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 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.

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 a delivery trip to its 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.

Nordhavn SuperYacht Powerless in Arafuru Sea

A 29 meter Nordhavn super yacht titled m/y VivieRae II ended powerless and adrift while navigating in the Arafaru Sea, between North Australia and Papua New Guinea on Tuesday second March. In navigation from the Marshall Islands leaving on 26 February going to Sorong, Indonesia, VivieRae II had a towing line which broke free from an eleven meter tender in tow after it severed off due to very rough conditions and unfortunately got tangled in the prop, which seized the engines.  A search and rescue operation call was initiated on third March, with operations to tow the yacht not being successful on five March, due to bad weather and five meter waves rough seas.  The crew was rescued off the yacht on the sixth at 10:00 morning time by an Australian ship.  The eleven meter tender support chase boat got lost in the rope tangling.  Viverae II also sustained some cosmetic damage to its upper port side when it collided with a 190 meter tanker ship who was trying to tow the yacht but failed due to the rough seas.  On Sunday March 12 a rescue operation with owner Bob Giles and previous captain Gareth Schwegman reached ViveRae II and dived to clear the propellers from the ropes, with port side tangled with the tender line and starboard in a fishing net to port side.  The yachts eleven meter tender was also found near Thursday Island, about 240 nautical miles from the yacht position.  

All ends well with Viverae II arriving on Thursday Island on Monday thirteen March where the yacht will stop for repairs, recover its tender and then continue its around the World journey to the West.

VivieRae II is a Nordhavn 96, hull #3 from 2017 with twin Cat 1000hp engines and accommodation for eight guests in four cabins, and six crew in three cabins.  Designed by Nordhavn chief designer Jeff Leishman, the 96 is based on the 86 extended in length, and has been delivered in nine units since its debut in 2016.  The 96 is the second in size Nordhavn after the 120 model which the Taiwan builder so far sold in only one unit in 2013.  A one off Nordhavn 100 based on the hull on the 96 but with extended low fisherman cockpit was also delivered in 2018.

Super Yacht Collides with Sint Marteen Simpson Bridge

M/y Baca a 43 meter super yacht under Cayman Islands flag collided with the bridge entrance to Simpson Bay in Sint Marteen at about 1700 hours of eight January.  Baca hit the bridge controlling boot on the way into Simpson bay damaging its fore-bow starboard side in the collision.  According to the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority which manages the bridge, the booth suffered damage to its structure and its wiring, with it being not operational till 0830 hours of the following morning.  No one was injured in the accident, with the wind being a possible cause of the accident.  The extent of the damage to the yacht has not been reported.

M/y Baca the yacht in this accident is a Danish build Royal Denship 143 model delivered in 2008 as m/y Triple 8.  Designed by Diana from Holland with interior by Michela Reverberi, this Royal Denship 143 semi-series was delivered in just another unit, with the second hull number delivered in 2009.  Royal Denship was a group of six shipyards; Aarhus, Assens, Danyard, Fayard, and Tuco which went bankrupt in April 2009.

This accident bridge impact is a near identical repeat to the one in December 2019 when super yacht Ecstasea the 86 meter Feadship hull #790 collided with the bridge boot.  The boot had a worse impact that time, totally destroyed in the collision.

Sealine Yacht Stolen and Aground in Bahamas

A fifteen meter Sealine motor yacht ended aground in Treasure Cay, Great Abaco, The Bahamas on the morning of first January.  According to reports the Sealine yacht was stolen from a yacht marina in Abaco, and was then found aground in Treasure Cay.  Boat and yacht stealing with these then being used for smuggling seems to be common in the area at this moment, especially since the Marina was badly damaged by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, with the owner dying some months later, and the sons wanting to sell. 

This Sealine yacht was still aground in the same position as of end March.

The Sealine in this grounding is a T51 model released in 1999 and produced till 2004 to a design of Bill Dixon, offering three double cabins, a twin berth crew cabin aft and top speeds up to 32 knots with twin Volvo 715hp.  When released the T51 was Sealine flagship, with the model evolving into the T52 in 2005 with a profile windows changing looks and other layout changes.

