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 on the South Ionian Sea.  Harry caused major damage to the East part of Sicily, Maltese and some parts and islands of Greece.  Storm Harry lasted till Friday 23rd January. 

On Monday nineteen January the 2026 Storm Harry arrived in the Central Mediterrean; Channel of Sicily, Ionian Sea, and Tyrrenian sea areas touching the Maltese Islands, Sicily, South Sardinia, and parts of South Ionian Italy with gale force winds from the South-East and Easterly 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 sinking, 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 a Prestige M48 power catamaran partly sank, see picture below.

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.

Fairline Yacht Ends Beached in Isla Mujeres, Cancun

A seventeen meter Fairline sport yacht with two persons onboard ended beached and aground at Playa Norte to the North-West of Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico on the New Years eve afternoon of 31st December.  According to news the yacht ended aground due to an error by its helmsman.  The yacht was reported to have been bare-boat charter, meaning without a captain, with the charterer helming the yacht.  Following the accident it was found that this charterer did not posses a valid yacht master licence.  An operation to remove the yacht is ongoing.

The yacht in this accident is a Fairline 58 Targa GT as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 2010 to 2012.  The Targa 58 GT was a replacement to the Targa 64 Gran Turismo, with the model evolving and replaced by the Fairline Targa 62 GT.

Captain Grounds to Save Sportfish Yacht in Peanut Island, Florida

A captain saved an eighteen meter sportfish yacht as it was taking on water and in risk of sinking, as he grounded it at Peanut Island at the mouth of Lake Worth Inlet in Palm Beach County, Florida on the afternoon of Monday 29 December.  The captain who was aboard with six other boaters called for help on channel sixteen, and was assisted by US Coast Guard station Lake Worth.  A dewatering floating and removal operation is being organized.  No one was injured in the accident.

The sportfish yacht in this accident is a Buddy Davis 61 Convertible as designed by Donald Blount and Davis himself and produced from 1987 up till the mid noughties in fiberglass and some earlier models build in cold moulding.  The 61 Convertible was replaced by the Buddy Davis 58 Convertible.

Tiara Yacht Ends Aground Near Port Salerno Florida

A sixteen meter in length Tiara sport yacht ended aground on the Sandsprit sandbar near Port Salerno, Florida for an accident shared on Captain Retriever Facebook page on Wednesday seventeen December.  Captain Retriever from TowBoatU.S. actually shows a video as the Tiara yacht is passing at the wrong side of the marker and ends aground on the sandbar.  He later assists, removes and tows the Tiara yacht off the sandbar and into deep water, who then leaves with its own power.  The cause of the grounding was passing on the wrong side of the marker.

The yacht in this accident is a Tiara 56LS which was has started production in 2025.  Tiara introduced the LS Luxury Sport in 2017 debuting with the 38LS, and today offers five models from 34 to this 56LS, what is Tiara largest outboard build yacht.

Canados Yacht Goes Ablaze in Chiavari Marina near Genoa

A 22 meter Canados flybridge yacht titled Gollum went ablaze as it was moored at the yacht marina in Chiavari, on the East side of the Ligurian coast just after 07:00 morning time of Thursday eleven December.  Chiavari Vigili del Fuoco fire fighters tended to the fire, attacking it with liquid foam, for an operation which was successful as the fire was extinguished after two hours and the yacht saved from going ablaze.  The fire was reported to have originated in the aft lazarette part of the engine room of the yacht.  No injuries were reported.

The yacht in this fire is a 2006 Canados 72 as designed by Marine Technology Services and produced from 2005 up to 2009.  The 72 was a replacement to the 23, with the model replaced by the Canados 76.

