A representative for the owner of the 104.6-metre Lady Moura has released a statement explaining the events that led to the collision between the yacht and the 78.2-metre Feadship superyacht Venus last month (22 July).
The statement read: "Lady Moura anchored in the Bay of Naples at a depth of 40 metres with seven shackles of chain deployed, which is the minimum required for safe anchoring under the given conditions. Several hours later, Venus arrived at the anchorage and seemingly misjudged the length of the chain that Lady Moura had in the water."
The statement continued: "Subsequently, a violent squall with winds of 50-55 knots from an unexpected direction – different from the prevailing forecasts – caused the impact. Despite numerous efforts by Lady Moura's crew to alert the Venus’ crew by blowing the whistle and hailing on the radio, it appears that the bridge of the Venus was unmanned. Neither vessel dragged anchor."
It then concluded that damages to both yachts were minimal and cosmetic and that the situation was "amicably and professionally" resolved.
This follows an update provided by a "source close to the matter" last week (7 August) which confirmed that a sudden change of wind led to the collision. It added that "the wind changed very suddenly, picking up from a breeze to 55 knots over the course of a few minutes. Neither boat dragged anchor, though the other boat [Lady Moura] was on a chain double the length expected in the depth of water they were in."
Footage taken by Ricardo Salinas - Mexican businessman and Lady Moura's owner – shows the collision take place. The video was released by Salinas on 7 August.
In the video's caption, Salinas has claimed that the crew of Venus were at fault, saying in Spanish: "I would like to know what the captain and crew were doing that they didn't see a yacht the size of mine in front of me. Good thing nothing but a scratch happened, but it's a big scratch that's going to [cost] a lot to fix."
Lady Moura was launched in 1990 and sold most recently in 2021, with a last known asking price of $125,000,000.
Venus was commissioned by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, though he never had the chance to see the yacht completed before his untimely death in 2011. She was delivered to widow Laurene Powell Jobs in 2012 and has been used privately ever since.
BOAT International will update the story as it develops.
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