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53' Beneteau

51' Beneteau

40' Mainship

140 Opportunities To Find Your Future Remarkable Boat — Special Offers

Beneteau Sail Models In Stock & Ready for Delivery

Looking to sell your boat.

The “art” of selling a boat has changed dramatically in the past decade. That's why our digital presence on boat shopping websites is second to none. From the largest global listings site as well as on newer sites that are boat specific, our listings get seen online. We also have an active advertising presence on Google and social media, print advertising, plus participation in all the prominent East Coast boat shows ensuring your listing gets ideal exposure to the right buyers. That strategy, combined with the right team to represent your boat across our four office locations is how we get the job done.

We believe the art of our work is about making the right match.

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Welcome to Essex Yacht Sales , a CPYB Endorsed Yacht Brokerage in Essex, CT featuring Downeast, Trawlers, Express Cruisers and Fine Yachts, Power and Sail

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If you’re looking for a great boat, essex yacht sales can find it for you!

Browse Sold Boats

Let us sell your boat! The market is brisk. Call today!

New Yachts offered

PRESENTING CRAFTSMEN-BUILT BOATS BY ROCKPORT MARINE

Unique Leadership

a tireless advocate for strong professional standards

Selling Or Buying…Get On Board With Us!

We are a CT-based Used Boat Brokerage

RAM arkable Yacht Sales LLC

Meet our founder: Russ Mills has been in boating since 1995, with his first boat being a 1988 Sea Ray Seville bowrider. Since then, he has owned several different styles, makes and sizes, both gasoline and diesel powered. With his enduring love of boating, deep business experience & passion for delighting customers, he founded RAMarkable Yacht Sales LLC. Russ has built an extensive executive career in business that spans more than 30 years within two Fortune 500 companies and brings a deep business & finance experience. He has sold large vessels, written contracts, contributed to boating forums and advised fellow boat owners over many years.  Combining this business experience and a mission to delight customers with high integrity, helps to ensure that you have a professional partner working with and for you, along with the confidence that all of the important steps get covered. We offer professional, trustworthy boat and yacht brokerage services at competitive rates. Let us be the trusted partner on your next purchase or sale! Avoid time-consuming hassles. risks and complexities that fall onto you if you go it alone, without a broker. We will help manage the 10 steps involved in buying a boat, which start with proper marketing & advertising of your vessel and finish with the excitement of closing your deal! Have us working for you on both sides of the deal!!

Have some questions? Fill out the form below and we will get back to your shortly.

UNDER CONTRACT! 1997 Four Winns 258 Vista | 26ft.

Affordable, versatile and comfortable are some of the things that come to mind with this cruiser. Whether you're planning a day on the water or an overnight adventure, she's got you covered. Step inside and you're greeted with ample space for entertaining and then a welcoming, spacious cabin with nice accommodations for 3-4.

2006 Silverton 45 Convertible | 48ft

The Silverton 45C speaks for itself and this one is special. Fresh water kept and meticulously maintained, her D12-800's make this one a pure beast on the water, capable of 35kn if you need the speed, but her owner has always respected a comfortable cruising speed. Not much has been spared and an owner's log of every maintenance item and upgrade is available.

UNDER CONTRACT -1979 Pacemaker 57 Motor Yacht | 57ft

An exceptional classic yacht from a storied & iconic builder that combines timeless design, luxurious comfort and reliable performance.  A great live-aboard option with stunning comforts. Welcoming luxury and ambiance await as you step aboard this beautiful, fully equipped motor yacht. 

2008 Cruisers Yachts 460 | 47ft

"Nice Shoozzz" is as NICE as they come and the most aggressively priced 460 Express on the market! It's simply a "must see" if you're in the market for a large, luxury express cruiser. This one is fully equipped and in meticulous condition! 

2006 Larson Cabrio 240 | 24ft

This one features the larger 5.7L 280HP fuel injected engine and extended swim platform. It has been freshwater kept and lightly used by her owners.

SOLD! - 2011 Formula 310 BR | 31ft

Just reduced for a spring DEAL! Here's a great one with LOW  hours and hasn't been sitting at rest! Sport and power come together, backed with the Formula name & quality we've come to know for over half a century!

