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.

New Model: Riviera 68 Sports Motor Yacht Series II

First launched in 2017, Riviera’s 68 Sports Motor Yacht answered the demand for a luxurious, long-range motor yacht that excels in all water sports. Now a new second generation Series II of this 68 Sports Motor Yacht has arrived. Recognizable by the larger glazed hull windows serving the lower deck cabins, the 68 Sport Motor Yacht Series II comes also following feedback from the Riviera worldwide family of owners, who guided the team of designers and engineers in Australia to a refinement approach. In essence, the 68 Series II is even more functional, luxurious and enjoyable with an aesthetic that is both contemporary and timeless; delivering even more exhilarating sports performance and blue water capability that has positioned the Riviera Sports Motor Yacht in a league of its own.  Besides the glazing are now the following; the upper aft deck features two L-shaped dinettes with a central passageway, and an option for a third forward looking settee to starboard of the helm station.  The lower deck remains unchanged with a standard four cabins layout and fourth bunk berths cabin, and or three cabins and larger owners stateroom with breakfast table.  A choice also exists for the standard full utility room, and or a crew cabin.  The Riviera 68 Sports Motor Yacht Series II is powered by twin MAN 1550hp which give a top speed of 31 knots and or optional 1800hp engines. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 22.86 m (75ft)

Hull Length - 21 m

Beam - 6 m

Draft - 1.90 m

Displacement - 49,323 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 7000 l

Water Capacity - 850 l

Accommodation - eight berths in four cabins, or six berths in three cabins, 1 crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x MAN v12 1550hp, optional V12 1800hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 31 knots max 26 cruise with MAN 1550hp

www.riviera.com.au

Brigitte Bardot 1934 - 2025

Famous actress Brigitte Bardot also known as B.B. has left for the better world on Sunday 28 December at 91 years old at her La Madrague home in Saint-Tropez.  Born in Paris on 28 September 1934 Brigitte Bardot became a symbol of the Sweet Life Dolce Vita period which symbolized the fifties and the sixties.  Starting as an aspiring ballerina in her childhood at her birth place in Paris, she will debut her acting career in 1952 for her small part in the comedy film Crazy For Love which premiered on that same year.  She was noticed in that first film and will take part in 47 movies till her retirement in 1973, achieving global fame in 1957 for her role in And God Created Woman from 1956.  Bardot will also win a David di Donatello as Best Foreign Actress Award in 1961 for her work in The Truth from 1960, and was also nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Foreign actress for Viva Maria! from 1965.  Bardot had also a musical career and released five albums from 1956 to 1968, and nine singles from 1962 to 1986.  After retiring from acting in 1973, Bardot became an animal rights activist and created the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. She was known for her strong outspokenness and speeches on animal defence; fined twice for public insults, and six times for inciting racial hatred and for her criticism on Muslims in France and residents of Réunion.  A symbol of the Dolce Vita period which characterized the Cote D'Azur in the South of France and the Liguria coast of Italy in the fifties and sixties, her life adventures made the luck for both St. Tropez; a sea side village which will become her home from 1958, and Riva which was the speed boat of choice of the famous jet-set of the period.  Brigitte Bardot will own two Riva mahogany speed boats; a 1959 Super Florida hull No. 341 titled Nounorus which translates to Teddy Bear gifted by her former husband Roger Vadim, and then a second Florida from 1962.  She was also filmed and photographed on various other Riva classic boats of friends and spouses of the moment; Aquarama, Tritone, and Junior, and also christened the 1959 m/y Le Babette for film producer Raoul Levy.  Brigitte Bardot was married four times, and had one child.

