The 2019 has made a significant impact on the yachting industry not only through multiple megayachts delivered during the year, but also with several yacht losses. Yacht Harbour recalls some of the most striking episodes causing yacht losses in 2019.
#1. 40m Baltic sailing yacht My Song falls from cargo ship
On May 25, the sailing superyacht My Song from Baltic 130 line fell from the cargo ship that was carrying her across the Atlantic, from the Caribbean to the Balearics. The vessel was hauled out to Palma de Mallorca, ahead of her owner's confirmation of being 'not salvageable’.
Yacht transport company Peters & May that was responsible for the transportation, released an official statement in response, claiming that My Song might have fallen due to the collapse of her cradle. Photographs and videos taken showed extensive damage to the yacht, with several holes in the hull.
The winner of last year's Loro Piana Rehatta, My Song’s crew set a new speed record during the RORC Transatlantic Race last December. The journey of 3,000 nautical miles from the Canary Islands to Grenada took 10 days, 5 hours, 47 minutes and 11 seconds for the crew — almost 1 hour and 20 minutes less than the previous record of 2015. Sails, rising on the 56-metre mast, accelerated My Song to 30 knots.
#2. Hurricane Dorian
Photo: Reuters
The devastating Hurricane Dorian that had hit the North of the Bahamas this September, has been already called one of the strongest Atlantic storms in history. The strongest wind blows of up to 82.5 m/s were taken by the Islands of Abaco and the Island of Grand Bahama, bearing reported death toll of 70, with 282 people still missing.
The US NATIONAL Hurricane Tracking Center assigned Dorian the highest fifth category, Catastrophic. It has caused significant damages to homes, businesses and other buildings and marine infrastructure. Media sources report, the reconstruction of such ports as Marsh Harbour will run into billions of dollars.
The pictures of the disaster meanwhile show numerous yachts and other craft driven ashore through the storm. Only Marsh Harbour had nearly 30 boats based there at the time of storm, with not all of them being moved in time.
On November 16th, properties at Fort Lauderdale went on fire, leading to destruction of two superyachts, the 49-metre Lohengrin and 32.6-metre Reflections. According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, the estimated loss from the fire amounts to over $20 million representing “the biggest fire loss in Fort Lauderdale history”.
The city fire marshal reported, the fire broke out in the morning, with loud explosions waking up residents. Allegedly, the blaze started on-board Lohengrin and spread to a neighbouring Reflections. It is understood that the two yachts were under maintenance and refit work at the time of the fire.
Reportedly, around 100 firefighters from several agencies were called out to the blaze. Many cellphone videos spread on social media witnessed flames going out, with huge plumes of smoke in the air. However, the fire brigade managed to bring it under control.
#4. 55m superyacht Lady D totally burnt down in Thailand
Photo by Achadtaya Chuenriran
In the early hours of August 7, the 56.39-metre superyacht Lady D, anchored at Phuket Grand Marina, Thailand, caught fire. All crew members left the ship safely but the vessel totally burnt down.
According to the report of the municipal mayor of Paklok, the fire started at the stern of Lady D, quickly spreading over the upper floors despite the crew’s attempts to stop it using fire extinguishers.
From the pictures, it seems that the damage done by the fire is beyond repair, and the owner and the insurance might decide to send it to scrap. Meanwhile, Phuket Marine Office Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong told the media, the value of the damage done would amount to nearly B240 million, or $7.8 billion, according to what they had heard from the marina.
#5. 34-metre yacht D'Angleterre burnt down in the Mediterranean Sea
The fire on-board the 34-metre yacht D'Angleterre occurred on August 24 off the coast of Mallorca in Spain. At the time of the fire, 15 people were on board, all of them were rescued. Multiple photos and videos of the fire depict the back of the yacht blazing with fire, and thick clouds of black smoke rising into the sky.
#6. 29m sailing yacht Asia sunk in Indonesian waters
On November 22, the 29-metre sailing yacht Asia with 4 crew members on board sank 50 miles off Indonesian coast. Reportedly, the vessel hit an undefined object in the water. The crew had managed to sail a lifeboat to land, where they were found undamaged marine police 8 hours later.
Asia was designed by Don Brooke and built by Culham Engineering in 2009. With a beam of 7.5 metres and a draft of 3 metres, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Her interior volumes of 135 GT enables accommodation of 10 guests across 5 cabins. The yacht is powered by Gardner engines to a maximum speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 8 knots.
