August 20, 2023

Express Sportfish with Nine Persons Runs Aground in Wanchese

A twelve meter express sportfish cruiser with nine persons onboard ended aground near Wanchese, North Carolina at 18:45 of Saturday nineteen August.  US Coast Guard Oregon Inlet responded to the distressed sportfish with the vessel breaching its hull in its port rudder mount as well as dislodging their port drive shaft. TowBoatUS later came on the scene and with dewatering pumps and some temporary repairs, towed the express sportfish for a haul out and then eventful repairs to a nearby boat yard.
The boat in this grounding is a 43 foot open express sportfish, and looking to be of a custom construction probably from one of the less known builders of the Carolina area.

Classic Boat Fire in Ostia, Rome

A nine meter classic sport cruiser with one person onboard went ablaze in between Fiumicino and Ostia, on 18:30 hours of Saturday nineteen August.  The one person onboard after jumping off the boat in the sea was saved by the Fiumiara river police, and at a later stage a fire fighting squad came to the scene with two boats assisted by the Guardia Costiera, turning off the fire before 20:00 hours, but after this the boat sank.  No pollution was made with the fuel tank being recovered, and the boat refloated a day later.  
The classic boat in this fire is a Zarcos 9/m Sport designed by Renato Sonny Levi for hull and exterior by Franco Harrauer and produced in the early to mid seventies.  The 9/m Sport was an evolution of the 8/m and C.V. 500 models.  
Zarcos acronym for Scorza, the surname of the boat builder owner debuted in around 1967 trusting its production to Levi's design, and the pioneering lamellar construction, glued wood at an acute angle to form a solid strong laminate.  Zarcos became popular in the seventies and in that decade also expanded from the first seven meters up to a 21 meter flagship which debuted in 1976.  Zarcos is believed to having closed in the early eighties, with the 13/m and 15/m VIP models becoming popular beyond there production run.

Greenwich Police Rescue Sinking Sport Cruiser

 
Greenwich Police rescued a nine meter sport cruiser with five persons onboard which was taking on water and sinking near Great Captain Island, on Long Island Sound on the early afternoon of Saturday nineteen August, 2023.  Greenwich Police said the department's Marine Section 139 located the sport cruiser, and with the help of dewatering pumps saved her from sinking, and then towed the vessel to Beacon Point Marine to be lifted out of the water.  Following this and an inspection it showed the sport cruiser did not hit anything and had a hose come loose in the bilge, which was the cause of the vessel taking on water. Ultimately the boat was saved and none of the five onboard were injured.
The sport cruiser in this near sinking is an Australian made Mustang 3200 Widebody SC as produced in the late nineties.  Mustang was founded in 1974 and was bought by Maritimo in 2010 to then be closed down in around 2014.

Van der Valk New Web Site

Van der Valk presents its new web site.  Van der Valk was founded in 1967 by Wim Van der Valk, with the initial success coming from building cabin and aft cabin cruisers from seven to ten meters in length of steel and aluminium.  In the 1970s Van der Valk continued its rise, introducing popular models as the Valkkruiser, Comfort, Royal, Falcon, and Super Falcon.  This success was continued when in the mid eighties Van der Valk launched the Vitesse series, and again in the nineties with the introduction of the Continental series.  In the 2000s Van der Valk started a collaboration with Guido de Groot, today added with further collaborations with Vripack, Cor D. Rover and Ginton.  In 2013 Van der Valk launched its largest build to date with the Trawler 36.80m hull no. WV0106, designed by Guido de Groot with naval architecture by Ginton.  Still managed by Wim its founder, Van der Valk operates from its production complex in Waalwijk which includes a sixty meter long aluminium construction hall, three assembly halls, painting hall, warehouse, production office, and a paved open dock which has 7000 sqm of land area and 120 meters of mooring space.  Van der Valk has in the last ten to fifteen years transformed itself to a semi-custom and custom boutique builder offering four ranges; Raised Pilothouse, Flybridge, Beachclub, Explorer, and Custom build to order line.  Currenly Van der Valk has four units under construction; starting from a Flybridge 21.27m, and going to the 35m Project Samba.  For 2023 Van der Valk has just launched the custom Pilot 34m.  Van der Valk website is available in English, German, and Dutch language and takes you around with the following buttons; Yachts, Fleet, Global, and Menu.  Van der Valk is also on social media with link buttons appearing at the bottom of the menu page taking you to its Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, and Instagram pages. 
Production History; (semi-production only)
Beach Club 660 2020- (3

