1. 33m Perla Nero ran aground in Croatia
85.6m Aquila (ex. Cakewalk) was re-delivered by the Cornwall-based, Pendennis Shipyard following a year-long refit programme which mainly focused on 750 square meters of the yacht's interior space. The largest yacht ever built in the US, Aquila has now become the largest yacht to have been refitted in the UK. Redman Whiteley Dixon and Susan Young Interiors collaborated on the refit which reconfigured the owner's suite, adding a 60-square meter private deck area and repositioned the Jacuzzi to the forward sun deck.
33m Perla Nero ran aground in the Sibenik channel, Croatia as shows footage that surfaced on social media on August, 8th. According to local publication, SibenikIn, the incident occurred during the night from Friday to Saturday. The publication further reported that the owners of Perla Nero had 5 days to remove the yacht before the task would fall on local authorities. No pollution, injuries or any significant damage to the yacht have been reported.
The 9th largest yacht in the world, 141m Yas, has been seen in Tarragona, Spain. She is based on the hull of a former Dutch navy frigate, the 130m HNLMS Piet Hein, a Kortenaer-class frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy which was built by the Koninklijke Schelde Groep and launched in 1978. The frigate was sold in 1998 to the United Arab Emirates Navy where she was operated under the name Al Emirat and was decommissioned in 2008.
Prince Khaled bin Sultan, son of the late Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, is best known in the yachting industry as the owner of the Golden Fleet which recently grew in size with the launch of the 123-meter Golden Odyssey. The Golden Fleet, which set up its home base in Porto Montenegro in 2012 through a 30-year lease, is however known not only for its size but also for its contribution to the conservation of the oceans through her owner's Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. As such, the fleet has travelled worldwide with scientists onboard to learn more about the world's oceans and their wildlife. In recognition of his contributions through the foundation, Prince Khaled bin Sultan was awarded the Perseus Award in 2012.
28.6m, Ferretti Yachts-built, Bellissima ran aground on August, 4th (approximately 14:00) near Pender Harbour, British Columbia, Canada. Water then poured from into the yacht from a hole in its hull. No one was injured as a result of the incident and no pollution was reported. According to witnesses, the yacht hit underwater rocks off Daniel Point, while coming out of the harbour and started heading back as it realized it had difficulties. The hole in the yacht's hull was eventually patched and the yacht was anchored near the harbour for further inspection.
Pelorus, the 115-meter superyacht built in 2003 by Lurssen, has reportedly been sold to Chinese billionaire, Samuel Tak Lee according to several sources in the industry. Built for the Saudi owner of 72m Coral Island, Pelorus was the 11th largest yacht in the world at the time of her launch and became Lurssen's newest flagship. A few months after delivery, the owner decided however to sell his masterpiece and it was Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich who came in with the highest bid to acquire the superyacht.
Maria La Via, former CEO of Privilege Yard, and finance director Antonio Battista were placed under house arrest by order of the Civitavecchia power of attorney for alleged fraudulent bankruptcy filings, tax crimes and violation of the anti-mafia legislation, La Repubblica reports. The men are accused of having used the shipyard’s money to purchase luxury cars such as a Ferrari and a Maserati for a total of €320,000. It is also turned out that Privilege Yard paid the rent for the house of Pasqualino Monti, president of the Civitavecchia port authority.
South China Morning Post linked Malaysian financier Jho Low to 91.5m yacht Equanimity, which has recently entered Hong Kong with an unclear purpose of stay. The yachting press often cited Jho Low as the owner of the vessel, but his lawyers have denied this. You may know Low from his alleged involvement in the 1MDB scandal. Some sources claim that he sold some artwork earlier this year, giving rise to speculation the yacht may be sold to raise funds for Low and his associates before it can be seized by the US authorities.
Earlier this week, footage emerged on social media of David Guetta and MC Hammer performing concerts on the 115-meter Pelorus. The #YachtCert involved no less than 5 superyachts, all anchored near the remote island of Bisevo in Croatia. Local sources suggest 115-meter Pelorus, 72m Kogo, 65m Infinite Shades (ex. Imagine), 54m Sea Force One, and 36m Galeocerdo were all gathered for the event in the Adriatic sea by Jimmy Lee, the son of a Chinese industrial. According to several reports, the yachts have been cruising together for a large portion of the summer.