Viking Sportfish Yacht Partially Sinks Capsizes in Key Largo, Florida

A seventeen meter Viking sportfish yacht partly sank and then capsized to its port side, as it was moored between Caribbean and Ocean drives in the Key Largo channel, Florida on the evening of Tuesday ninth December.  US Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection responded to the sinking on Wednesday morning as the yacht was reported to have spilled about two hundred litres of diesel in the sea, with efforts to remove the pollution starting straight away.  According to the Miami Herald one of the yachts engine block was sitting on the aft deck for some works, though it is not confirmed that this led to the yacht sinking and capsizing as the US Coast Guard opened an investigation.  TowboatU.S has been trusted to float the yacht and take it to a yacht-yard for a repairs.

The sportfish yacht in this accident is a Viking 55 Convertible as produced from 1997 to 2003 in 115 units.  The 55 Convertible was a replacement to the 53 Convertible and was replaced by the Viking 56 Convertible.

Crazy Yacht Crashes Into Moored Yacht in Dana Point, California

An explorer yacht of seventeen meters in length crashed into a moored Galeon sport yacht first, and then also into a thirteen meter Viking sportfish cruiser at the main channel of the new docks in Dana Yacht Point marina, California on the afternoon of Tuesday ninth December.  According to CBS News reporting the owner of the yacht which collided into the two boats was learning how to operate the vessel, when he pushed the throttles by error, and with this sprinted his yacht ahead and colliding into the stern of the Galeon sport yacht which was moored on the head of the pier in the marina first and then also hitting a Viking sportfish cruiser on its port side.  The Harbour Master and Orange County Sheriff came following the collision, which was witnessed by other boaters, and crews working on nearby yachts.  No one was injured as the event was filmed and shared on all popular social media outlets.

The yacht which caused this collision is a Ocean Alexander 58 Pilothouse as produced from 2004 to 2014.  The moored yachts were a Galeon 510 Skydeck as designed by Tony Castro and produced since 2016, and a first generation Viking 45 Convertible as produced from 1987 to 1993.

Sportfish Yacht Collides into North Bay Village Bridge, Florida

A sportfish yacht of sixteen meters in length collided into the bridge at North Bay Village, in Florida, for a story shared on the Fast Response Marine Towing and Salvage Facebook page on Sunday thirty November.  The sportfish yacht is reported to have dragged anchored during the strong winds of the day, with the Police and Fast Response attending the scene.  The yacht was reported not attended as it collided stern to the bridge, and its transom getting stuck into it.  

The sportfish yacht in this collision is a first generation Ocean Yachts 55 Super Sport as produced from 1981 to 1990 in 170 units.  The 55 Super Sport was Ocean Yachts flagship when released, with the model replaced by the 58 Super Sport.

Azimut Yacht Saved from Sinking in Fort Lauderdale

A seventeen meter Azimut flybridge yacht was saved from sinking in Fort Lauderdale, for a story which was shared on the afternoon of Sunday thirty November on the  Fast Response Marine Towing and Salvage Facebook page.  Fast Response shared the reel from were the above screen shot was taken, as they are working to save the Azimut yacht from sinking.  In the reel they are pumping water out from the stern part of the engine room. 

The Azimut in this accident is a 60 as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 2011 to 2017.  The 60 was a replacement and evolution of the 58, with the model replaced by the Azimut 60 Flybridge.

Mangusta Yacht Partly Sinks in Aventura, Florida

A 32 meter Mangusta sport yacht titled Forza partly sank as it was docked in Turnberry Marina, Aventura, Florida at 05:35 morning time of Thursday thirteen November.  The yacht sank stern down, as this fully went under water, and before the assistance of the salvagers was in the point of also sinking its tender/chase boat rib which was moored to its stern-starboard side.  Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the sinking and were assisted by Fast Response who shared the story on his Facebook page, securing the rib, and then boon protected the yacht for pollution.  No one was injured as the yacht was not attended during the sinking, with a refloat operation being organized.

The yacht in this part-sinking is a 2002 Overmarine Mangusta 108 as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 2000 to 2013 in 28 units.  When released the Mangusta 108 was the largest super sport yacht produced, with the model replaced by the Mangusta 110.