Princess Yacht Runs Aground in Tybee Island Georgia

A twenty meter Princess flybridge motor yacht titled m/y Grace ran aground on the Savannah river jetty, in the Port of Savannah in Tybee island, Georgia on the early morning of Tuesday eleven October.  The  yacht was reportedly running with two crew onboard, when it literally went atop the Savannah river jetty at planning speeds.  The following day on the afternoon of twelve October, a SeaTow salvage crew was emptying the fuel, and making preparations to float the yacht and take it to a shipyard when the tide rises. 

Motor yacht Grace is a 2003 Princess 65 mk.II, with four double guest cabins plus crew cabin interior and powered by the large twin Man 1050hp engines option which give her a top speed up to thirty knots.  Designed by Bernard Olesinski the Princess 65 mark. II entered production in 1998 and was replaced by the 67 in the fall of 2004.  The Princess 65 was a replacement to the 20M which never sold as expected, though the slightly larger unit was left in simultaneous production till 2002.

Yacht Falls During Lift Out Operation in Leros Marina Greece

A 23 meter explorer yacht build of steel titled m/y Nephele, fell during lift out operations at Leros Marina, on the Aegean island of Lakki, Greece, on the morning of third October.  According to reports from witnesses the steel cable broke during lift out operation, resulting in the yacht partly falling into the water from a height of about two meters. Luckily for the yacht it was also the forward part which fell, as if this was the stern the damage might have been much worse, with this fall out only doing some minor cosmetic scratches when the cable fell on the fore-deck.  Following the accident the yacht was also checked and sea trial tested with no damage reported.

The explorer yacht in this drop is a Dutch build Laky Verf 23M as designed by Guido de Groot, with naval architecture by Martin de Jager.  The 23M offers a three double cabins guest accommodation plus a one berth crew cabin, and is powered by twin Volvo 550hp for a top speed up to twelve knots.  Released in 2005, the Laky Verf 23M has been so far delivered in six units.

Sport Yacht Saved from Sinking in Collision Near Naples

A sixteen meter sport yacht titled m/y Anne with only its captain onboard collided with a 23 meter explorer yacht near Castellamare di Stabia, Naples on the morning of 20 September.  In the collision the sport yacht as the picture above shows received great damage to its starboard bow area, with the quick thinking of its captain who helmed the yacht in reverse to the closest yard facility saving her from sinking.  The 23 meter explorer yacht which was on the other end of this collision is reported as receiving minor damage.

The sport yacht in this accident is a highly modified and customized Italcraft C51 Open called by its customizers as the 54.  The Italcraft C51 was released as the Classic in 1986, becoming the Open version with a new radar arch style, eye shape port holes, and longer windshield in 1990.  Based on the previous Italcraft Blue Marlin hull, the C51 was a sport yacht ahead of its time, being the second production boat with a tender garage, and offering three double cabins in fifteen meters of size.  Italcraft sold nineteen C51 Classic and Open, produced from 1986 till 1992.  The C51 was replaced in 1998, by the Italcraft X54 Ipanema.

The 23 meter explorer yacht in this collision was a Mochi Long Range 23m. The Mochi Long Range 23m was produced from 2008 to 2012 designed by Zuccon and featuring a pioneering hybrid and zero-emission propulsion, and the innovative Fer.Way displacement to semi-displacement hull shape.  While the 23m was the only Mochi Long Range, Ferretti Group eventually transitioned the Fer.Way technology into the Customline Navetta series starting with the 28 model launched in 2014.

Mangusta Collides with Li Nibani Reefs

A 21 meter Mangusta sport yacht named m/y 7 Zero collided with Li Nibani reefs outside of Porto Cervo in Sardinia on the early evening of 21 August.  The yacht was reported under charter duty, and sustained damage to its hull bottom area and to port side.  This yacht follows the tragic incident with one man being killed which happened on the 31 July in the same spot.  The Mangusta sport yacht was on the afternoon of Monday 22 August taken for repairs.  Li Nibani which means seagulls in Galluran language is a reef archipelago located to the North East of Porto Cervo and Sardinia.

M/y 7 Zero is a 2007 Overmarine Mangusta 72. Produced from 1999 to 2013 to a design of Stefano Righini and build to order with a custom made lower and main deck.  Always with surface drive propulsion Mangusta 72 where first powered by twin 1200hp or 1300hp Man engines good for speeds up to 36 and 38 knots respectively, while newer units had the 1550hp reaching up to forty knots.  Overmarine sold about fifty Mangusta 72, which makes it its second all time best seller following the longer produced Mangusta 80 which sold in 73 units.

