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.

Sportfish Runs Aground in Stuart Florida

A fifteen meter sportfish cruiser ran aground in Stuart Florida on the morning of 28 February. The sportfish cruiser finished on top of a sand bar damaging the propeller, rudder and shaft and causing a breach in the hull, with the sportfish yacht taking in water.  Quick assistance came from TowBoat U.S. who covered the hull breach with a temporary fix, and then towed the sportfish cruiser to a yard for lift up and repair.

The sportfish yacht in this grounding is a Lydia 48 Sportfish Convertible from 1988.  Lydia is a custom sportfish and commercial boat builder from Oakland, Florida founded in 1968 and continued operating till 2002.  An unknown name today Lydia was famous in the nineties for building some of the largest super sportfish custom yachts in the cold moulding method including of which are the 92 and 95 feet builds.

Sunseeker Aground in Honolua Bay Hawaii

A 28 meter Sunseeker super yacht titled m/y Nakoa ended aground in Honolua Bay, on the island of Maui, Hawaii at 06:45 hours of Monday 20 February morning.  The yacht reportedly broke its mooring lines as it was preparing to leave the bay.  Nakoa was also reported pumping out some fuel discharge in the protected area, a day later, also because the bilge pumps where left on.  Since then the bilge pumps has been turned off by the crew.  The company which owns Nakoa, Noelani Yacht Charters who also operates another smaller 23 meter Sunseeker said the accident was not due to negligence but unfortunate circumstances.  

After a couple of salvage operation attempts, Nakoa was removed from the area on Sunday March fifth, only for the operation to be a bad success with the yacht sinking during towing in a depth of 300 meters a couple nautical miles away from where it grounded. 

Nakoa is a 2004 Sunseeker 94 Yacht, a model produced from 2002 to 2006 to a Don Shead design.  The Sunseeker 94 Yacht offers a four double cabins lower deck with two crew cabins, and was powered by Cat of MTU 1800hp engines.  Sunseeker build thirteen 94 Yacht with the model replaced by the 90 Yacht in 2006.

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.

Sunseeker Saved from Sinking in Haulover

A sixteen meter Sunseeker flybridge yacht with twelve passengers aboard was saved from sinking in the famous Haulover inlet Miami Dade, Florida at 1420 hours of twelve December.  The event was fully filmed by YouTube channel Wavyboats.  The immediate positive reaction of the crew was to transfer the woman and children from the yacht to a safe location with the yachts tender.  The yacht was first assisted by TowBoatUS and later ITowBoats, with Miami Police and Miami Dade Fire Rescue coming to the scene.  ITowBoatUS in the end assisted the yacht and followed it back to a safe marina.  According to reports the Sunseeker yacht had a broken hose pipe in the engine room.

The Sunseeker yacht in this accident is a Manhattan 52 second series model.  Debuting in the fall of 2016  and replacing the 55, the second generation Manhattan 52 was a huge sales success thanks to its full beam midships staterooms.  Sunseeker sold 131 Manhattan 52 in a four year production run, and evolved the model with minor design tweaks into the 55 in the fall of 2020.

Classic Hatteras Yachts Hits Reef in Alcatraz

A classic sixteen meters Hatteras yacht hit the reef off Alcatraz island in San Francisco bay on the morning of Saturday 26 November at about 0955 hours.  The Hatteras had two people and three dogs onboard who where assisted and rescued by the the San Francisco Fire Department and US Coast Guard.  The impact left the yacht hard on the reefs with the owner working with the coast guard for recovery.  No one was injured in the accident. Once the most famous federal prison in the World, today Alcatraz island is a tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service.  

The Hatteras yacht in this accident is a 53 Yacht Fisherman series I produced from 1977 to 1981.  Based on the 53 Motor Yacht released in 1969, the Hatteras 53 Yacht Fisherman series I designed by Jack Hargrave offered an interior with two cabins, and or optional three double cabins, with an aft master cabin. The Hatteras 53 Yacht Fisherman series I was powered by twin Detroit's 450hp as standard with a top speed of about twenty knots. Due to demand Hatteras re-released a near identical 53 Yacht Fisherman series II in 1987 produced till 1990. 

Super Yacht Beaches in Doha Qatar

A 33 meter super yacht, titled m/y Lusail Queen ran aground on a sandy reef in Doha Qatar on the afternoon of Friday November eighteen.  The causes of the incident are not reported, but the yacht does look to have its anchor down, so it might be the yacht drifted while anchored.  Videos on social media show several persons onboard Lusail Queen working to mitigate the damage and organize a safe removal from the sandbar. 

M/y Lusail Queen previously named Rayyan 1 is a Gulf Craft Majesty 105 from 2013, powered by twin Cats 1924hp engines and offering guest accommodation for ten in five cabins.  Designed inhouse the Gulf Craft Majesty 105 was launched in 2012 and produced till 2017 with nine units delivered.  Lusail Queen was last sold this 2022 year.  The Majesty 105 was replaced by the 100 model in 2018.

