It has been a capricious year for the superyacht industry. Conversation was dominated by the tragic sinking of the 56-metre Bayesian in Sicily, which cast a long, dark shadow over a surprising number of incidents. From the destruction of the 47-metre Atina to a high-seas conflict between the 104.6-metre Lady Moura and Steve Jobs' former superyacht, a surge in disastrous headlines led BOAT to investigate: are more yachts sinking, colliding and catching fire?
But the industry also had much to celebrate, including its ever-thriving international fleet. According to BOATPro, over 500 superyachts were delivered this year, with high-profile, 100-metre-plus yachts from Feadship and Lürssen and a record-breaking Royal Huisman all included in this list.
BOAT rounds up the most important yachting stories of 2024...
1. Seven dead in 56m superyacht Bayesian sinking tragedy
At around 5am local time on 19 August, Bayesian was hit by a freak weather event in Sicily, Italy. The Perini Navi sailing yacht was anchored or idle at the time of the incident and is understood to have sunk in just twelve minutes. Of the 22 persons on board, 15 were safely evacuated. A search and rescue mission later recovered the bodies of seven people, including Bayesian's owner, tech tycoon Michael Lynch, and his daughter Hannah.
Plans to salvage the superyacht are now underway, with an examination of the hull a crucial piece of the ongoing investigation in Italy. In the UK, an inquest into the deaths of four of the victims has officially opened. It is expected to resume in April 2025.
Read More/Live updates: Seven dead in 56m superyacht Bayesian sinking tragedy2. Lürssen's 122m superyacht Kismet delivered
In May, the 122-metre Kismet departed Lürssen's facilities following her successful sea trials off the coast of Kiel, Germany. The superyacht was commissioned by repeat Lürssen client Shahid Khan, who previously owned the 95.2-metre Lürssen yacht Whisper (and currently owns the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham Football Club). Highlights include a yoga studio with juice bar, hand-painted, Renaissance-style ceilings and her Nuvolari Lenard exterior, complete with glinting jaguar bowsprit. Kismet made her official debut at this year's Monaco Yacht Show, but also drew the crowds when she arrived in London, UK for the first time.
BOAT International was offered an exclusive look on board Kismet in October 2024.
Read More/Lürssen's 122m superyacht Kismet delivered3. 105m Lady Moura collides with Steve Jobs' former superyacht
In July, the 104.6-metre Lady Moura was involved in a collision with the 78.2-metre superyacht Venus, the Feadship superyacht commissioned by Apple founder Steve Jobs. The now-viral footage, taken by Lady Moura's owner, shows the accident taking place as both yachts battle a "sudden, violent squall" with winds of 50-55 knots.
Representatives from both parties came forward to give official statements to BOAT International.
4. 31m Wally sailing yacht washed ashore following storm in Formentera, Spain
In August, the 30.5-metre Wally sailing yacht Wally Love ran aground following a storm on the Spanish island of Formentera. Footage taken by a bystander shows the yacht out of the water and listing on her starboard side close to shore. Several other sailing yachts were also grounded alongside her.
The State Meteorological Agency informed the public of a "strong destabilisation of the atmosphere" the day prior.
5. 103m Feadship superyacht Ulysses delivered to New Zealand's wealthiest man
In April, a highly secretive Feadship project was brought into the limelight: the 103-metre Ulysses, owned by billionaire Graeme Hart. She follows in the footsteps of his previous builds, including two Kleven explorers and the 74-metre CRN yacht Odyssey (now known as Starburst IV).
Key features include a 15-metre-long tender garage – representing the largest shell door that Feadship has ever built – four exterior hot tubs, a swimming pool that covers the entire height of the main deck and a helicopter hangar concealed in the foredeck.
6. 47m Heesen superyacht Atina sinks following devastating fire in Olbia, Italy
On 11 August, the 47-metre Heesen yacht Atina sunk approximately 300 metres from the coast of Olbia in Sardinia, Italy following a fire that broke out in the stern. Dramatic footage taken by the Olbia Coast Guard shows the flames spread until the superyacht is entirely engulfed. She then begins to list and sink.
The yacht has since been recovered and transported for demolition.
Read More/Watch: Sunken 47m Heesen superyacht Atina recovered in Sardinia, Italy7. 90m Lürssen superyacht Ice collides into 31m Numarine yacht in Turkey
The final incident of August saw the 90.1-metre Lürssen superyacht Ice collide with the 31.1-metre Numarine yacht A.Mey in Yalıkavak, Turkey.
The footage acquired shows Ice's bow strike A.Mey with enough force to turn the yacht, causing extensive damage to her aft section.
8. Adrian Newey switches out Formula 1 racing for a "slower pace of life" aboard his Oyster sailing yacht
In May, Adrian Newey OBE revealed his plans to focus on sailing following his retirement as chief technical officer of Formula 1's Red Bull Racing team. The interview, hosted by Oyster Yachts and moderated by fellow Formula 1 legend Eddie Jordan, was held at the Yacht Club de Monaco during the Historic Monaco Grand Prix.
"I feel a bit tired at the moment. [But] to walk away from [Red Bull Racing] was a very hard decision," Newey said. "Do I go again or do I enjoy my Oyster yacht and sail off into the sunset?"
9. 136m superyacht Flying Fox removed from US sanctions list, available for charter globally
In October, the 136-metre Flying Fox was officially removed from the US sanctions list. The superyacht had been flagged based on its link to Imperial Yachts SARL – a Monaco-based yacht brokerage firm – and is now available for charter, globally and without restrictions, under Bluewater Yachting Dubai.
Top features include an indoor and outdoor cinema, an outdoor kitchen with Teppanyaki grill and churrasco oven, a 12-metre swimming pool and a 400-square-metre spa spread across two floors. She also comes with the first cryosauna ever installed on a yacht.
10. World's largest sportfisher Special One delivered
In June, the 52-metre Royal Huisman sportfisher Special One was handed over to her owner – an experienced yachtsman and passionate fisherman. As a result, Special One is fitted with all the latest gamefishing gear, with her immense, six-deck tower offering a viewing platform to a dedicated fishing area aft.
"This is an exceptional brief," said Bart Bouwhuis, co-creative director at Vripack. "And the result is an exceptional boat. It has the true proportions and long flaring bow of a typical American sportfish boat paired with the harmonious feel of a luxurious superyacht."
She would later make her debut at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show.