mega yacht anchor

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best anchors: 8 new generation designs suitable for every boat

• Rupert Holmes
• January 27, 2022

Most boats would benefit from upgrading to a better anchor for a host of reasons. We take a look at 8 of the best anchors on the market right now

Securing your anchor do it is ready to drop could get you out of a tight spot when you can't sail out of trouble. Credit: Theo Stocker

Good ground tackle and understanding how to anchor properly opens up the option to stay overnight in stunning bays and creeks, away from costly marinas and expensive harbour moorings. And picking the best anchors is essential in terms of safety too as you may well need it to hold you off a lee shore in the event of engine failure.

However, unless your boat’s anchor has been upgraded recently, the chances are it’s of a type that will not provide good holding power.

What to look for in a good anchor?

Much has changed in the world of anchors in the past 20 years, which led to classification societies such as Lloyds adding a new Super High Holding Power certification category for these anchors in 2008.

Most of the best anchors exceed the requirements for this by a wide margin.

These advances in anchor technology and different types of anchor mean older boats won’t have been equipped with what we would now consider to be decent ground tackle when they were new.

This is also true for most vessels built in the last 20 years. Until recently the latest generation of anchors was relatively expensive, so were generally only fitted as standard equipment to very high quality yachts.

The various brands of today’s very high holding power anchors share a number of key characteristics that make them more effective than older products.

The best anchors tend to have a concave profile akin to the shape of a shovel. This digs more firmly into the seabed without tending to act like a plough when under load.

Another important aspect to look for in a good anchor is the tip weight, as loading as much weight here as possible is a massive help in enabling it to penetrate weed and other difficult types of sea bed.

Typical new generation anchors have 35-45 per cent of their weight on the tip. Some also have roll bars that prevent the anchor landing on the seabed upside down.

Whatever anchor you choose, beware of cheap unbranded copies. These rarely have the precise geometry needed to maximise holding power. Some are also badly cast and therefore weaker than the original design.

At a glance:

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

7 of the best anchors on the market right now.

Rocna Galvanised Anchor

This was one of the first of the new generation of ultra high holding power anchors and quickly gained much acclaim, despite an initially high price tag.

The Rocna is well engineered and has an excellent reputation for digging in quickly and easily. Once set it then offers excellent holding.

A roll bar is incorporated, but a downside of Rocnas is they do not stow neatly on all bow rollers.

To solve this problem the company developed the Vulcan series, which doesn’t have the roll bar and is shaped to fit on a wider range of bow rollers.

Reasons to buy:

– Good quality anchor

– Excellent holding power

Reasons to avoid:

– It is expensive

– Do not stow neatly on all bow rollers

Specifications:

– Size: 96 x 41 x 39 cm

– Weight: Available in 10kg, 20kg and 25kg

Buy it now on Amazon.co.uk

Buy it now on Amazon.com

Buy a Rocna Vulcan on Amazon.co.uk

Buy a stainless steel Rocna Vulcan on Amazon.com

Lewmar Stainless Steel Epsilon Anchor

Read PBO’s Lewmar Epsilon review

The latest model from this UK company offers the benefits of a new generation anchor at very attractive prices.

It has a winged design with concave flukes to maximise holding power in a variety of sea beds, a ballasted tip that enables it to dig in readily and is self righting, even though the roll bar is optional.

The Epsilon is intended as a direct replacement for Lewmar’s long-running plough style Delta anchor.

Although the Epsilon’s shank is proportionately shorter, the two models share the same basic shank geometry. Therefore, if a Delta fits your bow roller then an Epsilon will also fit.

– Easy to handle

– Designed to fit any bow roller that works for the Delta

– It has a shorter shank

– Size: ‎55 x 35 x 30cm

– Material: stainless steel

– Weight: ‎6.1kg

Buy it now on eBay

Buy it now from Amazon

Buy it now from West Marine (US only)

Fortress FX-11

This aluminium anchor is an older design from more than 30 years ago, but still has a number of advantages that makes it an excellent choice in some circumstances.

It’s biggest feature is very light weight relative to the holding power the anchor provides. This makes it a perfect option for performance catamarans and trimarans, as well as for smaller fast motor boats.