Sanlorenzo Yacht Ends Aground Near Haulover, Florida

A 27 meter Sanlorenzo Yacht ended on top a sand bar near Haulover Park, and the YouTube famous Haulover Inlet in Florida, for a story shared on Facebook by Fast Response Marine Towing and Service on the afternoon of Tuesday eleven November.  According to some comments on the post the yacht captain went outside the channel markers, and with a yacht which drafts just under two meters ended aground.  Fast Response Marine Towing and Service and TowBoatUS assisted the yacht, in a successful operation in freeing the super yacht from the sandbar.  The damage to the yacht, if any, has not been reported.

The yacht in this accident is a Sanlorenzo SL90 Asymmetric as designed by Zuccon and produced since 2021 to date in 26 units.

3 Boaters Rescued as Flybridge Yacht Ends Aground in Lake Huron

Three boaters and a cat were rescued as a sixteen meter Carver flybridge yacht ended aground near Presque Isle Harborn in Lake Huron, Great Lakes on the night of Monday 27 October.  U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes received the mayday call, and then gave the duty to the Coast Guard Air Station Detroit who dispatched the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter for the rescue of the three boaters and cat, who were ultimately rescued from the air.  The cause of the grounding was reported to be rough seas. 

The yacht in this accident is a Carver 530 Voyager as produced from 1998 to 2005.  The 530 Voyager was a replacement to the aft cabin layout 504 Motor Yacht, and was replaced by the Carver 52 Voyager.

Fairline Yacht Ends Aground in Yalikavak, Bodrum Turkey

A 23 meter Fairline yacht titled Alan under British flag ended aground during a sudden storm in Yalikavak, Bodrum, Turkey at around noon of Wednesday 22 October.  The Fairline yacht was anchored in the middle of the bay when a sudden thunder storm with heavy rain and strong winds drifted it into low water and aground.  The yacht captain and crew tried to avoid the grounding but to no avail, as the wind had at that stage taken control of the yacht.  With the sudden storm stopping some one hour later a rescue operation with a diver and towing boat was already underway.  No one was reported injured in the grounding, with the damage to the yacht not being reported.

The Fairline in this grounding is a Squadron 78 Custom, as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 2008 till 2018 in 86 units.  The largest Fairline ever made, the Squadron 78 Custom was a replacement and evolution of the Squadron 74.

Mangusta Super Yacht Sinks in Marina at Gumbet, Bodrum

The 32 meter Mangusta super sport yacht Mina II sank in a marina at Mu Dünla in the province of Gumbet, Bodrum, Turkey on the night of Saturday eighteen October.  The yacht was moored in a berth at the marina, were for an unknown reason it sank stern first.  Coast guard and municipal teams were dispatched to the marina after port personnel alerted them of the yacht sinking.  No crew was onboard and reports say the yacht has not moved from this berth for the last two years.  Environmental inspectors are investigating the area for any fuel leaks, with the yacht protected by pollution protecting boons.   A recovery for the yacht is being organized.

M/y Mina II is a 1998 Overmarine Mangusta 107 first series as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 1998 to 2002 in four units.  Mina II was the first hull of the Mangusta 107 and was refitted in 2017, with interiors by Gianni Versace and exteriors remade with new glazing and hard-top like the second series 107 as build from 2003 to 2005 in three other units.

57 Meter Super Yacht Fire Scare in Washington DC, USA

The 57 meter super yacht Dancing Hare under Marshall Islands flag had an onboard fire as it was berthed at Washington Harbour Marina of 600 block of Water Street SW, Washington DC, around 14:00 of Tuesday fourteen October.  Firefighters from the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department responded to the blaze which was reported to be of minimal entity and was controlled and extinguished.  For fighting the fire, the fire fighters turned off its power and evacuated the yacht.  No one was injured in the fire with the cause of the blaze not reported, with pictures showing it to be coming out from the raised pilot-house deck.   

