Motor Yacht Saved from Sinking in Malta

A 20 meter motor yacht with ten persons onboard was saved from sinking at around 0900 hours of Sunday tenth July in the limits of Munxar, near St. Thomas bay, Marsascala to the South East of the island of Malta.  The guests onboard went into panic as a passing by kayaker advised them  that the yacht looks getting low aft and is taking on water.  Immediate the assistance of the Malta Civil Protection and Sea-Patrol who took the guests to safety and with a high pressure water pump saved the yacht from taking further water and sink.  

This motor yacht is a Cantieri di Pisa Akhir 20 S from 1990.  Designed by Pier Luigi Spadolini, the Akhir 20 S has an interior with three double cabins, and a crew cabin, and powered by twin Man 1100hp reaches speeds up to thirty knots.  The Akhir 20 S was semi-custom build to order from 1990 till mid late nineties and was offered as all Pisa models of the time in both fiberglass and or wood build option. The Akhir series from Cantieri di Pisa designed up until the early 2000s by Spadolini was a trend setter in yacht design from the first eighteen meter model launched in 1972 to the S series evolution which launched with the 22 S in 1986.

Super Sport Yacht Sinks Near Bodrum

A super sport yacht named Alien of 24 meters in length sank in unknown circumstances in Gundogan Kizilburun, to the North of Bodrum in Turkey on the morning of Sunday tenth July.  The super sport yacht had apparently anchored at night in the area, when in the morning the yacht started to take in water and later sank. Reports are saying that at the time of sinking the owner of the Super Sport Yacht was not onboard, with it being boarded by Turkish personality Hakan Sabanci and his girlfriend plus crew.  Hakan has apparently used this yacht for his Turkish vacation in previous years. 

Alien is an Italian Yachts 80 Jaguar Sport designed by Robert Angel.  Presented in 2009 the 80 Jaguar, was an evolution of FP Yachts Jaguar 24 Sport, with accommodation for eight guests in four cabins with two crew cabins sleeping four, and was powered by twin MTU 1800hp which with surface drives propulsion gave her top speed up to 42 knots max.  The 80 Jaguar was produced till 2013 when Italian Yachts founded in 2008 closed its doors accused of tax evasion. 

Sportfish Yacht Sinks in Pensacola Pass

A sixteen meter sportfish yacht with nine persons onboard sank while entering the Pensacola Pass, on the morning of ninth June just after 1030 hours.  The yacht hit the USS Massachusetts artificial reef located one an half miles which in low tide is tricky and a navigational hazard, damaging its starboard rudder, and prop shaft to take on water and started sinking.  Hearing the MayDay Pensacola Coast Guard sent a thirteen meter Response Boat which was patrolling the area, who assisted the crew in just ten minutes after the call, and led all nine persons to safety.  The sportfish located near the Massachusetts still partly floating was a navigational hazard and was reported as lost on the twelfth July, that is until the yacht finally was found and salvaged on the morning of fourteenth July. 

The sportfish in this sinking is a second generation Ocean Yachts 50 Super Sport, released in 2004 and still offered today.  The 50 Super Sport replaced the best selling 48 and became popular for its three cabins layout, and comfortable medium-V hull shape closing at 15.5 degrees.  The Ocean Yachts 50 Super Sport is standard powered with twin Cats 715hp, optional up to 1015hp, reaching speeds up to 35 knots with the last large engine option.

Motor Yacht Sinks and Destroyed in North Corsica

An Italian flagged nineteen meter Sanlorenzo motor yacht with three persons onboard sank when hitting various reefs in the Desert Agriates, in North Corsica on the morning of seventh July.  Immediate assistance to the crew onboard the yacht came from the French coast guard Agriates 2 rib, with a ship which was in the area also helping in the operation to take the three persons to safety.  Following this the coast guard with assistance from SNSM diving crew tried to remove the vessel from the reefs with no luck, which with the strong winds and rough seas of the night and following day and the yacht stuck into between reefs destroying it into various parts.  According to initial investigation no pollution was generated from the accident.