New Orleans Yard Fire Burns Five Boats

A fire broke out at Seabrook Harbour and Marine in New Orleans, USA at around 0545 hours of the morning of Sunday thirteen November.  According to reports the fire started in the office before it moved to a dry docked yacht stored near the building.  The fire is reported to have destroyed a total of five boats, three in dry dock, and two docked in the water.  Due to the strong winds of the day the fire took over two hours to extinguish, with 21 units and fifty five fire fighters controlling and extinguishing it on 0815 local time. No injuries have been reported.  

Of the boats damaged and wrecked one is the 23 meter m/y Bougie build in 1929 as a custom commuter vessel and refitted in 2013.  Bougie actually was at Seabrook for a make up job.  An other totalled yacht is a Hatteras 65 Convertible Series I, a model the famous Carolina brand build from 1986 up to 98.  A further sportfish as in the above photo is a 1989 to 1997 Bertram 72 Convertible in enclosed bridge version which looks to have sustained some burning damage.

Sport Yacht Saved from Fire in Miami Beach Marina

A 21 meter Lazzara sport yacht with twelve persons onboard went inflames while on charter duty in Miami Beach Marina near Government Cut on Friday 28 October at around 1200 hours.  As the fire was averted the captain of the charter yacht made the guests jump in the water from the bow with assistance by a small tender who came from a nearby yacht.  Fire fighting crews rushed to the scene and saved the sport yacht from going fully ablaze, possibly living another day after an important refit.  The cause of the fire is unknown though unconfirmed news are reporting it started from a generator.  Surprisingly the guests who travelled for this retreat to Miami continued the fun on another yacht.

The sport yacht in this fire is a Lazzara LSX 75, a model the USA boat builder produced from 2006 till 2009 in fifteen units.  The Lazzara LSX 75 has interior with three double cabins, plus a crew cabin for two.  The Lazzara LSX 75 was also nick named the Quad for its innovative at the time quadruple Volvo 435hp with IPS pod drives set up, which in 2006 also made her the largest IPS pod drive yacht.  The LSX 75 was replaced by the LSX 78 in 2010.

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.

Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian is the ninth named storm and fourth hurricane of 2022.  Ian originated from a tropical wave which formed on 19 September on Windward Islands before moving to the Caribbean sea where it brought wind and heavy rain to the ABC Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and North coasts of Venezuela and Columbia on September 21-22 where it became a storm.  As it neared the Cayman Islands Ian reached hurricane grade three hitting Cuba, Southern East gulf of Mexico, and Dry Tortugas.  As it entered into Florida on 28 September Hurricane Ian hit high end grade four status, causing tremendous damage to South-West Florida especially to the cities of Fort Myers and Naples. After this damage Hurricane Ian returned to the Atlantic Ocean where it weakened for a couple of hours to a tropical storm, where it has returned to a Hurricane Two status touching the Carolinas on October one.  Hurricane Ian dissipated on second October. Hurricane Ian has killed at least 88 people, and has displaced over forty thousand.  Ian is considered the fifth deadliest storm to have hit the United States of America mainland, with sustained 75 gusting to ninety, and peaking 134 knots winds, with its heavy flooding and storm surge causing billions of US dollars in damage.

Hurricane Ian caused damage to over a hundred of boats and yachts, to what is the most boat and yacht rich state in the United States and the World; Florida.  Pictured above is the Legacy Marina in Fort Myers, so far the worst reported extensive single area damaged.  Other damage is also reported in Venice, Florida and all the canals and small marina around the area of Fort Myers. 

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.

Super Yacht Capsizes and Sinks in Kythnos

M/y 007 a 49 meter super yacht went aground and later capsized and partly sank in Kolones Bay, Kythnos island, part of the Cyclades archipelago of islands in South East Greece on the night of second September.  The super yacht reportedly ran aground breaching the hull in the process and causing a high influx of water and tilting to port side, with the yacht later capsizing about fifteen meters away from the beach.  It is said but not confirmed that the captain was trying to beach m/y 007 before it capsized.  The super yacht had five passengers at the time of the accident, which are all reported safe.  No pollution is reported.

M/y 007 is a 2006 Aegean Yachts build in Turkey to a design of Yavuz Mete.  Launched as Amazon A in 2006 as a 32 meter, she was first extended to 42 meters, and then again to its current 49 meters size.  Build of steel she is powered by twin Cats 650hp engines which give her a top speed up to twelve knots.  Refitted in 2012 and 2018, m/y 007 was last reported sold in 2012 and was not currently listed for sale.

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. 

Yacht Goes on Fire in Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club

An eighteen meter motor yacht titled Blaze went on fire at about 1600 hours of Tuesday sixteen August at Lauderdale Yacht Club.  Crew from Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue where immediately on the spot to control and fight the fire from both land and water.  The fire fighting was a success as the yacht sustained minimum damage.  The fire reportedly started to starboard of the main deck behind the helm station.  No one was injured in the fire.  

M/y Blaze is a Hampton 600 Motor Yacht a model produced from 2005 up to 2017.  The Hampton 600 Motor Yacht offered in an eighteen meters size four cabins with three heads layout, including which is a master stateroom located aft.  Hampton 600 Motor Yacht was usually powered by twin Cats 850hp engines which gave her speeds up to 25 knots.  The 600 also shared hull with the 660 Cockpit Motor Yacht.  The model was replaced by the 650 in 2018.