Zonguldak, Turkey: Luxury yacht worth $1.5 million sinks minutes into maiden voyage, crew jump overboard
A luxury yacht’s maiden voyage has ended in catastrophe, as dramatic footage circulating on social media shows the vessel capsizing just minutes after setting sail.
The £700,000 ($1.4 million) boat, named Dolce Vento, had only just launched off the coast of Zonguldak in northern Turkey on Tuesday when disaster struck 15 minutes later.
A viral video has shown the 25 metre yacht carefully entering the water from a boat ramp, which is something atypical for a boat that size.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Shortly after reversing into the water, the boat can be seen slowly tilting to one side before beginning to sink beneath the waves.
One of the crew members can be seen scrambling to safety, briefly finding refuge on the partially submerged boat, before jumping overboard.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported. The owner, captain, and two crew members safely swam to shore without injury, The Sun reports.
It is understood that it was Dolce Vento’s first time at sea after being delivered to its owner from Istanbul.
While the exact cause of the costly accident has yet to be determined, boating experts believe miscalculations in the boat’s metacentric height could be to blame.
An investigation is underway.
The incident comes just weeks after a separate superyacht disaster in Spain that saw a ferocious blaze rip through a 27-metre vessel off the coast of Ibiza.
There were four passengers and three crew members on board when the flames completely engulfed the boat 40 minutes into the journey.
A Spanish maritime rescue team was able to rescue the seven people but said it was impossible to save the boat despite the help of the fire brigade.
It is understood that the fire broke out in the engine room.