The key downside, however, is that the holding power is achieved through the surface area of the flukes, not the weight of the anchor. This means it’s physically larger than other anchors, although it comes apart like the Spade for easier stowage.

A neat feature is that the angle of the flukes can be varied to suit different types of sea bed.

– Perfect for catamarans and trimarans

– Easy to manoeuvre thanks to its light weight design

– Flukes can be adapted to the type of sea bed

– Larger than other anchors

– Holding power is from the surface area of flukes

– Size: ‎73.66 x 15.24 x 7.62 cm

– Material: aluminium

– Weight: 8 pounds

Spade Anchor S series

This is another popular modern anchor, but with an important difference to other brands.

The hollow shank can be removed to make stowage easier. This makes it an excellent choice for racing yachts and other vessels that don’t permanently keep the anchor on the bow, or for occasional use as a kedge.

There’s no roll bar, but the tip loading is close to 50 per cent of the total weight, which helps it to dig in and set quickly.

The main drawback of the Spade is one of cost – it’s more complex to manufacture than other designs, so the price is relatively high.

– Good option for racing yachts

– The hollow shank can be removed

– No roll bar

– Expensive

– Size: S40 to S160

– Material: galvanised steel

– Weight: 6kg to 55kg

Buy it now from Jimmy Green Marine

Knox Anchors

Professor John Knox spent a great deal of his spare time researching the loads on anchors and rodes.

His work in this area over a period of 20 years contributed a huge amount to our understanding of anchoring and precise causes of anchors dragging or breaking out.

It also led him to develop his own design of anchor that would offer significantly better performance compared to the popular models at the time. It was therefore one of the first of the new generation designs.

The Knox anchor has a patented divided fluke with sharpened edges set at an angle that enables it to dig into the seabed quickly and efficiently.

It’s fitted with a roll bar and, while the shank is made of the highest tensile strength steel available.

– Made of the highest tensile strength steel

– Patented divided fluke with sharpened edges set at an angle to dig into the seabed

– We can’t find any

– Material: highest tensile strength steel

– Weight: 6.5kg to 27kg

Buy it now from Knox Anchors

Stirrup Anchor Bugel Anchor

The Bügel was one of the very first new generation anchors and quickly set a new benchmark in the industry.

It has a flat fluke with lower surface area than later designs, plus a roll bar and a shank made of thick plate.

This makes it a relatively inexpensive anchor, which is undoubtedly a key factor behind its enormous popularity, even though later products offer higher holding power.

– Good value anchor

– It features a rollbar and shank

– Other products offer higher holding power

– Size: 66 x 28cm to 86 x 38cm

– Material: Hot-galvanised steel

– Weight: 9 to 16kg

Buy it now from compass24.com

Manson Supreme Anchor

This was the first anchor to receive Lloyds Super High Holding Power certification when the classification was introduced in 2008.

It’s a fabricated design that uses two layers of steel for the fluke and relies on a roll bar, rather than a ballasted tip, to self-right.

The upper slot in the shank is intended for use in rocky sea beds, or anchoring in coral . The idea is that if the anchor becomes stuck the rode can be slid to the shank end of the slot, enabling the anchor to be retrieved without using a tripping line.

The shape of the anchor is designed to fit all conventional anchor rollers.

– Good for use on a rocky sea bed

– The anchor fits all conventional anchor rollers

– Other products offer innovative designs compared to this classical anchor design

– Size: 18′ – 30′ to 40′ – 45′

– Weight: 7kg to 20kg

Buy it now from Marinesuperstore.com

Ultra Marine Ultra Anchor

Read Yachting Monthly’s Ultra Anchor review

Our sister title Yachting Monthly recently tested the new 12kg Ultra Anchor from Ultra Marine over several nights at anchor.

Editor Theo Stocker said: “I was impressed with how quickly the anchor set.

“While our normal 10kg Bruce anchor can struggle in soft sand and weed, the Ultra anchor buried itself almost completely and refused to drag.

“The Ultra’s performance amply delivers on its maker’s promises as is comparable to other stainless anchors,” he concluded.

