Three yachts have been badly damaged following a fire in Port de la Lave, in the 16th arrondissement of Marseilles, France. The incident occurred this Thursday (9 January) at approximately 5.30pm local time.
The fire broke out on board the 26.9-metre Leopard yacht Naisca IV and spread to two other vessels – the 22.7-metre Aldabra, built by OCEA Yachts, and an unidentified sub-24-metre. According to local reports, two of the yachts had their mooring lines snap, which caused them to drift and complicate firefighting efforts. Authorities managed to successfully extinguish the blaze by 11.30pm.
Three boats, 19 fire engines and 63 firefighters were at Port de la Lave at the height of their intervention. According to authorities, the spread was restricted to the three impacted yachts. A floating barrier has limited pollution to a perimeter of 100 metres.
Naisca IV is one of 27 Sport models belonging to Italian shipyard Leopard Yachts. Her sporty exterior is by Paolo Caliari, while interiors were completed by Rodriguez. Accommodation is for six guests across three cabins, with further quarters for two crew.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No casualties have been reported.
BOAT International will update the story as it develops.
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