The yacht in this accident is a Sanlorenzo 62, designed by Franco Dellarolle and produced from 1994 to 99.  The Sanlorenzo 62 offered three double cabins, with one crew cabin aft, and an Italian style main deck with separate galley behind the pilot house and is powered by twin Man 1100hp, which give speeds up to 31 knots.  The 62 was Sanlorenzo entry level model, replacing the 57 on which it is based and was also the first SL with the sloop stern, later added to all the models.  The 62 also had a 1997 evolution with the central mast replaced by the integrated radar arch.  Over twenty units of the 62 where made with Sanlorenzo building only to order and about ten boats per year.  Sanlorenzo reintroduced a redesigned SL62 with different stern in 2005 produced till 2014. 

Ferretti Super Yacht Sinks Off Chub Cay Bahamas

A 25 meter Ferretti super yacht, hit a reef and sank off Chub Cay, in the Bahamas on third July 2022.  Four persons where onboard the super yacht on the time of sinking, with all being rescued and no one reported to be injured.  The Ferretti super yacht hit a reef and sank in the shallow area which marks all around the Chub Cay island to the North of the Bahamas.  Reports are coming that this Ferretti super yacht was being lifted and towed to a yard on the morning of 8 July.  

The 25 meter Ferretti in this sinking is the popular 830 model, presented in 2006 and produced till 2011.  Designed by since 1990 till 2018 Ferretti designer Zuccon the 830 offered a four double cabins plus two crew cabin interior.  The Ferretti 830 was powered by twin MTU 1823hp or 1948hp, with the large engines giving speeds up to 33 knots.  42 Ferretti 830 have been made, with the model developing and extended in length to become the 870 in 2012.

Ferretti Super Yacht Sinks Near Paxos

A 27 meter Ferretti super yacht titled Green Whisper with three persons onboard hit the Yfalos Panagia reef while cruising between the Island of Paxos and mainland Greece, on the morning of second July.  After the collision the Greek sent three boats to assist the crew, and put the vessel to safety. After the collision the super yacht was tilting to port side due to the damage sustained to that underwater side of the hull.  With the crew safe and taken to the port of Gaios for a health check, the Greek Coast Guard marked the yacht and the area, for safety to other navigators.  Green Whisper was recovered on the eight July.

Green Whisper is a Ferretti 880 model from 2005 designed by Zuccon with a four double cabins and two crew cabin lower deck layout.  This Ferretti 880 was powered by twin MTU 2030hp which give it a top speed up to 31 knots. Ferretti built fourteen 880 from 2003 till 2006, with the model becoming the 881 with hull window upgrades from 2007 till 2012, and then some other thirty units being made.  Ferretti's flagship model from 2003 till 2012 the 880 and 881 was replaced by the 960 as the brands largest model in 2013.  Ferretti also offered an RPH raised pilot house version of the 880/881.

Ferretti Super Yacht Hits Reef and Sinks Off Turkey

A 26 meter Ferretti Super Yacht hit a shallow underwater reef off the Eastern side of Doganbey Island in the coast of Seferihisar Western Turkey, and started sinking on the morning of 29 June at around 1100 local time.  Ten people where onboard the super yacht when it started to take on water, with the Turkish coast guard immediately assisting and taking the passengers to safety on shore land, and later in the day starting salvaging operations.  The Ferretti Custom Line super yacht was reported saved from total sinking the night of the same day.

The super yacht in this accident is a Ferretti Custom Line Navetta 26, titled Kapky build in 2009.  Designed by Zuccon and presented in 2007, the Navetta 26 is the smallest from Ferretti's off shot super yacht Custom Line brand which launched in 1996 and presented its first model the 94 in 1998.  The Navetta 26 offered four or five double cabins accommodation with two crew cabins, and was powered by twin Man 900hp or 1100hp engines which gave her top speed up to sixteen knots with the large engines.  Eleven Navetta 26 have been reported made up till 2010, with the model replaced by the updated 26 Crescendo.