SOLD! 2006 Golden Eye | 18ft

Yvaledon is one very unique Cape Cod Shipbuilding 'Golden Eye', which is being offered for sale by her meticulous owner, who has aged out of sailing. A rare find indeed and this is an original owner vessel, which was custom built for single-handed sailing and tackling heavy weather if necessary

SOLD! 1989 Carver Santego 38 | 38 Ft.

The Santego offers the perfect balance of luxury & functionality on the water. When introduced, this design was extremely popular. This boat has a great pedigree and was purchased from her original owner by her current owner.

SOLD! 1983 Egg Harbor 33 Sportfish | 33ft

The valedictorian of her class, this classic & legendary sportfish is the gem you want! A rare for her size,  diesel-powered icon with low hours and in very nice condition, she's ready to take you on your cruising and fishing adventures. 

2007 Bayliner 325 Sunbridge | 35ft

This stylish 325 Sunbridge packs a punch, rivaling other makes in her 32-34 foot cruiser class in terms of space and layout and is sure to satisfy your needs for comfort, amenities and performance, creating a perfect on-water retreat. A Kohler on-board 5KW generator give you the flexibility to take this boat anywhere. ?Liberty Call? has been well cared for in and out, including a hull that shines among the best of them

2001 Sea Ray 245 Weekender | 25ft

Here's your perfect blend of comfort and performance for any day of the week and is ideal for your weekend escapes. There's ample space on board for enjoyment with family and friends. Find your favorite spot and spend the weekend aboard in comfort.

UNDER CONTRACT! 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer 270 | 27ft

SUPER CLEAN  and in great shape from cabin to hull! This timeless Sundancer has been fortunate to have been in the hands of meticulous ownership and upholds the Sundancer tradition of a contemporary design fit for comfort, entertaining and performance. She's powered with a 7.4L Mercruiser with a Bravo III stern drive, providing plenty of power and accessibility for routine maintenance.

2013 Four Winns H310 | 31ft

Here's a clear beauty that's hard to find in this type of condition! Take your day-boating to the next level aboard this meticulous H310 bow rider, equipped with a spacious head to starboard and even a small sleeping cabin to port. She's simply a standout! This boat goes well beyond your average boat ride, with her Twin 350 Magnum power & Bravo III handling and features joystick docking control.

SOLD! 2002 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer | 36ft

No compromising with this one! "C-Dog" is a fine example of what taking great care of a boat means and this one certainly shows very well! A wildly popular & timeless design, this 340 Sundancer gives it all: performance, space, comfort and storage.

2007 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer | 33ft

Here's a NICELY MAINTAINED 2007 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer with V-Drives and twin 350 MPI engines that deliver plenty of power! This boat gives you everything you need & has an exceptional layout for luxurious comfort and elegant entertaining.  She's among the most popular designs on the water and features a cockpit layout complete with ample seating, wet bar, grill and other comforts that make her full fit for your entertainment.

1986 Trojan 11M | 36ft

Here's a quality designed and engineered classic with quite a legacy. This one is in good condition, powered by twin 350HP Crusaders and has a very generous amount of space for your enjoyment. Her single stateroom design makes this boat ideal for entertaining, given the extra space dedicated to the salon, galley and dining settee. She's properly fit for pleasure and/or fishing, yet offers plenty of space and comfort for nice overnight stays in destinations of your choosing. There aren't a lot of these boats around in comparison to other production vessels, so finding a good one is a catch!

RAM arkable Yacht Sales

We are a CT-based used boat brokerage. Buying or selling a boat should be an exciting experience and we help ensure that it is! We work for you on both sides of the transaction, whether you are selling or buying.

"Customer Service is the most important item we offer!"

Welcome To East Shore Yacht Sales

• Com-Pac Yachts
• BOATS FOR SALE

We have Moved. Now you will find us all throughout New England. From Maine to New York.

Our mobile office., we need new listings, spring is here. our inventory is in need of replacement. if you have been thinking about selling your boat, give us a call now. we can help you get the best value for your vessel. please click here for information on the full range of services and unique ideas we have to help sell your boat., just reduced, 2000 catalina 400mkii  $125,000.00 price just reduced, set up for a cruise to the caribbean, “flying dutchman” has loads of storage, and a huge captains cabin. this is a one owner boat. lightly used and ready to go. sails professionally maintained, and innerspring mattresses in both cabins. click on the picture to see the details and a video.,  here are other listings you might like, “apres ski” mainship 34     $36,500,  2003 tiara 4000 express $198,900, this tiara is loaded with new electronics, rebuilt genset and more….

