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Horror moment £12MILLION luxury superyacht erupts into flames & is destroyed while anchored in paradise resort

• Sayan Bose , Foreign News Reporter
• Published : 15:44, 18 Dec 2024
• Updated : 16:14, 18 Dec 2024

• Published : Invalid Date,

THIS is the horror moment a massive superyacht burst into flames after mysteriously catching fire while it was docked in a paradise resort.

Port authorities rushed to save the £12m vessel after spotting dark smoke billowing in the night sky.

Footage shows how the luxury yacht was doused with water from a crane.

As the fire raged, police officers cordoned off the area and evacuated nearby buildings in Sotogrande Port, Spain.

By the time firefighters arrived, strong winds had created an inferno that had engulfed the entire vessel.

And it wasn’t until 5am the next morning that the fire was completely extinguished.

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More than a dozen firefighters were called to put off the blaze.

The fire broke out after the maintenance team had finished work for the day .

Port officials also confirmed that electrical work had taken place in the engine room shortly before the blaze.

Some reports say there were eight tonnes of diesel fuel on board at the time of the fire.

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However, it is still unclear what led to the horror inferno.

The Elysium is a British-built Sunseeker yacht that features four luxurious cabins alongside a jacuzzi, a plunge pool, and a gym.

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Huge £11,520,000 superyacht ravaged after fire breaks out while moored

Intense footage has captured firefighters battling to tackle a huge fire on a superyacht.

The 110ft-long pleasure craft was moored at Sotogrande Port in the Cadiz province of Spain when it caught alight on Monday evening.

Harbour officials spotted smoke rising from the stern, but by the time firefighters arrived, strong winds had whipped up the fire until it engulfed the entire vessel.

The yacht, the British-built Elysium, thought to be worth £11.52million, was doused with water from a crane while police evacuated nearby buildings as a safety precaution.

It took about 12 hours for firefighters to get the blaze under control, with seven fire engines called to the scene.

The Elysium had been in dry dock for reconditioning since September, and the fire broke out after the maintenance team had finished work for the day.

The luxury yacht features a jacuzzi, plunge pool, and gym.

When the fire broke out there were no passengers, crew or maintenance workers on board – and luckily the fire didn’t spread to two nearby fuel boats.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but no foul play is suspected, port officials said.

They added that electrical work had taken place in the engine room not long before the fire took hold.

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Yacht sinks at Marina Del Rey dock after ammunition and fireworks catch on fire

By Dean Fioresi , Julie Sharp

Updated on: September 20, 2024 / 6:01 AM PDT / KCAL News

A luxury yacht carrying nearly 1,000 rounds of ammunition and fireworks caught fire shortly before sinking in the Marina del Rey harbor on Wednesday evening. Two people were on board the 100-foot yacht when the fire ignited, but both were able to get off safely.  

The U.S. Coast Guard continued environmental cleanup efforts Thursday morning as the yacht bobbed on its side, testing air quality and remediating water contamination from fuel spillage. By Friday morning, 2,000 feet of boom were installed around the area as crews coordinate with the Oil Spill Response Organization to assess the extent of impact and continue to clean up.

At around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday,  firefighters rushed to the docks at Basin A, where the boat, named "The Admiral," was heavily involved in flames, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Crews tried to fight the fire both by ground and by water, but it proved difficult to contain.

Bystander video showed fireworks shooting off the deck of the boat and bursting overhead, all while firefighters worked to contain the volatile flames. Two hours later, the boat quickly sank below the water line and by 11 p.m. it was nearly fully submerged. 

With SkyCal overhead Wednesday evening, large flames could be seen inside of the boat despite a heavy barrage of water being sprayed by crews. Hours after the firefight began, SkyCal returned to the scene where the  boat had almost sank  entirely under the water in the harbor. 

After sinking, crews began a "booming" operation, which was conducted in order to contain the foam that firefighters sprayed and the fuel that leaked during the incident. Heavy equipment was brought in to pull the boat back to the surface, leaving it floating on its side.

