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The worst yachting tragedies of 2023

20 December 2023 • Written by Dea Jusufi

From catastrophic sinkings to devastating blazes, BOAT rounds up this year's biggest superyacht tragedies...

1. 25m Mangusta Le St-James goes up in flames in Hungary

When: 14 February

Le St-James was engulfed in flames at her berth by the Árpád bridge in Budapest, Hungary. Thoroughly documented on social media, the incident saw four fire engines, twenty firefighters and the Szent Flórián fireboat come on the scene.

2. 28m Sunseeker Nakoa sinks after grounding in Hawaii

When: 19 February

In Hawaii, Nakoa broke free from her mooring while inside the protected Honolua-Mokulēʻia Bay Marine Life Conservation District and ended up grounded on the shoreline. The 28.1-metre yacht caused damage to more than 100 coral colonies and over 1,500 square metres of live rock. She was scuttled after being freed from her resting place.

3. 27m Hot Pursuit sustains major damage in Fort Lauderdale blaze

When: 8 March

This 26.8-metre Princess sustained major damage after an onboard fire in Las Olas Isles, Fort Lauderdale. Fire crews were called to the scene at around 10.30am local time, where they found Hot Pursuit's flybridge fully engulfed in flames.

4. 76m research vessel Petrel lists in Edinburgh dry dock

Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

When: 22 March

Previously owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the 76.4-metre research vessel Petrel was dislodged from her holding in Leith, Edinburgh and listed at a 45-degree angle as a result of strong winds. 25 were injured and 15 hospitalised as a result.

5. 50m Kalizma involved in shootout off Yemeni coast

When: 28 April

In a shocking encounter, the 50.2-metre superyacht Kalizma came under fire while in the Gulf of Aden (around 30 nautical miles from the coast of Yemen). Eyewitnesses on board told BOAT International that the yacht was attacked while en route to begin a charter, however a statement issued by officials said that Kalizma was first to shoot.

6. 27m Irmao destroyed in blaze in Formentera

When: 12 August

The 27.3-metre Irmao was destroyed in a devastating fire while anchored off the Spanish island of Formentera. The Astondoa model reportedly burned for several hours as firefighters fought to bring the blaze under control.

7. 28m yacht Andiamo destroyed by blaze in Sydney

When: 2 September

At just after 8pm, firefighters arrived at Sydney's historic Woolwich Dock to find the 28.4-metre Andiamo completely engulfed in flames. Her remains finally sunk the following morning, with the resulting oil pollution a serious concern for authorities.

8. Fire devastates historic Antigua Yacht Club Marina

When: 2 October

Antigua Yacht Club Marina (and the surrounding small businesses) were completely destroyed by a fire that began in the late hours. Local reports attributed the incident to a lightning strike caused by the tropical storm Philipe, which had made landfall in Barbuda that same day.

9. 47m Navis One goes up in flames in Greece

When: 9 October

The 46.7-metre Navis One sunk in the Cyclades island chain of Koufonisia following a fire worsened by high winds. An eyewitness told BOAT International that the fire began towards the aft of the vessel and "within an hour of starting the top two levels had burnt down".

10. 33m Custom Line yacht Ricacha sinks following Hurricane Norma

Credit: Aleksandr Zhuravlev

When: 24 October

Another yacht affected by natural disaster, Custom Line's 33-metre Ricacha sank in the Pichilingue area of La Paz, Mexico. Local reports claim Ricacha began to sink vertically after being damaged by the rough seas caused by Hurricane Norma.

11. 28m Viking yacht Pastime grounded in Florida

Credit: Nicole Spicoley Cook

When: 3 November

The 28.4-metre Pastime ran aground in Delray Beach, Florida. A towing company arrived on the scene to pull the yacht to safety, but multiple lines snapped and the towing attempt was, initially, unsuccessful. The incident followed a mysterious loss of power that was later explained in a statement from Viking Yachts.