Galeon Yacht Ends Aground in Cape May Harbor, New Jersey

 

A seventeen meter Galeon sport yacht ended aground and beached on a sand bar in Cape May Harbor, New Jersey on the afternoon of Tuesday 29 April.  The yacht was assisted by Sea Tow Cape May who reported the grounding on its Facebook page.  Sea Tow Cape May free'd the yacht from the stern, and then towed it to a marina for inspection.  The cause of the grounding was part low tide, and part shoaling, with some reporting that part of Cape May has lost about two meters of depth in recent months. 

The yacht in this accident is a Galeon 560 Skydeck as designed by Tony Castro and produced from 2014 to 2024.  The 560 Skydeck was a replacement to the Galeon 530 HT.

Marquis Yacht Runs Aground in Jewfish Key, Florida

A sixteen meter Marquis flybridge yacht with four persons onboard ended aground on a sandbar in Jewfish Key, Monroe County, in the upper Florida Keys on a story shared on Thursday fifteen January.  The Marquis flybridge yacht was assisted by Florida Gulf Coast Marine Services of TowBoatU.S who shared the story on his YouTube channel and towed the yacht from the stern in deep water, although this operation was a bit harder then it looked as the tide was pushing the yacht more into the sand-bar.  The yacht departed with it's own power, which suggests little damage, although it ended back in the sand-bar but managed to free itself with it's own power, avoiding a second tow-out.  

The yacht in this accident is a Marquis 55 LS as designed by Nuvolari-Lenard and produced from 2007 to 2009.  Marquis was Genmar flybridge yacht line created in 2003 and lasting till 2021 when it stopped operating.

Eight Boats End Aground in Storm at Gumbet Bay, Turkey

Eight boats and yachts varying from four to eighteen meters in length ended aground and beached in Gumbet Bay, province of Bodrum, Turkey on Sunday first February.  The boats ended beached due to the strong winds, which the Meteorology Department had issued a warning about. The boats and yachts were anchored offshore of the bay, and some of them as the above picture shows collided into each other.  Following the calming of the winds some boats were later towed back in deep water, indicating that they did not sustain big damage also because they ended aground on a sandy beach.

The flybridge boat in this grounding is a Sealine 420 Statesman as produced in the nineties, while the hard top sport yacht is an Off Course Comfort Class 60.

Two Boats End Aground in Iron Cove, Sydney

Two cruisers of ten meters in length ended aground at Iron Cove, in Drummoyne, to the West of Sydney on the early hours of Friday seventeen January 2025. Strong winds which were reported to reaching wind speeds up Beaufort Force Eight caused the grounding as the boats broke their swing mooring.  Low tide also made the situation a bit more difficult.  A salvage by Aus Coastal Diving and Marine was organized the following day, with no injuries reported from the accident, although the boat will need some repairs.

The boats in this accident are a Greenline 33 Yacht as produced from 2008 to 2022 on the rocks to the right of the picture, and a Bayliner 3688 Motor Yacht as produced from 1992 to 1994.

Sealine Aft Cabin Cruiser Ends Aground in Sarasota, Florida

A thirteen meter Sealine aft cabin cruiser with two persons onboard ended aground at Big Pass, Sarasota, Florida for a story shared by Florida Gulf Coast Marine Services of TowBoatU.S on his YouTube Channel on thirteen December 2024.  Following the removal from the sandbar the Sealine aft cabin cruiser is shown leaving with its own power meaning it sustained little to no damage.

The boat in this accident is a Sealine 450 Statesman as designed by Bill Dixon and produced from 1992 to 1997.  When launched the 450 Statesman was Sealine largest model, then replaced by T51 which arrived in 1999.

Flybridge Cruiser Beached in Macleay Island, Queensland

A twelve meter flybridge cruiser ended washed on the beach close to the boat ramp in Macleay Island, Moreton Bay, West Queensland, Australia on the morning of Saturday fourteen February.  The boat was not attended at the time of the beaching, and is reported to have broken its swing mooring following the passing of a cyclone on Friday night.  The ownership was advised of the accident as the coast guard was reported to be on the scene inspecting the incident.  The story was shared on the Macleay Island Community group on Facebook.