Thursday morning, a Coast Guard representative said efforts are concentrated on containing hazardous fuel or other material that may have spilled into the water. Also, air quality is a concern as the boat was filled with 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

"What we do know is that the vessel capacity was 6,000 gallons. We do know that they fueled up with 4,000 gallons of diesel, but we still do not know how much fuel discharged out into the environment and how much remains still in the vessel," Lt. Cmdr. Omar Borges, of the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Air readings so far say that there are no flammable fumes in the air, and the air is not hazardous for locals to breathe, according to the Coast Guard. 

The process will take a number of days, monitoring air and water. Officials said there is no evidence yet that any wildlife has been harmed. 

It's unclear if the people on the yacht were the owners, but there were no injuries. Officials have not yet confirmed how they will upright the boat and remove it from the harbor. 

Dean Fioresi is a web producer for CBS Los Angeles. He covers breaking news throughout Southern California. When he's not writing about local events, he enjoys focusing on sports and entertainment.

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Luxury yacht docked at Marina del Rey sinks after fire; explosions heard on video

MARINA DEL REY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A high-end yacht docked at Marina del Rey sank after catching on fire Wednesday night.

The fire in Basin A was first reported around 8:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Firefighters responded and poured water on the 100-foot vessel from the dock at the end of Bora Bora Way.

Witness video captured the sounds of several explosions as firefighters battled the flames.

But the interior flames appeared to resist the water hoses and the boat continued sustaining damage. It quickly began taking on water from the hoses as the flames, possibly fueled by a gas source, continued to burn.

The yacht began listing, and by around 10:30 p.m. firefighters were ordered to evacuate the dock. The boat began slowly overturning onto its side and sinking into the water.

There were no major injuries reported. Two people on board exited safely, though one reported a minor cut to the arm.

There was no word on how the fire started. Authorities said it's possible ammunition was on board the vessel.

The boat is named The Admiral, but the identity of the owner was not immediately available.

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Yacht on fire at N.J. marina: See the massive blaze

• Updated: Aug. 25, 2024, 10:36 a.m.
• | Published: Aug. 22, 2024, 3:06 p.m.
• Nyah Marshall | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
• Eric Conklin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A yacht being refueled at a Wildwood marina on Thursday afternoon was heavily damaged in a blaze witnesses say was caused by an explosion.

The fire broke out on a 40-foot yacht at the Schooner Island Marina, according to on-scene reports. It remains under investigation, first responders said.

An eyewitness said the yacht was refueling at the time the fire started. The McKee Group, a Pennsylvania-based developer that owns the marina, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Billowing clouds of smoke were still visible around 2 p.m. as police and fire officials responded to the incident. According to local police at the scene, New Jersey State Police are handling the investigation.

Schooner Island Marina, where visitors can find restaurants and fishing excursions, was filled with patrons watching from afar Thursday afternoon.

A 40-foot yacht was damaged in a fire that happened while it was being refueled at the Schooner Island Marina in Wildwood, according to on-scene reports. Photo courtesy of Karen Lynn Photography Karen Lynn Photography

Susquehanna Avenue was blocked off near the marina, detouring traffic around emergency fire trucks and ambulances. Firehoses snaked through the marina’s parking lot, creating an obstacle for bystanders.

The scent of gasoline could be detected throughout the marina.

Paul Daiber, who stores his boat at the marina, was fishing at the end of the deck opposite from where the yacht that caught fire was moored.

In 25 years of keeping his vessel there, this was the first time he’s witnessed a boat explosion.

“It’s scary,” Daiber, 64, said while sitting on a truck hatch about 200 yards from the emergency scene.

A firefighter walks toward the Schooner Island Marina in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, after a 40-foot boat moored there caught fire. Eric Conklin

Daiber described the explosion as a powerful thud and turned around to see the boat on fire. Debris from the vessel were sent into the air and onto nearby docks, Daiber said.

Meanwhile, bystanders raced to find fire extinguishers. Once firefighters arrived, crews tried dousing the blaze that turned into an inferno that could be seen from across the marina, he said.