Medicane in Corsica 2022

A fierce storm with hurricane strong winds hit Corsica on the morning of Thursday eighteen August.  The worst hit was the West and Northern part of Corsica with winds reaching record speeds of 121 knots, this recorded at Marignana to the West of Corsica.  The same storm also hit the North Tyrrhenian sea particularly the region of Tuscany couple hours later.  Over five hundred boats and yachts received some damage, with about one hundred of these receiving extensive damage which made them unusable to use before repairs are done.  Some of these unusable boats and yachts also ended up beached or sank and are a wreck.  Six people where reported dead in Corsica with three dying in Italy because of the storm with one of these being related to boating. 

The 2022 Mediterrean Summer season was particularly hot, with sea temperatures reaching thirty degrees at the beginning of August, result is that a medium strong cold front ends turning in a Medicane, a Mediterrean Hurricane.  Storms like this has happened in the past, possibly of lower intensity, but it is also important to note that our weather reading has become much more precise and sophisticated in recent years.  Being in high season and Corsica a popular destination created the right dooms day environment for all this chaos to happen.  

A Mondomarine Arrow 50 is seen before sinking outside the Saint Florent marina.  Designed by Cichero the Mondomarine Arrow was released in 1984 first as 52 and then rebadged as 50.  The model was produced till 1992 with an Open version released on the same hull in 1987.

This eighties Raffaelli Middle Flying mt 12 was a lucky one at Saint Florent who ended starboard side on the South West breakwater of the harbor, while a sail boat unknowingly pulled him to the middle of the marina before the boat suffered further damage, and possibly a sinking. 

A Princess V53 is seen beached in Calvi the worst hit area with tens of boats, most of which sailing yachts finishing beached.  In Calvi most of the swing moorings failed with boats ending up hitting each other, with the end result being tens of boats and yachts damaged.

Another Calvi victim here a Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 ended in a difficult beaching, in between rocks and extensive damage to its bow.

Possibly this was the worst damage in a beach near Calvi where this Cranchi E52 F Evoluzione has separated from its upper deck and had its hull split in two.  Forward to this was also a beached Beneteau Antares 9.80.

An Absolute got some damage to starboard stern side when a classic sailing yacht broke its moorings in Marina di Carrara in Tuscany.  Important damage in Carrara also happened to dry stacked racing sail yachts, which flew off there cradle.  The World beating Maserati trimaran of Giovanni Soldini also sustained damage in this storm.

Yacht Aground in Ses Illetas, Formentera

A 22 meter Astondoa motor yacht finished beached on the morning of eighteen August, in Ses Illetas, Formertera.  The cause of the beaching are unknown but a storm hit the island between the night of seventeen and eighteen August morning, and with this the anchor being down I suspect the yacht dragged.  Located on the North of the Formentera, Ses Illetas is rather unique open beach with sand and view uninterrupted to East and West.  

The yacht in this accident is an Astondoa 72 GLX designed by Nuvolari Lenard and produced from 1998 to 2007.  Astondoa sold over forty first generation 72 GLX before the model was replaced by the 76 in 2008.  This is the third Astondoa 72 GLX reported in an accident this Summer, with a sister-ship burning down in Costa Rica in early July, and another having control troubles in Girona and hitting boats and the jetty earlier in August. 

Explorer Yacht Ends Beached in Cannigione

A sixteen meter explorer yacht ended up beached while at anchor in Cannigione beach in the Arzachena gulf in North Sardinia on the night of fifteen August at around 2200 hours.  The yacht was unattended at the time of the accident when a strong North East wind entered the bay and dragged it to the soft rock area of the Cannigione beach.  The yacht was saved later in the night and morning of sixteen August and taken to a marina for inspection of damage.  It was reported that some smaller boats where also damaged near Porto Cervo in the Eastern part of Sardinia.

The explorer yacht in this accident is an Estensi Maine 530 designed by Zuccheri and presented in 2006, an immediate success, for its spacious living interior with three double cabins in a semi-custom layout. Twin 450hp engines gave the Maine 530 a top speed up to 24 knots and an eighteen cruise. Estensi sold 35 units of the Maine 530 with the model evolving in the 535 with new hull windows in 2016.