strong high pressure to the North of Hawaii and Hurricane Dora to the South.

Lahiana small boat harbour is located to the North-West of the Island of Maui, to the North of Hawaii and second in size of the Hawaii Island archipelago; which features eight major volcanic islands and thirteen minor islets on the North Pacific Ocean spread in 1,200 nautical miles.  Previously called Sandwich Islands. the Hawaii Islands are a state of the United States of America with a distance of just over 1,700 nautical miles from the closest harbour in California.

Boat Saved from Near Fire in Procida

A thirteen meter flybridge cruiser with two persons onboard had a chance of fire in Procida Island, near the islet of Vivara on the afternoon of ninth August.  This was actually not a fire but one of the engines of the flybridge cruiser which went in auto-combustion mode, meaning the engine starts to burn its oil as fuel and does not stop and cannot be stopped from running.  Immediate the response of the Italian Guardia Costiera, which saved the two boaters from the boat. Although fair to say, more a case of an unstoppable engine rather then a real boat fire.  

The flybridge cruiser in this near fire is a Fairline 41 produced from 1990 up to 94 named as 43 in the last two years of production.  Designed as all Fairline's of that time by Bernard Olesinski, the 41/43 offered a two double cabins layout, and was powered by twin Volvo 430 or Cats 375 or 425hp engines on shaft drives.  The 41/43 was replaced by the Squadron 43 in 1994.

Boat Ends on Breakwater in Loano

A fourteen meter sport cruiser ended aground on the nearabouts of the Marina di Loano breakwater on Sunday thirtieth July at around 1600 hours.  The helmsman and crew reported the accident, with the sport cruiser becoming immobilized from moving after hitting low water in close proximity to the marina entrance.  Immediate the assistance of the Italian Guardia Costiera, who helped the guests onboard to safety and later organized the operation to remove and take the sport cruiser to the Marina Loano shipyard for lift out for inspection and eventual repair. 

The sport cruiser in this grounding is a 1988 Giorgi 46 Open modified with custom hard-top.  A model released in 1987 to a design of Fulvio de Simoni and Gianni de Canio, the Giorgi 46 Open was born as the X 13S project, and was in its launch an innovative sport cruiser for offering three double cabins and clean lines. Thanks to this she was a good seller, competing in sales in those times with the slightly smaller also De Simoni designed Pershing 45. The Giorgi 46 was produced till 1996, with the Pesaro shipyard closing its doors in 1998, until the name is sold in the early noughties.

Motor Cruiser Saved from Sinking Near Varazze

An eight meter Starfisher motor cruiser with three persons onboard was sinking while cruising in nearby to Varazze on the early morning of Sunday thirtieth July.  The flybridge cruiser was taking water while risking to sink with the Italian coast guard towing and beaching the boat in the Nautilus bathing area further to the east of Varazze.  An ambulance was also called but the three occupants where all in a healthy condition.

The flybridge cruiser in this near sinking is a Starfisher 27HT fully enclosed express cruiser.  Released in 2008 the Starfisher 27HT offers a two plus two cabin layout and is powered by twin 260hp and 315hp diesel engines in line shaft propulsion.  The Starfisher 27HT is still produced today.

Sport Cruiser Saved from Sinking in Procida

A twelve meter sport cruiser started sinking when cruising around Procida on the morning of Sunday 23rd July.  The reason for the sinking are a bit mixed, with some saying the sport cruiser hit a reef in the area, while others saying it had water ingress from one of the propulsions.  Procida is one of the three Flegrean Islands, the other two being the famous Capri, and the nearby Ischia which is also the largest of the archipelago.   

The sport cruiser in this sinking is a Rio 44 Sport Coupe presented in 2019 as evolution of the 2016 launched 44 Colorado but with patio door main deck.  Designed by Marino Alfani, Rio's designer for the last decade the 44 Sport Coupe offers a three double cabins layout, and is powered by Cummins 480hp on shafts or Volvo 435hp with IPS pod drives.

