Tropical Storm-Force Winds Hits South Florida

Tropical storm-force winds hit South Florida and the Treasure Island on Thursday, sixteen November.  The winds started gusting at over fifty knots at around 04:00 hours of the morning with the storm calming down jest before 18:00 local time.  The storm caused a lot of damage in the area, toppled a lot of trees, destroyed tents, broke loose a few boats, and three hundred power cuts happening during the day.  In Jensen beach a catamaran ended slamming in a dock, while a ketch finished beached and aground and partly toppled into a seawall after it broke loose.  The picture above shows also a sport-boat-cruiser of about eleven meters in length which partly sank, and was hanging with the dock near Gateway Boulevard in Boynton beach.

The sport-power-boat-cruiser in the above sinking is a Formula 419 SR-1.  Designed by  Formula designer John Adams, the 419 SR-1 was introduced in 1991 as a flagship of the range, with triple engines for speeds up to seventy knots, and the trademark 24 degrees deadrise aft.  In 1997 the 419 evolved into the FasTech updated with a three-step hull, and produced till 2001.  Formula never really replaced the 419, with the 382 FasTech taking it's place as flagship, 

Hurricane Otis Goes Apocalyptic in Acapulco

Hurricane Otis made an apocalyptic arrival in Acapulco on Wednesday 25 October, devastating the waterfront of the Acapulco Yacht Club in the North-West of the bay.  Otis was a compact and so far the most powerful Tropical storm category five hurricane of the 2023 Pacific Season reaching speeds up to 143 knots on the morning of October 25. Forming on the 22nd November, and reaching its peak on the 04:00 hours of October 25, Otis hit and made landfall in Isla de la Roqueta, to the South of Acapulco, killing 49 people, with 57 still missing, and is estimated to have made seventeen billion US dollars in damages.     

Scene from the North part of the of Acapulco Yacht Club, you can see an Azimut 54, and a Sunseeker Predator 63 Open to the left corner, along with a few Sea Rays.

Here is the South side is a Ferretti 800, followed by a Sunseeker Predator 57, a mid nineties Horizon Elegance 82, and an Azimut 100 Jumbo.

A before and after Hurricane Otis view of Acapulco Bay.  Possibly one of the biggest single areas destructions, and devastations ever seen.

Sea Ray Ends Beached in Coney Island

A ten meter Sea Ray sports cruiser titled Broken Arrow with one person onboard ended beached by the West 37th Street Jetty, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York just before 19:00 hours of Friday twentieth October.  The Sea Ray sport cruiser is reported to have left a marina on Rockaway in rough seas and had some problems with a risk of sinking, with the skipper onboard beaching it to avoid her going down.  The sport cruiser was reported being secured on the same night by the owner.  The day after the ownership was reported trying to unbeach the boat, with no success. 

We have reports that until 1 November Broken Arrow was still beached in the same spot.

Broken Arrow is a Sea Ray 340 Express Cruiser.  Produced from 1984 to 89 the 340 EC offers an open plan accommodation sleeping two plus two, and line shafts propulsion with tunnels.  Similar to the Sundancer in looks, the Sea Ray Express Cruiser offered line shafts propulsion, and a smaller interior alternative version.  The 340 EC had a 340 Sport Fisherman flybridge variant produced till 1987, and was replaced by the 310/330 Express Cruiser in 1990.

Storm Babet

Storm Babet has made havoc in Britain, northern Germany and southern Scandinavia, with powerful winds, heavy rain and storm surges that caused floods, power outages, evacuations and disrupted flights, railway service and ferry lines.  Storm Babet made landfall on Thursday nineteen October, first arriving in the northern part of the United Kingdom, and continued making havoc in North Germany and Southern Scandinavia up till Saturday 21st October.  Gale-force winds whipped up storm surges on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea, breaking through flood defences in coastal areas in Denmark and northern Germany. In Flensburg, a German city just south of the border with Denmark, water levels rose more than two meters to the highest level recorded in a century.  

