super yacht with sail

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Jeff Bezos’ New Yacht Is Finally Ready to Set Sail

Amazon’s founder has been spotted on Koru, a massive schooner with a design that evokes the golden age of sailing in the early 20th century.

By Kevin Koenig

Just in time for the high season of yachting in the Mediterranean, when multimillion-dollar megayachts descend on ports like Monte Carlo and St. Tropez, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has been photographed with his partner Lauren Sánchez on his new boat, Koru, off the coast of Spain.

Mr. Bezos’ vessel is a sailing yacht, a departure from the diesel-powered, floating palaces popular with other billionaires. But it is still massive. At 417 feet, Koru is the world’s largest sailing yacht, according to Boat International , and it cost an estimated $500 million to build, Bloomberg reported . (Parsifal III, the boat featured on Bravo’s reality series “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” is 177 feet long — less than half the length of Koru — and cost $18 million , according to the website SuperYachtFan.)

A spokesperson for Mr. Bezos did not comment for this article; neither did Oceanco, Koru’s builder. Here is what to know about the boat.

For traditionalists, Koru is refreshing. At a time when yacht design skews outrageous — see the lizardlike, 262-foot Artefact or the otherworldly 463-foot Yas — Koru stands out as a schooner, a sailing vessel with two or more masts. Photos reveal a large sailboat with three masts, an on-deck pool and a voluptuous mermaid on the bow, that bears a resemblance to Ms. Sánchez. But otherwise, the sleek, classic lines suggest the patrician age of yachting in the early 20th century, said Robert B. MacKay, author of “The Golden Age of Newport Yachting: Between the Wars.”

“With the clipper bow and the dark hull and the masts,” Mr. MacKay said, referring to Koru’s concave, pointy forward section, “it reminds me of a boat built in 1930 for J.P. Morgan Jr., Corsair IV. It is almost like a reincarnation. It’s certainly at odds with the stuff the oligarchs are building — those look like bloated Clorox bottles.”

Compared with the world’s very largest motor yachts — built for sheer size and the accompanying bragging rights — Koru could almost be considered quaint. Azzam, one of the world’s largest motor yachts, is nearly 200 feet longer.

The Experience

Koru will be propelled primarily by the wind. “Sailboats are usually greener than most powerboats,” said Don Anderson, a former captain of M5 , the world’s largest single-masted sailboat, at 256 feet. “I’d like to think that Koru will be one of the most ecological yachts out there, with its sails and also with the technology that will be aboard.”

“When you’re on a sailboat, you’re more in touch with the wind and the waves than on a powerboat,” he continued. “You’re more susceptible to the elements, too. But you can leave California, and once you get past the Catalinas you can basically surf downwind all the way to Hawaii. All you need to do is run with the waves.”

Mr. Bezos has been a guest on similar boats, according to Bloomberg: In 2019, he was spotted on Eos , a 305-foot sailing yacht owned by Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg.

Bill Tripp, a Connecticut-based naval architect, said the appeal of this type of boat is clear: “When you are on a powerboat, you ask, ‘Are we there yet?’ and on a sailboat, you’re enjoying the ride and the ocean so much that you don’t ask that question.”

Koru will be trailed by Abeona, a 246-foot support vessel. Superyachts often have support vessels following along behind them. These “shadows,” as they are colloquially known, are for the “toys” — the ATVs, supercars, seaplanes, motorcycles, smaller boats, scuba gear, personal submarines and even helicopters that pleasure boaters might bring on a trip. According to its builder, this model of boat can carry these gadgets along with dozens of crew members. (Ms. Sanchez flies helicopters, and the couple was recently photographed taking a helicopter to board Abeona and then Koru.)

Abeona, a motor yacht, will have enough range to follow Koru from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean — a common course for yachts — on a single tank of gas.

The Kerfuffle

Koru set off a controversy last year — before it was even completed — in a face-off with the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The boat was built at Oceanco’s facility in Alblasserdam, the Netherlands, and needed to pass the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known as “De Hef,” in Rotterdam, to undergo testing in the North Sea.

When the city announced it would dismantle the bridge to allow the boat and its mainmast — an estimated 230 feet tall — to pass through unscathed, locals were angry. They planned a protest to throw eggs at the yacht as it cruised by. In the end, the bridge was not taken apart, and the yacht was towed to a different location to have its masts attached.

Koru is Maori for “coil” or “loop” and refers to the unfurling of a fern frond. The koru design is common in traditional Maori art, where it symbolizes new life, growth and peace. Mr. Bezos included a photo of a koru frond in an Instagram post on Jan. 1, 2022.

Brad Stone, who was the first to report on Koru, in his 2021 book “Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire,” said the name was “consistent with where we see him today.”

“He is no longer this single-minded tech guy,” Mr. Stone said. “He’s in media and Hollywood and has a new relationship.”

Explore Our Style Coverage

The latest in fashion, trends, love and more..

The Most Wanted ‘Girl’ in Fashion: How did Miu Miu become fashion’s biggest success story  — halfway to $1 billion in sales for 2024?

Hairstyle Heat Relief: On a hot day, getting hair off the back of your neck  is often the simplest way to start cooling down. The sweeping movement is instinctual, but it is also deeply personal.

Putting the Fun in Funerals: Modern, even hip, mortuaries around the world are hoping to answer one question: How do we commemorate death in 2024 ?

A Shoe That Goes 65 M.P.H.: Our reporter and photographer hit the road for a trip from Maine to Massachusetts in L.L. Bean’s Bootmobile , a promotional vehicle that takes the shape of the company’s duck boot.

The Harris-Walz ‘Visual Age’ Gap: They’re the same age, but pundits and voters can’t stop talking about how much older Governor Tim Walz looks  than Vice President Kamala Harris. It’s not the only way he seems to be absorbing some of the scrutiny usually heaped on female candidates.

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

SAILING YACHT A

SAILING YACHT A is an exceptionally unique 2017 build by Nobiskrug, measuring 142.80m (468'6"ft).

She is the ultimate embodiment of German superyachts built for the 22 nd  century.

Measuring almost 143 m and a gross tonnage of about 12,600 GT, she became one of the most impressive PYC superyachts in the world in terms of design and technology.

She is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with unique features such as an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of- the-art navigation systems. The luxury sailing yacht's three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. The mainmast towers 100 m above the waterline.

The smooth, lustrous silver metallic surfaces and nearly invisible windows give this yacht a futuristic look. World-renowned Philippe Starck created this unconventional design, which challenges the expectations of conventional aesthetics.  Nobiskrug high-tech building  technology made this fascinating design possible.

Steel hull and steel superstructure with high-tech composite fashion plates that can be formed into any shape or size, a technology Nobiskrug has developed during the past 15 years in co-operation with classification societies and special subcontractors.

Thanks to her striking looks and innovative technology SAILING YACHT A was unquestionably the most anticipated delivery of 2017. She definitely changes the upcoming landscape of the Nobiskrug fleet as well as the future of supersail.

“Born from the desire of the owner to push the boundaries of engineering and challenge the status quo of the industry, ‘SAILING YACHT A’ is undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in.” Holger Kahl, Nobiskrug Managing Director. 

• Yacht Builder Nobiskrug View profile
• Exterior Designer Philippe Starck No profile available
• Interior Designer Philippe Starck No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other nobiskrug yachts, related news.

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Video: See inside 9 of the most amazing modern sailing superyachts

• September 10, 2020

Sailing superyacht technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years - we take a closer look at nine of the most stunning examples...

1. Aquarius

The brief for Aquarius included that she should be, ‘an elegant, muscular sailing yacht with a classic profile for family enjoyment.’ But that barely scratches the surface of the main requirements for this giant ketch. The owners also wanted a yacht that would combine good seakeeping characteristics with performance, reliability and quality.

Essential features included relative simplicity, robustness of systems and a contemporary interpretation of elegant, classic lines, with a clean and uncomplicated appearance. Aquarius ’s graceful lines and timeless shape belie a rugged world cruiser configured to be self-sufficient for extended periods when voyaging well beyond the popular Med and Caribbean circuits. In addition, the yacht is welcoming for family and friends, while providing sufficient performance to compete in superyacht regattas.