The flybridge cruiser in this accident is Silverton 42 Convertible as produced from 2000 to 2012.  The 42 Convertible was a replacement to the Silverton 41 Convertible.

Four Saved as Ferretti Yacht Ends Wrecked in Peloponnese, Greece

Four Greek mariners were saved as a thirty meter Ferretti super yacht named H and Co and under French flag ended aground and then wrecked off the cape of Agia Marina, to the South of Peloponnese, South Greece on the afternoon of Wednesday eleventh February.  Following a may day call the four mariners; three man and a woman were rescued by three local fishermen first, as the Greek Hellenic coast guard dispatched three patrol boats and an Air Force Super Puma helicopter to assist the mariners.  According to reports the yacht which was being delivered from the South of France last departed Tunisia direction to Piraeus, encountered difficulties off the island of Elafonisos as it ran into a thunder storm with heavy rain, and south-west Beaufort force eight gale winds with forty knots winds.  The yacht then ended without power and ultimately aground, and following this was then wrecked as it kept on being smashed on the rocks by waves of seven meters in height.  The four sailors are reported not injured but were taken to Molaoi hospital for a medical check.  No pollution is reported from the wreckage even though the yacht is reported to be carrying about six thousand litres of diesel fuel.  

The yacht in this accident is a 2022 Ferretti 1000 as designed by Filippo Salvetti for exterior and Ideaeitalia for interiors and produced since 2021 to date in 26 units.  The 1000 was a replacement to the Ferretti 960.

Storebro Royal Boats Factory in Vimmerbyvägen Goes Ablaze

A fire interested the warehouse building of the Storebro Royal Yachts facility in Vimmerbyvägen, Malmo, Sweden at 07:31 morning time of Sunday eight February.  Police intervened to the fire, and cordoned the area.  Following the fire the Police opened an investigation.  On the same Sunday morning Storebro advised on it's Facebook page, that the fire effected a warehouse adjacent to the factory production building, and that boats and the production side of the business are not affected by the blaze.  No injuries are reported from the accident.

Storebrovarvet as was its first name was founded in 1946 by Ivar Gustavsson, starting with a wood build rowing boat.  By 1955 Storebro will build its first cabin cruiser the 9.25 meter Britt Mari, and in 1967 enter fiberglass production.  Today Storebro is producing the 435 Commander and 435 SunTop models.

Two Persons Saved as Flybridge Yacht Goes Ablaze Near Antibes, France

Two boaters were saved as a twenty meter flybridge motor yacht named The Bridge and under Belgian flag went ablaze between Cap d'Antibes and Lerins at about 1.5 nautical miles offshore to the coast at 09:30 morning time of Wednesday fourth February.  The two boaters of 71 and 65 years old alerted the Mediterranean Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Centre and after jumping in the water were assisted by a 24 meter motor yacht who was in the vicinity, with the Alpes-Maritimes, and Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours following later to the rescue and to fight the fire with 25 fire-fighters and twelve men respectively.  Ultimately the yacht was wrecked, but was saved from sinking and doing environmental damage, with the wreckage towed to Golfe-Juan for recovery.  The cause of the fire is not known, but was reported starting from the engine room.

The yacht in this fire is a 1994 Astondoa 68 GLX as produced from 1992 to 1996.  The 68 GLX was replaced by the Astondoa 72 GLX.  The yacht which assisted the boaters is a Falcon Yachts 82S as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 1994 to 1998.

Power Catamaran Ends Beached in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

An eighteen meter power catamaran broke it's mooring and ended aground in Muller Bay, on the Island of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands on the morning of Tuesday third February.  US Coast Guard marine safety detachment of St. Thomas US Virgin Islands responded to the accident, as the catamaran also ended aground in a environmentally sensitive area.  There is no pollution from the vessel at this time, but a containment boom was placed as a precaution, as the ownership is working to organize a salvage of the power catamaran.

The power catamaran in this sinking is a Silent Yachts 62 3-Deck Open as produced since 2024.  Founded in 2018 and debuting in 2019 with the 55 model, Silent Yachts focuses on electric solar powered catamarans, and currently produces three models from sixteen to 24 meters.

