6 Persons Saved as Yacht is Fire Destroyed on Volga River, Russia

Six persons were saved as a 31 meter super yacht titled m/y Mechta went ablaze at Khvalynsky District, Saratov Region, on Russia’s Volga River, on the morning of Saturday sixteen August.  All six boaters, which included the owner and captain were saved, as the yacht was ultimately fire wrecked and destroyed as the above picture shows.  According to initial reports the yacht went ablaze from a short circuit.  Russian Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code, which deals with violations of water transport safety rules resulting in major damage.

M/y Mechta is a 1998 Turkish build SES Yachts 31 meter constructed in wood to a design of Sefer Yildiriim, the owner and founder of SES which he created in 1970.  Entering the yacht market in 1997 with a 31 meter, SES Yachts has since then delivered fourteen custom motor super yachts and two sailing yachts from 25 to 42 meters.

New Model: Amels 80 Limited Edition

Amels is doing the latest details for the first hull of the 80 Limited Edition semi-custom series. Pictured above is the first Amels 80 Limited Edition as she is doing her first sea trial in mid-June. The Amels 80 Limited Edition was announced in 2022 to a design of Espen Oino, with interiors by Sinot. Three years later Amels 80 Limited Edition is looking to be one of the most popular eighty meters super yacht semi custom platform with six hulls currently under construction, and follows on the footsteps of the 60 Limited Edition of which ten hulls are sold to date.  Highlights of the Amels 80 Limited Edition are a Beach Club, full Owners Deck, guests Suites located on the main deck, Tenders forward, and Sun Deck up top. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 80 m (261ft)

Beam - 12.50 m

Displacement - 2175 GT *volume

Accommodation - fourteen guests in seven rooms, 21 crew in eleven cabins

Engines - 2 x Caterpillar 3516E 2816hp plus 2 x 300kw electric motors

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - sixteen knots max, twelve knots cruise

Range - 5000 nautical miles at twelve knots

Construction - steel hull aluminium super structure

Project - Espen Oino exterior, Sinot interior

www.amelsyachting.com

Bill Healey 1927 - 2025

It is with great sorrow that Viking announce that William “Bill” J. Healey of Cape May and Mays Landing, New Jersey, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on August fourteen, 2025, at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, New Jersey. He was 97. The former president of the Viking Yacht Company in New Gretna, N.J., which he founded with his late brother Robert T. Healey Sr. on April first 1964, Bill built a boat manufacturing empire in the recreational marine industry. He relentlessly encouraged and supported legions of dedicated shipwrights who designed and manufactured luxury yachts. Bill was intense and feisty, but beneath that drive was a soft heart and a deep bond with others. He valued his team with unbounded enthusiasm and commitment, often reminding them that they did not work for Bill Healey but that they worked with Bill Healey. A source of never-ending inspiration to build a better boat every day, Bill demonstrated his love for his boatbuilders by standing at the door every evening to thank and wish them a good night as they left the factory. He not only knew the names of hundreds of Viking’s carpenters, electricians, mechanics, designers, metal craftsmen, fiberglass workers and outfitters, but often of their family members as well. He cared for his Viking family, creating a factory health department that provided employees and their families free on-site medical care in addition to the company’s traditional health benefits. Bill was instrumental in modernizing the yacht-building business. He was ahead of his time, designing a tri-generation facility in the plant to provide power for its electrical, air-conditioning and heating needs. He built and installed a wastewater treatment plant, invested in a $1 million five-axis CNC (computer numerical control) router to design and shape parts and components for the factory and the boats, and added solar panels on the roofs of several buildings for additional clean power. Although Bill retired in October 2013, turning the throttles over to his son Patrick, he continued a daily presence at the New Gretna facility to the delight of old and new customers he would meet at the factory.

Pershing Yacht Saved from Fire in Yalikavak Bay, Bodrum Turkey

 

A 26 meter Pershing super sport yacht titled m/y Boboo was saved from fire at Yalikavak Bay, Bodrum, Turkey on Friday fifteen August.  Yalikavak Marina staff tended to the fire first, and where then assisted by the Bodrum Coast Guard, who thanks to the swift response successfully controlled the fire and saved the yacht.  The fire was reported to have started in the electrical installation part of the yacht.

The Pershing yacht in this fire is an 88 model as designed by Fulvio de Simoni and produced from 2000 till 2004 in seventeen units.  The 88 was Pershing's flagship at launch, and was replaced by the 90.

Project: Antonini SUY110

Antonini Navi expands its Sport Utility Yacht range with the SUY 110, the second yacht in the series designed by Fulvio De Simoni. In 34 metres, the La Spezia-based Shipyard and the renowned naval architect offer a compact take on the legacy of the SUY135, providing functionality, versatility and an incredible choice of on-board entertainment. Spanning four decks, the SUY110 is designed to provide maximum access to all forms of on-board activity, featuring a fifty-square-metre stern hangar that can house a 4.5-metre tender, a 4.2-metre sailing boat (or a second tender) and two 3-metre jet skis, as well as canoes, SUP boards and other water toys, without sacrificing interior living space. Another distinctive feature is the innovative Raised Deck, which can be used as a 54-square-metre beach club and overlooks the garage, offering additional space for equipment or outdoor socialising. This area communicates directly with the Main Deck, creating a 27-square-metre lounge veranda with a dining and relaxation zone: one big space designed to ensure comfort, privacy and harmonious integration with the marine environment. The ease of connection between the various decks, another distinctive feature of the yacht, is provided by seven ramps up and four down that ensure functional integration and continuity between the levels. The refined and functional interior accommodates up to ten guests in five cabins, including a master suite with private studio. The lower deck offers two VIP and two double cabins, all with en-suite bathroom. The fully appointed crew area is designed for six people. The SUY110 will have a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, achieving the ideal balance between performance, strength and sustainability. The standard configuration of two CAT's 700hp, give the SUY110 a top speed up to fourteen knots and a cruising speed of twelve knots, as well as giving it the range to make Atlantic crossings at the speed of ten knots. An optional diesel-electric system will reduce fuel consumption by 20% compared to similar yachts, underscoring the shipyard’s commitment to increasingly green solutions. Located in La Spezia near the gulf of Lerici, Antonini Navi is currently completing its first two super yachts; the EVO 31 and Seamore 34, with the larger yacht set to be launched later this year.