Classic Alalunga Hits Mirabello Quay

A 22 meter Alalunga motor yacht crashed into the fuel quay of Mirabello marina at around 1830 hours of Sunday 12 June.  The reports say that the accident was done on purpose by the captain to save the yacht from sinking as it was taking on water on its way to entering the Spezia harbor. Unconfirmed reports are saying the yacht was taking in water due to a broken seacock, while others are reporting it hit something on the way into the Spezia harbor.  Thanks to this risky maneuver from the captain and immediate May-Day call for assistance, and help from the Italian coast guard and fire fighting squads of La Spezia the yacht was reported as saved from sinking at about 2200 hours of the same day.  

The yacht in this accident is a Spertini Alalunga 22 from 1980 powered by twin 900hp MTU engines.  Introduced in 1975 and produced till the end of the eighties the Alalunga 22 came from a design of Aldo Cichero and was build of wood and to custom order, and was an evolutionary innovative motor yacht in its time, with a four double cabins lower deck layout and two crew cabins. 

Abandoned and Sunk in Rosslyn Bay

Some stories are beyond understanding and this is one of them for this 23 meter Azimut motor yacht titled M/Y Hey Mon which sank in Rosslyn Bay Marina, East of Rockhampton, in Queensland Australia on the eleven of May after hitting its bottom.  Hey Mon was anchored for over a week in Rosslyn bay, but the Azimut motor yacht lost its anchor hold with winds on the day reaching thirty knots and beaching the yacht at Lammeroor Beach.  Mostly because in all photos the main deck was always above the water.  A few days later the yacht ended beached, with parts from the yacht and it's toys, ended up scattered on the beach.

Hey Mon has had a colorful history in recent times, first being kicked out of a marina and ending up blocked on the Sundale bridge and damaging the radar arch in the process, then ending up beached in Bums Bay boat ramp.  Unfortunately this last event at Rosslyn Bay might be this yacht final nail in the coffin, with the yacht gutted in several pieces for removal on the 24th May.  

This Azimut motor yacht titled Hey Mon registered under Jamaican flag is a 78 Ultra model built in 1995. Released in 1993 and produced till 2000 the 78 Ultra was Stefano Righini first design for Azimut, a relationship which will last till 2017 and the Italian designer retirement from his duties.  For being Righini's first the 78 Ultra is an important milestone in Azimut history and success.  The 78 Ultra features an interior of four double guest, plus two crew cabins, and was powered by twin MTU 1150hp or Cats 1250hp which made her reach top speed up to about 28 knots.  The Azimut 78 Ultra evolved into the 85 Ultimate in 2000. 

Benetti Super Yacht Saved by US Coast Guard

A 44 meter Benetti super yacht was saved from sinking by the US Coast Guard while it was 45 nautical miles to the North West of Grays Harbor, Washington on the morning of seventh May.  The Benetti super yacht had problems in the closing of its transom door, leaving its garage beach club open and filling with sea water from rough seas, this resulting in the evacuation and safety of the seven persons onboard.  The super yacht was a day later on the eight May towed to safety by the 210 foot USCG Cutter Active further North to the entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  None of the persons onboard and of the safety operation team suffered any injuries.

This Benetti is a 145 Vision titled M/Y Domani was launched in 2004 to a design of Stefano Righini exterior, and Francois Zuretti doing the interior.  The Benetti 44 meter Vision semi-custom series was produced from 2002 till 2014 with seventeen units sold.  The Vision 145 was usually powered by twin Cat 1300hp engines which give her top speeds up to fifteen knots and cruise of fourteen, and a range of up to four thousand nautical miles.   The interior of the 145 Vision offered accommodation for ten guests in five suites, and crew accommodation for nine persons in five cabins.

