Search operations are ongoing for Mazu Yachts co-founder Halit Yukay following a collision between his yacht and a cargo vessel in the Sea of Marmara.Yukay, 43, was travelling from Yalova to the Greek island of Mykonos when the incident occurred. His family reported him missing on Monday, 4 August. The wreckage of his yacht, Graywolf, was later found off the coast of Marmara Island. Rescue teams, including divers, have been working in the area since, but no trace of Yukay has yet been found."The privacy of Mr. Yukay’s family and Mazu Yachts’ team members remains a priority during this time," the company said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful for the thoughts, prayers, and support extended to us. Verified updates will be shared through our official channels as they become available."Yukay co-founded Mazu Yachts in 2011, initially focusing on chase boats before expanding into the semi-custom yacht sector. The yard’s portfolio includes models such as the 24.9-metre Mazu 82 and the 40.2-metre flagship 132 DS. Its 28.5-metre Waterlily was a finalist at the 2024 BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards."Halit is a friend and a constant source of inspiration and bold ideas," said Nicola Pomi, head of Volvo Penta’s yacht division. "Today, while we hope and wait, we hold on to his spirit. We are closely following the ongoing search and rescue efforts, and our thoughts are with Halit, his family, and the Mazu team."Credits: Coast Guard Command (Turkey)
August 11, 2025