Sea Ray Ends Beached in Lago Maggiore

A nine meter Sea Ray sport cruiser ended beached in the Camporella area of Lago Maggiore in the North of Italy on the evening night of 21 July.  A costly error of navigation which according to reports from the area made the sport cruiser do about thirty meters in low water before ending aground, mostly because the Lake is currently sitting about one meter less in tide to what is on current electronic charts.  

The Sea Ray in this beaching is a 305 Sundancer model produced from 2009 to 2017, strictly for the European market, but based on the 2003 launched 315 Sundancer with some design differences, like the radar arch, port holes, and the addition of a three part hard-top option. The 305 Sundancer was replaced by the Sea Ray 320 Sundancer in 2017.

Stolen and Beached in Oregon

A classic twelve meters Hatteras cabin cruiser titled m/y Empress was stolen from South Beach Marina at around 20:30 hours of fourteen July, and then some hours later beached at Lost Creek seven nautical of Newport.  Serving as a liveaboard for a couple Empress was stolen by a 34 year old who will appear to court by the end of the month.  Empress was recovered and taken to a boat yard in Toledo for repairs on 22 July.  She seems to have sustained some small damage to the propellers, with the hull still looking sound.

Empress is a Hatteras 41 Twin Cabin produced from 1965 to 1971. Designed by Hatteras long lasting first generation designer Jack Hargrave, the 41 Twin Cabin, offers a fore and aft cabin layout with a central raised saloon, and powered by twin GM 200 or 300hp in line shaft propulsion.  The Hatteras 41 Twin Cabin replaced the 41 Double Cabin, with the 43 Double Cabin in the fall of 1970 taking its place.

Pursuit Hits Stuart Sand Bar

A ten meter express sportfish cruiser ended aground when it hit a sand bar in Stuart Florida on the late morning of eleven July.  A video doing the rounds on social media shows the sportfish doing sustained planning speeds when it practically stopped to a standstill in a space of a few seconds.  BoatU.s. assisted the express sportfish and surprisingly and thanks to a careful removal it had very little damage, and left the spot with its own steam.  In the same area or very close by a sand bar nearly sank a fifteen meter sportfish in end February and was saved by the same BoatU.s. team.

The sportfish express in this grounding is a Pursuit 3400 Express.  Produced from 1997 till 2002, the 3400 Express is one of the few inboard made Pursuit and is powered by twin Cummins or Volvo 370hp diesels with shafts.  The Pursuit 3400 Express offered an interior sleeping four with a double berth forward and a convertible dinette.

Flybridge Cruiser Sinks in Manfredonia

A fourteen meter flybridge cruiser titled m/y Antonella under Italian flag partially sank while moored and unattended at the yacht marina in Manfredonia, on Italy's eastern Adriatic coast on the early morning of July tenth.  The flybridge cruiser was later in the day recovered, by the Mandredonia marina yacht yard.  Some unconfirmed reports are saying the flybridge cruiser sank from a failing generator raw water inlet.

The flybridge cruiser in this sinking is an Ars Mare Advantage 140.  Presented in 1994 the 140 Advantage comes from a design of Fulvio de Simoni and offered a comfortable three double cabins interior layout.  Produced till 2004 the Advantage 140 was updated with a sleeker radar arch and other modifications in the year 2000.  Unfortunately Ars Mare stopped producing in around 2007 which is a pity cause it build solid and nice cruisers.

Flybridge Cruiser Goes Ablaze in Gozo Marina

A fourteen meter flybridge cruiser titled m/y Tiffany went ablaze in Mgarr marina Gozo, at around 18:30 hours of Saturday eight July.  The owners had just boarded the fourteen meter flybridge cruiser when it went on fire.  Malta Civil Protection from a boat and the marina pontoon controlled and then contained the fire onboard the vessel and with the help from Mgarr Marina personnel also stopped it from spreading to other vessels, with the only Gozo island yacht harbour being particularly busy in Summer weekends, and a Saturday evening in July.   One of the fire fighters fighting the blaze was treated for injuries.  The cause of the fire are not reported, though an investigation is underway. The same Mgarr Marina had a big fire involving four boats in the early morning of June 25 2020 which unfortunately left one person dead.