Blocks away, beach goers snapped photos of plumes that towered into the sky and were pushed by winds.

Plumes of smoke from a boat fire at a Wildwood, New Jersey, marina appear above the marshlands on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Eric Conklin

“It just progressively got worse and worse until it erupted in flames,” Daiber said.

No further information from officials has been released at this time.

The detoured road was reopened to traffic around 5 p.m. Thursday, Wildwood police said.

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Yacht goes up in flames, sinks at Wildwood marina

A 42-foot vessel became heavily engulfed in flames and eventually sank near a fuel dock at schooner island marina..

Toniann Antonelli

Aug 23, 2024, 11:33 AM

Updated 117 days ago

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Couple Rescued From Yacht Fire in NH Harbor Talk About ‘Harrowing' Experience

Arthur "kitt" watson and his wife diane said they lost everything when their yacht, too elusive, went up in flames saturday, by kaitlin mckinley becker • published june 20, 2022 • updated on june 20, 2022 at 10:05 pm.

Arthur "Kitt" Watson and his wife Diane could only watch Saturday as their home -- a more than 70-foot yacht -- went up in flames.

The pair and their first mate Jarrod Tubbs, as well as the Watson's two Goldendoodles, had jumped into the cold Piscataqua River after flames and thick black smoke started pouring from their vessel , Too Elusive.

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The Watsons spoke to NBC New York's Adam Harding virtually on Sunday from Maine where they are staying with family for the time being as they figure out what to do next.

The couple had been living on their boat for over a year with their two dogs and Tubbs. They left Buzzards Bay Saturday morning and were on their way to Maine when they smelled smoke as they were coming into Little Harbor in New Castle, New Hampshire, around 4 p.m.

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"It was a matter of 15 seconds from the time we smelled the smoke to the time the flames were just billowing, it was the most frightening, harrowing experience we ever had," Kitt Watson, 66, revealed.

"I said, 'grab the noodles, grab a dog, and let's go, we gotta get off this boat,'" Diane Watson, 57, recalled, noting they couldn't get to the life vests that were on board.

Kitt Watson estimates they were 100 yards from Wentworth Marina when they all jumped into the water. He says he hesitated for a second, knowing how cold it would be.

The Watsons say they swam away from the boat, given it was on fire and there were 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel on board.

"I was just scared, I thought the boat was going to blow up," Diane Watson shared.

As they used pool noodles to stay afloat, their belongings continued to burn right before their eyes.

"Our whole lives were on that boat," Kitt Watson said.

"It happened so fast, it was just frightening how fast this happened," Kitt Watson said.

"And how fast it burned," Diane Watson added. "...it's something you see on TV."

Kitt Watson estimates they were in the water for 5-10 minutes, long enough for hypothermia to set in, before help arrived.

Diane Watson and Tubbs, as well as the dogs, were picked up by a lobsterman, while a second Good Samaritan grabbed Kitt Watson from the water.

The Watsons and Tubbs, 33, were were taken to a hospital, treated and released. They're glad to be alive and say everybody went above and beyond to help them in the aftermath.

The couple says people were so helpful taking care of them, getting them clothes, getting them to the hospital, and taking care of their dogs.

"Just amazing, everybody reached out," Kitt Watson said.

"It was beautiful," Diane Watson added.

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As for their yacht, the Coast Guard called to let them know that despite efforts to save it, the boat drifted into Maine waters and eventually sank about two hours after the initial 911 call.

"We have to start our whole life over again because we lost everything," Kitt Watson shared, before his wife added, "But we're just so grateful to be alive, so grateful."

The couple, from New Canaan, Connecticut, says they have no idea how the fire started but both are adamant that this incident will not deter them from living the boat lifestyle again.

The Watsons want to continue their journey, saying they are both passionate about being out on the water, so for now they are figuring out how to rebuild.

"Today we went out and bought shoes and socks, and we gotta start over, just one day at a time, take it one day at a time," Diane Watson said.