Specifications

LOA: 56.18m (184ft 4in) LWL: 41.17m (135ft 1in) Beam: 9.51m (31ft 2in) Draught: 4.80m (15ft 9in) Displacement: 264 tonnes (591,360lbs) Mainsail: 520m2 (5,597ft2) Mizzen: 440m2 (4,736ft2) Blade: 430m2 (4,628ft2) Air draught: 58.50m (192ft 11in) Spars: Rondal carbon with Rondal/Carbo-Link continuous standing rigging Builder: Royal Huisman Launched: 2017

Photo: Baltic Yachts

2. Pink Gin VI

The Baltic 175 Pink Gin may have captured most of the headlines for her sheer size and cleverly engineered topside balconies, but below decks a collection of Cuban art and some phenomenal styling demand equal attention.

Mark Tucker’s team at Design Unlimited in the UK worked closely with the yacht’s owner, Professor Hans Georg Näder, with whom they had co-operated on his previous Pink Gin , to produce an unusual exercise in interior styling.

LOA: 53.90m (176ft 10in) LWL: 45.27 m (148ft 6in) Beam: 9.55 m (31ft 4in) Draft: 4.50-7.00 m (14ft 9in – 22ft 12in) Displacement: 250 tons (560,000lbs) Ballast: 79 tons (176,960lbs) Naval architect: Judel/Vrolijk & co Interior: Design Unlimited Builder: Baltic Launched: 2017

Article continues below…

Liara: The Baltic 112 superyacht designed to cruise the world in supreme comfort

Over the past decade we’ve been treated to the rise of the custom built cruiser-racer. Arguably inspired by the success…

Aquarius: Modern classic masterpiece makes for a surprisingly sensible superyacht

A demanding brief for Aquarius from experienced sailors has produced a masterpiece from some of the most experienced and talented…

The Baltic 142 Canova  may not be using the hydrofoils popularised by the America’s Cup , but her 29ft 6in long (9m) horizontal sliding foil employs the same principle of lift to reduce heel and boost speed. The designers of the Dynamic Stability System (DSS) say it could improve the performance of this super-cruiser by 20 per cent, delivering a sustained 25 knots – not bad for a superyacht that displaces 146 tonnes. This is the first time the DSS has been used in superyachting, but its benefits will be used for comfortable, fast long-distance cruising rather than gaining an edge on the racecourse.

With styling and interior design by Lucio Micheletti as well as the in-house team, Canova  sports a sleek, low deck saloon with a hard, fixed bimini extending over the forward cockpit area. Below, her vast deck saloon, providing panoramic views, forms the focal point of her luxury accommodation.

Unusually, the owner’s suite is located almost amidships, where motion is at its least, with further accommodation for six guests in three cabins. Other features include a Rondal rig with electric in-boom furling, a lifting keel and a propeller leg rotating through 180 degrees.

LOA: 43.3m (142ft 1in) LWL: 41.6m (136ft 6in) Beam: 9.m (29ft 6in) Draft: 3.8-6.5m (12ft 6in-21ft 4in) Displacement: 146.5 tons (328,160lbs) Naval architect: Farr Yacht Design Interior design: Baltic Yachts / Lucio Micheletti Exterior design: Lucio Micheletti Builder: Baltic Launched: 2019

Photo: Perini Navi

Part of the world’s largest sailing yacht series by length, Seven is hull number 3 in Perini Navi’s 60m ketch series, after Seahawk and Perseus 3 . Launched in 2017, she was feted for her groundbreaking interior lighting design throughout all five guest cabins. A powerful motor-sailer, her twin MTU engines and 47,000-litre fuel capacity mean a globe-trotting range of 3,600nm when motoring at 12 knots.

LOA: 60m (197ft) LWL: 50.4m (165ft 4in) Beam: 11.4m (37ft 4in) Draft: 4.3m-12.3m (14ft 1in – 40ft 4in) Mast height: 62.2m (204ft) Total sail area: 2,097 m2 (22,572ft2) Displacement: 575 tonnes (1,288,000 lbs) Naval architect: Ron Holland / Perini Navi Builder: Perini Navi Launched: 2017

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget / Wally

This may be the fourth 100ft yacht designed to the Wallycento box rule, but it’s one that raises the bar with regard to combining form and functionality with outrageously cool aesthetics. Considering that Wally is yachting’s deity of style, that’s saying something.

Tango is at the very forefront of modern fast monohull design and advanced technology. Its stealthy black livery and long, low lines combine with a bold reverse sheerline to create a potent, powerful look. The ruthlessly clean deck is signature Wally. The image of the single helmsman on deck, with all that power and beauty controlled simply by the touch of a network of buttons on the pedestals, has become an icon for the Italian brand.

LOA: 30.48m (100ft) Beam: 7.20m (23ft 7in) Draught: 4.4-6.2m (14ft 5in-20ft 4in) Displacement (light): 47,500kg (104,720lb) Upwind sail area: 640m2 (6,889ft2) Downwind sail area: 1,398m2 (15,048ft2) Naval architecture: Mills Design Exterior design: Wally / Mills Design Interior design: Pininfarina Builder: Persico Marine Launched: 2017

Photo: Breed Media

The owner’s brief for Ngoni would be challenging for any size of yacht: “Build me a beast. Don’t build me a sheep in wolf’s clothing. This has to be an edgy and innovative weapon; fast and furious.” When the boat in question is a giant 58m (190ft) sloop with a displacement of nearly 400 tonnes this project was always going to push hard against existing boundaries of design, deck hardware and materials technology.

“The owner wanted me to take a fresh look at large yacht design,” Dubois recalled before his untimely death four years ago. “He wanted me to go back to my roots in the late 1970s and ’80s when we were designing race boats, but he also knew we had designed a number of high-performance yachts that were nevertheless seaworthy and comfortable cruisers. So I had to reset my internal computer, if you like, and look hard at how we could save weight and add strength.

“That’s how the reverse sheer came about. I was worried he might not like it. The next time we met in London I showed him the design and he loved it – in fact he gave me a big bear hug!”

LOA: 58.15m 190ft 9in LWL: 51.20m 167ft 12in Beam: 9.54m 31ft 4in Draught: 5.3m-81m (17ft 5in-26ft 7in) Displacement: 353 tons (778,224lb) Upwind sail area: 1,950m2 (20,989ft2) Downwind sail area: 3,093m2 (33,293ft2) Air draught: 75m (247ft) Naval architect: Ed Dubois Interior design: Paul Morgan / Rick Baker Builder: Royal Huisman Launched: 2017

Photo: Vitters Shipyard

Ahimsa is a 216ft sloop-rigged aluminum yacht, designed by the late Ed Dubois. Built with a combination of innovation and advanced technical craftsmanship, Ahimsa boasts a low superstructure and deck clean. Key features include the ability to hoist her mainsail in less than two minutes and tack the boat within 30 seconds.

The 83m carbonfibre mast is the largest ever produced by Southern Spars and had to be transported to The Netherlands in two pieces. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Ahimsa ‘s Code 1 sail is the world’s largest artwork on canvas, designed by the Norwegian artist Magne Furuholmen.

LOA: 66m (216ft 6in) Mast height: 83m (272ft 4in) Naval architect: Ed Dubois Builder: Vitters Launched: 2012

Svea , the newest addition to the now nine-strong J Class fleet, is one of the most outstanding new yachts of modern times – a harmonious meeting of historic and modern design; a blend of J Class lines and maxi grand prix yacht technology.

All Js dazzle on the water, but Svea simply stops you in your tracks. Her lines and deck are kept spectacularly clean, thanks to the compact wheelhouse, sunken wheel and wonderfully low boom.

Her dark metallic grey hull and black and red sail wardrobe lend her timeless lines a slightly menacing appearance – a purposeful racing look that belies the luxurious interior below decks. The aggressive aesthetics are in keeping with her name, a Viking word (it means Swede).

LOA: 43.6m (143ft 1in) Interior design: Pieter Beeldsnijder / deVos deVries design Builder: Vitters/Bloemsma Launched: 2017

Not only is Liara a masterpiece of style, thanks to UK-based super designers Malcolm McKeon and Adam Lay combining to stunning effect, but she clearly represents a formidable amount of experience. And that all stems from the boss.