The flybridge cruiser in this fire is an Enterprise Marine EM46, a popular model from the Adriatic sea based boat builder founded in 1984. Released in 1998 the EM46 offers a three double cabins interior, and is powered by twin Volvo 480hp and or 575hp engines.  The Enterprise EM46 is still in production, although Enterprise Marine does not produce much boats nowadays.

Rybovich Yacht Collision South to Martha's Vineyard Island

A sixteen meter custom Rybovich sportfish yacht collided with a twelve meter express sportfish cruiser titled m/y Salty Seas, south of Martha's Vineyard island to the North of New York on the morning of Saturday eight July.  According to reports the Rybovish yacht was fast cruising at about twenty knots in poor visibility, while the smaller express sportfish cruiser was fighting a tuna.  Luckily no one was injured in this collision, with the above Rybovich suffering the worst outcome, with important hull breach of about eight meters to its starboard side.  Salty Seas the other boat in the collision suffered a disintegrated pulpit, outrigger damage, and some minor fiberglass dings.  The sixteen meter Rybovich was later towed and taken to a yard for an evaluation of the damage.  A couple months later Michael Rybovich reported on his monthly newsletter that the yacht was destined for scrap even though he offered to save her, with the insurance not getting it that she could be saved.

The Rybovich in this collision is the 54 hull #123 from 2007 and launched as Lizzy Bee.  Build for a repeat Rybovich customer, this was his fourth, and is currently in his fifth with the 64 Walkaround hull #1 of the Micheal Rybovich and Sons era which replaced this 54.  Founded in 1919 and building its first boat in 1947 Rybovich from Florida is considered as one of the most exclusive and prestigious custom sportfish builders.

The other express in the collision m/y Salty Seas is an Albermarle 410 Express.  The Albermarle 410 Express is produced since 2002 currently renamed as 41 Custom Carolina Edition.  The Albermarle 410 Express offers an interior sleeping four, and powered by twin Cats 710hp reaches speeds in the mid thirties.

Sea Ray Sport Cruiser Ends Aground in Lake Ozarks

A twelve meter Sea Ray sport cruiser ended aground in Lake of the Ozarks 8mm West side on the morning of Saturday eight July.  This freak accident is not fully reported but by the way the Sea Ray cruiser ended aground, with most of the hull out of the water it probably was under way at a bit of speed.  The released anchor was made there for safety.  The Sea Ray cruiser was not removed up until two days after the accident, which probably looks like the damage is worse then it looks.  Lake of the Ozarks is in the Missouri region, in the centre of the United States of America.

The Sea Ray in this accident is a second generation 420 Sundancer model produced from 2003 till 2006, from 2004 with the hard-top as this unit.  The 420 Sundancer evolved into the 44 Sundancer in the fall of 2006 with the visible difference being the addition of three vertical port holes in the hull sides.

Princess Sports Cruiser Aground in Krk Island

A twelve meter Princess sport cruiser with Slovenian flag and three persons onboard ended aground in the morning of second July in the island of Krk, to the North of Croatia in the Kvarner archipelago which features over twelve islands.  The causes of the grounding are not reported but it seems the Princess sport cruiser was at anchor, with the towel on the side and chain outside indicating this.  Located to the Northern part of Croatia Krk is the largest Croatian island and of the Adriatic sea with an area of over four hundred square kilometres. 

The Princess in this accident is the V40 released in 2017 to a Bernard Olesinski design, and is an evolution of the V39 launched in 2012 with the main difference being the larger glazed hull side windows.  Princess released a second V40 version with larger glazing in 2020.  Since released in 2012 as V39 and then as V40 this Princess sport cruiser has been a hot seller with three hundred plus of hulls sold so far.

