Lurssen Yacht Yard Damage Injures One Employee

A 130 meter plus Lurssen super yacht currently under construction has injured one employee when falling and damaging the shed doors in the Bremen shipyard, Germany on the afternoon of Thursday seventh December.  The one employee was reported slightly injured in the accident, with the super yacht fall damaging the shed doors and the bridge connecting the dock, which partly sank in the water.  The accident was assisted by rescue workers, which included a helicopter, water rescue units, and fire brigade teams.  The 150 meters floating dock was later secured by the Bremen police, and fire department.  Lurssen reported the accident with a press release on the same evening.  This is the second incident for Lurssen in 2023, following a fire on June 28 at the Lemwerder facility which involved one worker. 

According to unconfirmed reports the Lurssen super yacht in this accidental fall is the 142 meters Project Alibaba which is set to launch in 2024.

Super Yacht Ends Aground in Dubai

M/y Indigo Star I, a 38 meter super yacht ended aground and beached in Dubai, near Marina Harbor on the evening of Friday first December.  Indigo Star I is reported to have had a technical fault, with the captain losing controls of the engines and the super yacht ending beached.  With high tide coming in, the super yacht was towed away on the same night, with the yacht reported to have received no damage from the grounding.  

Indigo Star I is owned by German fashion designer Robert Geiss since about ten years, who have used the yacht to cruise around the World since taking ownership.  Robert and his wife Carmen have been cruising on Indigo Star I in the Persian Gulf for over a week, with the yacht attending the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the previous week-end.  The Geiss's where in Dubai when the accident happened but not on the yacht, and were informed about the accidental grounding over the phone, with Robert Geiss joking on Instagram that now he has a private beach club.  Indigo Star I is currently available for sale for 3.9 million US$.

M/y Indigo Star I is a custom Siar-Moschini 38, launched in 1995 to a design of Andrea Bacigalupo with interiors by Studio Vafiadis. Siar-Moschini from Fano was a joint venture founded between Siar a yacht interior fitment specialist firm, and Moschini a high-end large sizes advanced fiberglass builder in 1986, which will build a dozen yachts from 21 to 43 meters, launching its first yacht in 1988, and its last in 2004.  Carlo Moschini was also one of the three founders of Ferretti Custom Line brand in 1996, with this lasting two years after he sold his yard to Azimut-Benetti Group in 1998, sale completed in 2002.

Apreamare Ends Aground in Fiumicino

A sixteen meter Apreamare traditional yacht with two persons onboard ended aground at the entrance of Fiumara Grande, Fiumicino to the outskirts of Rome on the early afternoon hours of Tuesday 21 November.  The Fiumicino Harbour Master and Civil Protection was immediately on the scene, saving the two boaters, who had no injuries.  The Apreamare yacht was coming from Sardinia direction to Fiumicino, when at the end of its trip had trouble with one engine, making manoeuvring in the Fiumara entrance difficult and ultimately ended aground.  An operation to remove the yacht is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

The Apreamare in this grounding is the 16 model presented in the 2002 Genoa boat show. The 16 is a design of Tommaso Spadolini with naval architecture by Umberto Tagliavini featuring three lower deck layouts, in three or two double cabins, and was powered by twin Man 730 up to 800hp engines for speeds up to 32 knots.  The Apreamare 16 evolved into the 54 in 2005 with the standardized patio door, and a renewed stern bathing platform design and then produced till 2009.