Forming on the fifteen October Storm Babet also called Storm Viktor in Germany, is an extratropical cyclone which affected Northern and Western Europe, reaching speeds up to one hundred knots, and has caused nine fatalities.  

So far we know that Storm Babet caused damage in the following German yacht marinas; Olympic port of Schilksee in Kiel, Damp, north of Eckernförde, and Wassersleben Marina in Harrislee near Flansbee causing damage to over 200 boats.  The storm in these harbours was caused on Friday twentieth October.

Sea Ray Sport Cruiser Saved from Sinking in Mallets Bay

A thirteen meter Sea Ray sport cruiser with one person onboard was in danger of sinking after hitting a solid object at about 17:00 hours of Monday second October to the South West of Valcour Island, Mallets Bay, Lake Champlain, Burlington, Vermont.  Receiving a call the Cholchester Fire department rescued to owner-boater with its rescue boat, the coast guard followed later, and started the operation to save the Sea Ray sport cruiser, which was sinking in over a meter of water and its bow already buried in the sea bed.  The coast guard initiated the saving with a gas-powered pump and later received the assistance from Red Cap Marine and Salvage who added another pump, floated and patched the Sea Ray and then towed her to Champlain Marina area to dry dock her.  No one was injured in the collision, with the solid object opening a gap of about two feet in the sport cruiser's hull bottom to port side.

The Sea Ray in this near sinking is a 1993 to 95 440 Sundancer.  The Sea Ray 440 Sundancer offered a lower deck sleeping four plus two, and was powered by twin 300 to 425hp Cat engines on line shafts for speeds up to thirty knots with the large engine option.  Introduced as 420 Sundancer in 1990, she was updated as 440 with port holes replacing the window and propeller tunnels added in the hull.  The 440 Sundancer was replaced in 1995 with the Sea Ray 450 Sundancer.

Donzi Powerboat Wake Flies and Disintegrates On Landing

A seven meter Baja power boat with two persons onboard disintegrate landed and sank after hitting a big wake near Schaefer's Canal House, about one nautical mile off Chesapeake Bridge, Virginia just before 12:00 hours of Sunday first October.  Thrown into the water by the impact the two persons onboard were rescued by a nearby Samaritan boater, then taken to hospital for observation and released some hours later with non life-threating injuries.  After the sinking the Coast Guard issued a danger to navigation warning and closed the canal, as the powerboat was resting bow upwards in about four meters of water.  On the 03:00 hours of Tuesday morning TowBoatUS, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Northstar Marine Salvage removed the powerboat wreckage in two pieces. 

The Baja powerboat in this collision is the 26 Outlaw model.  Offering a two berth accommodation as most powerboats in this size the 26 Outlaw is powered by a single 350 up to 600hp stern drive petrol gas engine for speeds up to 57 knots.  The 26 Outlaw was released in 2007 and evolved into the 27 Outlaw in 2017, recognizable by the larger side-engine air intakes.

Sea Ray Boat Capsize Sinks in Panama City

A nine meter Sea Ray flybridge cruiser with one person onboard started to take on water and later capsized and sank near Hathaway Bridge, Panama City on the afternoon of Sunday 24 September.  Panama City coast guard intervened just in time, with the boat capsizing seconds in the saving of the one person onboard the Sea Ray cruiser.  Ending with the bow tip out of the water the Sea Ray cruiser was for a night a navigational hazard, resting in shoal water with an oil boom around her on the near abouts to Panama City Marina.  A salvage operation was organized the day after by SeaTow, with the boat retrieved and taken to a boat yard.    

The Sea Ray in this sinking is a 310 Sport Bridge, produced from 1992 to 93 as a mid-core sport fishing cruiser on the 310 Amberjack platform, with the addition of an open flybridge.  The 310 Sport Bridge has an interior sleeping two down below, and is powered by 300hp in both petrol or diesel with line shaft in semi-tunnels propulsion for speeds up to thirty knots.