But until they receive the insurance money that will allow them to purchase another boat -- something that will take a while, they say -- the Watsons will have to stay on dry land. Meantime, they are thankful for the support of family and friends, and know this could have ended very differently.

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Three passengers and two dogs survive after 72-foot yacht caught fire and sank off New Hampshire coast

The billowing smoke from the massive fire could be seen from long distances, according to local authorities.

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Three passengers and two dogs miraculously survived after their 72-foot yacht caught fire and sank off the coast of New Hampshire.

The chaos unfolded on Saturday when the boat, named the “Elusive”, was sailing towards a marina in New Castle, a small town located just a few miles south of the Maine border and composed entirely of islands on New Hampshire ’s most eastern point.

At around 4pm, one of the passengers onboard realised there was black smoke billowing up from below deck, the New Hampshire Department of Safety said in a statement to USA Today .

“Whatever happened on the boat happened fast,” said Portsmouth Fire Chief Todd Germain in an interview with the news outlet. Shortly after seeing the smoke on the 2007 Marlow yacht, the fire chief noted, “they had to jump in the water”.

“Within minutes the boat had completely filled with smoke,” a spokesperson for Marine Patrol told USA Today.

The passengers onboard included husband and wife Arthur “Kitt” Watson, 67, and Diane Watson, 57, both from New Canaan, and the yacht’s first mate, Jarrod Tubbs, 33, from Jupiter, Florida, all of whom reportedly sustained mild hypothermia and injuries requiring treatment at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital. They were all released later Saturday afternoon.

According to the website for the yacht, Mr Watson “has been racing and cruising his whole life” and has travelled the world twice by boat, while his wife, Diane, joined the yacht Team Too Elusive in 2007 and has continued to be an active member of the team.

The pair spoke with NBC News Boston the day after their yacht, where they’d been living for the past year, went up in flames and said that it was only a matter of seconds before they made the instinct-based decision to jump in the cold Maine waters.

“It was a matter of 15 seconds from the time we smelled the smoke to the time the flames were just billowing, it was the most frightening, harrowing experience we ever had,” Mr Watson told NBC, speaking virtually from a friend’s place in Maine where the couple are staying till they can plan their next steps.

“I said, ‘grab the noodles, grab a dog, and let’s go, we gotta get off this boat,’” his wife added in the interview, before noting that there were no life vests onboard that were accessible to them at that point.

The pair said they swam as fast as they could manage in the cold waters and were, by their estimate, only about 100 yards away from the marina where they planned to dock when they jumped in the water.

“I was just scared, I thought the boat was going to blow up,” Ms Watson said. The trio and the dogs were scooped up by a local lobster fisherman, but they were in the frigid waters long enough for mild hypothermia to set in.

“Our whole lives were on that boat,” the 66-year-old sailor told NBC, adding that, “it happened so fast, it was just frightening how fast this happened.”

“It’s something you see on TV,” Ms Watson said.

The two dogs, alongside the adult passengers, were recovering well after the frightening brush with death, according to the New Hampshire State Marine Patrol.

"They are doing fine physically, but are mentally still trying to process everything," said Amber Lagace, the spokesperson for the Marine Patrol told ABC News . “Their dogs (golden doodles) are doing well. This boat was their home.”

Flames from the burning 72-foot yacht took hours to contain and extinguish, according to the New Castle Fire Department’s statement. Several agencies and neighbouring fire crews, including the Coast Guard, the Kittery Harbor Master, the Newington Fire Department and other local police departments, assisted in extinguishing the flames before the vessel sank below the surface.

“We remain incredibly appreciative of the overwhelming support from our community,” the New Castle Fire Department wrote.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the Portsmouth Fire Chief.

The Coast Guard, which assisted in redirecting boats away from the inferno on Saturday, continued to monitor the area where the vessel had sunk well into the day on Sunday.

A representative for the Coast Guard, Petty Officer Third Class Emma Fliszar, told the Associated Press that the agency was continuing to monitor the area for potential pollution from fuel that could’ve leaked from the sinking vessel as it went under.

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