www.antonininavi.com

Riva Yacht Partly Sinks in Marsascala Malta

A seventeen meter Riva flybridge yacht partly sank at St. Thomas Bay, Marsascala, to the South East of the island of Malta on the morning of fourteen August.  According to unconfirmed news the skipper beached the Riva yacht to save it from total sinking.  The cause of the water coming into the yacht was not reported, if of technical nature or the Riva hit something.  No injuries are reported from sinking, with a plan to float the yacht and to take it for repairs being set in motion on the same day.

The Riva yacht in this sinking is a Furama 58 as designed by Giorgio Barilani and produced from 1988 to 1995 in fifteen units.  The Furama 58 was a replacement to the Riva Corsaro 60 and was replaced by the Thalassa 52.

New Model: Iliad 53F

Following the rise of explorer and cross over style motor yachts, power catamarans seem to be the next big thing in cruiser able motor yachts.  Iliad is a new name directed by Italian naval architect Riccardo Bulgarelli, and constructed at Zhuhai, China, debuting in 2023 with a 62 model, with this followed by this 53F.  Measuring sixteen meters of length and over seven of beam, the Iliad 53F started off to a flying start by winning the 2024 Multihull of the Year Award.  The Iliad 53F offers an accommodation sleeping six with an owners stateroom located in the starboard hull.  A single berth crew cabin is located to forward of the port-side hull.  The living is all on the main deck, with the standard layout offering an astern galley, dinette opposite, and a relaxing sofa to starboard.  The Iliad 53F is powered by twin Cummins 480hp for speeds up to 24 knots and a cruise of twenty knots, with a possible range up to 2500 nautical miles at optimum slower speeds.  Iliad also offers the 53F with e-motion hybrid power equipped to Volvo 480hp engines. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.37 m (53.7ft)

Beam - 7.63 m

Draft - 1.27 m

Displacement - 27500 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 3500 l

Water Capacity - 800 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, one crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB6.7 480hp, Volvo D6 480hp with e-motion hybrid

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 24 knots max, twenty knots fast cruise

Range - 2500 nautical miles at best cruise

Project - Riccardo Bulgarelli

Certification - CE A12-B12-C20-D30

www.iliadcatamarans.com

Sport Cruiser Ends On Reef in Acciaroli, Italy

A sport cruiser of twelve meters in length ended grounded atop a reef near the waterfront of Acciaroli, Pollica, to the South West of Italy on the late afternoon of Tuesday twelfth August.  The boat was assisted by the Guardia Costiera, who removed the boaters first, and then with the help of two boats removed the sport cruiser from the reef, and towed her to safety at a nearby marina.  An investigation on the accident has been opened.

The sport cruiser in this accident is a Rio 42 Art as produced from 2007 to 2009.  The 42 Art was a replacement to the Rio 40 Art, with the model evolving to a totally new 42 Art model.

Classic Cuddy Cruiser Ends Aground Near Manerba, Lake Garda

A classic cuddy sport cruiser of seven meters in length with two persons onboard ended aground as it collided with the reefs of Isola San Biagio, in the Manerba fraction of Lake Garda at 22:30 of Monday eleven August. The two boaters were rescued by the Guardia Costiera of Salo who were also assisted by the Vigili del Fuoco of Salo. The two boaters reported no injuries, and were taken at Porto Torchio.  An operation to salvage the cuddy cruiser was organized the following day.

The sport cruiser in this grounding is a Bruno Abbate Primatist 23 as produced from 1978 to 1990 in over 750 units.  The Primatist 23 was the first Bruno Abbate boat, launching the sport cruiser and yacht company with his name.  The Primatist 23 was replaced by the Primatist 25.

Azimut Cruiser Collides Into Two Sailboats in Ericousa, Greece

A twelve meter Azimut flybridge cruiser with Italian flag collided into two sailboats of nine meters and eleven meters on the island of Ericousa, a Greek Ionian island on the afternoon of Monday eleven August.  The Azimut flybridge cruiser was filmed and social media shared as it collided into the smaller sailboat first, and then turning and pushing it into the other larger sail yacht. As they collided the smaller sailboat was also demasted, and in this destroying part of the safety rails and damaged the toe-rail of the larger sail yacht.  As this is happening the skipper of the Azimut is seen on the flybridge having difficulty in controlling the vessel as its going into slow mode in the sail yachts as he goes down from the flybridge to the main deck to turn off the engines.  Othon Port Authority responded to the accident and confirmed no injuries occurred from the collision, and only material damage was reported.  All three yachts were forbidden from leaving the harbour, until all papers and the correct documentation was presented.

The Azimut flybridge cruiser in this collision is the AZ Quarantadue as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 1998 to 2004.  The AZ Quarantadue was a replacement to the AZ Quaranta with the evolving with small differences into the 42 Evolution and then produced for four more years.