M/y Dancing Hare is a 1986 steel build custom Amels 57.7 meter as designed by Banenberg and Rowell for exterior with naval architecture by Diana.  Dancing Hare had some high profile owners in its story from its commissioner Emad Khashoggi, who sold it in the first year to British Media magnate and politician Robert Maxwell, who died while on the yacht in 1991.  Current owner is Anna Murdoch Mann dePeyster, x-wife to Rupert Murdoch and mother to three of his adult children.  Dancing Hare was last refitted in 2023 by Derektor in Florida.

Fifty Meter Classic Super Yacht Fire Damaged Near Agropoli, Italy

The classic fifty meter super yacht Espadarte under Valletta Malta flag was saved from a fire as it was cruising about seventeen nautical miles offshore to the coast of Agropoli, in the Cilentan Coast of the Tyrrhenian sea to the South of Naples, on the late morning of Thursday ninth October.  The Maltese flagged super yacht which also had sixteen persons onboard between crew and guests was assisted by two Guard Costiera vessels departing from Agropoli and Marina di Camerrota respectively, both of them carrying Vigili dell Fuoco fire fighting squads. The crew with assistance from a nearby boater also tried to control the fire before the Italian Guardia Costiera Coast Guard arrived, but had no success.  When the Guardia Costiera arrived the first operation was putting the sixteen persons to safety, and then to control the fire, which they did with success.  Following this the classic super yacht, which was handicapped and without power was towed to the harbour of Salerno, arriving there at 02:00 early hours of the following day.  For the towing operation to the harbour, the Port Captaincy of Salerno ordered that the Vigili del Fuoco squad remain onboard, due to the high risk of the fire re-igniting.  The blaze was reported as starting and confined to the engine room, as the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Motor Yacht Espadarte is a custom 50 meters as build by Portugal's Arsenal do Alfeite yard in 1968, to military specifications and exterior design by Jorge d’Almeida Araujo.  Espadarte has had some high profile owners over the years, from its first commissioner which was reported but never confirmed to be the then Prime Minister of the Estado Novo regime of Portugal.  After the fall of Portugal's New Order in 1974 the yacht was sold to Saudi-based Sheikh Mouffak al-Midani, who will in the nineties sell to Greek TV station and shipowner John Karageorgis.  Espadarte was last refitted by Lusben in 2018.

Fairline Yacht Ends Aground in Bitez Aktur, Turkey

A twenty meter Fairline yacht ended aground and beached in Bitez Aktur, Bodrum district, Turkey on the early morning hours of Friday third October.  The yacht ended aground while at anchor and drifted to shore, as all those onboard including the skipper were asleep.  The Fairline yacht was reported to have sustained little to no damages from the grounding, also because it ended bow first in soft sand. Following checks the yacht was then later in the morning towed back to deep water.  No injuries were reported from the incident.

The yacht in this accident is a Fairline Squadron 68 Mk.3 as designed by Alberto Mancini and produced since 2022.  The Squadron 68 Mk.3 was a replacement to  the Fairline Squadron 68 Mk.2.

Carver Yacht Ends Aground in Sarasota, Florida

A fifteen meter Carver aft cabin cruiser ended aground near Big Pass Sarasota, Florida for a story shared on Florida Gulf Coast Marine Services YouTube channel on September thirtieth.  The yacht ended aground on a sandbar, with the clock ticking against an easier removal as lower tide was actually following.  Florida Gulf Coast Marine Services will actually manage to remove the yacht from the sand bar, and a bigger headache for removal, and after some checking the yacht leaves with it's own power.  

The Carver yacht in this grounding is a 500 Cockpit Motor Yacht as produced from 1996 to 1998.  Based on the 455 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht but extended with a sea level cockpit the 500 Cockpit Motor Yacht was the largest Carver on it's debut, and then evolved into the 504 Cockpit Motor Yacht and produced for another two years.