This is the fourth Liara for British serial yacht owner Tony Todd, who is now in his seventies. His initial brief was for a safe, comfortable family cruising yacht for circumnavigating the globe , hence the deep and well-protected cockpit. However, Todd has been racing yachts all his life, and once his competitive side kicked in and the odd regatta was mentioned, the speed, weight and deck layout to make this possible became critical features. The result is Liara , the definitive multi-role superyacht.

Specification

LOA: 112ft 0in (34.14m) LWL: 105ft 0in (32.00m) Beam: 25ft 11in (7.90m) Draught: 13ft 0in-20ft 2in (3.95m-6.15m) Displacement (light): 88 tonnes (194,000 lbs) Design: Malcolm McKeon / Adam Lay Builder: Baltic Launched: 2019

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3699
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

View More Photos

• Luxury Charter Yachts
• Sailing Yachts for Charter

Parsifal III

• Amenities & Toys
• Rates & Regions
• + Shortlist

PARSIFAL III YACHT CHARTER

53.8m  /  176'6   perini navi   2005 / 2012.

• Previous Yacht

Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• A perfectly proportioned ketch
• Capable of delivering an outstanding sailing experience
• Provides multiple interior and exterior spaces
• Space optimised by innovative design solutions

Luxury yacht Parsifal III is the perfect charter platform for yachting vacations spent entertaining in style

The multi-award winning 54m/177'2" sail yacht 'Parsifal III' by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi offers flexible accommodation for up to 12 guests in 5 cabins and features interior styling by Remi Tessier.

Offering an enticing combination of luxury and adventure, Parsifal III has all the bells and whistles and a wealth of convivial social spaces for the ultimate sun-kissed yacht charter getaway.

Guest Accommodation

Parsifal III is great for families thanks to her child-friendly setup. Built in 2005, She offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests with a layout comprising a master suite, two double cabins and two twin cabins. There are 7 beds in total, including 1 king, 2 queen, 4 singles and 2 pullmans. She is also capable of carrying up to 9 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Keeping comfortable and entertained on Parsifal III is easy thanks to the available amenities such as a deck jacuzzi, perfect to enjoy the scenery with your favourite drink in hand.

Whatever your activities on your charter, you'll find some impressive features are seamlessly integrated to help you such as Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stay connected at all times, should you wish. Guests will experience complete comfort while chartering thanks to air conditioning.

Performance & Range

Parsifal III is built with a aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure. Powered by 1 x Caterpillar engines, she comfortably cruises at 10 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 18 knots with a range of up to 3,400 nautical miles from her 46,200 litre fuel tanks at 13 knots.

Parsifal III has a good selection of water toys and accessories to entertain you and your guests whilst on charter. Principle among these are two Open Bic sailboats to bring out the explorer in you. Take to the sea on a Jet Ski offering you power and control on the water. You'll be loving the huge adrenaline rush as you zip over the water on a SeaDoo RXP WaveRunner. If that isn't enough Parsifal III also features towable toys, waterskis, a seabob and wakeboards. When it comes to Tenders, Parsifal III has you covered - with two tenders, including a 7.01m/23' Tender.

Marketing Description

The magnificent interior design is highlighted with her blend of dark ebony woodwork, light sycamore, stainless steel and fine leather. She features exquisite design and craftsmanship which creates an ultra modern and stylish yet warm, inviting and relaxed feeling. This is made possible with the skilled use of natural and restful textures. Features of note include a plunge pool, wireless internet, Teppinyaki BBQ, Modula seating in the saloon, and an array of sunning entertainment areas. Parsifal III is one of the most sought after and versatile sailing yachts on the charter market.

Parsifal III and her crew are available for charter this summer for cruising within the Mediterranean. She is already accepting bookings this winter for cruising in Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Sail yacht Parsifal III is an outstanding pedigree yacht that delivers on all fronts for superlative luxury yacht vacations.

TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials and reviews of the Parsifal III provided by Charter clients.

I wanted to write and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the most amazing fourteen days a person could have ever imagined. Your team on Parsifal is second to none. If I’m fortunate enough to go to heaven I hope it’s a lot like my time on Parsifal. Warmest personal regards and appreciation for all you did to make our time onboard so great.

Supplied by: Mr. Devaney

Parsifal III Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Parsifal III has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Parsifal III is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 7.01m  /  23' guest Tender
• 4.88m  /  16' Tender

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

Parsifal III Awards & Nominations

• The World Superyacht Awards 2006 Sailing Yacht of the Year Winner
• The World Superyacht Awards 2006 Best Interior Design - Sail Yacht Winner
• ShowBoats Awards 2006 Sailing Yacht Interior Winner
• + shortlist

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Parsifal III' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

€245,000 p/week + expenses Approx $272,500

High Season

Cruising Regions

Mediterranean France, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Montenegro

HOT SPOTS:   Amalfi Coast, Corsica, French Riviera, Mykonos, Sardinia

Winter Season

October - April

€235,000 p/week + expenses Approx $261,000

Bermuda Caribbean Antigua, Bahamas, Saint Martin, St Barts

Charter Parsifal III

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

BELOW DECK YACHT: PARSIFAL III

Charter yacht PARSIFAL III starred in Below Sailing Yacht season 1 under her real name. View all  Below Deck yachts, their real names and the cost to rent them . 

Update your yacht

Yacht Owner, Captain or Central Agents - Send us latest Photos, Charter Rates or Corrections Send Updates

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

Bahriyeli C

55m | Custom

from $20,000 p/week ♦︎

58m | Alloy Yachts

from $235,000 p/week

Pan Orama II

50m | Elthom

POA ♦︎

50m | Perini Navi

from $165,000 p/week

52m | Alloy Yachts

from $263,000 p/week ♦︎

from $195,000 p/week ♦︎

56m | Perini Navi

from $230,000 p/week

Baracuda Valletta

from $198,000 p/week ♦︎

from $239,000 p/week ♦︎

53m | Alloy Yachts

from $175,000 p/week

55m | Marin LuxurYachts

from $111,000 p/week ♦︎

55m | Vitters

from $184,000 p/week ♦︎

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

• Share on Facebook
• Share Yacht

SIMILAR LUXURY CHARTER YACHTS

Here are a selection of yachts which are similar to the current charter yacht. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

Video shows moments before superyacht went down in storm off Sicily

Newly released video captures a luxury superyacht being battered by a violent storm before it suddenly sank off Sicily with 22 people aboard Monday.

The grainy images obtained by NBC News and other outlets were recorded on closed-circuit television not far from where the Bayesian was anchored, about a half-mile from the port of Porticello, on Sicily’s northern coast .

The yacht's 250-foot mast, illuminated with lights and lashed by the storm, appears to bend to one side before it finally disappears and is replaced by darkness.

The speed with which a yacht built to handle the roughest seas capsized stunned maritime experts.  

“I can’t remember the last time I read about a vessel going down quickly like that, you know, completely capsizing and going down that quickly, a vessel of that nature, a yacht of that size,” said Stephen Richter of SAR Marine Consulting.

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and five of the 22 other people who were aboard the 184-foot vessel remain unaccounted for and are believed to be trapped in the Bayesian’s hull, nearly 170 feet underwater.

Officials confirmed Monday that at least one person, the ship’s cook, had died.  

Superyachts like the Bayesian, which had been available for charters at a rate of $215,000 a week, are designed to stay afloat even as they are taking on water to give the people aboard a chance to escape, Richter said. 

“Boats of this size, they’re taking passengers on an excursion or a holiday,” Richter said. “They are not going to put them in situations where it may be dangerous or it may be uncomfortable, so this storm that popped up was obviously an anomaly. These vessels that carry passengers, they’re typically very well-maintained, very well-appointed.”

Built by Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008, the U.K.-registered Bayesian could carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. Its nearly 250-foot mast is the tallest aluminum sailing mast in the world, according to CharterWorld Luxury Yacht Charters. 

On Tuesday, Italian rescue workers resumed the search for Lynch and the five other passengers still missing: Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife.

“The fear is that the bodies got trapped inside the vessel,” Salvatore Cocina, the head of civil protection in Sicily, told Reuters .

The Bayesian is owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was one of the 15 people rescued Monday after it capsized.

“It’s extremely rare for a boat of this size to sink,” Richter said.

What’s not rare is the kind of storm that sank it , said Simon Boxall, senior lecturer in oceanography at Britain’s University of Southampton.