There are many more boats in our inventory please see the link below for all our listings…

To see all of our listings click HERE .

Current Weather

Seasonal/Winter Storage -30¢/gal Seasonal Patrons -20¢/gal Transient Dockage -10¢/gal

Peggy and George have run our brokerage department for over 26 years. They have been in the boat sales business for over 30 years. They possess a lifetime of knowledge about boats, the boat buying and selling process, and helping new boaters find their way. George is an experienced boat handler and specializes in teaching new boat owners. Peggy is an expert at dealing with appraisals, surveys, and financing. 

Here you will find two of the most veteran used boat dealers in the state. George and Peggy have a reputation for honesty and integrity that benefits both the buyer and seller.  

 ***** See Our Current Listings *****

We maintain a huge inventory of used boats and are located in clinton, ct right by long island sound. our used boats for sale are on both yachtworld and boat trader. please click  the image below to be taken to our boats for sale..

BREWER YACHT SALES Integrity You Can Trust & Experience You Can Bank On

Search by category, express cruisers.

MOTOR YACHTS

CENTER CONSOLES

TRAWLERS/DOWNEAST

Why Buy and Sell With Brewer Yacht Sales?

Our yacht sales professionals are ready to make your boating dreams a reality. Whether buying or selling, our knowledgeable brokerage team will guide you through each stage of the transaction, making the process seamless and worry-free.

Featured Yachts

2002 Raised Pilothouse

Patuxent River, Maryland, United States

Brick, New Jersey, United States

2024 New Harbor 28

Westbrook, Connecticut, United States

Connect With Us

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• Contact Us – Petzold’s Marine Boat Dealer
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Dealers for Back Cove: Practical Elegance. From Maine

Dealers for Chris Craft: America’s Boatbuilder Since 1874

Dealers for Sylvan: Head-Turning Luxury. Mind-Blowing Performance.

Dealers for Regal: Follow No One

Dealers for Sea Fox: The Finest Boats at the Fairest Price

Dealers for EdgeWater: The Edge Of Possibility

Starcraft: Memories are made here

Dealers for Sabre: Crafted in the Maine Tradition

Parts store, storage/slips.

Our Family’s Business is Your Family’s Pleasure

Petzold’s Marine Center, headquartered in Portland, CT is located at mile marker 99 along the scenic CT River.  We also have satellite offices in Norwalk, Connecticut and Warwick, Rhode Island.

We are proud to represent Boat Sales and Service  for  New  and  Used   Sabre &  Back Cove Yachts , Regal boats,   EdgeWater power boats , Sylvan pontoon boats , Starcraft deck boats, Chris Craft Boats and Sea Fox boats.

Our 14,000 sq. ft heated showroom is one of the largest in New England! You can shop in comfort while browsing a minimum of 24 new models up to 50 feet on display.

We have a solid reputation as a first-class yacht sales organization with a long successful track record of sales throughout the region. We strive to make the purchasing process simple and enjoyable in our relaxed and low-pressure environment.

Our talented sales team can offer a wide range of brokerage services including financing companies, insurance agencies and marine surveyors.

Petzold’s Marine Center is also one of the area’s top marine technical service providers. Our staff is factory trained by Volvo, Mercruiser, Yanmar, Kohler and Crusader. We provide a wide range of boat services, from seasonal commissioning and decommissioning, winter storage, summer slips, engine repair, repowering, electrical installation or customization.

Petzold’s has a 3500 sq. ft Ship’s Store stocked with all your boating needs.  We can meet or beat most discount store prices.

Combining our acclaimed boat product lines and  large inventory  of quality  pre-owned boats  with our professional sales team and unparalleled service technicians, Petzold’s Marine has earned respect and the reputation as one of the premier yacht sales and service centers in the Northeast.

Check out our sister Marina Chester Boat Basin on the Connecticut River in Chester CT.

