A 76m research vessel named Petrel listed in its Edinburgh dry dock

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The biggest yachting news stories of March 2023

31 March 2023• Written by Gabrielle Lazaridis

A string of incidents were reported across the yachting industry this past month with several salvage operations gone awry, a major blaze in Fort Lauderdale and a yacht stranded at sea. Here is everything you might have missed in March...

1. Grounded 28m Sunseeker yacht Nakoa sinks during salvage operation

Credit: DLNR

Last month saw the 28.1-metre Nakoa from Sunseeker run aground in a marine preservation area off the coast of Maui. Following two failed salvage attempts, a third operation on 5 March concluded with the yacht sinking to a depth of 300 metres. The Department of Land and Natural Resources has warned that Nakoa's owner could be facing hefty penalties after the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources found damage to coral reefs protected under state law.

Read More/Grounded 28m Sunseeker yacht Nakoa sinks during salvage operation

2. Inside the refit of 88m yachting icon Maltese Falcon

BOAT International visited Lusben's Livorno facility earlier this month to take a glimpse at the full-scale refit of Perini Navi's iconic Maltese Falcon sailing yacht, designed by the late Tom Perkins. Sixteen years after her original delivery, the 88-metre vessel is expected to emerge with a totally revamped interior, new deck areas and a different colour hull.

Read More/Maltese Falcon: Inside the refit of a yachting icon

3. 114m Project Cosmos launched at Lürssen

Credit: Steffen Mayer/Superyachtblog

The 114.2-metre superyacht Project Cosmos from Lürssen was spotted for the first time since construction began in 2020. One of the largest yachts currently under construction, Project Cosmos has now completed her technical launch from the German yard's Rendsburg facility. Delivery to her Japanese owner is expected in 2025. 

Read More/114m Project Cosmos launched at Lürssen

4. 146m Lürssen superyacht Opera delivered

Credit: Mark Cox

Lürssen recently delivered the superyacht Opera, which saw the 146 metre travel from the shipyard in Germany to Portsmouth Harbour in the UK. She is the tenth-largest privately owned yacht in the world with both exterior and interior design by Terence Disdale

Read More/146m Lürssen superyacht Opera delivered

5. Oceanco presents 131m Aeolus concept in Dubai

Dutch builder Oceanco used this year's Dubai International Boat Show to present a new 131-metre concept named Aeolus. Named after the Greek god of wind, the exterior design from Giles Taylor is characterised by fluid lines that evoke the idea of being sculpted by the wind. The yard also brought on Njord by Bergman Design House to create the interior concept. 

Read More/Oceanco presents 131m Aeolus concept in Dubai

6. World Superyacht Awards 2022 nominees revealed

The nominees of the 2023 World Superyacht Awards, held in association with AKYACHT, were revealed in March. The winners will be announced during an exclusive ceremony held in Istanbul later this year, recognising the best in superyacht ingenuity and craftsmanship from across the globe. 

Read More/World Superyacht Awards 2023 nominees revealed

7. 27m Princess yacht sustains major damage in Fort Lauderdale blaze

Credit: Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue

A fire broke out on board the 26.8-metre Princess yacht named Hot Pursuit in Las Olas Isles, Fort Lauderdale on 8 March. Fire crews were called to the scene where they found the yacht's flybridge already engulfed in flames. The yacht sustained major damage and an investigation has been opened into the cause of the accident. 

Read More/27m Princess yacht sustains major damage in Fort Lauderdale blaze

8. 76m research vessel Petrel lists in Edinburgh dry dock

Credit: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

A 76.4-metre research vessel named Petrel became dislodged from her holding in an Edinburgh dry dock due to strong winds on the morning of 22 March. The ship listed at a 45-degree angle on her starboard side, resulting in several injuries reported at the scene. The research vessel was formerly owned by Paul Allen but had recently been sold to the US Navy and had been on the dock since October 2022, according to BOATPro data.

Read More/76m research vessel Petrel lists in Edinburgh dry dock

9. 30m Nordhavn yacht recovered after floating adrift for more than a week

An incident on 2 March left the 29.5-metre Nordhavn motor yacht VivieRae II stranded around 158 nautical miles east of Merauke, West Papua Indonesia. The vessel spent ten days floating adrift according to captain Bob Giles, who recounted the incident to BOAT International. Repairs are expected to take place in Brisbane prior to the yacht's continued journey west. 

Read More/30m Nordhavn yacht recovered after floating adrift for more than a week

10. Salvage operation underway for grounded 49m superyacht 007 in Greece

Credit: Σταμάτης Γαρδέρης

A salvage operation was reportedly underway on 21 March to remove the 49-metre Aegean Yacht 007  from where she sat in the waters of Greece. The semi-submerged superyacht had remained in the same position since she ran aground and listed on 2 September 2022. Delivered in 2006 with an original length of 32 metres, the fate of the superyacht is still unknown. 

Read More/Salvage operation underway for grounded 49m superyacht 007 in Greece

More about this yacht

VIVIERAE II

Nordhavn   29.56 m •  2017

007

Aegean Yacht   49 m •  2006

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