The vessel was listed for sale with Fraser asking $2,900,000. On November 23, she was withdrawn from the market.
#7. The 1883-built sailing ship Elbe No 5 sinks near Hamburg
A 36.8-metre wooden sailboat Elbe No. 5 just launched after restoration, sank on the Elbe River near Hamburg, Germany. The vessel collided with a 142-metre Astrosprinter dry cargo ship flying the flag of Cyprus on June 9, according to CNN.
Despite quick evacuation via rescue boats, several people of the 43 (including 14 crew members) on-board the vessel were injured in the collision and taken to local hospitals. The causes of the incident were being investigated.
On April 22nd, the Boatbuilding Technology Centre, the House of Swan in Pietarsaari, Finland, witnessed the launch of the first unit of the Swan 88 featuring hybrid electric propulsion. The Swan 88 is a groundbreaking model, meticulously developed to offer a hybrid electric propulsion option in collaboration with Torqeedo. This innovative project continues the successful partnership with German Frers for Naval Architecture, Misa Poggi for Interior Design, and Lucio Micheletti, Micheletti + Partners, for the exterior styling.A defining feature of this new project is the coachroof's shape, inspired by the wind, boasting essential and dynamic lines. The transom beckons to the 'Beach Club' swim platform. With a focus on space, functional quality, and on-board comfort, both indoors and outdoors, the Swan 88 is designed to impress. Natural light floods in from the stunning 'atrium' companionway, coachroof, and hull windows, providing a bright interior ambiance.The Swan 88 offers Owners a super-smart opportunity to reduce running costs through chartering. This performance maxi design ingeniously complies with the critical 24-meter load line length rule for light MCA charter regulations. Nautor Swan's decision to develop this vessel aims to offer a true performance superyacht based on an efficient platform, minimizing management costs, and simplifying the charter certification process.Dedicated cruising appendages include a moderate draught fin T-keel of 4 meters and twin rudders, providing advantages such as reduced draught, enhanced safety, and excellent sailing balance. The hull and deck boast full carbon fiber epoxy construction, utilizing Sprint® lamination technology and the yard's advanced carbon mold technology."The Swan 88 marks an important milestone for the shipyard's production. It's the first hybrid propulsion yacht, showcasing our constant collaboration with Torqeedo and contributing to the study and development of similar features across the entire range, not just maxi yachts," says Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Group CEO. "This significant new model, of which we will launch the second unit in a few days, epitomizes Swan's 360-degree essence, the DNA that has made our boats recognizable worldwide for 58 years, and we are immensely proud of it."The Swan 88 will make its global debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 10-15 and the Monaco Yacht Show from September 25-28.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
April 23, 2024
On Saturday, April 20, Heesen announced the delivery of YN 20150 Cinderella Noel IV, following rigorous trials in the North Sea. The owners christened their yacht on December 23, 2023, marking an unforgettable moment for all shipyard employees and subcontractors involved in the construction.Stefan Zucker and Sven Stark, the clients' surveyors and project managers, expressed their appreciation for the shipyard's efforts, stating: "We have hardly experienced such intense involvement of clients ever before."Cinderella Noel IV stands out not only for her exceptional design but also for her owners' deep involvement. With a passion for sailing, the clients actively participated in the yacht's creation, bringing practical and technical insights from years of experience on the water.During three days of sea trials in challenging conditions, Cinderella Noel IV surpassed all expectations. Captain Bob van Zundert praised her swift responses and exceptional handling, even in rough seas.Built on a proven engineering platform, Cinderella Noel IV integrates a hybrid propulsion system chosen by the owner to minimize environmental impact. Heesen's hybrid system, powered by twin MTU 8V4000 M63 main engines and Danfoss electric motors, ensures cleaner, quieter, and more efficient cruising.Rick van de Wetering, Heesen's Chief Operating Officer, expressed pride in the collaboration with the owners and their teams, highlighting the strong bond formed during the 41-month construction period. He concluded, "On behalf of everyone at the shipyard, we wish them fair winds and following seas on their wonderful yacht."Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Ruben Griffioen/Heesen Yachts
April 22, 2024