AB Yachts New Web Site

AB Yachts presents its new web site.  AB Yachts was founded in 1992 by Angelo Arnaboldi and his son Marco, both naval architects and engineers, with an expertise in purposeful designed jet propulsion hull shapes. The jet hulls will in fact symbolize since the debut of AB Yachts characterize all its builds in thirty years plus in building sport yachts, from the smaller yachts of fifteen meters it build in its first decade to its largest one off 44 meter 145.  AB Yachts first model was the 55 Monte Carlo, which was followed by the 50, the smallest model ever made by the Viareggio builder, which was followed by the Monte Carlo 72.  In 2001 AB Yachts will become part of the FIPA Group and in 2004 it launches its first above 24 meter super sport yacht with the AB Yachts 88.  AB Yachts will change its ownership in 2017 as GP Group buys Fipa Group, and then again in 2021 to Next Yacht Group.  AB Yachts largest model to date is the 145 launched in 2015, with the second largest being the 140 build in five units from 2007 to 2013.  Currently AB Yachts offers seven models, which start from the AB80 and go the AB130, with its latest model being the AB95.  AB Yachts new website is available in English and Italian language takes you around with the following buttons; Yachts, Service, News and Events, and Contacts.  AB Yachts is also on social media with bottom page button links taking you to its; Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube pages.

www.abyachts.com

Production History;

AB Monte Carlo 55/Follia 55 1992/96-2002

AB Follia 50 1994-2000

AB Monte Carlo 72 1996-99

AB Follia 75 1999-2004

AB 68 2000-2012

2001 FIPA Group ownershsip

AB 88 2004 (1)

AB 58 2005-10

AB 78 2005-2015

AB 92 2006-2015 (5)

AB 140 2007-2013 (5)

AB 116 2009-2013 (5)

AB 100 2014-2020 (5)

AB 145 2015 (1)

2017 GP Group ownership

AB 787 2020 (1}

2021 Next Group ownership

AB 142 2021 (1)

AB 100 (ii) 2021- (9 *100 Sportfly project

AB 80 2022- (6 *80 Sportfly project

AB 130 2023 (4 *120 project

AB 110 2024- (3

AB 95 2025-

The first AB Yachts the Monte Carlo 55 as designed by Angelo Arnabodli

Azimut Yacht Goes Ablaze at Miami Beach Marina

A 25 meter Azimut yacht went ablaze at 300 Alton road, Miami Beach Marina, Florida at 08:10 morning time of Saturday 27 December.  Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the blaze first with six units, and were later assisted by Miami Beach Fire and City of Miami Beach Fire fighting the blaze from both land and sea, with the fire reported to have started in a sealed compartment of the yacht which was difficult to access.  The fire spread throughout the yacht, as fire fighters fought the blaze with hose lines, dewatering efforts and fuel containment.  Ultimately the fire was controlled with the yacht ending partly sank to stern.  The cause of the fire is not reported, with no injuries being reported, as an investigation has been opened on the incident.

The Azimut in this fire is a Grande 25 Metri as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 2018 to 2021 in twenty units.  A replacement to the 80, the Grande 25 Metri is the smallest Azimut Grande produced thus far since the line debuted in 2011.  The 25 Metri was replaced by the more comfort focused Azimut Grande 26M.

Riviera Cruiser Ends Aground in Middle Harbour Sydney

A thirteen meter Riviera sport cruiser ended aground on Hallstrom Point near Middle Harbour, Rose Island, Sydney on the afternoon of 26 December.  The Riviera hard-top ended aground for passing on the wrong side of the channel marker, finishing on top of the reef.  Persons onboard the Riviera were not reported for a story shared on the Sydney Boating Group.  A salvage float operation was being organized, with salvagers waiting for a higher tide.

The Riviera in this accident is a 4400 Sport Yacht as produced from 2007 to 2011 in 77 units.  A replacement to the M430 Sports Cruiser, the 4400 Sport Yacht was Riviera's first Volvo IPS pod propulsion boat, evolving and replaced by the 4400 Sport Yacht Series II.