– Handmade and hand-polished stainless steel

– Ready to dig in

– Not the cheapest option on this list

– Weight: 5kg to 8kg

• (954) 633-4878
• [email protected]

Compass Articles

• January 1, 2024

Laying Anchor: How to Buy a Mega Yacht

Embarking on the voyage to buy a mega yacht is akin to laying anchor in the harbor of the elite, signifying your arrival into a world where the marina vistas are dotted with the epitome of nautical luxury. This journey requires expert guidance, a seasoned captain who can navigate the intricacies of yacht transactions with ease and expertise. Fly Yachts stands ready to plot the course, ensuring your journey into yacht ownership is nothing short of extraordinary.

Nautical Vision: Charting Your Course

Beginning with a clear vision, your pursuit starts with detailing the features and capabilities that you seek in a mega yacht. Fly Yachts’ dedicated team stands at the ready, helping to chart the course by closely aligning potential options with the lifestyle you envisage aboard. It is in these formative discussions that your nautical dream begins to take shape.

Sailing Through Options: Selecting the Perfect Vessel

The marketplace for mega yachts boasts a fleet of extravagant options. Fly Yachts, with their intimate knowledge of the market’s expanse, guides you through the selection with the acumen of a seasoned sailor, ensuring you only consider vessels that align with your charted course—those capable of fulfilling your every whim on the water.

Inspection Priorities: A Rigorous Approach

Inspecting a prospective mega yacht is a mission critical to the shopping expedition. Fly Yachts approaches each inspection rigorously, examining every element to ensure that both the visible luxuries and hidden mechanics meet the highest standards of quality and safety, providing you with the confidence you need to make an informed decision.

Negotiating The Seas: Securing the Right Price

The negotiation process, much like bartering in uncharted waters, requires a keen instinct and a strategic mind. The seasoned brokers at Fly Yachts navigate these seas with aplomb, drawing upon their depth of experience to secure a purchase price that reflects the true value of your chosen yacht.

Customization: Carving Out Your Space

Beyond the purchase, a mega yacht offers a canvas for personalization—a chance to carve out a space that’s distinctly yours. Fly Yachts acts as your chisel, shaping the vessel to your tastes, overseeing every modification from bow to stern to ensure the final outfitting not only meets but exceeds your expectations.

Acquisition and Beyond: Smooth Sailing To Ownership

The transition from buyer to owner is a critical phase where Fly Yachts ensures smooth sailing. They navigate you through the complexities of acquisition, from final negotiations to legal paperwork, making the transition to ownership as seamless and straightforward as the yacht cutting through calm waters.

Maintaining Course: The Post-Purchase Journey

With keys in hand, the journey with Fly Yachts is far from over. Their commitment to your satisfaction extends into the post-purchase waters, offering unrivaled support and advice for the management, staffing, and maintenance of your new mega yacht, ensuring you always maintain course on the voyage of luxury ownership.

In Summary: Your Compass to Yacht Ownership

Embarking on the journey to own a mega yacht is akin to setting sail on the grandest of seas. Fly Yachts is your compass, guiding you from initial vision to your first sunset cruise as a mega yacht owner. With their expert guidance, you can lay anchor in the reality of your dreams, assured that every detail of acquiring your luxury vessel has been mastered.

For those ready to anchor their dreams in the reality of mega yacht ownership, trust in the steady hands of Fly Yachts to guide you there. Contact them today and begin your ascent to the pinnacle of nautical luxury.

Fly Yachts’ Frequently Asked Questions

What preliminary steps are essential in the journey to buy a mega yacht.

Begin by clearly defining your lifestyle needs, budget limitations, and the intended use of the yacht. Engage with a trusted yacht broker, like Fly Yachts, to help you navigate the market and find a vessel that suits your requirements.

How can Fly Yachts assist buyers in tailoring a mega yacht to their personal tastes?

Fly Yachts collaborates with top designers and shipyards to facilitate bespoke customizations, from interior decor to technical specifications, ensuring your yacht uniquely represents your style and preferences.

What financial considerations need to be accounted for when buying a mega yacht?

Consider the initial investment, ongoing operational costs (like fuel, maintenance, and crew), insurance, docking fees, and potential resale value. Fly Yachts can offer financial planning advice to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the costs.

Why is partnering with a well-established yacht broker like Fly Yachts critical in purchasing a mega yacht?

A seasoned yacht broker provides market insight, personalized service, access to a wider range of yachts, negotiation leverage, and expertise in legal and regulatory matters, all significant benefits when purchasing a high-value asset like a mega yacht.