“People assume the Mediterranean is this rather calm and passive place that never gets storms and always blue skies,” Boxall said. “In fact, you get some quite horrendous storms that are not uncommon at this time of year.”

The president of Italy’s meteorological society has said Monday’s violent storm may have involved a waterspout, essentially a tornado over water, or a downburst, which occurs more frequently but doesn’t involve the rotation of the air.

Luca Mercalli, president of the Italian Meteorology Society, also said recent temperatures may have been a factor. 

“The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius [86 Fahrenheit], which is almost 3 degrees more than normal,” Mercalli told Reuters. “This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms.”

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who two months ago was acquitted by a San Francisco jury of fraud charges stemming from the 2011 sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion.

Prosecutors alleged that Lynch, dubbed “Britain’s Bill Gates,” and Autonomy’s vice president for finance, Stephen Chamberlain, had padded the firm’s finances ahead of the sale. Lynch’s lawyers argued that HP was so eager to acquire Autonomy that it failed to adequately check the books .

Lynch had taken Morvill, who was one of his defense attorneys, on the luxury trip. 

Chamberlain was not on the Bayesian.

In what appears to be a tragic coincidence, a car struck and killed Chamberlain on Saturday as he was jogging in a village about 68 miles north of London, local police said.

“Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family,” Chamberlain’s lawyer, Gary Lincenberg, said in a statement .

Henry Austin reported from London and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

Corky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.

• Yachts for Sale
• Superyachts

Mega & Superyachts for Sale

847 Superyachts for Sale Worldwide

Northrop & Johnson is proud to offer an extensive, global and all-encompassing selection of luxury superyachts for sale. We sell some of the world’s most luxurious, well-designed, top-performing yachts in a wide range of styles with amenities to suit your needs.

Browse our super and megayachts for sale below to find yours. Once you’ve found your dream yacht, get in touch with one of our expert brokers to begin the buying process.

To search by Price Range please select a preferred currency above.

Sorry, there were no results found for your search.

Which Superyacht is Right for You?

The type of superyachts best suited for you depends on the on-water experience you want. You may want power and speed, ensuring a motor-powered superyacht is right for you. Alternatively, you may want to feel the wind pushing you across the water, so a sailing yacht is best suited for your needs. In either respect, the most popular superyachts feature incredible amenities, top performance and exceptional design that allows them to retain their value for resale or charter.

When choosing the ideal superyacht, you – with the help of your broker – will weigh various options and features, including style, type of yacht, build pedigree, crew layout, facilities, décor and more. Whether you are looking for a large, modern motor yacht or a classically styled gentlemen’s yacht, Northrop & Johnson has a wide selection of superyacht types available for sale.

When buying or building a yacht, remember: first and foremost, your yacht is for you and your family or friends to use. What type of experience and use are you looking for in your ownership? Are you interested in a new or used yacht? Custom built or semi-custom? How are you planning to use your yacht? If you are planning to charter your yacht to help offset some of the running costs, then factor in the charterer, but remember, a yacht is very personal and you must consider your own needs as a priority.

What Types of Luxury Mega and Superyachts Do We Sell?

What type of boat best suits your needs

Our legacy of exceptional of exceptional yacht sales stretches  back to 1949.  We’ve forged strong relationships with premier shipyards to bring you the finest luxury mega and superyachts.

Superyachts vary in size, from intimate 20m vessels to grand 100m marvels. Motor yachts  deliver the power and speed to whisk you across oceans, while sailing yachts yachts provide a serene, wind-powered journey.

Here’s a glimpse of a few types of superyachts:

• Explorer yachts : Perfect for long-distance travel and adventure, these luxury explorer superyachts feature reinforced hulls for ice navigation and superior fuel capacity for extended voyages.
• Sportfishing yachts : These specialized motor yachts are designed for deep-sea fishing expeditions. Equipped with top-tier fishing gear, large bait tanks, and luxurious amenities, sportfishing superyachts are a fisher’s dream.
• Sailing yachts : Combining performance and classic elegance, sailing yachts primarily harness wind power but also come with engines for added versatility. They’re ideal for traditionalists and eco-conscious enthusiasts alike.

Let Us Help You Choose the Right Superyacht

Selecting the ideal superyacht is an exciting journey, and with the expertise of our brokers, you’ll navigate through a myriad of options and features, from style and type to décor and amenities.

At Northrop & Johnson, we prioritize your personal needs. Your yacht is a sanctuary for you, your family, and friends. To ensure we find the perfect match, we take the time to understand your lifestyle, how you intend to use the yacht, and whether you plan to charter it to offset some of the running costs. With this insight, we can recommend the most suitable mega yacht from our exclusive collection.

Whether you’re drawn to a sleek, modern motor yacht or a timeless, classically styled gentleman’s yacht, our diverse selection of superyachts for sale is sure to impress. Connect with our exceptional brokers today and experience firsthand how we go above and beyond for our clients.

Proud to be part of the MarineMax family

© 2024 Northrop & Johnson

Your life spent wisely

• Yachts for sale

Save search

Log in or create an account to save your search.

MOONLIGHT II

EUR 68,000,000

• Length: 91.4m (299.9ft)
• 36 guests in 18 cabins
• Built: 2005 (refitted 2020), Neorion Syros Shipyards, Greece

EUR 124,950,000† (EU VAT paid)

• Length: 90.1m (295.5ft)
• 14 guests in 7 cabins
• Built: 2010 (refitted 2024), Lurssen-Werft, Germany

HERE COMES THE SUN

EUR 199,000,000†

• Length: 89m (291.9ft)
• 20 guests in 10 cabins
• Built: 2017 (rebuilt 2021), Amels, The Netherlands

O'PTASIA

EUR 89,999,000

• Length: 85m (278.8ft)
• 23 guests in 10 cabins
• Built: 2018, Golden Yachts, Greece

EUR 79,750,000† (EU VAT paid)

• Length: 80m (262.5ft)
• 18 guests in 9 cabins
• Built: 2007, Oceanco, The Netherlands

EUR 89,000,000†

• Length: 78.4m (257.2ft)
• 13 guests in 6 cabins
• Built: 2011 (refitted 2023), Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany

Price on application

• Length: 77.8m (255.2ft)
• Built: 2022, Amels, The Netherlands

PROJECT 825

• Length: 75.8m (248.6ft)
• 12 guests in 6 cabins
• Built: 2025, Feadship, Royal Van Lent, The Netherlands

EUR 55,000,000† (EU VAT paid)

• Length: 70.6m (231.6ft)
• 14 guests in 6 cabins
• Built: 2011, Proteksan Turquoise, Turkey

EUR 24,800,000 (EU VAT paid)

• Length: 70.6m (231.4ft)
• Built: 2002 (refitted 2022), Royal Denship, Denmark

You've viewed 10 of 69

Register for an account today

Curate your own yachting space and find more of what’s important to you

• Motor yachts for sale

• Sailing yachts for sale

Buy a yacht

Discover the Burgess difference

At Burgess, we always go the extra mile to find your perfect yacht and are here to guide you every step of the way during the process of buying a yacht. From securing private viewings to sourcing the best luxury yachts for sale from around the world, our expertise is your guarantee.

Access to luxury yachts unavailable on the open market

We don’t just have access to the largest public inventory of new and pre-owned luxury yachts to buy on the market, we shortlist your selection from a wide-reaching network of yacht owners to ensure you only ever get the yacht that you truly want.

Highly experienced yacht brokers with your needs in mind

Working together to deliver the best results is integral to the Burgess DNA, so all Burgess brokers share information globally to guarantee unrivalled market insight and ensure client requirements are always met. There is nothing more important than customer satisfaction.

Unrivalled view of prevailing market opportunities

The market moves quickly in the superyacht world, which is why we have positioned ourselves to gain the best vantage point, with access to the most attractive yachts to buy, to ensure you have a tailored selection wherever you are in the world.

Price reduction on NAVETTA 42

AMADEUS for sale

SURAMA is for sale

Sold: Overmarine's 39.7m CRAZY

Custom Line NAVETTA 33 is for sale

Price reduction on 38m PERLE BLEUE

As-new SODAN is now for sale

QUEEN B SPORT is for sale

Sign up to our newsletter, stay in the loop.

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated with all things Burgess.

What would you like emails about?