Ten Boats Burned in Marseille Marina Fire

A fire in Estaque Marina in Marseille on Tuesday 27 June at about 1430 hours burned ten small boats from five to about eight meters in length.  Fifty fire fighters, sixteen fire engines, and two fire fighting boats from Marseille rushed to the scene to control the flames which they managed to extinguish at 18:00 hours.  Of the ten boats, six are totally burned, with the other four having fire damage.  Three boons where deployed around the fire area and damaged boats in order to contain pollution.

Estaque Marina is located to North West of Marseille, about four nautical miles by sea and ten kilometres of road distance from the sea side city.

Azimut Ends Aground off Dorset Coast

A thirteen meter Azimut flybridge cruiser ended aground in Ringstead Bay off the Dorset Coast on the late morning of Saturday 24 June.  Previous to ending aground the Azimut flybridge cruiser caught a lobster pot on its portside propeller, and with the tide outgoing at the time of the incident ended on top of a reef.  Visibility was also reported poor that morning going down to less to one hundred meters.  The tide was up back afternoon and the Azimut cruiser was reported free from the area.

The Azimut in this grounding is the popular AZ42 presented in the fall 1997 Genoa boat, and as produced till 2008 in a hot selling five hundred plus units.  Designed by Righini and interior by Galeazzi the Azimut 42 was offered in a three cabin version from 2000 and received the Evolution upgrade in the fall of 2004.  The 42 was replaced by the Azimut 43 in 2006.

Sea Ray Boat in Towing Knocks Down Three Utility Poles

A Sea Ray sport cruiser of about eleven meters length pulled down three utility poles while under towing in First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey on the late morning of Friday 23 June.  The accident brought the street to a closure with JPCandL and Verizon crew responding overnight to repair the downed poles and wires.  The wires have been reported to being for telephone services.  This was a lucky accident with the Sea Ray sport cruiser receiving minimal damage and no pole hitting or falling on it .

The Sea Ray in this accident is a 390 Sundancer produced from 2004 to 2009, and renamed as 40 Sundancer in its last three years of production.  The Sea Ray 390 Sundancer offered an interior with two cabins and two heads, and powered by twin Cummins diesels or Mercruiser gas engines on shafts with tunnel drives reached speeds up to thirty knows.  The 390/40 was replaced by the 38/390 in 2007.

Boat Ends Aground in Unije

An eight meter traditional cruiser ended aground on the islet of Skojlic, just before Unije harbour in the night and morning of 23th June.  The dynamics of the accident are not reported, but this is a well marked area, with a high green marker, showing the island  before touching low water itself.  Removal and salvage operations of the traditional cruiser where being organized on Saturday morning.  This is the second accident in the area in less to a year when a classic twenty meter Baglietto motor yacht sank on the tenth August 2023 after hitting bottom.

The traditional cruiser in this accident is a Piculjan Rab 830 model.  Inspired to traditional Italian fishing boats with modern design elements the Rab 830 offers accommodation in a three plus two layout, and is powered by twin diesels from 165 up 265hp in line shaft propulsion reaching speeds up to thirty knots.  Piculjan is located on the island of Rab in Croatia and has been building boats since 1936.

Motorboat and Sailing Boat Collision in Croatia

A collision between a thirteen meter Prestige flybridge motor cruiser and a sailing boat occurred in Croatia on Sunday eighteen June. The dynamics are not reported with the motor boat receiving the most extensive damage to its port side, fiberglass and hull windows damaged, and the sailing boat having damage on its bow.  

The flybridge motor cruiser in this collision is a Prestige 460 Flybridge.  Released in 2017 replacing the 450, the Prestige 460 Flybridge is still in production and as all Prestige is designed by Garroni.  The Prestige 460 has a two cabins interior with an optional crew cabin, powered by twin Volvo 370 or 440hp engines with IPS pod drives, and is also available as S hard-top version without flybridge.