What is the importance of a yacht survey and sea trial in the purchasing process?

A thorough survey evaluates the yacht’s structural and technical condition, while a sea trial tests its performance on the water. Both are essential for assessing the yacht’s value and ensuring a sound investment.

How does Fly Yachts guide buyers through the customization or refit of a mega yacht?

Fly Yachts consults with buyers to understand their vision, then coordinates with skilled craftsmen, designers, and engineers to oversee the customization or refit process, ensuring the end result aligns with the buyer’s expectations.

What should I consider when it comes to crewing and managing a newly purchased mega yacht?

Consider crew qualifications, experience, and the personal service style that fits your onboard culture. Fly Yachts can assist in recruiting the right team and provide ongoing management services.

Can Fly Yachts support international clients with their mega yacht purchases?

Yes, Fly Yachts can support international clients by handling cross-border transactions, tax considerations, import/export rules, and help with registering the yacht in the country of choice.

What continuing relationship can I expect from Fly Yachts after purchasing a mega yacht?

After purchase, Fly Yachts continues to offer support by providing yacht management, maintenance schedules, and crew training services to ensure a stress-free ownership experience.

How can Fly Yachts ensure I am making a sound investment when buying a mega yacht?

Fly Yachts ensures a sound investment by conducting thorough market analysis, handling due diligence, advising on the yacht’s potential lifespan and resale value, and guiding buyers every step of the way.

Fly Yachts boasts a splendid array of  yachts for sale , satisfying the needs of those who long for the lavishness of a super yacht or the adaptability of a center console. Our  homepage  serves as a guide to the wide-ranging yachting services we provide, tailored for every ocean-going enthusiast. Delve into the history and ethos of our company on the  About Us  page, spotlighting the dedication and expertise of our crew. The  Build a Yacht  service is perfect for those wishing to craft a yacht that resounds with their personal style and specifications. A multitude of serene  charter destinations  await your selection, ideal for charting your next luxurious sea escape. Our  Compass Articles  offer a treasure trove of yachting knowledge and tips beneficial for both seasoned sailors and those new to this pursuit. If it’s time to navigate the sale of your yacht, our  Sell Your Yacht  services provide expert assistance to streamline the process and maximize value. For a taste of nautical opulence, without the commitment of ownership, take a look at our  Yachts Charter  offerings, providing bespoke experiences on the waves. Our curated selection of  Aircraft for Sale  elevates your luxury travels to the skies. Keep abreast of the yachting scene with the informative and up-to-date  Gulfstream News . Lastly, for support or inquiries, reach out through our  Contact  page where our responsive team is ready to assist with your yachting adventures.

About FLY Yachts

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Superyacht Doc Yachting Supplies Portsmouth Hampshire

Manson kedge anchor.

The Manson Kedge Anchor is ideal for larger craft and specified by many of the worlds' finest Superyachts. It is a POOL N Type anchor, manufactured within exacting standards to exceed all certifying requirements. Manufactured in both steel and stainless steel, these anchors perform exceptionally well on larger vessels. Traditionally stowed on either side of the bow on larger craft, Manson Kedge anchors are kept in one of the most visible parts on any vessel. They have been tested and proven all around the world. Manson Kedge anchors are Lloyd's Register Type Approved as HHP (high holding power) anchors available in sizes from 50kg to 4500kg.

Manson Anchors - Reliable, Innovative & Safe!

Manson Anchors has been producing some of the most reliable, innovative, and safest anchors on the market for nearly 40 years. They are a team of New Zealand-based marine engineers and fabricators, who design and develop anchors to withstand the harshest boating conditions across the world. From superyachts to pleasure craft, Manson anchors are considered some of the best and safest in the world.

Atlas Carbon Davits - Simpson and Cooney Marine Davits Specialist Manson Anchors - Stainless Steel Yacht Fittings

Contact superyacht doc in hampshire.

Please get in touch - whether you have queries about our yachting supplies, would like us to source specialist yachting equipment for you or you would like to place an order. Visit our contact page for further details.