Three Yachts Wrecked in Fire at Van Isle Marina, British Columbia

Three yachts of nineteen to 21 meters in length were wrecked by fire at Van Isle Marina, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada with the blaze starting at 07:30 morning time of Sunday first February.  Sidney Fire Department responded to the blaze and were later assisted by North Saanich Fire Department, and the Canadian Coast Guard.  The fire took ninety minutes to be controlled, and started in the Marquis yacht, located in the center of the above photo, and then jumped to the yachts to its port and starboard sides.  No one was injured in the fire, as all yachts were not attended, with the cause of the blaze being under investigation.

This is the second fire at Van Isle Marina in just over four months, with a fire wrecking an eleven meter explorer cruiser the past eighteen September.

The yachts in this fire are a Marquis 720, the one in the center, a Horizon V68, and a Nordhavn 62 looking bow to the photo.  A Nordhavn 60 also suffered some fire damage to its starboard side.

Feadship Yacht Collides Into Pier Then Beaches In Palm Beach, Florida

The 75 meter Feadship mega yacht Arrow was filmed as it collided with the external concrete pier of the Sailfish Club Marina in Palm Beach Shores, Florida first and then ending aground on a sand bank some meters away from this area all happening before 14:00 of Monday 26 January.  The yacht was freed from the sand-bank after about twelve hours. Departing the Safe Harbor Rybovich in West Palm Beach, Arrow collided and ended aground as it was dragged into the pier by strong winds of the moment.  Some reports are saying that yachts of this size are usually tug guided in the area, but somehow this was not the case with Arrow today.  It was also a bit lucky that no further damage happened as those piers have yachts berthed alongside, but were requested to be vacant for a sportfishing tournament which is currently ongoing.   Following the accident the yacht was towed and berthed in the Port of Palm Beach.

Yacht Arrow is a 2020 Feadship 75.00m Hull.703 as designed by Jonny Horsfield of H2 Design for exterior and interior, and naval architecture by Feadship de Voogt.

Storm Harry Wrecks Boats and Yachts in Sicily, Malta, and Rhodes

Storm Harry was named by AEMET on 16 January 2026. A weak area of low pressure meandering over the Iberian Peninsula for a few days, then emerged as a broad area of low pressure over the western Mediterranean.  Storm Harry is reported to have reached wind speed up to seventy knots, and also created a record breaking wave of 16.6 meters in the Channel of Sicily.  Harry caused major damage to the East part of Sicily, Maltese and some parts and islands of Greece, and lasted till Friday 23rd January. 

On Monday nineteen January the 2026 Storm Harry arrived in the Central Mediterrean; Channel of Sicily, Ionian Sea, and Tyrrhenian sea areas touching the Maltese Islands, Sicily, South Sardinia, and parts of South Ionian Italy with gale force winds from the South-East and East winds, which reached wind speeds up to Beaufort Scale 12 in some hours of Tuesday evening.  Harry landed on Monday nineteen January intensifying its intensity at night up to Beaufort Force 9, decreasing to Force 8 in late morning only for it to reach Hurricane Storm Force 12 in some of the areas on the evening of Tuesday, and lasting till the early hours of Wednesday 21 January as it's intensity started to slow.  Apart the force of the storm, Harry was impressive for keeping over fifty knots of wind speeds for long hours, with this generating average waves of eight meters in height, and a record maximum wave height for the Mediterranean of sixteen meters being recorded near Capo Passero to the South-East of Sicily.  The storm caused catastrophic damage to the Eastern Ionian sea coast, the South, and North coast of Sicily.  The Eastern coast of Malta in particular the villages of Birzebbuga, Marsascala, and Marsaxlokk also sustained important damage.  The Pelagic Islands of Lampedusa, Linosa, and Pantelleria were also hit, with this last having the strongest seas and winds in the storm, as sea conditions reached maximum Douglas Scale 9.