Ghost Motor Yacht Ends Aground in Fregenae Beach

This starts as a ghost thriller, when an eighteen meter motor yacht titled Carpe Diem under French flag and without crew, ended aground in-front of Controvento, on the sands of Fregenae beach, to the outskirts of Rome on the Eastern water-front at about 16:00 hours of Sunday 22nd October.  At the grounding the crew-less motor yacht gathered a group of curious persons, with a first under-water inspection coming from the Centrovento establishment staff, and then later in the afternoon followed by that of the Police.  Finding some clothes and a confused messy interior, with a fishing rod at the stern, and following the yacht registration the Italian police found that Carpe Diem was previously owned by a Croatian who sold it in 2022, to the current ownership.  Later on in the evening the thriller was partly solved with the investigation telling that the yacht was navigating to Marseille with three Croatian crew, when it developed a mechanical problem seventy nautical miles offshore from Anzio on the fifteen of October.  Calling a May-Day also due to the rough seas, the three crew abandoned the yacht with assistance and boarding on the Excelsior ferry, who dropped them in Genova harbour.  Following further investigations by the Rome Coast Guard and of receipts found onboard it was also discovered the itinerary for the yacht before it was abandoned, berthing in Lecce, and Marina di Camerota harbours.  The coast guard is now organizing the removal of the yacht from Fregenae beach to avoid any environment and pollution damage.

Carpe Diem the yacht in this grounding is a Guy Couach 185 Fly from 1999.  Produced from 1996 to 2000 the Guy Couach 185 Fly offers a three double cabins layout with a full beam owners stateroom, plus a crew cabin located forward, and is powered by twin MTU 767hp for top speeds up to 28 knots. A replacement to the 1901, the 185 Fly was replaced by the Guy Couach 1900 model in 2001.  Guy Couach or as is known recently as Couach Yachts is a yacht builder from Cujan Mestras to the West of France, which started in 1897 by building the World first marine engine, and entering production boat building with the Arcoa brand in 1947, and then with Guy Couach in 1968 and the 1200 model for bigger boats.  Two years after this, in 1970 Couach also entered into the supply of military and surveillance vessels, which is still a part of its business today.

Super Yacht Australia Aground in Singapore

A 56 meter Benetti super yacht titled m/y Australia and registered under Malta flag hit a reef off the Buran Channel, just one nautical mile of Sentosa Resort, Singapore on 16:25 of Monday sixteen October.  Australia was just exiting the Sentosa resort and at about one nautical mile from the harbour entrance she was seen listing to its port side.  Some unconfirmed reports said the yacht had a pilot onboard, and other news said it developed a mechanical damage with its deviating from its course outside the channel leading it to go into the shallower area and ultimately run partly aground.  Singapore Maritime and Port Authority advised that there was no disruption to port channel traffic, no pollution happened in the grounding, and no injuries are being reported.  Six hours after the grounding Australia was re-floated and resting at anchor to East of Sentosa assessing its damage, with a tug boat nearby ready for assistance.  Some reports are saying that Australia had a hull breach during the grounding and will be dry-docked for repairs.

Since 2021 m/y Australia is owned by down under billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer, who purchased the 56 meter Benetti in December 2020, at the time asking a price of just under thirty million US dollars.

Motor Yacht Australia, previously named Bash and launched as Ulysses is a Benetti 56M series launched in 2012. Designed by Stefano Natucci the Benetti 56M was a semi-custom series delivered in four build to order units from 2005 to 12, with Australia being the last of these builds. This 56M offered a six suites interior with thirteen crew accommodation, and is powered by twin 1850hp Cat engines for top speeds up to sixteen knots.  The 56M was a following of Benetti's successful Golden Age 50M steel build semi custom series which debuted in 1997 and sold in seven units up to 2008.

Tecnomar Lamborghini Collides Into Pontoon

A Tecnomar for Lamborghini slow crashed into a pontoon on the morning of fifth October in San Diego on the West Coast of the USA.  According to the reports this is the second Tecnomar for Lamborghini which arrived in the USA and the first in the West Coast.  The Tecnomar Lamborghini suffered a small slow crashing incident in a marina tight spot, which can easily be repaired.  It is obvious this becomes a media sensation because the Tecnomar for Lamborghini is probably currently the most popular yacht to show off on the social-media platforms at this moment in time. 