85.6m Aquila (ex. Cakewalk) was re-delivered by the Cornwall-based, Pendennis Shipyard following a year-long refit programme which mainly focused on 750 square meters of the yacht's interior space. The largest yacht ever built in the US, Aquila has now become the largest yacht to have been refitted in the UK. Redman Whiteley Dixon and Susan Young Interiors collaborated on the refit which reconfigured the owner's suite, adding a 60-square meter private deck area and repositioned the Jacuzzi to the forward sun deck.
Dutch Yachting has recently shared the pictures of 53m trimaran Galaxy leaving IJmuiden, the Netherlands. Splashed at Latitude Yachts in Riga two months ago, the spaceship-like vessel features the exterior by Jean-Jacques Coste. The yacht was built from a GRP and carbon fibre composite and runs at 28 knots through twin 2600hp engines.
Royal Hakvoort has signed a construction contract for a 70.1-meter superyacht, designated Project YN258. The vessel, designed for long-range cruising, will be the largest project in the shipyard's history in terms of both length and gross tonnage.Construction will begin immediately at the shipyard's facility in Monnickendam, the Netherlands, with delivery scheduled for 2029. The project involves an all-Dutch team, with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design responsible for the design and Diana Yacht Design providing the naval architecture. The sale was brokered by 26 North Yachts, with Arrow Monaco acting as the owner's project management company.The yacht will have a beam of 11.6 meters and a gross tonnage of 1,513. Accommodation is planned for up to 14 guests in seven cabins, including two owners' suites – one located on the bridge deck and another occupying the entire owners' deck. Crew quarters will accommodate 20 staff and include a mess hall, a dedicated gym, and technical spaces designed for accessibility on long voyages.Reported features include a touch-and-go helipad, a sports court, and a swimming pool, with a layout emphasizing a balance between indoor and outdoor areas.Royal Hakvoort is a family-owned shipyard. She was founded by Albert Kizn Hakvoort in 1919. The yard is based in the historic Dutch village of Monnickendam. The shipyard is able to guarantee best in class quality for custom built motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 65m in length.Credits: Royal Hakvoort
September 23, 2025
German marine glass manufacturer Yachtglass and Italian manufacturer Hard Glass have established a joint venture named Ocean Glass. The companies will continue to operate independently while using the new entity to develop markets and provide glazing solutions to shipyards internationally.The joint venture will be officially introduced at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show at Stand DS 57 in Darse Sud. Both companies have previously supplied custom glass for yachts, including vessels exceeding 120 meters in length.Silvia Buck, CEO of Yachtglass, stated: “This strategic partnership merges German engineering precision with Italian design expertise. Together, we’re poised to deliver custom, high-specification glass solutions for the most sophisticated superyachts on the market. We’re particularly focused on expanding our presence in Turkey, the Middle East, and Asia - regions where demand for premium European craftsmanship continues to grow.”Fiorenzo Furlan, president of Hard Glass, added: “Ocean Glass represents the fusion of uncompromising quality and refined aesthetics at sea. Our new venture is committed to delivering marine glass systems that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and design. Partnering with Yachtglass allows us to scale our vision and set new benchmarks for the industry.”The formation of Ocean Glass occurs as demand increases for large-scale glazing solutions on superyachts, where exteriors often incorporate hundreds of square meters of custom glass. The venture aims to combine German engineering and Italian design capabilities to serve emerging shipbuilding regions.Credits: Ocean Glass
September 23, 2025
Northrop & Johnson has listed the 23.86-meter expedition yacht Vanguard for sale at $3,980,000. Yacht Broker Mike Finnegan is representing the vessel, which was delivered by Naval Yachts in 2023.The XPM 78 platform yacht is designed for long-range cruising with a focus on efficiency and system integration. Vanguard recently completed a 7,000-nautical-mile voyage along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and into Greenland's High Arctic waters, conducted with two ice pilots onboard.Propulsion is provided by a diesel-electric Praxis hybrid system with an integrated energy management network. The yacht cruises at 9 knots with a reported fuel consumption of 3.5 liters per nautical mile, providing a range exceeding 7,000 nautical miles. Technical features include an ice-reinforced hull, DMS Magnus Master stabilizers, and a commercial-grade dynamic positioning system.The interior, designed by Arista