Boating wise the most high amount of damage was generated to Porto Rossi, located to the North East of Catania's center. Dozens of boats were thrashed, as waves passed over the East wall of this usually safe marina, which is also sea locked during Winter season. In this photos we can see an Absolute Navetta 52, Apreamare Gozzo 35, Carnevali 42, Dalla Pieta 48 Altair, a classic Glastron cuddy cruiser, second generation Sea Ray 240 Sundancer, and a Tecnorib Pirelli 35 all on each other.  Following the storm Porto Rossi is partially destroyed and also inaccessible as the road which leads to the marina has also been wrecked in some parts.

Other Catania marinas, in particularly the Circolo Nautico V.I.C. located under the Eastern breakwater arms also suffered damage with some small boats sunk.

Palermo's Villa Igiea marina suffered the most high profile wreck, as the Eastern break water lost part of its structural integrity with this leading to boats and yachts from eight to twenty meters breaking there moorings on Tuesday night.  The Diano 24 m/y Charlie Elle suffered the worst fate and partially sunk as it was hit on it's starboard by the bow and anchor of a nearby Jeanneau Yachts 60 named Cecille which broke free from its forward lines.  A sailing catamaran of about fifteen meters also partially sunk.

In Palermo the other more exposed to the East Marina Arenella had important damage with wrecked marina piers and sunken boats reported.  In this picture we can see a Cranchi 39 Endurance near another not identifiable sport cruiser.  Picture credit to Giuseppe Alioto.

Malta suffered its fair share of damage with a swing moored twelve meter aft cabin cruiser sunk at Kalkara, to the East of Valletta's Grand Harbour.  Two sailing boats also ended beached in Birezebbuga and Marsascala, while some yachts also fell from there blockings in a communal yard at Marsascala.  

Gozo Marina in Mgarr harbour on sister island Gozo also had a broken pontoon, with a yacht filmed running around as it broke free from its mooring.  The yacht was fortunately secured, before it caused some major damage.

Following its destruction in the Ionian Sea, Storm Harry then landed on the Aegean Sea, on Wednesday night causing damage to the Rhodes Marina to the North-East of Rhodes Island. In this picture above the yacht Queen Mare a 2012 Alpha Marine 58 meter as designed by Tasel Form damaged its port side. A couple of yachts also sank, including a catamaran which capsized, and the pictured below Prestige M48 power catamaran which partly sank.

Flybridge Yacht Wrecked by Fire in Club Arenal Mallorca

A not attended 23 meter flybridge yacht went ablaze in Club Nautico del Arenal in Llucmajor, Mallorca with the fire reported just before 02:00 early morning hours of Thursday 22 January.  Guardia Civil and multiple fire crews from Bombers de Mallorca tended to the fire taking three hours to control, with big efforts going and succeeding to keeping the fire to this one yacht.  Ultimately the yacht was wrecked by the blaze, with an investigation on the cause of the fire being opened.

The yacht in this fire is an Antago 76 as designed by Fulvio de Simoni and produced from 1999 to the early noughties.  Antago from Viareggio, Italy was founded in 1991 by Sebastian Gravagno and will close its doors in 2006, with the company returning in 2025 as a US holding.

Azimut Cruiser Ends Aground in Jervis Bay, Australia

A twelve meter Azimut sport cruiser ended aground and on the rocks following a storm in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia on the night between seventeen and eighteen January.  The story was documented by delivery captain Ocean X Facebook page, who advised that the swing moored Azimut cruiser tore its bow cleats during the storm and ended aground.  No injuries are reported from the accident, as the vessel had no persons onboard.  The Azimut sport cruiser was salvaged by Marine Safety Services and Nowra Cranes on Tuesday twenty January, and taken for repairs.  

The sport cruiser in this accident is an Azimut 40S as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 2010 to 2015.  The 40S was a replacement to the 43S and was replaced by the more open Azimut Atlantis 43.

Hatteras Sportfish Hits Reef and Sinks in St. John, US Virgin Islands

A fifteen meter Hatteras sportfish yacht titled Lady Striker and with seven people onboard ended aground and partly sank as it hit the Moravian Reef near Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands on the afternoon of Saturday ten January.  Two of the seven boaters were rescued by a nearby boat who came to the scene after hearing the VHF call for assistance, with the other five boaters rescued by a St. John Rescue Marine unit.  According to sources the vessel lost power after hitting the reef, with the bilge pump not making up to the water entrance. No pollution was reported from the accident even though the captain reported to carrying about 1,100 litres of diesel fuel.  An investigation on the incident is ongoing though the reef marker was reported not in place.  The yacht was salvaged on Monday January nineteen.