Hurricane Idalia

Hurricane Idalia started to form on the 26th August from a low pressure in Central America and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.  Idalia touched briefly category four on thirtieth August, when it reached the Big Bend region of Florida, and later become a category three as it crossed to South East Georgia.  Hurricane Idalia later pushed into the Carolinas as it became a Tropical Storm.  Idalia reached 110 knots of wind speed as it made landfall in Florida although it biggest damage came from the storm surge, with water level rising by over two meters.  Since August 31 Idalia has dissipated in the Atlantic, near the Bermuda's.   Idalia was the third hurricane, second major one, and the tenth storm of 2023.

Idalia caused damage to tens of boats and yachts mostly from the storm surge.  Videos on social media showed drifting boats in the Florida canals, while some home owners ended with boats in the court yard in the aftermath of Idalia's storm surge.

Boat Sinks Near Stintino

A traditional motor cruiser of about eight meters in length with one passenger onboard sank near Punta Negra, to the North of Stintino, North West of Sardinia on 05:00 hours of eighteen August.  The cases of the sinking are not reported, though some unconfirmed reports are saying the traditional cruiser hit the reef of Punta Negra and probably to try and save the boat decided to beach it.  The one crew was helped by nearby boaters, and then assisted by the Guardia Costiera and Fire Fighters of the area. The man was later transported by the coast guard to Stintino.

The boat in this sinking is a Sagene 28 a pilot boat inspired motor cruiser with an accommodation for two on the lower deck, and a living with dinette and galley.  The Sagene 28 was a natural evolution of the Bargo 4, and was produced from the mid eighties till the nineties.

Boat Aground in Policastro

A ten meter sport cruiser with five persons onboard ended on top of a reef near Policastro Bussentino, to the South of Salerno on the late afternoon of sixteen August.  The sport cruiser and the Neapolitan family was immediately assisted by Policastro Guardia Costiera, and the Sapri military squad.  A bit more complicated the safety of the sport cruiser which had to be removed with caution due to a breach in its hull bottom.  After some temporary repairs to the hull breach the ten meter sport cruiser was later towed to Policastro Busentino marina boat yard for repairs.

This grounded sport cruiser is a Galgiotta Camaro Even mt. 10,60 produced from 1987 to the end nineties.  The Camaro Even followed the styling of the larger Camaro Tris, and was powered by twin Volvo 200hp diesel engines on sterndrives. Replacing the CM Special , the Camaro Even was replaced by the more sportfish inspired Gagliardo 37 in year 2000.  Made in Naples, Italy Gagliotta is known for its fast deep-Vee seaworthy hulls, that received high praises even from the legendary Don Aronow.

Nordhavn Hits Reef Capsizes and Sinks

A fourteen meter Nordhavn explorer cruiser hit a reef capsized and then sank in 45NW Vancouver, Canada on the morning of nine August.  It was a sad turn of events and a bit unfortunate for the explorer cruiser, which after hitting its bottom, rolled to its starboard side, capsized and then sank.  The explorer cruiser was a day later recovered by a barge ship and taken to Campbell River to one of the yards in the area for a big repair.  

The Nordhavn in this sinking is a 47 model, produced from 2002 to 2009 in 59 units.  The Nordhavn 47 offered a two double cabins interior and is powered by a single Lugger 165hp engine for speeds up to nine knots, and a range up to three thousand nautical miles on an efficient seven knots cruise.  Replacing Nordhavn's first 46 model released in 1989, the N47 evolved into the 52 via length extension in 2009.

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.

Cranchi Cruiser Partly Sinks Near Civitavecchia

A ten meter Cranchi sport cruiser with three French persons ended aground while having its hull breached during navigation near to Civitavecchia in the late afternoon of Friday 28 July.  The Cranchi sport cruiser was reported coming from Argentario, when apparently it had problems to one engine which stopped working, and then finishing beached and taking water in La Marina area to the South of Civitavecchia large commercial harbour.  The French boaters were later assisted at around midnight by the Civitavecchia fire fighting squad.