Launched in 2021 the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is designed outside by the automaker with Brunello Acampora doing the naval architecture, and is offered in three layouts for the lower deck; open plan, one cabin, or two cabins.  Contrary to popular belief, she is powered by twin Man 2000hp with surface drives.  The 63 apart meaning the length, and maximum speed is a tribute to the year of founding of Lamborghini and the units Tecnomar will produce.  Last I heard so far they build over twenty units.

Prestige Yacht Struck Rocks and Sinks in Mercury Bay

A fifteen meter Prestige sport yacht with two person onboard struck rocks near Motukorure Island, and then sank to the near about of Mercury Bay, to the East of Auckland, in New Zealand at around 15:45 hours of Wednesday fourth October.  The yacht sank fairly quickly in about twenty meters of water, with the two passengers coming out unscathed from the sinking.  Regional Council Officers inspected the scene before the sport yacht fully sank in deep water.  The yacht was reported as being a new purchase by the current owner, and was carrying 1300 litres of fuel.  A salvage operation is being organized by the owner, although this is taken some time for it to get going, with the risk of fuel pollution to the area increasing by the hour.

The Prestige yacht in this sinking is a ten year old 500S.  Designed by Garroni with naval architecture by JandJ, the Prestige 500S was released in the fall of 2010 and produced till 2017. The 500 S offered an interior with three double cabins, and is powered by twin Volvo 435hp with IPS pod drives for speeds up to 34 knots.  The 500S was a replacement to the 50S/510S model, and was replaced by the Prestige 520S in 2018.

Hatteras Sportfish Beached in Pensacola Beach

A twenty meter Hatteras sportfish yacht titled m/y Robin Lynn ended up beached in Pensacola Pass Beach, South of Florida on the morning of Tuesday 26 September.  According to unconfirmed speculative reports the captain slept under command during the trip, which ended with the sportfish beached in Pensacola.  The twenty meter sportfish yacht was towed away on the same evening by United States Coast Guard and taken to a yard.  A picture taken of the sportfish yacht after hauling out showed next to nothing visible damage, which indicates she was cruising at slow speeds during the grounding.

The sportfish yacht in this grounding is a Hatteras 65 Convertible Series II with the Enclosed Bridge option from 2001.  Produced from 2000 to 05 the Hatteras 65 Convertible is designed by Jack Hargrave and was offered in three of four double cabin layouts, powered by twin Detroits 1350hp or Cats 1400hp for speeds up to 35 knots. The 65 Convertible was replaced by the Hatteras 68 Convertible in 2005 which followed more modern looks as introduced by the second generation 54 Convertible.

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.

Sunseeker Yacht Ends Aground in Ilha Desert

A nineteen meter Sunseeker sport yacht with twelve persons onboard ended aground at about 02:00 hours of Thursday seventeen August, in Ilha Deserta located to the West of Faro Olhao in Portugal.  The passengers where assisted by the Portugal Maritime police, and a sixteen meter sport yacht which was traveling with the grounded super yacht. All the persons where uninjured in this grounding collision. The sport yacht was removed from Ilha Deserta a couple days later, with the help of a dagger and a tug boat, and then towed to Villamoura for repairs.  An unsuccessful attempt was made to tow the yacht away on the same evening by the other yacht, luckily not succeeding considering the minimum of damage to the propellers and rudders does create a hull breach and would have probably sunk the yacht.

The Sunseeker in this grounding is the Predator 62 model, produced from 2005 to 2008, it offers interior with three double cabins and is powered from twin engines from 1100 up to 1300hp in line shaft propulsion for top speeds in the mid thirties with the big engine option. Sold in about fifty units the Predator 62 was a replacement to the 68 and was replaced by the 64 which used the same hull and a different super structure.

The assisting sixteen meter sport yacht is a Pershing 52 produced from 2000 to 2004 to a design of Fulvio de Simoni. The Pershing 52 has an interior with three double cabins, and a choice of pwc garage or crew cabin aft, and is powered by twin Man 800 or 1000hp engines with surfaced drives for speeds up to 45 knots from the more powerful option.  The Pershing 52 came out as a replacement to the 54, and was replaced by the 50 in the fall of 2003.