Sixty foot Motor Yacht Beaches in Woolgoolga

A motor yacht of eighteen meters in length ended up beached in Woolgoolga in Queensland, Australia on the morning of twelfth February.  The motor yacht was reported having an assistance tow by the Marine Area Police Force of Coffs Harbour in the evening of the eleventh at the entrance of Coffs Outer Harbour when the vessel started to take on water. At this point Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour Patrol intervened and went out to the rescue of the two persons onboard, and had to cut the towing rope, which eventually led to the yacht surviving the sinking and finding itself beached in Woolgoolga.  Salvage operations of the flybridge motor yacht where being held on Sunday 13th February.

The motor yacht in this accident is a Longreef 60 SX, build in China for an Australian firm.  Coming from an inhouse design, naval architect by John Butler, and interior design by Andy Young the Longreef 60 SX model was launched in Summer 2018, and features an interior with three double cabins plus one crew cabin.  Standard power comes from twin Cummins 600hp engines which give a top speed to the semi displacement hull shape of twenty knots.  

Longreef was founded in 2017 and the 60 SX is the second model of its range, following the 50 SX.  A 90 SX with two units on order is currently being build in China.

Hunga Tonga Tsunami 2022

On 14 January the volcano on the Hunga Tonga uninhabited island, part of the Tongan archipelago in the Southern Pacific ocean erupted.  The eruption created a big Tsunami with waves reaching a height up to fifteen meters, and in this process is reported to have killed three persons, injured a lot of people, and many remain missing.  Hunga Tonga is located about 35 nautical miles North of Tongatapu, but the Tsunami also travelled afar in the Pacific Ocean, and doing damage from New Zealand, to Japan, and as far as South and North America. 

The above picture is taken in a Marina in New Zealand which seemed to be one of the most where boats and yacht sustained damages. In this particular marina some small and medium sized boats also sank, with boaters complaining that no alarm or advise was made.  

Classic Benetti Ends Aground in Eboli

A 24 meter Benetti yacht named m/y Mensh II under Polish flag with a French national Spanish resident ownership ended beached on the beach of Campolungo, in Eboli following a storm on the night between second and third December.  Mensh II was reported travelling from Marina di Camerota, South West of the Italian Tyrrhenian sea returning to Spain on the night when it hit the storm, first stopping in an emergency at Foce Sele, where with the help of the Agropoli Coast Guard dropped its passengers to safety, for it and some hours later ending up beached in Campolungo.  The cause of the beaching was reported to be loss of power to both engines.  

As at Summer 2022 Mensh II was still beached, and looted of anything of value, with the Eboli local council looking for the ownership to organize and or pay for the removal of the Benetti 24 meter motor yacht from the Campolungo beach.  

M/y Mensh II is a Benetti 23M S build in 1983 with accommodation for nine guests in four cabins, and four crew in two.  Benetti sold eight 23S, a project which was presented as 22S in 1975, with the first unit delivered in 1977 and the last one in 1983.  Build of steel with an alloy upper structure the Benetti 23S is powered by twin Man or GM 550hp as standard or optional 650hp.  Mensh II was reportedly last sold in December 2017, after a thirty year ownership. The Benetti 23M S shared its hull platform with FB 22, which while still featuring two and half decks, offered classic looks outside.

Classic Bertram Sinks in Fort Lauderdale

 

An eighteen meter classic Bertram sportfish yacht sank in the evening of thirty November while in its mooring on the Miami river, Fort Lauderdale.  The eighteen meter Bertram sank due to the neglect of recent years, with some reports stating it was not used and rotting in its slip for about ten years.  The day after to the sinking on the first December the yacht was taken and salvaged to the Bradford Yacht Service in Fort Lauderdale. 