Featured Boats

2023 Regal 36XO

Price: Request Price

Portland, Connecticut

2024 Chris-Craft Catalina 30

East Norwalk, Connecticut

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2016 Elan Impression 45

Price: $294,500

Branford, Connecticut

2024 Elan Impression 43

Price: $649,372

Mystic, Connecticut

2005 Sea Ray 390 Motor Yacht

Price: $225,000

Welcome to Springline Yacht Sales

Springline Yacht Sales is the premier New Boat Dealership and Yacht Brokerage in the Northeast and beyond. As a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) endorsed dealership with offices in Mystic, CT and Quebec, CAN we represent both power and sail and have boats of every size for every budget.

Springline offers New Boat Sales as well as extensive Brokerage Services to both buyers and sellers . Representing new sailboat brands including family-friendly cruisers from Catalina Yachts , and the sleek, uncompromising European offerings from Elan Yachts . AND… we have years of experience with sailboats from Blue Jacket, Tartan Yachts, Island Packet Yachts , Beneteau, Jeanneau, and many, many more.

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1-860-554-0903       [email protected]

JUPITER BOATS at MARITIME >

Interested in Selling Your Boat? We Make it Simple.

Our sales professionals will handle all aspects of selling your boat for you with clear communication every step of the way. From world-leading MLS listings to displaying your boat at one of our three waterfront locations, through filtering the tire kickers & scams, right on to the sale of your boat. Let us show you why Maritime Boat Sales is the right broker for your boat.

LEARN WHY TO SELL with MARITIME  >

TIDEWATER BOATS  at MARITIME  >

Featured Inventory

Jupiter 41 SB

NEW BOAT  LISTINGS  >

PREOWNED BOAT  LISTINGS  >

Maritime Boat Sales Your Trusted Partner

Maritime Boat Sales is proud to be the premier Connecticut & Western Rhode Island boat dealer for Jupiter Boats & TideWater Boats. Founded in 2010, Maritime Boat Sales has only strengthened its commitment and success as a full-service brokerage & new boat sales resource. LEARN MORE >

BOAT TRADER LISTINGS  >

Keith Abel Sales Manager

1-860-554-0903

MARITIME BOAT SALES Authorized Connecticut TIDEWATER Dealer Authorized CT & Western RI JUPITER MARINE Dealer

sales @maritimeboatsales.net P ( 860) 554-0903

Connecticut

Boats For Sale

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• Search Used Yachts For Sale
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2016 Beneteau 44' GOTALI

GOTALI is a 2016 Beneteau 44' Swift Trawler 44 listed for sale with United Yacht Broker Paul Ouimette. Paul can be reached at 1-203-913-2079 to answer any questions you may have on this boat. United Yacht Sales is a professional yacht brokerage firm that has experience listing and selling all types of Beneteau Yachts and similar boats. With over 250 yacht brokers worldwide, we have the largest network of boat buyers and sellers in the industry.

“Gotali” is a Beneteau Swift Trawler that is very well-maintained by her original owner’s. The ST44 is a versatile and popular choice for long-distance cruising. Here are some of her notable features:

Semi Displacement Hull - This design provides a smooth and stable ride, allowing the boat to handle various sea conditions comfortably.

Flybridge - The spacious flybridge includes a lounge area, large Teak table, galley with refrigerator and a central driving station with excellent visibility.

Interior Design - The interior is bright and spacious featuring large hull port holes, a convertible sofa in the salon, and a well equipped galley.

Performance - Equipped with twin Volvo D4 300 hp engines the swift trawler 44 can reach a top speed of 24 knots.

Fuel Efficiency - Known for its best in class fuel efficiency. It offers consistent performance between 12 and 19 knots burning very little fuel.

Specifications

• Price USD: $ 589,900

Swift Trawler 44

Noank, connecticut, united states, power yacht.

• LOA: 45 ft 5 in
• Display Length: 44 ft
• Beam: 13' 11"
• Water Capacity: 170 gals
• Fuel Capacity: 370 gals
• Engine Details: Volvo Penta D-4 300
• Engine 1: 2016 185.00 HRS 300.00 HP
• Engine 2: 2016 185.00 HRS 300.00 HP
• Engine Fuel: Diesel
• Days on Market: INQUIRE

+ Manufacturer Provided Description

The Swift Trawler 44 delivers best in class fuel efficiency, speed, comfort and stability whether you’re out on the lake, cruising the open ocean or in the bay.