Hold a superyacht still with the YACHTNEEDS marketplace selection of the industry's best anchors. We have a range of superyacht anchors in all shapes, sizes, and finishes, including admiralty anchors, fortress anchors, hall anchor, CQR anchors, Trefoil anchors, Plough anchors, Grapnel anchors, Delta anchors, demountable anchors, foldable anchors, 50kg anchors, 28kg anchors, 25kg anchors, 15kg anchors, 10kg anchors, and much more.

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The Real Costs of Owning a Superyacht [Complete Guide]

November 25, 2019 1:00 pm

Owning a  superyacht  is a status symbol available only to the world’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. Although there is no strict definition, the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code is applicable to “motor or sailing vessels of 24 meters in load line length and over…and which, at the time, is in commercial use for sport or pleasure and carries no cargo and no more than 12 passengers 1 .” There are currently just over 10,000 superyachts in the world with around 200-250 new builds delivered each year. The vast majority are  motor yachts , with sailing yachts counting for less than 20% of the total. The world’s largest private vessel, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s 180m (590-foot) AZZAM,  cost $600 million to build when it was delivered in 2013. Eight of the ten most expensive luxury acquisitions of all time were superyachts.

Purchase Cost

Buying a new or used superyacht will most likely cost the buyer several million dollars. Pricing varies widely based on the yacht size, age, and other factors such as builder, guest capacity, speed, range, and more. The market is worldwide and extensive. Any potential buyer would be well-advised to engage a professional, certified broker to guide them in the selection of their dream yacht and through the myriad of complications in making the purchase.

• • Financing the Purchase
• • Immediate Post Purchase Costs

Operating Costs

In years past, owners and their brokers would work on 10% of the purchase price as an estimate of annual operating costs, but the vast range of yacht size, operating location, and usage profile makes this approach less useful without giving the question more thought. Building a budget for a yacht requires consideration of the following elements:

Crew – Salary, payroll taxes, recruitment fees, uniform, health insurance, food, and travel for vacation and repatriation are all crew-related costs. A good guide for salary costs is published by Dockwalk magazine every year based on an extensive survey of the crew and placement agents. Using their most recent article as a guide, a crew of eight full-time crew on a 150-foot yacht will cost over $650,000 per year in salary alone. Get a complete crew cost breakdown.

Dockage – Unless the owner plans to spend the year at anchor, then keeping the yacht in a marina incurs a significant cost. Dockage is normally sold per foot of the yacht’s full length and per night, although contract rates for longer periods may be available. High-quality marinas in peak seasons are currently running in the $6-8 per foot per night range. Electricity, fresh water, and waste removal are all additional costs to be considered.

Fuel – The captain or engineer should be able to provide the fuel consumption per hour at any given speed, so if a yacht owner knows roughly how much he wants the boat to travel, then he can estimate the total fuel consumption and budget the fuel cost. There is also the fuel cost for generators, particularly at anchor. A typical 150-foot motor yacht cruising at 12 knots will consume in the region of 150 U.S. gallons per hour. At today’s fuel prices, that’s going to be close to $500 per hour. 500 hours per year will give us the main engine fuel budget of around $250,000. To this, we must also add the generators’ fuel consumption at anchor plus any additional cost for tenders.

Communications – Everyone onboard, crew and guests, want to remain connected to their social media, streaming services, and email. The technology available in this area moves fast and with 5G coming online, near-shore costs will likely come down. For those who want broadband speed while offshore, costs are high and depend on the upload/download speeds required. Start with an estimate of $4-5,000 per month and work from there. Additional communications costs include satellite TV subscriptions, crew cell phone costs, mail, freight, and more. Get a complete communication cost breakdown.

Maintenance, Consumables, and Other Operating Costs – Having considered crew payroll, marina costs, fuel, and internet, the budget will start to materialize. One must take all other costs into account, such as hull insurance, liability insurance, maintenance and consumables, warehousing, safety and survey costs, upkeep of the navigation outfit, computing support, car rental, and more.   

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This should not be considered a financial guide. For a more accurate estimate, contact Clive McCartney .

1 Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Section A 1.2(1) 

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Yacht News YF News Editor

In today's yacht world where technology is so advanced, is it ever so necessary to have anchors? Will we see a time where DPS will be the software anchors? Or will 600KG anchors and what ever else still rule for ever? what do you guys think?

Kevin YF Moderator

There's a few big yachts that are starting to get away from environmentally damaging anchors, but I think it will be a long time before they're really "gone". If anything they could always be kept as a back-up.