Lake Winnipesaukee Hit and Run

On Saturday twelfth August at around 23:00 hours a fifteen meter Sea Ray sport yacht was involved in a hit and run, as it crashed with a docked classic wooden speedboat of eight meters in size, in Lake Winnipesaukee, in Wolfeboro.  Police received a call about the crash with both New Hampshire State and Wolfeboro Police Department going at the scene to found a grounded and abandoned Sea Ray sport yacht on the rocks in Winter Harbor.  Initial investigation have found that the male operator and passengers of the Sea Ray left the scene, witnesses reported being helped by a Wellcraft boat of blue colour and about ten meters in length.  Luckily no one was onboard the docked wooden boat at the time of the collision, with no injuries reported to any persons.  Investigations about this hit and run are still ongoing.

The runaway Sea Ray in this hit and run is a second generation Sea Ray 500 Sundancer produced from 2003 to 2006, offers accommodation for five in two cabins and powered by twin Cummins 635hp engines reached speeds up to 32 knots.  The 500 Sundancer evolved into the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer, recognizable with different port-holes in the fall of 2006.

The classic wooden runabout which took the hit in this runaway collision is reported to be the Millie B, a triple cockpit mahogany build replica of a 1928 Hacker Craft, replicated to the tiniest of detail even in the seat colours, and owned by the New Hampshire Boat Museum.

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 extensive and expensive repair.

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 first 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.

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.

Super Yacht Goes Aground in Aegina Greece

A 28 meter classic super yacht titled m/y Raider ran aground on the island of Aegina, to the South of Aegina marina on the morning of 23rd June. The event was fully filmed by renowned vlogger Sailing Doodles, who showed the events of the grounding, dropping the anchors and chain to reduce weight up to the pull out by the tug boat.  Raider was seen navigating in Poros ten miles South a day later so the speculation at this stage is that the damage minor and superficial.

M/y Raider is a Schichau-Unterweser 28.99 meter build in 1966 and designed by Willem de Vries Lentsch Jr.  Schichau-Unterweser was founded in April 1945 with the company merging in 1972 and 88 and then becoming the Schichau-Seebeck and closing its doors in July 2009. Raider has an older 1964 build sister-ship.

Princess Aground in Rorvig Denmark

A fifteen meter Princess flybridge motor yacht with three persons onboard ran aground on the Eastern break water of Rorvig Lystbadehavn marina, Sjaelland area to the North of Denmark on Sunday eighteen June.  The Princess yacht was on its delivery trip to hits home port.  The cause of the grounding are not reported though an error during navigation seems to be the most likely cause, as weather condition where reported good and there was no tide to speak off according to reports.  Damage from the photos which show the forward bow sections seemed repairable, though the IPS pod drives and propellers sheared off on the impact with the break water.

The Princess yacht in this grounding is the F50 model.  Released in 2019 as a replacement to the 49 produced from 2016 to 18, the F50 comes from a design of Bernard Olesinski and Pininfarina updating the exterior design. In 2022 the F50 was updated with the addition of larger glazing on the hull sides.

Hatteras Yacht Ends Aground in Mississippi River

A nineteen meter Hatteras motor yacht titled m/y Rock O with two persons onboard ended aground after hitting a rock formation to the South of the McKinley bridge, Mississippi river on the afternoon of Tuesday 23rd May.  The two people onboard Rock O where taken to shore safety by the Marine Rescue Taskforce, with assistance by a TowBoatU.S. rib.  Burorvich Marine organized the salvage and to move the yacht, an operation which took fourteen hours made with the m/v Sam B barge and a 300 ton capacity crane.  The Hatteras yacht had visible hull damage and its keel, and propellers.

The Hatteras in this grounding is a 64 Motor Yacht, produced from 2005 to 09, offering an interior layout with three guest rooms plus a crew cabin for two, and powered by twin Cats 1400hp for cruise speeds in the mid twenties.  A soft evolution of the 2001 launched 6300 Raised Pilothouse, Hatteras sold 33 64 Motor Yacht's in its four year production run, then replaced by the bit smaller 60 Motor Yacht.

