A horrific accident involving the "social media sensation" superyacht Loon was this month's headline news after its chase boat Reel Time crashed in the Caribbean, injuring six of the 11 people on board. An update on Bayesian followed close behind, with the news that the salvage of the 56-metre Perini Navi would likely be postponed until April 2025 amid "operational complexities".
Other breaking news included two historic vessels – a steam yacht and a sailer – being put under the hammer, an unfortunate update on the 222-metre project Somnio and the sad passing of Azimut-Benetti founder and industry titan, Paolo Vitelli.
BOAT rounds up everything you might have missed in January.
1. Six injured following Loon superyacht tender crash in the Caribbean
A chase boat belonging to the 67.5-metre superyacht Loon crashed onto the rocks of Anse des Cayes Bay in Saint Barthélemy, the Caribbean.
Out of the 11 American nationals on board six people were injured, including one woman who was reportedly "ejected" from the boat on impact. The identity of the driver has not been confirmed.
Read More/Six injured following Loon superyacht tender crash in the Caribbean2. Salvage of sunken 56m sailing yacht Bayesian postponed
The recovery of the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian was postponed, with the process now unlikely to begin until April 2025.
Work was expected to begin this month but the "complexity of operations" has caused delay, according to local Italian media.
Read More/Update: Salvage of sunken 56m sailing yacht Bayesian postponed3. Sunseeker announces new 41m yacht model at boot Düsseldorf
British yard Sunseeker used boot Düsseldorf as an opportunity to unveil a 41.1-metre model known as the Sunseeker 135.
Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti mentioned that the new design had attracted "a lot of interest" from the US market, with highlights including a beach club with storage for a 6.5-metre tender, two Jet Skis and unfolding bulwarks that create a "water-level lounge" while the yacht is anchored.
Read More/Sunseeker announces new 41m yacht model at boot Düsseldorf4. Azimut-Benetti president Paolo Vitelli dies
An outpouring of tributes were paid to Italian businessman and Azimut-Benetti president Paolo Vitelli, who died aged 77 at his residence in Ayas, Italy on 31 December 2024.
He will be sorely missed and is succeeded by his only daughter and Group chairwoman, Giovanna Vitelli.
Read More/Tributes paid to Azimut-Benetti president Paolo Vitelli5. Classic 1920s steam yacht SS Delphine listed for auction
The 78.6-metre classic steam yacht SS Delphine was listed for sale via judicial auction.
The steam yacht has a rich history spanning over a century – including a stint as a flagship during World War II – and has undergone a €45 million restoration to bring her up to "modern superyacht" standards.
Read More/Classic 1920s steam yacht SS Delphine listed for auction6. Roman Abramovich accused of evading taxes on his superyacht fleet through offshore scheme
The BBC and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism uncovered an elaborate decade-long scheme suggesting Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich managed to avoid paying tens of millions in taxes related to his superyacht fleet's purchase and running costs.
The scheme reportedly involved five yachts that Abramovich bought throughout the 2000s, including the 162.5-metre Eclipse and 114.5-metre Pelorus.
Read More/Roman Abramovich accused of evading taxes on his superyacht fleet through offshore scheme7. Legendary 1930s sailing yacht favoured by Coco Chanel and Louis Armstrong up for auction
The 31-metre classic sailing yacht Weather Bird was listed for auction with Boathouse Auctions. One of the most storied sailing yachts on the water, Weather Bird was commissioned by American expatriates who hosted the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel and Louis Armstrong on board.
Bidding opens at €1,000,000 and will be held virtually from 20-25 February.
Read More/Legendary 1930s sailing yacht favoured by Coco Chanel and Louis Armstrong up for auction8. Court orders Australian millionaire behind 222m superyacht project to pay unpaid bills of £733,750
The High Court of Justice in London ordered Carl Le Souef, an Australian businessman and entrepreneur, to pay £733,750 owed to Winch Design for unpaid invoices relating to design services for the 222-metre residential superyacht project Somnio.
Le Souef challenged the lawsuit on several grounds, arguing among other issues that he was not personally responsible for the payments.
Read More/Court orders Australian millionaire behind 222m superyacht project to pay unpaid bills of £733,7509. Appeal opens in UK Supreme Court for 58m detained superyacht Phi
The appeal hearing of the 58.5-metre Royal Huisman superyacht Phi, which was detained in 2022 on the basis of recently-introduced sanction law following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, opened in the UK Supreme Court.
The appellants (Dalston Projects Ltd) argued that the decision to seize and detain Phi interfered with the owner's basic property rights and, consequently, human rights law.
Read More/Appeal opens in UK Supreme Court for 58m detained superyacht Phi10. Opalinski Design House reveals 50m superyacht concept with "patented" rotational transom
Polish studio Opalinski Design House unveiled a 49.9-metre superyacht concept with a "patented" rotational transom.
The design has small electric motors that extend the swim platform and beach club laterally, creating additional "wings" for sunlounging.
Read More/Opalinski Design House reveals 50m superyacht concept with "patented" rotational transom