+ Vessel Walkthrough and Details

Accommodations:

• Mahogany interior
• There is 360 degree visibility from the salon, with panoramic views and lots of natural light and ventilation.
• Enter the expansive  Salon with 6'6" headroom through triple sliding glass doors from the cockpit. To starboard is an Ultraleather sofa and a hi-lo varnished table. Sofa converts to a double bed and the entire area can be closed off by curtains for privacy as a third stateroom when needed. To port is cabinet storage.
• The interior of this boat has the new Walnut Alpi sole.
• The fully instrumented  Lower Helm  is to starboard and forward, and is quite comfortable with an adjustable helm seat and a door to give quick access to the side decks for efficient dock line handling.
• Far forward is the  Master Stateroom  with an island berth that measures 6'5" x 4'9", lighted hanging lockers to port and starboard, storage under the berth, additional storage beside the berth, mirror, opening hatch, two opening ports for abundant natural lighting and ventilation.
• The  Guest Stateroom  is next aft to port, and features a large berth that measures 6'5" x 4'9", storage beneath berth, drawer and cabinet storage, and tow opening ports.
• Master Head  is forward to starboard and offers a Quiet Flush electric toilet, shower compartment, vanity, sink, mirror, storage and opening hatch. Access from Master Stateroom or companionway.
• Guest Head  with Quiet Flush electric toilet, sink, shower, storage, mirror and two opening ports.
• 32,000 BTU Air Conditioning/Heat
• Washer/Dryer
• Carpet in wheelhouse, cabins and gangway
• U-Shaped galley with window that slides open
• Corian countertop with sink cover
• Two stainless steel sinks with hot and cold pressure water
• 2-Burner propane cooktop and microwave oven
• 12V Front opening refrigerator with freezer
• 12V Top loading refrigerator
• Abundant storage

Electrical:

• 12V System 
• 110V System
• 11KW Onan generator
• 2000VA 12-110V Inverter
• Shore power inlet and shore power cord
• LED Lighting inside and out
• (2) House batteries
• (2) Engine start batteries
• (2) Bow thruster batteries
• (2) 25Ah Battery chargers
• Bow and Stern Thruster
• Electrical lifting boom on mast for dingy
• 10-Gallon Hot Water Heater

Electronics:

• Raymarine aft camera
• Raymarine Multifunction Screen E127 GPS Plotter on flybridge
• Raymarine Multifunction Screen E127 GPS Plotter in wheelhouse
• Dual station Raymarine 260 VHF
• Raymarine AIS 650 Class B transceiver
• Autopilot I70 RV2
• Raymarine 4KW HD digital radar
• Windvane Anemometer
• Bose Speakers in salon and master stateroom
• Bose watertight speakers on flybridge
• Watertight cockpit speakers

+ Exclusions

• Tender/Dinghy with Outboard
• Seller's Personal Belongings

+ Mechanical Disclaimer

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

+ Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Interested In This Yacht?

Contact Paul Ouimette to learn more!

ABOUT THIS YACHT FOR SALE

Our Beneteau Yachts listing is a great opportunity to purchase a 44' Trawlers for sale in Noank, Connecticut - United States. This Beneteau is currently listed for $589,900. For more information on this vessel or to schedule a showing, please contact United Yacht Sales broker Paul Ouimette at 1-203-913-2079.

PROFESSIONAL YACHT BROKERAGE SERVICES

United is a professional yacht brokerage firm with over 200 yacht brokers in over 104 different locations worldwide. By listing your boat or yacht for sale with us, the entire team is immediately notified of your boat and begin working to match your yacht with a buyer. We have many examples where boats have sold through our network within days of being introduced to our team. With more than $1.3 billion in sales, there is no better firm than United to help with the listing and sale of your vessel. Find out what your current yacht is worth on today's market!

BUYING A YACHT WITH THE UNITED TEAM

The yacht MLS consists of thousands of available brokerage vessels from all over the world and in different conditions. Hiring an experienced yacht broker to help you find the perfect boat makes financial sense, as well as takes the stress out of the process. A United broker starts by listening to your needs, how you plan to use your boat, your potential boating locations, and your budget. We then go to work looking at all of the available yachts that fit your criteria, research their history, provide you with a clear picture of the market, and organizes the showings. We're with you every step of the way from survey to acceptance and our industry-leading support staff will make sure your closing goes smoothly.