Collision in Sorrento Gulf Leaves One Injured

A collision between a fourteen meter Azimut flybridge cruiser and a twenty meter motor yacht happened near Torre Annunziata in the Sorrento Gulf, to the South of Naples, Italy on the afternoon of Tuesday 23 May leaving one person injured.  The dynamics of the incident are not reported, with the fourteen meter Azimut flybridge cruiser doing engine sea trials at the time of the collision.  Unconfirmed reports are saying that both boats where at planning speeds on collision with the Azimut flybridge cruiser receiving extensive damage to starboard, punctured inside in the upper part.  The larger yacht had damage on the bow, with the forward bulwark twisted by the impact. 

The boats in this collision is the popular Righini designed Azimut AZ46 Quartantsei a model which debuted in the fall of 1996 and was produced till 2008, sold in a record five hundred units including the updated Evolution version of the last three years.  The 21 meter motor yacht with the bow damage is a Benetti Sail Division 72 from 1999 refitted in 2020.  

Nordhavn Aground in Ocean Reef Florida Keys

A 24 meter Nordhavn super yacht titled m/y Jess Jonn ran aground in Ocean Reef on the Florida Keys to the Southern part of Miami on May eight.  The causes of the grounding are not confirmed, though in some forums and people knowledgeable of the area are suggesting then when tide is on the low side it is suggested you stay on your port side pushing to the red markers in that channel. Another unconfirmed rumour is that the owner was operating the yacht at the time of the accident.  Thankfully the grounding seems to have made little or no damage to M/y Jess Conn as she was reported back underway on the 14th May heading North. 

M/y Jess Conn is hull one of the Nordhavn 80 which launched in 2021.  A design of Vripack the Nordhavn 80 was presented as a project in 2017 filling the gap between the N76 and N86 models, with a three double cabins six berth guest accommodation and two or four crew berths layout, and is powered by twin Deere 375hp.  Nordhavn has so far sold five N80 units.

Ferretti Yacht Collides Into Eceabat Marina Breakwater

A 26 meter Ferretti super yacht titled m/y Gemini collided into the Eceabat Marina breakwater in Canakkale, near the Dardanelles straits in Turkey on the morning of Thursday March 30. The captain reported the accident to the Canakkale Straight Ship Services Directorate, with the yacht reportedly traveling from Greece to Turkey at the time of the accident.  According to the photos circulating online the Ferretti yacht reported cosmetic damage to its bow starboard side, with some hull damage below waterline.  Causes of the accident are not reported.

M/y Gemini is a Ferretti 870 from 2014.  The Ferretti 870 was launched in 2012 to a design of Zuccon and produced till 2016 in eleven units.  The Ferretti 870 was an evolution of the 2004 launched 830 extended in length and replacing the 880 model.  The 870 was replaced by the 850 in the fall of 2016.

Azimut Super Yacht Beaches in Fort Lauderdale Channel

A 35 meter Azimut super yacht titled m/y Rylax with George Town flag ended beached and stuck in low tide while navigating in Fort Lauderdale's New River channels on the late morning of Wednesday March 22.  According to some reports the Azimut super yacht was a bit unlucky as the tide was just going out when doing a tight corner manoeuvring in the channel.  The Azimut super yacht was later assisted by Sea Tow with no success in towing her to deeper waters up until higher tide came in.  News if the yacht sustained any damage is not reported.

M/y Rylax is an Azimut 116 from 2005.  Designed by Stefano Righini the 116 was presented in 2004 and produced till 2011 in 29 units.  Offering five double guest rooms and three crew cabins, the 116 was Azimut flagship at the time of launch, and its second largest build to that date following the 118 Penthouse from 1994. The Azimut 116 was replaced by the Grande 35 Metri in 2016.