The Italian Sea Group (TISG) has been honored with the "Best Performing Large Size Company" award at the Alychlo Awards 2024, marking its third consecutive win in this category.TISG secured the recognition for its outstanding turnover and EBITDA results, which ranked as the best in its reference category.The awards ceremony took place at the enchanting Pairi Daiza, a renowned botanical garden and zoo, bringing together 160 guests, including entrepreneurs and managers from companies in which Alychlo, the family investment company of Belgian entrepreneur Marc Coucke, invests.The Alychlo Awards celebrate companies, individuals, and teams that have achieved exceptional results. In the 2023 edition, 10 prestigious awards were presented to 10 outstanding winners.Alychlo, the cornerstone investor of The Italian Sea Group since its IPO, has investments in over 40 public and private companies across various sectors, with a focus on high-value-added companies that contribute significantly to job creation."We are extremely honored to receive this recognition and to be selected among important and excellent companies," commented Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group. "We thank Mr. Marc Coucke for his constant trust in our Group since its listing on Euronext Milan. We will continue working passionately and with dedication to achieve increasingly ambitious results."The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credits: The Italian Sea Group
April 22, 2024
Dynamiq has announced the appointment of Candaş Balcı from BLC Yachts as its exclusive dealer in the Republic of Türkiye. Based in Göcek, Candaş brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a background in naval architecture and extensive expertise in yacht sales. His dedication ensures that clients receive top-quality service and access to exceptional yachts."We are delighted to have Candaş join us as an ambassador who truly understands the essence of Dynamiq. With our production facility located in Türkiye, we are excited to offer Turkish owners a unique experience that is both innovative and close to home," said Sergei Dobroserdov, CEO of Dynamiq.Candas Balci, BLC YachtsThe collaboration marks a significant milestone for both Dynamiq and BLC Yachts, solidifying their presence in the 35-meter to 65-meter segment. Dynamiq's flagship 50-meter yacht is currently under construction at its state-of-the-art shipyard in Antalya, with promising build slots available for delivery in 2026. This partnership underscores Dynamiq's commitment to providing exceptional yachting solutions to clients in Türkiye and beyond.Dynamiq was founded in 2014 by experienced yacht broker and designer Sergei Dobroserdov. Dynamiq is the first company in the superyacht industry to introduce an online configurator, allowing the yacht to be easily and transparently customized down to the last detail. Dynamiq unveiled its first launch, 39m Spring (ex-Jetsetter), at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show to wide acclaim. The following project, the GTT 115 M/Y Jaaber, was developed in conjunction with the renowned Studio F.A. Porsche design firm and successfully unveiled at the 2017 MYS. The latest addition to the Dynamiq fleet is the GTM 90 Beach Club and new Global series of long-range explorer yachts.Credits: Dynamiq
April 22, 2024
Cantiere delle Marche's dedication to crafting exceptional vessels reaches new heights with the sale of the Flexplorer 165 to a distinguished European yachtsman. Representing the shipyard's largest explorer yacht to date, this milestone sale underscores Cantiere delle Marche's unwavering commitment to excellence.Vasco Buonpensiere, co-founder and CEO of Cantiere delle Marche, expresses pride in the achievement: "The sale of the Flexplorer 165 marks a significant moment for our shipyard. In an industry marked by fluctuating tides, our steadfast dedication to quality and precision has yielded remarkable results." Buonpensiere emphasizes the shipyard's resilience in navigating market challenges, attributing the success to the enduring reputation of their explorer yachts.Ennio Cecchini, co-founder and President of Cantiere delle Marche, highlights the distinctive qualities of the Flexplorer 165, noting its striking design and embodiment of the shipyard's core values.The Flexplorer 165, boasting a length of nearly 49.90 meters and a beam of 9 meters, showcases the renowned exterior design by Sergio Cutolo/Hydro Tec. Collaborating with Hus studio for the interior, the yacht promises timeless elegance and unparalleled comfort.Equipped with an impressive A-frame crane capable of lifting over 4.5 tons, the Flexplorer 165 offers exceptional handling of tenders and water toys. Powered by twin Caterpillar C32 Acert engines, each generating 970kW, the yacht ensures reliability and efficiency on every voyage.The decision to offer the Flexplorer 165 on the charter market reflects the owner's confidence in its ocean-going capabilities, long-range endurance, and unmatched comfort. CdM's story begins in 2010. The facilities cover an overall surface of 16˙000 square meters, including 7˙000 sq. m of workshops and 1˙000 sq. m of docks. Since 2015, the shipyard has been the world’s leading builder of explorer yachts. Based in Ancona, Cantiere delle Marche builds yachts from 26m to 43m in length.Credits: CdM
April 19, 2024