The sportfish yacht in this accident is a Hatteras 50 Convertible Series Four as produced from 1999 to 2006.  The 50 Convertible Series Four was a cosmetic evolution to the 50 Convertible Series III.

Three Yachts Wrecked by Fire at Spit Bridge Marina, Sydney

Three yachts from twenty to 28 meters in length were wrecked by fire, with a fourth yacht also sustaining important damage at Spit Bridge Marina, Mosman, a suburb located to the North of Sydney with the blaze starting on the first yacht before 03:30 morning time of Friday ninth January.   Fire and Rescue NSW responded to the blaze with forty fire fighters, fighting the fire from both land and sea including the fire fighting vessel Girawaa, and taking near three hours to control, and were followed by NSW Police and NW Ambulance.  Four people escaped the fire unharmed, while a woman was treated for smoke inhalation and is under observation.  By the videos running online the fire started in a smaller yacht about twenty meters in length, which then jumped to two Sunseeker yachts located to its port and starboard sides.  All the three yachts ended sunk and wrecked, with the fire also damaging a Princess yacht to its port side, this berthed one boat away and to starboard from the starting fire yacht.  The cause of the fire is not reported, with an investigation being opened to determine the cause.  Pollution from the fire is reported controlled and to a minimum, with salvage efforts taken over by the marina operator.  

The yachts wrecked by this fire are a Sunseeker 80 Yacht, and a Sunseeker 94 Yacht.  The yacht which sustained damage to its port side is a Princess 85 MY.  The smaller yacht which started the fire is not identified, if some one has information leave a comment or send a message.

Cigarette Yacht Sinks Then Flips During Recovery in Sint Maarten

A sixteen meter Cigarette high performance center console partly sank first in St. Barthelemy, and then in its recovery operation on the island of Sint. Maarten capsized, for a story shared by revo.marine on Instagram on the sixth January.  The center console was reported to have had a collision, and partly sank, and during crane recovery operation capsized and flipped over to it's port side. Details of the actual accident are sparse, but we will update this post if these become available. 

The Cigarette in this accident is a 52 Thunder as produced since 2023.  The 52 Thunder is the second large Cigarette boat build, which today offers nine models from 39 to 59 foot.

Sport Cruiser Ends Aground in Carneiros Beach, Tamandare Brazil

A fourteen meter sport cruiser titled Marias ended beached and aground in Carneiros Beach, Tamandare Brazil for a story reported on some Instagram channels on the fifth January.  According to some unconfirmed news the boat ended aground as the tide was going lower, with the skipper not noticing and ending beached.  The boat had also a broken hull window on its starboard side, but it is not reported if this was damaged by vandalism or during the incident.  A recovery operation for the sport cruiser was being organized.

The sport cruiser in this accident is an Azov Yachts Z480HT as produced since 2020.  Azov Yachts from Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Brazil was founded in 2019 and today produces six models from 26 to the 48 foot Z480HT.

Grady White Cruiser Sinks and Capsizes at Isla Contadora

Four boaters were saved as a ten meter in length Grady White sportfish cruiser titled La Perla 4 capsized and sank near Isla Contadora, a Panamanian island on the Pearl Islands archipelago in the Gulf of Panama on Thursday New Year's first January day.  The boaters were saved by Captain Charles of Blue Adventures Panama who happened to be nearby and filmed the event, and assisted in this perilous situation.  His crew also jumped in the water to recover and save the four shocked boaters.  The cause of the sinking was not reported.  In the video the boat is seen takin on water going down, lightly listed to its port side, for it to flip over on the same side just before the last two boaters jump in the water.

The boat in this sinking is a Grady White 360 Express as produced from 2005 to 2013.  The boat which assisted in the sinking is a World Cat 325 Center Console as produced since 2020.