A fire tore through Zea Marina in Athens, Greece yesterday evening and destroyed three yachts (1 August). The incident began just after midnight local time, with eyewitnesses claiming the blaze began on one vessel and rapidly spread.
Zea Marina is a bustling port with over 50 yachts in the immediate area according to BOATPro. This includes Camper & Nicholson's 58.8-metre Marala and the 55-metre Sea Huntress, delivered by Feadship in 1997.
One of the destroyed yachts is the 42.3-metre Libra Y. The classic motor yacht was delivered by Picchiotti in 1977 and designed by industry legends Don Shead and Jon Bannenberg.
The marina fire prompted a large-scale response, with over 20 firefighters battling the flames and extinguishing the blaze by 1.00am. Members of the National Coast Guard were also on the scene and successfully evacuated the civilians that were on the pier at the time.
According to the authorities, no people were on board the yachts affected. A firefighter is said to have suffered from respiratory problems and been hospitalised.
A floating barrier has also been deployed by the coastguard to mitigate any resulting pollution.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. BOAT International will update the story as it develops.
This news follows a spate of tragic accidents in the industry, including the 37.8-metre Lovebug which ran aground in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay last week.