The Cranchi in this sinking is the Cruiser 32 model. Released in 1990 the Cranchi Cruiser 32 was produced till 1996 to a design of Andreani.  The Cranchi Cruiser 32 offered a two cabins interior and powered by twin 200hp Volvo diesel with stern drives reached speeds to about 32 knots. The Cruiser 32 was replaced by the successful Zaffiro 34 in 1997.

Pershing Sinks in Castevi Island Formentera

An eleven meter Pershing sport cruiser sank after hitting a reef while cruising to the North of Formentera on Monday 24 July.  The Pershing hit a reef in the North West of Formentera in between the islet of Castevi and S'Espalmador.  Unfortunately after hitting the reef the eleven meter Pershing sank, first going down aft rising its bow and later sinking completely.  News of this accident are a bit sparse with the photos and incident shown on social media.

The Pershing in this sinking is the 37 presented in 1998 and produced till 2006 to a design by Fulvio de Simoni as entry level for the brand.  The 37 replaced the 38/39 model with a sleek exterior and less accommodating interior, offering a four berths interior. The Pershing 37 was powered by twin Cats 355hp and Yanmar 370hp for later models, with shaft propulsion and reaching top speeds above the mid thirties.  A special one off without radar arch called Pershing 38 Endurance with twin Cats 420hp and Arneson surface drives was produced in 2000 and also competed in the Venezia to Monte Carlo race.  This 38 Endurance was for a time the Pershing previous boss and founder Tilli Antonelli personal boat.  

Flybridge Cruiser Goes Down in Boston Harbor

A twelve meter flybridge cruiser with four persons onboard, two men and two women started sinking after hitting Quarantine Rocks off the North side of Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor around 16:30 hours of Sunday 23 July.  Massachusetts state Police Marine unit responded to the call of the flybridge cruiser helmsman with two officers and Marine Vessel 26 which was in patrol in the area, saving the four persons just as they jumped in the water for safety.  The four boaters where later transported to Charlestown Marina with one of the four boaters having a minor laceration injury being evaluated by Boston EMS.  The flybridge cruiser damage was a ripped port-side strut and one foot square hole, with Towboat US patching it, rigging it with half a dozen floating bags and towing her to Marina Bay for an emergency haul out. 

The flybridge cruiser in this sinking is a Maxum 4100 SCB produced from 1998 to 2002.  The Maxum 4100 SCB offers an accommodation of two cabins and was powered by twin Cummins 370hp for a top speed up to thirty knots.  Maxum was founded in 1987 by Brunswick as a bridge brand between the entry level Bayliner and up market Sea Ray.  Brunswick closed Maxum in 2009 and moved its production to Meridan only for it to close also this company in 2016.

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.

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.

Princess Flybridge Goes Aground Then Sinks Under Tow

A twelve meter Princess flybridge motor cruiser under Malta flag and with a Maltese couple onboard ended aground on the night of fourteen July at around 23:00 hours in Cava d'Aliga, about seven nautical miles to the East of Marina di Ragusa in the South of Sicily.  Some reports are stating the flybridge cruiser was directed to Marina di Ragusa but due to an engine or equipment failure ended aground.  On the day after, Saturday fifteen August an operation was started to move the flybridge cruiser, and tow for repairs to Marina di Ragusa, only for it to mostly sink in eight meters of water while under towing at around 15:00 hours.   

The Princess flybridge cruiser in this sinking is a 40 model produced from 1997 to 2003 to a Bernard Olesinski design. The Princess 40 features a two cabins layout, and was powered by Volvo 370hp engines.  The 40 was a good success for Princess selling around two hundred units in a five year production run and was replaced by the even more successful 42 in 2003.

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.