• Chartering a yacht
• Buying or selling a yacht
• General superyacht news

In order to understand how we use and protect your personal information, please read our privacy policy .

• Mediterranean
• French Riviera
• Corsica & Sardinia
• The Balearics
• Croatia & Montenegro
• The Bahamas
• Caribbean - Leeward Islands
• Caribbean - Windward Islands
• British Virgin Islands
• US Virgin Islands
• New England
• Indian Ocean
• The Red Sea
• South East Asia
• New Zealand
• French Polynesia
• Motor yachts for charter
• Sailing yachts for charter
• Latest offers
• Destinations
• New to charter
• Meet the Charter team
• Superyacht videos
• 360° yacht tours
• Corporate & event charters
• Inspiring charter ideas
• Charter FAQs
• Every day different

Charter for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

For an unbeatable F1 experience

Early season availability in the BVI’s

Charter from mid-November onwards from St Maarten or Tortola

• Yachts for sale over 200 feet
• Yachts for sale from 150 to 200 feet
• Yachts for sale under 150 feet
• Tenders and chase boats for sale
• Yachts under construction
• Meet the Brokerage team
• Berths for sale
• Sold yachts
• Yacht marketing
• New Build Sales
• Refit a yacht
• Delivered yachts
• Yacht designers
• Meet the Technical Services team
• Meet the Yacht Management team
• Crew vacancies
• Meet the Crew Services team
• Procurement Services
• Charter Management
• Sales Management
• Yacht Marketing
• Meet the Insurance team
• 360 degree yacht tours
• Boat shows and events
• Office vacancies
• Talent pool
• Office locations
• Burgess in Asia
• Burgess Blue Oceans
• Strategic partners
• Press centre
• Company Operations
• Crew Services
• New Business
• Technical Services
• Yacht Management
• Burgess Impact Report 2023

Filter your results

• Yachts for charter

• SYDNEY, NSW
• MELBOURNE, VIC
• HOBART, TAS
• BRISBANE, QLD
• ADELAIDE, SA
• CANBERRA, ACT

Italian prosecutors widen probe into superyacht that sank off Sicily to two more crew members

• investigation

Send your stories to [email protected]

Property News: Landlords warned not to sting departing tenants these common costs.

Top Stories

Crocodile eats another croc in front of shocked NT tourists

The iconic painting stolen twice in a decade

Nervous wait for Steelers as finals bid nears after second win

Innocent-looking Sydney park has a stunning secret history

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Newsletters
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides
• Labor Day sales

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Five superyacht victims found in same cabin ‘trying to escape’

Five passengers who died on the sunken superyacht Bayesian were found in one cabin where they had gathered in an apparent attempt to escape, Italian investigators revealed on Saturday.

The five included Mike Lynch, the multimillionaire tech entrepreneur . The body of his daughter, Hannah, 18 , was found alone in another cabin.

The passengers appear to have sought refuge on the port (left) side of the boat, where the last air pockets remained as the vessel tipped over on its starboard side and started sinking.

Specialist divers from the Italian coast guard and fire service found five bodies in the first cabin on the left and Hannah’s body in the third cabin on the left.

Girolamo Bentivoglio Fiandra, a senior officer from the fire service, said that when the boat sank, it came to rest on its starboard (right) side.

He explained: “The yacht tended to the right and obviously the bodies tried to go to the other side and take refuge in their cabins. We found five bodies in a cabin on the left and another one in the third cabin on the left. They were in the higher part of the shipwreck.”

Raffaele Cammarano, one of two prosecutors leading the case, said: “There can be no certainty about the behaviour of the passengers on board, at the moment. It is probable they tried to escape but we have no real details about that, that will emerge in the course of the inquiry.”

He said the passengers “were asleep below deck and the others weren’t”.

Asked if Mr Lynch and his guests were warned of the approaching storm, he said: “That’s precisely what we’re trying to ascertain from the statements made by the survivors.”

Questions are being asked as to why six passengers died while all but one of the crew – the boat’s chef, a Canadian of Antiguan origin – managed to escape the sinking ship and survive.

Investigators want to establish whether the captain and crew tried to raise the alarm and evacuate the sleeping passengers from their cabins.

Data from the ship’s Automatic Identification System or AIS reportedly shows that there was a 16-minute period between the storm hitting the 184ft-long Bayesian at 3.50am on Monday and the vessel sinking at 4.06am.

At a press conference on Saturday in the town of Termini Imerese, about 15 miles from where the yacht sank, prosecutors confirmed that they were investigating charges of multiple manslaughter and causing a shipwreck against “unidentified persons”.

Click here to view this content.

Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor in the case, said the charges have not yet been levelled at anybody specifically. The investigation is in its very early stages, he added.

The captain of the yacht, New Zealander James Cutfield, was questioned for two hours by investigators earlier this week.

The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Monday when the Bayesian was hit by an intense storm while it was moored about half a mile off the small town of Porticello, Sicily.

Prosecutors said it was not a tornado but a downburst – a weather phenomenon in which powerful winds descend from a thunderstorm and spread out once they hit sea or land. They can cause damage equivalent to a tornado.

Investigators said the storm which hit the Bayesian at around 4am on Monday was “an extreme event” that happened “really, really suddenly”.

Weather forecasts for the area had not suggested such an extreme event, said Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda, of the Italian coast guard.

“This was an abnormal meteorological condition,” he said. “And as you can see from the internet,  there was forecasts from midnight to 4am, winds of a strength of five from the north-west and the west and a storm alert. But there wasn’t an alert of a tornado.”

Questions are also being asked about how the storm sank the Bayesian but left another yacht, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, unscathed, even though it was only 200 yards away.

Its crew came to the rescue of the survivors from the Bayesian, who managed to escape in a life raft.

The four people whose bodies were found in the cabin with Mr Lynch were Jonathan Bloomer , the chairman of Morgan Stanley International bank, and his wife Judy, and Chris Morvillo, a partner in Clifford Chance, the legal firm that successfully defended Mr Lynch in his fraud trial, and his wife Neda.

Hannah’s body was brought ashore on Friday. Her mother, Angela Bacares, was among the 15 survivors.

The seventh victim was Recaldo Thomas, the Canadian chef, whose body was recovered at the scene on Monday.

In response to a question from The Telegraph at the prosecutors’ press conference, Mr Cartosio said there was no legal obligation for the skipper and crew, who are staying in a four-star hotel on the coast a few miles from where the boat went down, to remain in Sicily.

But, he said, he expects them to stay and to show “maximum cooperation” with the investigation. They have so far been “very cooperative”, he said, adding that he may want to question them again.

The investigators were asked if there was any evidence that any of the yacht’s hatches were open when the storm hit.

Mr Cammarano said: “This kind of evidence is going to be fundamental to the inquiry so it is extremely difficult or impossible for us to reply at this stage, we are still trying to establish the facts.”

Mr Cartosio was asked how such a large, sophisticated yacht could have sunk in a few minutes. He said that was one of the key questions that investigators will be pursuing.

Divers have yet to find the yacht’s black box, because of the difficulty in searching the damaged vessel , which is lying 165ft beneath the surface.

Prosecutors refused to reveal any details about whether divers had found that hatches had been left open, allowing water to flood in, or whether the keel had been raised before the coming storm, making the yacht more unstable. They said: “We can’t reveal anything at this stage. The whole matter is sub judice and we’re waiting for an analysis to confirm the information.”

The yacht will be raised from the seabed and recovered as part of the investigation, prosecutors said, with the cost to be borne by the vessel’s owners.

Mr Cartosio would not say when the operation would begin nor how long it could take.

Post-mortem examinations have not yet been conducted on the seven victims, investigators said.

10:51 AM BST

Press conference concludes.

The press conference has been concluded.

Here is what we know so far.

The chief prosecutor, Ambrogio Cartosio, has said it was “probable” that manslaughter offences were committed.

Several of the passengers were asleep when the storm hit, which may explain why they were not able to escape.

Divers have yet to find the yacht’s black box, due to the difficulty of searching the damaged vessel.

The yacht was hit by a downburst of wind and rain and not a tornado as was previously suggested.

Five bodies of those who died in the incident were found in the same cabin.

The vessel’s owner will cover the full cost of retrieving the yacht from the seabed. 