August 19, 2023

Lobsterman Saves Two Persons from Boat Fire

A lobsterman fisherman saved two boaters from a fourteen meter traditional inspired cruiser titled m/y Titan which went ablaze, some nautical miles off Sequin Island, in the coast of Georgetown, Maine on the late morning of Saturday nineteen August.  It took about an hour for the coast guard rescue vessel to arrive in the scene, and with the tender also burned, if it was not for the several lobsterman which answered the call we might be looking for two persons in the water.  The traditional lobster cruiser totally burned down in less to an hour, and sank in about sixty meters of water.  One of the two man suffered some minor burning injuries, with both men taken back to the dock.  The Coast Guard said it will inspect the scene and try to find what caused the boat fire. 
M/y Titan the traditional lobster boat inspired cruiser in this fire is a Sabre Salon Express 48 as produced since 2011. The Sabre 48 was also added with a Fly Bridge version in 2016.

Sport Cruiser Burns in Capri

A sport cruiser of about eight meters in length with one person onboard went ablaze, while berthed in Capri's Marina Piccola, at 15:45 of Saturday nineteen August.  The person onboard the sport cruiser was reported to be a mechanic, working on an engine when fire started to come out from under the dash in the helm station.  Immediate the response of Capri's Marina Piccola berth assistance personnel, who first unmoored the sport cruiser, and towed her away to open sea where she burned down and sank.  A fire fighting squad also assisted in the boat fire, with a medical team coming to help the injured with burns mechanic who was taken to hospital for observation.
The sport cruiser in this fire is a Chaparral 290 Signature as produced from 2004 to 2009.  The Chaparral 290 Signature evolved from the 280 with a different stern and tad longer bathing platform, becoming a second generation 290 with upper port holes and other minor design changes in 2010.

New Launch: Codecasa 58 Hull C127

Codecasa Shipyard is pleased to announce the launching of the new 58 meter Hull C127, which took place on the morning of Friday seventh July at their production facility of Viareggio. Titled m/y Kathryn C127 is a steel hull and aluminium superstructure super yacht of 58 meters of length over all with a modern and elegant profile, and exceptional technical performance. The technical team of Codecasa is in fact very proud of the results achieved for this super yacht with a refined and gritty line. The super yacht features a displacement hull optimized with the best techniques currently available to reach and exceed the threshold of twenty knots at light displacement, powered by twin Caterpillar engines with a range of six thousand nautical miles at twelve knots. C127 features all inhouse naval architecture by Codecasa, while her design was born from the close collaboration with the well-known architecture studio M2 Atelier in Milan. Codecasa 58 Hull C127 features an interior with an owner’s stateroom, one Vip suite and four guests suites. Crew accommodation is for a captain's cabin and six double crew cabins. Codecasa C127 features some standout features like the comfortable lift serving all decks, a beach area astern with a folding shell door that becomes a swimming platform, a Gym, and a splash pool of eight squared meters on the Sun Deck.
Technical Data:
LOA - 57.75 m (189.4ft)
Beam - 10.5 m
Draft - 3.20 m
Displacement - 830 t
Fuel Capacity - 150,000 l
Water Capacity - 30,000 l
Accommodation - twelve guests in six cabins, thirteen crew in seven cabins
Engines - 2 x Cats 3516E 3386hp
Propulsion - line shaft with five blade class S propellers
Speed - twenty knots max, twelve knots cruise
Range - six thousand nautical miles at cruise
Hull Shape - displacement
Construction - steel AH36 hull, aluminium 5083 H111/H321 super structure
Project - M2 Atelier design, Codecasa naval architecture
Certification - Lloyds 100A1 SSC Yacht Mono G6 LMC+UMS Part A full compliant

August 18, 2023

Boat Sinks Near Stintino

A traditional motor cruiser of about eight meters in length with one passenger onboard sank near Punta Negra, to the North of Stintino, North West of Sardinia on 05:00 hours of eighteen August.  The cases of the sinking are not reported, though some unconfirmed reports are saying the traditional cruiser hit the reef of Punta Negra and probably to try and save the boat decided to beach it.  The one crew was helped by nearby boaters, and then assisted by the Guardia Costiera and Fire Fighters of the area. The man was later transported by the coast guard to Stintino.
The boat in this sinking is a Sagene 28 a pilot boat inspired motor cruiser as produced from around the mid eighties till the nineties.  The Sagene 28 was a  natural evolution and replacement to the Bargo 4.