The Bertram in this photo is a 60 model, an evolution of the top selling 54 in length.  The 60 was produced from 1992 to 2002, and like the 54 and all Bertram's from 1972 till 1998 is designed by Dave Napier. The Bertram 60 like the 54 is renowned for having one of the best seaworthy hulls ever made. Napier modified Vee hull in the seventies was a change deep forefoot entry of forty degrees plus modifying to a closing medium Vee.  This hull design unlike a full deep Vee makes planning easier at slower speeds, and as a fishing platform rolls less in slow trolling on beamy seas   The Bertram 60 had an interior of three double cabins and three heads, with a rare four cabins option.  Power usually came from GM or Cat engines of 1300 to 1450hp allowing for top speeds up to the mid thirties with the large option.  In 1997 Studio Faggioni from Italy updated the interior and tiny bits of the exterior in the Bertram 60, creating the second generation series.   The Bertram 60 was replaced by the Zuccon designed 630 in 2003.

Riviera Partly Sinks in Garden Island Perth

An eighteen meter Riviera motor yacht partly sank when cruising around Garden Island, Perth in the morning of seventeen November after hitting a reef off the coast and damaging its hull.  After this the Riviera motor yacht began to take on water, which at some point filled all the aft part and cockpit of the hull.  Beside a shock no injuries where reported to the crew in the accident and the Riviera motor yacht was the day after salvaged and taken to a boat yard for repairs.

This Riviera in the accident is a 53 Enclosed Flybridge a project of Alex Dowd, Riviera head designer.  Offering an interior with three double cabins plus a two crew lower deck layout, the Riviera 53 Enclosed Flybridge is powered by twin Volvo 900hp or triple 435 both with IPS pod drives, and or twin Cats 1015hp in shafts.  The Riviera 53 Enclosed Flybridge reached speeds up to 35 knots with Volvo 900hp and IPS pod drives.   Produced from 2011 up to 2016 Riviera build 36 of the 53 Enclosed Flybridge, wit the model evolving into the 57 Enclosed Flybridge in 2016, thanks to a redesigned upper structure and hull extension of thirty centimeters.

Captain Saves Sunseeker from Big Damage

A seventeen meter Sunseeker sport yacht was saved from a catastrophe by its captain, as wind turned high in Rhodes, Greek Aegean island on the night of 23rd September.  The Sunseeker was at anchor when high winds broke its anchorage and the chain got tangled in the propellers.  The captain seeing all this used the William jet tender to tow and beach the Sunseeker in sand.

The Sunseeker in this accident is a Predator 57 model.  Released in 2015 the Predator 57 is fully enclosed hard top sport yacht offering a three double cabins interior plus a crew cabin.   An interesting feature of the Predator 57 is the full opening of the aft patio door, with drop down doors which vanish in the flooring of the yacht and integrate the exterior saloon with the interior.  The Sunseeker Predator 57 is powered by engines up to twin 1000hp in shafts drives, and or Volvo 725hp with IPS pod drives.  The Predator 57 was a success selling over seventy units in a production run of five years, with the model evolving into the Mark. II in 2017 and then developing as the Predator 60 Evo in 2020.

Hatteras Yacht Partially Sinks in Middle Bass Island

Heavy winds hindered and grounded a seventy five feet Hatteras motor yacht on Middle Bass Island on Lake Erie on the morning of twelfth September.  The cause of the accident are unknown but reports are claiming that the yacht lost its power and ended grounded and with this doing damage to the hull bottom beneath the engine room.  Unfortunately the yacht has also discharged some oil pollution from its fuel vents.  The owner was assisted by the Marine Coast Guard Safety of Detroit, Toledo section.  The Hatteras yacht was salvaged on 17 September.