10:39 AM BST

Downburst believed to have hit yacht.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said: “It does look as if it was a downburst, but we will be more precise on that score, certainly later on. There is no certainty about it, it is pure hypothesis.

“It is very unlikely the physical situation will have been really recorded very precisely.”

10:30 AM BST

Probable that manslaughter offences were committed, say prosecution.

Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said: “For me it is probable that offences were committed that it could be a case of manslaughter but we can only establish that if you give us the time to investigate.

“Media timing is completely different from that of a prosecutor.

“We need a minimum amount of time to come to a proper scientific conclusion.”

He added that investigators had yet to establish whether the captain or crew were responsible for the passenger’s deaths or whether the ship builders were to blame.

“We will be establishing each element of responsibility. That will be done by the inquiry,” said Mr Cartosio.

10:24 AM BST

Yacht’s crew responsible for anticipating changes in weather.

The coast guard admiral said the yacht’s crew were responsible for anticipating any changes in the weather that may have presented a danger.

“Whether or not they decide to drop anchor in that place is entirely up to them. We’re not involved in evaluating the risk element to private vessels. That is something that should be done [by them],” he told reporters.

10:23 AM BST

We have no idea why five bodies were found in same cabin, say prosecution.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said: “The bodies were found in a cabin which was not theirs, but this doesn’t give us any kind of certainty about what happened.

“We have no idea of the reasons for them all being found in the same cabin.”

10:19 AM BST

Passengers were asleep during storm.

It remains unclear whether those on board who died in the tragedy had been warned by the crew of the approaching storm or whether any attempt had been made by the crew to rescue them.

One of the prosecutors said the investigating team was trying to establish whether any attempt had been made by the crew who survived the disaster to rescue the passengers.

Asked why a number of passengers had been left behind, he said: “They were asleep underneath and the others weren’t.”

Responding to a question about whether the passengers were warned of the approaching storm he said: “That’s precisely what we’re trying to ascertain from the statements made by the survivors.”

Yacht’s distress signal not launched properly, says coast guard

Coast guard rear admiral Raffaele Macauda said the yacht’s emergency distress signal was not launched properly or at the right time.

“We cannot say when the distress signal was first launched,” he said.

10:14 AM BST

Yacht hit by ‘downburst’ of wind and rain.

The assistant prosecutor said the super yacht was hit by a “downburst” of wind and rain, not a tornado as has previously been suggested. 

10:12 AM BST

Yacht’s passengers probably tried to escape.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said “there can be no certainty” about the behaviour of the passengers on board, at the moment.

He said: “It is probable they tried to escape but we have no real details about that, that will emerge in the course of the inquiry.

“But there should be some evidence from the exact place of the retrieval of the bodies.”

Coast guard rear admiral Raffaele Macauda said the owners of the yacht will bear the full cost of the vessel’s retrieval.

10:07 AM BST

No legal obligation for crew and captain to remain in sicily.

In response to a question from The Telegraph, chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio says there is no legal obligation for the skipper and crew to remain in Sicily.

But he expects them to stay and to show “maximum cooperation” with the investigation.

Prosecutors may well want to question them again, he says.

10:05 AM BST

Yacht captain should have been aware of storms, say coast guard.

The chief of the coast guard said he would have expected the yacht’s captain to be aware of approaching storms on the night of the tragedy and prepare safety measures accordingly.

He said: “They are vessels that can monitor these events and one would have thought the captain had taken precautions.”

10:04 AM BST

A crew member was responsible for the hatches, says prosecution.

The prosecution is asked whether there there was any evidence of the hatches being battened down before or during the storm.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said: “This kind of evidence is going to be fundamental to the inquiry so it is extremely difficult or impossible for us to reply at this stage, we are still trying to establish the facts.”

On the question of the hatches, he said that information will be gleaned on the retrieval of the wreckage.

“There was a member of the crew who was detailed to supervise the opening of the hatches,” he said.

He added the crew and captain have all been very cooperative with the prosecution.

09:56 AM BST

Intense storm was not predicted.

Coast guard rear admiral Raffaele Macauda said: “This was an abnormal meteorological condition, and as you can see from the internet there was forecasts from midnight to 4am, winds of a strength of five from the north-west and the west and a storm alert.

“But there wasn’t an alert of a tornado.”

He said given the conditions there was nothing to suggest an “extreme situation” arising.

09:53 AM BST

Key question of how yacht sank in a few minutes will be investigated.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano is asked how such a large, sophisticated yacht could sink in a few minutes. He says that is one of the key questions that investigators will be pursuing. 

09:52 AM BST

Yacht’s black box still not found.

One of the inquiry team’s prosecutors said divers had yet to find the yacht’s black box, due to the difficulty of searching the damaged vessel.

He also refused to reveal any details about whether diver had found that hatches had been left open, allowing water to flood in, or whether the stabilising keel had been raised before the coming storm, making the yacht more unstable.

“We can’t reveal anything at this stage, but the facts will be confirmed by the later search of the wreckage,” he said. “The whole matter is sub-judice and we’re waiting for an analysis to confirm the information.”

The press conference was told it may take two to three months to raise the wreckage of the superyacht.

09:47 AM BST

No timeframe given on when yacht will be retrieved from seabed.

Coast guard rear admiral Raffaele Macauda says he cannot yet give a timeframe for when the yacht will be raised from the seabed or how long it will take. But it will happen. 

09:46 AM BST

We will not yet be giving information about the yacht’s keel, say prosecution.

The prosecution has said they will be not be giving information about the state of the yacht’s keel or hull at this time.

Raffaele Cammarano said: “There will be no further statements until the inquiry is concluded. This data cannot yet be revealed because the whole matter is sub-judice, so we are waiting on analysis to confirm on the investigation.

“So we will not be giving any information about the keel or the hull.”

He confirmed they have no results to provide yet on the autopsy.

Mr Cartosio added: “[The case] does not depend exclusively on the retrieval of the wreckage. There’s a whole number of calculations that can be made before.

“It’s the Italian Republic’s Prosecutor who will decide on that and all the details of the case have to be weighed up before attempting any kind of conclusion.”

09:41 AM BST

Five bodies found in same cabin.

A fire chief told the press conference: “The yacht tended to the right and obviously the bodies tried to go to the other side and take refuge in their cabins.

“We found five bodies in a cabin on the left and another one in the third cabin on the left. They were in the higher part of the shipwreck.”

Prosecution asked how crew made it to lifeboat

A journalist has asked the prosecution: “How is it that the crew got on the lifeboat and none of the others survived? I just wondered if there was any kind of early reply to that?”

The chief prosecutor replied: “Obviously the inquiry is concentrating on questions such as this. We have tried to find out the maximum information possible from the crew members or the survivors.

“All I would say in response is that the incident happened really, really suddenly - I think the prosecutor just said now the inquiry will begin with the facts of the wreck and that is all I can say at the moment.”

09:33 AM BST

Yacht cook was the first to be retrieved from the wreckage..

Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda said: “We put in to operation our aviation resources but in the course of the day we had to conclude that they were missing, they were not in the sea and the body of the cook was retrieved first.

“And this search and rescue operation continued on the surface and particularly from the air.”

09:29 AM BST

Yacht will be recovered from seabed, says prosecution.

Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio has said the yacht will be recovered from the seabed.

09:24 AM BST

123 dives taken by coastguard during four-day operation.

Italy’s fire service said 123 dives were undertaken by divers and they could only stay for 12 minutes maximum under the water.

A spokesman said: “It was an intense bout of work as you can imagine and very stressful, nevertheless in four days, the results we achieved do not require any further explanation.

“We managed to bring up all six bodies, we were operating at 50 metres depth and there was very little visibility due to the weather conditions but we achieved our aims.

“My colleagues have shown incredible professionalism.”

09:20 AM BST

Manslaughter investigation opened, say prosecution.

Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio: “A case has been opened hypothesising the crime of shipwreck and manslaughter but we are only at the initial stage of the inquiries so far, so I am going to confine myself to only giving you that information.

He said the development of that inquiry could be of “any sort imaginable”.

“It was absolutely indispensable to make that press conference given the interest of the world press in those who died,” he added.

The investigation is not yet targeting any individual person.

09:18 AM BST

Sinking of the yacht was a ‘grave tragedy’.

Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio has recounted how the Bayesian sank in an intense storm on Monday and how the 15 survivors were rescued by another large yacht that was nearby.