Project: Apreamare Maestro 88

Apreamare reveals preview images for a new full-custom semi-planning super yacht destined to change the way to experience the sea: surprising volumes, timeless elegance, and superior quality of life on board, united by that sense of safety and reliability that has always distinguished the Maestro line, now masterfully reinterpreted by the Casali-Tagliavini duo. Great projects, like stories, can arise by chance, from the passionate and joyful intuitions of its protagonists, so it is in art or science, as in boating as well. This is the case for the Maestro line by Apreamare, which traces its origins to a restaurant in Genoa during the 2005 Boat Show, when the first sketches were drawn on a piece of paper. The fervent and creative mind of Cataldo Aprea conceived a motor-yacht to navigate with a modern live aboard comfort, with great style. The success of the Maestro line, the 82 sold ten units in a production run which lasted ten years from 2008 to 2020 has inspired a new challenge for the Sorrento-based shipyard, addressed to architect Marco Casali and Umberto Tagliavini as naval architect. The challenge came from a repeat Apreamare owner, eager for a larger yacht capable of guaranteeing long and safe voyages in tough conditions and a superior quality of life on board. After the initial evaluation, the shipyard and owner converged for a new flagship of over 27 metres in overall length, while remaining below the 24-metre regulatory threshold, and thus, the new Maestro 88 is born, fully customized with a semi-planning hull. While she strongly recalls the family-feeling of the previous Maestro line, the new 88 introduces innovative solutions and a fresh interpretation of style, form, and liveability, just like the new Gozzo line. Starting from design imperatives and stylistic cornerstones, which form the basis for the large and liveable cockpit and the unmistakably coordinated exteriors and interiors, Umberto Tagliavini proposed a dedicated hull geometry to tame the sea, even in adverse weather conditions, ensuring the complete safety and comfort of guests on board. Departing from her sisters in the previous Maestro line, rather than committing to planning hull, the Maestro 88 will feature a semi-planning keel optimized to cruise at eighteen knots in absolute comfort, with the possibility for a 23 knots as maximum speed. Regarding propulsion options, Apreamare Maestro 88 will come with twin Man 1600hp engines as standard, with eight thousand litres of fuel for a range up to one thousand nautical miles at ten knots. For Maestro 88 hull one, the owner chose the larger engines of twin 2,000hp Man which increase top speed by five knots. The external lines, endowed with great elegance and visual impact by the hand of Marco Casali, continuously dialogue with the indoor, which were designed to experience all around views of the sea. Compromises were not permitted in this project, resulting in continuous and direct visual contact with the outdoor. The connection with the marine element finds its natural quintessence on the large aft deck, in the bow lounge, across the sprawling beach club and through the long sliding glass windows. The expansive glazing also characterize the hull for a good part of its length, sending lots of light below deck, bringing out the chromatic games, and embellishing the marine reflections which are projected into the interiors. To solidify the sense of enhanced safety, a bow high above the water has been designed with an 80 cm rail, a pleasant frame to protect free circulation onboard, and for greater freedom of movement on deck. On the flybridge numerous spaces are to be dedicated to relaxation and boasting an elegant galley module with wet-bar, a T-Top with a light and captivating design stands out. The entire surface area of this part is covered with solar panels to power the onboard systems. For the entertainment of guests or for romantic getaways, the transom garage can house a four-metre tender and numerous water toys. The interiors are fully personalized, customizable in the number of cabins, furnishings and concept. Hull number one of the Maestro 88 will be launched with four suites, a studio and relaxation corner with an electric piano, but future owners have the option for up to five guest cabins and two for crew to accommodate a total of four. The flexibility of the Maestro 88 is a further confirmation of the Apreamare construction philosophy, operating as a “boutique” shipyard, capable of responding to any need for customization through an infinite choice of materials, essences, fabrics and colours, and thanks to the skilled hands of the internal workers, who are real artisans of excellence.

August 17, 2023

Fairline Yacht Burns Down in Krestovsky Island St. Petersburg

A 22 meter Fairline motor yacht burned and eventually sank in Krestovsky Island yacht marina, in the North West of St. Petersburg, Russia on the morning of Thursday seventeen August. Tens of fire fighters rushed to scene in both land and sea ways to control the fire with no success.  According to the reports the yacht burned when it was trying to start a generator. No one was injured in the fire, and other boats seem to have not been involved. Videos on social media pages show how the yacht quickly burned down from top to bottom in a space of fifteen minutes. The yacht semi-sank after the fire though it is considered a wreck to dispose off.
The Fairline in this fire is a Squadron 74 as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 2003 to 2007.  The Squadron 74 was Fairline flagship at launch, selling 29 units in four years, before evolving into the Squadron 78 Custom in 2008 and selling another 86 units till 2018, making it one of the most sold yachts in its size.