RELATED YACHTS

62' Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 2023

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62' Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 2022

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Inquire about this Yacht

Inside the shocking Sicily yacht tragedy that left 7 people dead

There was a violent storm, but even then, luxury yachts are built to weather such events. so why did this boat sink off the coast of sicily, leaving seven people dead, by natalie finn | e news • published august 24, 2024 • updated on august 24, 2024 at 10:34 am.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Nobody was trying to reach the lowest depths of the ocean or otherwise test the boundaries of human endurance .

Free 24/7 Connecticut news stream: Watch NBC CT wherever you are

But what was supposed to be a routine pleasure cruise aboard a superyacht turned deadly all the same on the morning of Aug. 19 when the 184-foot Bayesian got caught in a storm and sank off the coast of Sicily .

"I can't remember the last time I read about a vessel going down quickly like that," Stephen Richter of SAR Marine Consulting told NBC News . "You know, completely capsizing and going down that quickly, a vessel of that nature, a yacht of that size."

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Of the 22 people onboard, including crew, seven people died. The last of the bodies was recovered Aug. 23, an expectedly sad coda to what had already been a tragic week as the search for answers as to how this happened got underway.

And to be sure, every minute of the Bayesian's ill-fated outing is being fiercely scrutinized, starting with the general seaworthiness of the vessel itself.

Because, frankly, this was a freak occurrence.

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"Boats of this size, they’re taking passengers on an excursion or a holiday," Richter explained. "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."

But in this case, a $40 million yacht sank, seven people are dead—including a billionaire tech mogul and his 18-year-old daughter—and morbid fascination doesn't need a second wind.

Here is how the story of the Sicily yacht tragedy has unfolded so far:

What happened to the yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily?

The Bayesian had set off from the Sicilian port of Milazzo on Aug. 14 at capacity with 12 guests and 10 crewmembers aboard.

The aluminum-hulled vessel was built in 2008 by Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi and registered in the U.K. Cruise sites listed it as available for charter at $215,000 per week, per the Associated Press.

On the morning of Aug. 19, the superyacht was anchored off the coast of Porticello, a small fishing village in the Sicilian province of Palermo (also the name of Sicily's capital city), when a violent storm hit.

The vessel "suddenly sank" at around 5 a.m. local time, seemingly due to "the terrible weather conditions," the City Council of Bagheria announced shortly afterward, per NBC News .

At the time, only one person was confirmed dead—the ship's chef—but six others were said to be missing. The 15 survivors—who managed to make it onto an inflatable life boat, according to emergency officials—were rescued that morning by the crew of another yacht that had been nearby when the storm hit.

"Fifteen people inside," Karsten Borner, the Dutch captain of the ship that was able to help (the Sir Robert Baden Powell), told reporters afterward, per Reuters. "Four people were injured, three heavily injured, and we brought them to our ship. Then we communicated with the coast guard, and after some time, the coast guard came and later picked up injured people."

When the storm hit, his boat ran into "a strong hurricane gust," Borner said, "and we had to start the engine to keep the ship in an angled position."

They "managed to keep the ship in position," he continued, but once the storm died down, they realized the other boat that had been behind them—the Bayesian—was gone.

The wreck ended up settling 165 feet below the surface, according to Italy's national fire department.

Fire officials said that divers, a motorboat and a helicopter were deployed to search for the missing.

Meanwhile, footage was captured of the ship capsizing on closed-circuit TV about a half-mile away from where it was anchored.

In the video obtained by NBC News, the illuminated 250-foot aluminum mast of the ship appears to list severely to one side before disappearing completely. Survivors recalled having just a few minutes to literally abandon ship.

Who were the seven people who died when the yacht Bayesian sank?

The tragedy initially became headline news because billionaire tech mogul Mike Lynch—"Britain's Bill Gates," some U.K. media called him—was among the missing. His body was ultimately recovered Aug. 22 .

"They told me that suddenly they found themselves catapulted into the water without even understanding how they had got there," Dr. Fabio Genco, head of the Palermo Emergency Medical Services, told NBC News Aug. 22. "And that the whole thing seems to have lasted from 3 to 5 minutes."