He said it was a “grave tragedy” and that in order to “reduce the dimensions of the tragedy” they called on a “big operation of firefighters and firefighting divers who have shown “incredible courage and skill” who carried out a very difficult mission indeed and have allowed us to inspect properly the wreck for bodies”.

09:14 AM BST

Yacht was already sunk by the time coastguard arrived.

Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said: “There are issues obviously which we cannot comment on at this stage, I think this is a real need which you will all understand in the media.

“The right to information, to free press, often requires what we call squaring of the circle. But I would like to request some understanding, this is not a complication we are seeking ourselves.

“So on the 19th of August at 4 o’clock in the morning the coastguards were alerted to the disaster.

“The coastguards arrived on the spot immediately but the yacht was already sunk.”

09:11 AM BST

There has been silence around this disaster, says prosecutor.

Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said: “There has been silence around this disaster and we believe it is necessary therefore to publicise the fact that according to Article 5 of the Constitution of 2006 it is not possible to make comments on behalf of the prosecutor of Italy before inquiries have been made properly.

“I have personally criticised this law in the interest of public debate because it seems to me that there is a legitimate interest here and it seems to me that this law creates a lot of obstacles in terms of informing people.”

09:02 AM BST

What’s coming up.

We’re expecting to hear from three people this morning.

They are chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano and Italian Coast Guard officer Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda.

08:42 AM BST

Italian prosecutors expected to speak from 9am.

There’s tight security at the court complex in the town of Termini Imerese where the prosecutors will hold their first press conference.

Guarding the entrance are police, paramilitary Carabinieri and a handful of soldiers.

Journalists are queuing to have their bags checked at a metal detector at the front of the building. 

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Recommended Stories

Divers uncover the 6th missing body after luxury superyacht sank in freak storm off sicily. here's what we know about the incident..

It's been five days since the Bayesian, a luxury superyacht, sank after being caught in a violent storm.

Bodies of Autonomy founder Mike Lynch and his daughter recovered from sunken Bayesian yacht

Mike Lynch, the U.K. investor and founder of IT company Autonomy, has been identified as one of two bodies recovered from the Bayesian, the yacht that sunk off the coast of Sicily early Monday, according to several reports coming out of the country that cite the chief of Civil Protection, Salvo Cocina. The boat, registered to Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, quickly capsized in the early hours of Monday after it was struck by a tornado-like water column. In a tragic coincidence, Chamberlain was hit by a car last Saturday and died of his wounds earlier this week.

Target's Labor Day sale is surprisingly great: Deals on iPads, Dyson, LG and more

These deals are on point: A $90 Ninja air fryer, $100 off iconic Sony headphones, patio furniture steals and a boatload more.

College football Week 1 live updates: Georgia vs. Clemson, Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M and more

Follow all of Saturday's college football action at Yahoo Sports.

AI brings a whole new dimension to the challenge of organizational transformation

Let’s start with the premise that change is hard for everyone. As we’ve watched large organizations over the last 15 years try to embrace mobile, Big Data, the cloud and general digital transformation, we have seen many of them struggle again and again to implement these technologies. Part of the problem is technical debt, the notion that an organization’s tech stack has to evolve to take full advantage of the new technologies, rather than using a set of technical capabilities designed for a prior era.

I tested dozens of beauty products this month — I'm buying these 5 for myself

From a universally flattering, Drew Barrymore-fave lipstick to a quick eye-bag fix, these quality, editor-approved finds actually work.

'Long enough to cover my behind': This cozy cardigan is on sale for $23

The sweater is a soft and stylish way to greet the cooler evenings — and it's 60% off.

Dodgers manager says Clayton Kershaw left early due to bone spur, could see IL time

Kershaw was pulled in the second inning due to pain from a bone spur in his left big toe, with manager Dave Roberts saying he's been dealing with it for years

'Ended up returning my Skims': This tummy-taming bodysuit is down to $12 for Labor Day weekend

'Not only does it snatch your waist, but it's not uncomfortable either!' says one fan.

The best budget earbuds we've ever tested are 50% off — down to just $20

Baseus has crafted amazingly good earbuds with a price tag that's even more amazing.

Formula 1: Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

The seven-time champion is heading to Ferrari in 2025.

This flattering and 'roomy' tunic top is just $20 (45% off) for Labor Day

This breezy shirt will be the most-reached-for piece in your closet — stock up while it's on sale.

How to watch NCAA football: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M, kickoff time, how to stream and more

Notre Dame will face Texas A&M in the team's first game of the season this Saturday.

These fan-favorite tummy-control undies aredown to $4 a pair for Labor Day

'Flatter my natural curves': Over 68,000 shoppers rave about these supportive, full-coverage briefs.

What the gap between retirement expectations and reality tells us

The chasm between how much Americans think they need for retirement and what retirees say they can live on is significant, according to recent surveys.

How To Watch NCAA Football: Michigan Wolverines vs. Fresno State Bulldogs, kickoff time, how to stream, and more

The Michigan Wolverines open their title defense against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Big Ten Saturday Night, here's how to watch.

How To Watch NCAA Football: Penn State Vs. West Virginia, kickoff time, how to stream and more

The Penn State Nittany Lions will face the West Virginia Mountaineers in their first game of the season this Saturday.

The 2 best stainless steel pans for 2024, tested and reviewed

These top pans from Made In and Tramontina impressed us with their durability, heat retention and more.

Amazon's Labor Day sale: Get ready to Roomba with a robovac at $70 off, plus more amazing deals

Plus, score rare markdowns on an iPad, Ring video doorbell, kitchenware, fall fashion and more.

The best Labor Day mattress sales from Nest, Casper, Serta and more

Don't sleep on these deals: $1,200 off a cooling top-seller from Nectar, up to $700 off Tempur-Pedic and more back-saving buys.

MORE SECTIONS

• Dear Deidre

MORE FROM THE SUN

• Newsletters
• Deliver my newspaper
• Sun Vouchers
• The Sun Digital Newspaper
• Racing Members Enclosure
• Fabulous Clothing

Bayesian superyacht crew face police quiz after captain placed under manslaughter investigation as pics & vids analysed

• James Halpin
• Published : 9:49, 27 Aug 2024
• Updated : 14:41, 27 Aug 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

THE crew of the Bayesian superyacht are set to face a police grilling as the captain has come under a manslaughter investigation.

Officials are rifling through pictures and video of the tragedy that killed British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , his daughter, and five others.

Surviving passengers left Sicily in a private jet on Sunday, with most of the crew now set to leave following interviews with cops.

But two key members running the boat will stay behind as the prosecutor's office looks to solve the capsize riddle.

CCTV footage and photos taken by locals of the night of the storm is being collected and analysed by the prosecutor's office as they probe whether to charge them.

Captain James Cutfield , 51, from New Zealand, is one of those still in Palermo and is being  investigated for manslaughter  and shipwreck.

Read more on world news

Captain of Bayesian superyacht 'under official investigation for manslaughter'

Passengers trapped mid-air on Sea World ride as spinning ‘Vortex’ malfunctions

The investigation doesn't necessarily mean charges are likely, but he has already been questioned twice by prosecutors.

It comes as...

• Brit teen  Hannah Lynch was found on the sunken boat  on Friday as her family paid tribute
• Five bodies were recovered from the yacht wreck  on Wednesday and Thursday including Brit tycoon Mike Lynch
• The CEO of the firm that produced the Bayesian said the boat is  'unsinkable' and pointed to human error
• Captain James Cutfield was quizzed for two hours  by cops and remains at the  centre of a probe
• Experts believe the yacht's ' tallest mast in the world ' may have contributed to the disaster after a  freak ‘Black Swan’ weather event struck
• Pictures showed the  tiny raft that saved up to 15 people
• Frantic text messages  from the survivors revealed the chaos

Giovanni Rizzuti, lawyer for Cutfield, told The Guardian the captain was facing more questioning today.

Most read in The Sun

Raheem Sterling JOINS Arsenal, Chelsea set to confirm Jadon Sancho signing

Fatman Scoop 'given CPR on stage' after collapsing mid-performance

Inside bargain holiday hotspot with sex games that's Europe's new party central

Coming to the pub? Then hurry up & order a hotpot before Keir bans meat

He said: “Our client is deeply affected by this ordeal... We are currently assessing, with other legal representatives, the defence strategy and examining the technical aspects of the case.”