Marine, follows an open-plan layout with the galley, helm, and salon located on the main deck. Finishes include pale timbers with dark contrast elements. The helm station is equipped with dual high-back chairs and a multi-display dashboard.Accommodation is provided for six guests in three en-suite staterooms, with a convertible salon that can accommodate two additional guests. The full-beam owner's cabin contains a king-sized berth and lounge seating.Exterior areas are configured for operational functionality, featuring a tender crane and storage on the aft main deck with L-shaped guest seating. The flybridge helm seats two persons, with dual stairways leading to the swim platform. All exterior spaces are designed for low maintenance and expedition readiness.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
September 23, 2025
Luca Dini Design & Architecture has entered into an agreement with Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy to explore the development of a national maritime strategy. The initiative aims to position Albania as a sustainable yachting hub in the Mediterranean.The proposed strategy involves creating a network of interconnected marinas designed to share resources and infrastructure rather than compete. The approach intends to improve logistical efficiency, support regional economic growth, and reduce environmental impact. Albania’s geographic position near established yachting destinations such as Greece and Montenegro, along with its undeveloped coastline, is seen as a foundation for attracting seasonal boaters and superyachts.The project envisions the development of service facilities including repair yards, refit stations, and fueling areas to meet international standards and accommodate larger vessels. The plan emphasizes adopting sustainability principles in new marina construction and diversifying specializations across different locations to reduce congestion and environmental pressure. Intermodal transport connections with road and rail networks are also part of the proposed strategy to link coastal and inland regions.The concept aligns with European Union initiatives such as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), focusing on integration with continental trade and logistics systems. Luca Dini Design & Architecture will contribute expertise in architecture, yacht design, and master planning to the project. The firm indicated that the next 15 years represent a critical period for Albania to establish itself as a competitive maritime destination through coordinated planning.Credits: Luca Dini Design & Architecture
September 22, 2025
Camper & Nicholsons has listed the sailing yacht Imagine for sale at €17,800,000, with VAT paid. The 44.18-meter vessel is represented by Sales Advisor Maël Fiolet and was available for viewings at anchor during the Monaco Yacht Show, which opened on September 18.Built in 2010 by Alloy Yachts to a design by Ed Dubois, Imagine remains under its original ownership. The yacht was designed for worldwide cruising and has never been chartered. It complies with LY2 regulations and completed its Lloyd’s 15-year survey in 2025 alongside an extensive refit. In 2011, the yacht received the Best Sailing Yacht award at the World Superyacht Awards.The yacht accommodates nine guests in four cabins. The full-beam master suite is located aft and includes an en suite bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, study, and vanity area. Additional accommodation consists of one double guest cabin, one twin cabin with a Pullman berth, and a fourth cabin configured as a single with a Pullman. The main saloon sofa can convert into two additional bunks if required.The interior offers 242 square meters of living space finished with white oak joinery, Loro Piana fabrics, and alpaca carpets. The raised salon features panoramic windows and a split-level arrangement with a lounge area to port and a navigation station to starboard. Custom features include an automated sliding companionway door, opening portholes in the master suite, underfloor freezers, and a firearms safe for Arctic voyages.Deck areas include a forward cockpit with dining space and sunpads, a boom awning for shade, and a foredeck tender well that converts to a heated spa pool. A crow's nest is positioned on the mast for observation.The yacht is equipped with a 61.9-meter Southern Spars mast, carbon fiber rigging, and a furling boom. The sail plan includes 895 square meters of upwind sail area managed by captive winches built by Alloy Yachts. A lifting keel allows operation in both shallow waters and open ocean conditions. All sails have been upgraded over time, with a new North Sails jib installed in 2025.Power is provided by a single Caterpillar C18 engine. The yacht carries a diesel-powered tender, which eliminates the need for separate refueling arrangements. The vessel is maintained for serious cruising with systems designed for extended autonomous voyages.Credits: Alloy Yachts
September 22, 2025