Genco said he got to Porticello about an hour after the Bayesian capsized.

Survivors "told me that it was all dark, that the yacht hoisted itself up and then went down," he said. "All the objects were falling on them. That’s why I immediately made sure, by asking them questions, if they had any internal injuries."

Why did the yacht sink?

Italian prosecutors are investigating to determine what transpired before the boat went down, according to NBC News.

Meanwhile, the CEO of shipbuilder Perini's parent company The Italian Sea Group defended the vessel itself as "unsinkable."

Perini boats "are the safest in the most absolute sense," Giovanni Costantino told Sky News Aug. 22 . What happened to the Bayesian "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other," he continued. "This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact."

Costantino said it had to have been human error that led to the boat sinking, declaring, "Mistakes were made."

"Everything that was done reveals a very long summation of errors," he told newspaper Corriere della Sera Aug. 21, in an interview translated from Italian. "The people should not have been in the cabins, the boat should not have been at anchor."

The weather was "all predictable," he continued, adding that the storm "was fully legible in all the weather charts. It couldn't have been ignored."

The yacht's captain, identified as James Cutfield of New Zealand, was taken to Termini Imerese hospital for treatment. From there, he told La Repubblica, per Sky News , that he didn't see the storm coming.

Borner, the captain of the ship that rescued the 15 Bayesian survivors, told NBC News that he noticed the storm come in at 4 a.m. local time, and saw what looked to him like a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms above water.

The International Centre for Waterspout Research posted on X Aug. 19 that it had "confirmed 18 waterspouts today off the coasts of Italy. Some were powerful waterspouts, one of which may have been responsible for the sinking of a large yacht off of Sicily."

Borner said he didn't know why the Bayesian sank so quickly, guessing "it may have something to do with the mast, which was incredibly long." (A tall mast, even with its sails down, means there's more surface area exposed to wind, which can result in tipping.)

Confirming that one person was dead and six unaccounted for immediately following the wreck on Aug. 19, Salvo Cocina of Sicily's civil protection agency told reporters that a waterspout had struck the area overnight.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

The 59-year-old founder of software firm Autonomy had been on the trip with his wife Angela Bacares and their 18-year-old, Oxford-bound daughter Hannah to celebrate his recent acquittal in the U.S. on fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from the $11.7 billion purchase of his company by Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

In a bizarre turn of events, Lynch's co-defendant at trial, Stephen Chamberlain, the former vice president of finance at Autonomy, died after being taken off life support following a road accident on Aug. 17. Chamberlain's attorney told Reuters Aug. 20 that his friend and client had been out for a run when he was "fatally struck" by a car.

Meanwhile, multiple people who contributed to Lynch's defense were on the cruise with him and his family.

The bodies of Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer—who testified on Lynch's behalf—and his wife Judy Bloomer, as well as lawyer Chris Morvillo, a partner at the U.S. firm Clifford Chance, and his wife Neda Morvillo, a jewelry designer, were recovered on Aug. 21 .

In a LinkedIn post thanking the team that successfully defended Lynch, Morvillo wrote, per Sky News , "And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo. None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home. And they all lived happily ever after…"

The first casualty confirmed Aug. 19 was the ship's Canadian-Antiguan chef, later identified as Recaldo Thomas.

"He was a one-of-a-kind special human being," a friend of Thomas told The Independent . "Incredibly talented, contagious smile and laugh, an incredible voice with a deep love of the ocean and the moon. I spoke to him nearly every day. He loved his life his friends and his job."

Hannah's body was the last of the missing six to be found , with divers bringing her remains ashore on Aug. 23.

Lynch and Bacares, who was rescued, also shared a 21-year-old daughter, according to The Times.

While awaiting trial, Lynch—who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings—had spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco. Back home in London afterward, he admitted to The Times in July that he'd been afraid of dying in prison if he'd been found guilty. (He faced a possible 25-year sentence.)

"It's bizarre, but now you have a second life," he reflected. "The question is, what do you want to do with it?"

(E!, NBC News and Sky News are all members of the Comcast family.)

Divers find 5 bodies during search of yacht wreckage off Sicily

Updated August 21, 2024 at 14:01 PM ET

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht that sank off Sicily found the bodies of five passengers Wednesday and searched for one more as questions intensified about why the vessel sank so quickly when a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.

