A luxury 30-meter yacht named “Angiola II” sank off the coast of Sardinia after taking on water near Porto Cervo, according to reports from Italian media and local authorities. The vessel went down just four days after its Italian owner took delivery following an extensive refit, leaving maritime experts and brokers examining how a multimillion-pound asset could be lost so quickly.
Sinking off Porto Cervo
The incident unfolded Tuesday evening in the Mediterranean Sea between the island of Capuccini and Capo Ferro. Video footage captured the luxury vessel listing heavily to one side and slipping beneath the surface as bystanders watched from nearby boats. According to the Italian media, the yacht’s value exceeds 8 million euros, contrasting with initial estimates placing the price at 3,8 милиона паунда.
The La Maddalena Coast Guard managed the emergency response, working for nearly three hours before allowing the hull to settle safely on the seabed. The wreckage now rests seven meters underwater, where it will remain until salvage crews deploy a 200-ton pontoon to lift it, local officials stated.
Evacuation and Rescue Operations
Fourteen people were aboard when the vessel began to take on water. A nearby boat rescued twelve of the passengers, while the owner and a friend stayed on the sinking yacht until a patrol boat arrived to transport them to Poltu Cuatu. No injuries were reported during the operation.
Maritime authorities and local media outlets noted that a mechanical failure in the engine reportedly triggered a fire in the seals, allowing water to flood the hull and destroy the vessel’s buoyancy. However, the official cause of the flooding remains unconfirmed pending further investigation.
Brokerage Background and Vessel History
Brokerage firm Agenzia Marittima De Felice announced the purchase in July, describing the buyer as a long-standing client of the agency. The identity of the owner has not been released to the public.
The yacht was originally launched in July 2020 by Italian shipyard Permare under the Amer Yachts brand, serving as the sixth hull in the Amer F100 series. The model accommodates up to ten guests across five cabins, designed for luxury cruising in the Mediterranean.
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Global Contrast: Black Sea Vessel Sinks in Minutes
The Italian incident echoes a remarkably swift maritime accident reported in Turkey. According to Marica.bg, a motor yacht valued at approximately 40 million Turkish liras (about 1.6 million levs) sank just 15 minutes after its launch in the Black Sea town of Zonguldak, in the Karadeniz Eregli region. Built over the course of a year, that vessel began taking on water immediately during its maiden descent.
Unlike the Sardinian rescue, the Turkish incident involved a crew of four who were safely brought ashore by the local Coast Guard without injury. Experts in Turkey quickly launched an inspection of the wreckage to determine whether a hull breach or drainage system failure caused the rapid descent, drawing widespread online commentary regarding short-lived sea tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there any injuries during the sinking of Angiola II?
No, all 14 people aboard the yacht were safely evacuated, with twelve rescued by a nearby boat and the remaining two transported by a coast guard patrol vessel, according to local reports.
What caused the yacht to sink?
While official confirmation is pending, local reports indicate an engine failure may have sparked a fire in the seals, letting water flood the hull.
How deep is the wreck lying?
The vessel rests on the seabed at a depth of seven meters off the coast of Sardinia.
How will the wreckage be recovered?
Authorities plan to use a 200-ton pontoon to raise the sunken yacht from the seafloor.
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