But Cutfield isn't the only person under the microscope, with a second crew member set to be investigated.

First officer Tijs Koopman has also been kept behind in Palermo, reports Giornale Di Sicilia .

The interviews have been conducted in English, creating a difficult task for prosecutors as they now need to translate it all into Italian.

A tornado and sudden storm caught the crew by surprise, with investigators now checking whether they made any errors.

The 184ft Bayesian  was carrying 22 people and sank in 60 seconds of being hit by the storm.

Locals say that on August 18 lightening and thunder had already started at 9.30pm, hours before the ship sank at 5am.

Brit tech tycoon Mike Lynch and four others were found dead in the first cabin of the luxury yacht’s left side.

Prosecutors said  the victims  had attempted to scramble to one side of  the doomed £30million, 184ft vessel  in a desperate battle to reach air pockets.

Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah,  was found in the third cabin after it sank stern-first before rolling on to its right on the seabed.

The yacht’s chef also died, with his body being found at the beginning of the search.

Fifteen of the 22 on board, including Mr Lynch’s wife  Angela Bacares , 57, escaped on a life raft.

Chief Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said at a press conference on Saturday that some "behaviours" by crew may not have fit their "responsibilities".

He said: “There could be in fact the question of homicide. But this is the beginning of the inquiry, we cannot exclude anything at all.”

He vowed to “discover how much they (the crew) knew and to what extent all the people (passengers) were warned.”

“We will establish each element’s (crew) responsibility. For me, it is probable that offences were committed — that it could be a case of manslaughter.”

He said Captain Cutfield had been “extremely cooperative” during questioning and will be quizzed further.

Lead prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said Italy’s Air Force found the boat was sunk by a downburst that descended from a thunderstorm.

He said there were forecasts of strong winds and a storm alert but good visibility and no suggestion of a tornado.

He added: “Given the conditions were such, there wasn’t anything to suggest there could be an extreme situation.

“There are vessels that can monitor these events and one would have thought the captain had taken precautions.”

He said one person was on watch in the cockpit at the time of the accident.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

‘When are extra dates being added’ demand Oasis fans after ticket hell

Final day to apply for £200 lump payment to help with food, energy & water bills

Maritime law gives a captain full responsibility for the ship and the crew, as well as the safety of all aboard.

Causing a shipwreck is a separate offence in Italy and those found guilty of provoking or causing a shipwreck could face up to 12 years in prison.

Bayesian mystery: the unanswered questions

PROSECUTORS have launched a major probe into whether the Bayesian crew follow the right procedures before it tragically sank.

With the investigation underway now that bodies have been recovered, these are the key points that remain shrouded in mystery.

Why did it sink while other boats withstood the storm?

Survivors were saved by crew of Dutch boat Sir Robert Baden Powell, which was moored right near the Bayesian.

The 42-metre boat remained anchored after its skipper turned on the engine, also avoiding a collision with the doomed British-flagged vessel.

Rescuer Karsten Borner said the Bayesian crew were likely "surprised" by the storm's prowess.

Were proper safety precautions followed?

In light of the weather warning issued by the coast guard, questions have been raised over whether yacht guests were woken up and given life jackets.

On Saturday, prosecutors said those who died were likely asleep when the storm hit.

This meant they couldn't escape as the boat rapidly sank, investigators believe.

Was the Bayesian properly anchored?

The anchor being lowered to 50 metres has sparked questions over whether the yacht should have been secured in shallower water.

Retired Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe also said the Bayesian is designed for a huge sail - and without the sail raised, the fierce gusts would've rocked the boat's aluminium pole.

He told CBC News: "My kind of working assumption is that she was probably a bit further in at anchor, and it’s very likely, in these sort of conditions, that her anchor dragged."

Were hatches left open?

It access hatches were left open before the storm struck, it's believed the yacht would've quickly filled with water once it tipped, causing the swift sinking.

An expert at the scene told Reuters that one of the earliest aims for investigators was to establish whether the crew did not close access hatches before disaster struck.

With temperatures above 33 degrees, they may have been left open for air circulation.

Sam Jefferson said: "I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that."

How long will the investigation take?

Sicilian prosecutors wouldn't be drawn on giving a timeline for the investigation on Saturday.

With the wreck at 50 metres below the sea surface, they warned it would take some time.

Autopsies are also yet to be done.

• Bayesian yacht sinks

Sailing yachts like Mike Lynch's are 'unsinkable bodies', CEO of boat manufacturing firm says

Bayesian superyacht which sank off Italy is an "unsinkable" vessel, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said.

By Ashna Hurynag, news correspondent and Eleonora Chiarella, producer

Sunday 25 August 2024 08:48, UK

Vessels like Mike Lynch's stricken superyacht are "unsinkable", according to the chief executive of the firm which makes and sells them.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, told Sky News there are no flaws with the design and construction of the Bayesian superyacht which capsized in a storm off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on Monday.

Five bodies were found by divers on Wednesday - taking the number of confirmed dead to six.

The Italian Sea Group also owns the firm that built British tech tycoon Mr Lynch's Bayesian, and Mr Costantino said the vessels "are the safest in the most absolute sense".

"Being the manufacturer of Perini [boats], I know very well how the boats have always been designed and built," he said.

"And as Perini is a sailing ship... sailing ships are renowned to be the safest ever."

He said their structure and keel made them "unsinkable bodies".

Read more on this story: Why search of superyacht wreck has been so difficult Hero mum 'slept with baby on deck when storm sank yacht'

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Mr Costantino said news of the sinking "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other".

"This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact," he said.

It is understood Italian prosecutors investigating the incident are continuing to hold interviews with the survivors.

On Tuesday they questioned the captain for more than two hours to help reconstruct what happened and provide useful technical details.

Four British inspectors are also in Porticello and have begun a preliminary assessment of events.

It is understood they will look at all relevant aspects of the incident, including the design, stability, and operation of the vessel. They will also examine the effects of the weather conditions experienced.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel, 15 of whom were rescued - including Briton Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter Sofia.

Divers will resume efforts on Thursday morning to bring ashore a body they found earlier. One more person remains missing.

Related Topics

• Superyacht sinking

Italian prosecutors widen probe into superyacht that sank off Sicily to 2 more crew members

Italian prosecutors have put under investigation two more crew members of the Bayesian, the superyacht that sank off Sicily last week, killing seven people, their lawyer said

ROME -- Italian prosecutors have put under investigation two more crew members of the Bayesian, the superyacht that sank off Sicily last week, killing seven people, their lawyer said on Friday.

The move widens the probe into the tragic shipwreck, for which the ship’s captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, is already under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges.

Since Wednesday, Tim Parker Eaton — the engineer who was in charge of securing the yacht’s engine room — and sailor Matthew Griffith — who was on watch duty on the night of the disaster — are under investigation for the same possible charges, their lawyer said.

“The profile of their possible responsibilities is still unclear, as the investigation has just started,” lawyer Mario Scopesi told The Associated Press.

Scopesi added that both Parker Eaton and Griffith left Italy on Wednesday, along with Cutfield and the rest of the crew.

The three crew members were among 15 survivors of the Aug. 19 sinking that killed British tech magnate Mike Lynch , his daughter Hannah and five others.

Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, who is heading the investigation, has said his team will consider each possible element of responsibility including those of the captain, the crew, individuals in charge of supervision and the yacht’s manufacturer.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged luxury yacht, went down near Sicily, in the Mediterranean. Investigators are focusing on how a sailing vessel deemed “unsinkable” by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.

Prosecutors said the event was “extremely rapid” and could have been a “downburst” — a localized, powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads out rapidly upon hitting the ground.

All crewmembers survived except for the chef, but six passengers were trapped in the yacht's hull and died.

Popular Reads

Czech experts safely detonate rare WWII bomb

• Aug 30, 8:39 AM

New Zealand's Māori King dies after 18-year reign

• Aug 29, 11:14 PM

Spraying pesticides quells mosquitos, kills bees

• Aug 30, 11:00 AM

Death of woman on 1st day of Burning Man festival under investigation

• Aug 26, 2:12 PM

Major power outage hits Venezuela's capital

• Aug 30, 7:34 AM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events