Rescue crews unloaded three body bags from rescue vessels that pulled into port at Porticello. Salvatore Cocina, head of the Sicily civil protection agency, said two other bodies had also been found in the wreckage for a total of five.

The discovery made clear the operation to search the hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater had quickly turned into a recovery one, not a rescue, given the amount of time that had passed and that no signs of life had emerged over three days of searching, maritime experts said.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer (a half-mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly.

Fifteen people escaped in a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby sailboat. One body was recovered Monday — that of the ship’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, of Antigua.

Thomas was born in Canada, according to his cousin David Isaac, but would visit his parents’ homeland of Antigua as a child, moving permanently to the tiny eastern Caribbean island in his early 20s. Italian officials previously listed Antigua as the nationality of someone on board.

The fate of six missing passengers had driven the search effort, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch , his 18-year-old daughter and associates who had successfully defended him in a recent U.S. federal fraud trial.

Lynch’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

What caused the ship to sink so quickly?

Meanwhile, investigators from the Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office were acquiring evidence for their criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy even though no formal suspects have been publicly identified.

Questions abound about what caused the superyacht, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, to sink so quickly, when the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat was largely spared and managed to rescue the survivors.

Was it merely the case of a freak waterspout that knocked the ship to its side and allowed water to pour in through open hatches? What was the position of the keel, which on a large sailboat such as the Bayesian might have been retractable, to allow it to enter shallower ports?

“There’s a lot of uncertainty as to whether it had a lifting keel and whether it might have been up,” said Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and the editor of the Journal of Sailing Technology. “But if it had, then that would reduce the amount of stability that the vessel had, and therefore made it easier for it to roll over on its side,” he said in an interview.

The captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat, which came to the Bayesian’s rescue, said his craft had sustained minimal damage — the frame of a sun awning broke — even with winds that he estimated reached 12 on the Beaufort wind scale, which is the highest, hurricane-strength force on the scale.

He said he had remained anchored with his engines running to try to maintain the ship’s position as the storm, which was forecast, rolled in.

“Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea,” Karsten Bornersaid in a text message. But he said that might not have been a viable option for the Bayesian, given its trademark 75-meter (246-foot) tall mast.

“If there was a stability problem, caused by the extremely tall mast, it would not have been better at open sea,” he said.

Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight, sub-compartments that are specifically designed to prevent a rapid, catastrophic sinking even when some parts fill with water.

“So for the vessel to sink, especially this fast, you are really looking at taking water on board very quickly, but also in a number of locations along the length of the vessel, which again indicates that it might have been rolled over on its side,” Souppez said.

Italian coast guard and fire rescue divers continued the underwater search in dangerous and time-consuming conditions. Because of the wreck’s depth, which requires special precautions, divers working in tag teams could only spend about 12 minutes at a time searching.

The limited dive time is designed in part to avoid decompression sickness, also known as the “bends,” which can occur when divers stay underwater for long periods and ascend too quickly, allowing nitrogen gas dissolved in the blood to form bubbles.

“The longer you stay, the slower your ascent has to be,” said Simon Rogerson, the editor of SCUBA magazine. He said the tight turnaround time suggests the operation's managers are trying to limit the risks and recovery time after each dive.

“It sounds like they’re operating essentially on no decompression or very tight decompression, or they’re being extremely conservative,” he said.

Additionally, the divers were working in extremely tight spaces, with debris floating around them, limited visibility and oxygen tanks on their backs.

“We are trying to advance in tight spaces, but any single thing slows us down,” said Luca Cari, spokesman for the fire rescue service. “An electric panel could set us back for five hours. These aren’t normal conditions. We’re at the limit of possibility.”

“It’s not a question of entering the cabin to inspect it,” he added. “They’ve arrived at the level of the cabins, but it’s not like you can open the door,” he said.

The Italian coast guard said they had reinforced their dive teams and were using underwater remote-controlled robots, which can stay out for six or seven hours at a time and record the surroundings.

The lack of any signs of life and the recovery of bodies led outside experts to conclude that the search was now a recovery effort and investigation to determine how the tragedy had unfolded.

Copyright 2024 NPR

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