Yachtley shipyard's floating dock sinks in Kocaeli, Turkey

14 December 2023 • Written by Gemma Harris

Yachtley Shipyard’s floating drydock in the Basiskele district of Kocaeli, Turkey, has sunk during a yacht retrieval manoeuvre.  According to maritime authorities, the incident occurred on Wednesday, 13 December. 


Eyewitnesses from the scene have told BOAT International that 24 shipyard workers were rescued from the sinking floating dock and two people were hospitalised but remain in stable condition. 


The General Directorate of Maritime issued a statement underlining that the Kocaeli Regional Port Authority has initiated necessary procedures and administrative investigations. As it stands no environmental pollution has been reported. 

The video captured by a bystander shows the dock’s cranes rolling down their tracks as one end of the dock submerged.  

Credit: Turk Deniz Media

Yachtley Shipyard, founded in 2005, focuses on building and refitting superyachts from 50-metres to 160-metres. The largest yacht to be launched from the yard was the 80-metre Elements in 2013.

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to ourTerms of Useand ourPrivacy Policy.

Similar yachts for sale

Yachtley   80 m •  24 guests  €112,000,000

Sponsored listings