Tiara Sport Cruiser Wrecked by Fire in River Reach Drive, Fort Lauderdale

A ten meter Tiara sport cruiser went ablaze near a water front canal property to the South of 1000 River Reach Drive, Fort Lauderdale at around 23:30 of Christmas 25 December day.  Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded the blaze which they controlled and managed to extinguish the blaze.  No injuries were reported as the boat was reported not attended, with the boat becoming a wreck as its top cabin was wrecked by the fire.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The sport cruiser in this fire is a Tiara 3600 Sovran as produced from 2004 to 2006.  The 3600 Sovran was a replacement to the 3500 Express with the model replaced by the Tiara 3500 Sovran.

Project: Cantiere delle Marche RAW 110

 

Cantiere delle Marche announce the keel laying of RAW 110.  Announced as a RAW 102 project in the fall of 2024, the project was extended by two meters aft to become the RAW 110 for the first in the new semi-custom series as designed by Giorgio M. Cassetta The keel laying of a yacht is a highly symbolic and significant milestone in the construction process, as it marks the moment when the vessel truly begins to take shape. The keel forms the structural backbone of the yacht, the very foundation upon which every other component will be built. In maritime tradition, this ceremony represents the birth of the ship, embodying the beginning of its journey from a design or dream into a tangible reality. It is often seen as the foundation of “everything,” symbolizing strength, stability, and the promise of the vessel’s future life at sea. RAW’s keel laying was no exception, and it was a deeply emotional and joyful private ceremony. When asked about the features that attracted him most, the Owner said that much appreciated was the refreshing aesthetics crafted by Cassetta, with whom an immediate affinity was felt. From a functional point of view, extremely generous liveable spaces and volumes, and the seamless connection between large indoor and outdoor spaces were winning points, alongside the yacht’s technical reliability. Among his early requests, already anticipated in the design, was the inclusion of a large tender and ample storage space for multiple toys at the bow. Additionally, he wanted to enjoy biking, his favorite sport, even while on holiday aboard his yacht. To accommodate this, several bicycles will be stored in a dedicated, easily accessible area on the aft beach, enclosed by bulwarks.

www.cantieredellemarche.it

Improve-it = Rio Daytona 45

For the 2025 season Rio presented a line shaft option of the large models of the Open and Coupe Walkaround range.  The Rio Daytona 45 which is available with Yanmar stern drive diesels and or triple Mercury outboards has now been added with a twin Yanmar 370hp line shaft option.  According to initial test the Rio Daytona 45 with line shafts reaches top speeds up to 35 knots with the twin Yanmar 370hp on line shaft.  The Daytona 45 is a design of Marino Alfani debuting in mid 2023.  The Daytona 45 is a walk around sport cruiser with T-top, and a lower deck sleeping four in an open plan double berth forward, and two berth cabin at midships.  A spacious head with enclosed shower box, and an opposite galley to port side completes the lower deck layout.

www.rioyachts.net

Super Sport Yacht Ends Aground Near Emerald Bay Marina Inlet, Exuma

The 36 meter super sport yacht titled m/y Double Shot ended aground just one hundred meters off to Emerald Bay's Marina Inlet, Exuma in the Bahamas for an accident which happened at around the early 02:00 hours of Tuesday 23 December.  The super yacht was entering the marina in what is reported a very difficult inlet to enter even in good conditions, let alone at night and in rough conditions.  To make matters more difficult the Northwest channel light at the marina entrance is also reported missing.  The number of people on board when the accident happened are not advised, but no injuries are reported from the grounding.  Salvage operations are being organized, although these are a bit difficult as the yacht is reported to have an important hull damage, and also breached its fuel tanks.  

According to some reports the same yacht also ran aground at Highbourne Cay Marina, in the Exumas on the same day but was towed away by a tug.  This grounding probably was on a soft sandbar, with the yacht probably sustaining little to no damage, as the distance between the two places is about ninety nautical miles, which is not a trip you would do if you have some important stuff broken.  

The super sport yacht in this accident is a 2011 build Tecnomar 36 Velvet as designed by Luca Dini and produced from 2008 to 2011 in three units.  The 36 Velvet was a replacement and evolution of the Tecnomar 35 Velvet, with a one meter one-off and larger 120 Velvet also being produced in 2007.