The yacht in this accident is a Hatteras 75 Cockpit Motor Yacht which was released in year 2000 and produced till 2003.  Measuring over 23 meters in length the 75 Cockpit Motor Yacht offered a spacious full body main deck, and a lower deck sleeping seven up to ten in a four or five cabins and four different lower deck layout arrangement choices.  The Hatteras 75 Cockpit Motor Yacht is powered by twin Cats 1400hp, or Detroit 1480hp engines.  The Hatteras 75 Cockpit Motor Yacht, also known as the 75 Series for its two variants was also available as the Sports Deck version without the lowered aft cockpit deck.       

Classic Italian Yacht Sinks in Scarlino

A classic Italian Cantieri di Pisa Akhir motor yacht of nineteen meters in length sank while moored in its berth at Marina di Scarlino on the afternoon of 30th August.  The cause of the sinking are unknown but some reports say that the cause was for a failed exhaust.  The Akhir motor yacht was reported unattended at the time of the sinking, and is reported to have touched the bottom, with some fuel liquids being dispersed during the sinking.  The yacht was salvaged couple days later.  Marina di Scalino is located in the South Central part of Tuscany in front of Elba island.

This Cantieri di Pisa Akhir is a 19 model, which was build of wood.  Designed by Pier Luigi Spadolini the 19 was launched in 1973 and was the second model of the first generation Akhir series, which with the soft curved 28 meter presented in 1979 evolved into its second generation.  The Akhir 19 featured a three double cabins layout, with three heads two of which ensuite, a full beam midships room for the owner, and a crew cabin sleeping two forward.  Weighting at about 33 tons loaded and powered by twin GM 675hp it reach top speeds up to 27 knots and a cruise of 24, and with a fuel capacity of 4600 litres had a range of  about five hundred nautical miles.  The Akhir 19 evolved in the more clean lined but similar 20 model in 1983, and also had a similar 16.50 smaller sister, also launched in 1973 and recognizable by the central radar arch.

Princess Sport Yacht Sinks in Cap de St. Tropez

A Princess sport yacht of about sixteen meters in length ended on the reef of Cap de St.Tropez on the morning of 28th August. The causes of the incident are unknown and not reported, as Cap de St. Tropez is fairly visible on the charts and during day light, though it seems that every couple of years someone ends up on it in one way or another.    

The Princess in this accident looks to be a V53 produced from 2006 till 2009, or the V56 evolution with extended bathing platform produced 2010 to 2011.  Designed as all Princess since the mid eighties by Bernard Olesinski the V53/56 offered there double cabins, master stateroom forward and two head layout.  It also offered a very spacious main deck layout, which was one of the best in the category of open sport yachts in the sixteen to seventeen meter size of that era.  The V53/56 eventually evolved to the V57 in 2012 with a midships cabin and even a better main deck layout with patio door, featuring a double dinette, inside and outside, which was at the time among the smallest sport yacht offering this.

Cranchi Sport Yacht Hits Reef Near Villasimus

A Cranchi sport yacht of fifteen meters in length hit a reef before the entrance to the Villasimus marina, located to the South of Cagliari in the island of Sardinia on the afternoon of fourteen August.  The Cranchi yacht hit the reef and in order to avoid the yacht from total sinking, the captain owner pushed it up the rocks.  With weather getting worse and the yacht sitting on the reef it eventually sustained more damage.  The crew of five was saved from the yacht.  The Cranchi yacht was salvaged and taken to Villasimus marina couple days later, though unfortunately it is deemed a total loss.  

The sport yacht in this accident is a 50 Mediterranee, a popular model from Cranchi launched in year 2000 and produced till 2009.  Designed by Andreani the Cranchi 50 Mediterranee featured a three double cabins layout, and a large garage aft with enough space for a jet tender.  The Cranchi 50 Mediterranee was initially powered by twin Volvo 480hp and then upgraded over the years to take the large 715hp and then 775hp Volvo twelve litre block engines.  The Cranchi 50 Mediterranee was also also available in the HT hard-top version onward from 2005, and was Cranchi flagship up till 2009 and the release of the Cranchi SixtyFour. Over 150 plus units have been sold of the Cranchi 50 Mediterranee model.