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Are More Yachts Sinking, Colliding and Catching Fire?

ARTICLE COURTESY OF BOAT INTERNATIONAL

by Katia Damborsky

yacht sinking

Has there been an uptick in the number of yachting accidents of late? In a special edition of the BOAT International podcast, Katia Damborsky sat down with Michelle Van der Merwe, superyacht account manager at Pantaenius Yacht Insurance to explore a rise in yachting disasters.

The number of fires, collisions and sinkings seems to be on the rise, but the role that social media plays in showcasing those disasters could mean that the number appears higher than it is, according to Van der Merwe. She points to factors like the increasing age of the fleet and the introduction of new propulsion as possible factors for the increase, particularly the suspected link between lithium-ion batteries and fires. "It's hard for regulators and authorities to keep up with new technologies", which can make it challenging for "insurers to assess the risk when it hasn't been classified or certified," she says.

Other factors at play include adverse weather linked to climate change as well as overcrowding of marinas and ports that are leaving yachts unsheltered during bad weather.

223. Big Boat Interview: Are more superyachts colliding, sinking and catching fire? Listen on Spotify

Atina, fire, coast of Sardinia

Earlier this year, Atina caught fire off the coast of Sardinia.

However, Van der Merwe stressed that yachting should, in theory, be getting safer with new regulations and conditions being put in place at a "crew manning level".  "There are things being put in place and I can only see that increasing with what's happening this year," she says.

Van der Merwe also noted that major losses can almost always be attributed to a "perfect storm" of factors, as opposed to one single cause.

Has 2024 been a particularly bad year for yachting disasters?

The loss of 56-meter Bayesian has been the most serious yachting loss in recent memory. However, it follows on from a notably bad year for fires, collisions and sinkings, according to BOATPro data.

So far in 2024, there have been 12 yachts totally destroyed; the highest number in the last decade, and the year still isn't over.  There has been a total of 18 accidents and losses combined, However, on balance, the year hasn't been as bad as 2023 and 2022, when there were 20 and 22 losses respectively. The "safest" year for boating accidents was 2021, but this is likely on account of the fact that fewer yachts were cruising because of Covid-related restrictions.

Yachting accidents since 2014
2024: Destroyed: 12 Accident: 6 Total: 18
2023: Destroyed: 10 Accident: 10 Total: 20
2022: Destroyed: 9 Accident: 13 Total: 22
2021: Destroyed: 8 Accident: 4 Total: 12
2020: Destroyed: 7 Accident: 10 Total: 17
2019: Destroyed: 5 Accident: 15 Total: 20
2018: Destroyed: 4 Accident: 8 Total: 12
2017: Destroyed: 6 Accident: 2 Total: 8
2016: Destroyed: 6 Accident: 5 Total: 11
2015: Destroyed: 6 Accident: 4 Total: 10
2014: Destroyed: 3 Accident: 1 Total: 4

27 meter, motoryacht, sank, coast of Corsica

A 27-meter motor yacht sank off the coast of Corsica earlier in August.

Which yachts have suffered accidents so far in 2024?

  • The 38-meter Sanlorenzo motor yacht Lovebug ran aground in Chesapeake Bay, USA in late July
  • In Greece, the 47-meter Admiral motor yacht Ethos also ran aground in a shallow bay
  • The 42.3-meter Libra Y was destroyed in a marina blaze in Greece, alongside 32.9-meter O'Riana
  • In early August, a devastating fire tore through 47-meter Atina. Her charred hull sank after the flames were extinguished 
  • A violent storm off the Spanish island of Formentera caused several yachts to break free from their moorings, and 31-meter Wally Love was among the yachts that washed up on shore
  • A 27-meter Canados yacht called Manta struck a shallow reef in Corsica, and sunk shortly after
  • The 27.3-meter Maiora motor yacht Dominic was destroyed in a fire off the island of Isla Mujeres, Mexico in July.