Yachts such as?....i know Octopus utilizes DPS on many ocasions...but i think she still drops a forward anchor and uses the DPS to keep the stern quiet.

AIR (can't remember her new name) also can remain stationary with no anchors at all. Most of the write-ups mentioned that feature when touting her environmental friendliness. I've read about others I'm pretty sure... just can't recall the names now.

ICE ex AIR......LOL, well i suppose she can do it since she is probably the 1st ultra-modern megayacht with environmentally friendliness in mind. She hardly uses her anchors though...well the times i have seen her in pics and in person.

Billy1119 Senior Member

I'd have to say there would need to be some serious reliability improvements going on in technology to justify getting rid of the good ol' anchors. Sure, the systems above will work fine in fair weather and on boats where someone's always up, but I wouldn't want to solely rely on the GPS to keep me in place at night surrounded by rocks with the wind blowing 30 kts when everyone is sleeping. I think anchors are here to stay and will be for a while. This, of course, wouldn't be ideal for an anchor either, but you know what I mean... One example - I was coming home one night in water I'm familiar with and was using my GPS lookin' at the chart. I was right where I was supposed to be. I look away, and a minute later, check it again, and it shows me in a different location not far away (close enough where I could have been there). If I had used it to try and get me back on course (albeit the wrong one) instead of being aware of the actual channel and nav aids, I would have ended up on a 2 foot sand bar while going 24 kts... Haven't had it do this since - it was just one of those things.

This was with you 84' Manhattan?

yachtluver said: This was with you 84' Manhattan? Click to expand...

ok, so now what about the kind of anchors. For the small yachts they use some kind of spade looking anchor for sandy bottoms and graveled bottoms.....the mega yachts use the heavy 300-600 KG anchors....what determines what anchor a yacht uses other than size of the yacht..?

nilo Senior Member

Billy1119 said: I'd have to say there would need to be some serious reliability improvements going on in technology to justify getting rid of the good ol' anchors. Sure, the systems above will work fine in fair weather and on boats where someone's always up, but I wouldn't want to solely rely on the GPS to keep me in place at night surrounded by rocks with the wind blowing 30 kts when everyone is sleeping. I think anchors are here to stay and will be for a while. This, of course, wouldn't be ideal for an anchor either, but you know what I mean... One example - I was coming home one night in water I'm familiar with and was using my GPS lookin' at the chart. I was right where I was supposed to be. I look away, and a minute later, check it again, and it shows me in a different location not far away (close enough where I could have been there). If I had used it to try and get me back on course (albeit the wrong one) instead of being aware of the actual channel and nav aids, I would have ended up on a 2 foot sand bar while going 24 kts... Haven't had it do this since - it was just one of those things. Click to expand...

Garry Hartshorn Senior Member

I know it has been done in several commercial and military applications, but it always involves electronics. And as we all know electronics and water don't mix all that well.

K1W1 Senior Member

Garry Hartshorn said: And as we all know electronics and water don't mix all that well. Click to expand...

I didn't want to imply the technology wasn't there to accomplish this, my point was more that when on my yacht, with the way the technology is currently as far as I'm aware, I "wouldn't want to solely rely on the GPS to keep me in place at night surrounded by rocks with the wind blowing 30 kts when everyone is sleeping." Even DGPS. But hey, that's just me. It is some awesome technology we have these days though, and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to using it during the day in reasonable weather... Then again, I have no real world experience with it, so just realize these are simply somewhat uneducated opinions.

Hi, From what I understand when in DP Mode you are classed as a vessel underway, so this means that there should always be at least one person on watch.

K1W1 said: Hi, From what I understand when in DP Mode you are classed as a vessel underway, so this means that there should always be at least one person on watch. Click to expand...

captroynsteph New Member

What ever happened to swimming from a yacht. Can't exactly do that with two big meat cleavers swinging under the transom. I can't imagine the prop wash would be very helpful with many of the water toys that yachts are carrying these days either.

captroynsteph said: What ever happened to swimming from a yacht. Can't exactly do that with two big meat cleavers swinging under the transom. I can't imagine the prop wash would be very helpful with many of the water toys that yachts are carrying these days either. Click to expand...

The basic concept of the system has been around for quite a while I beleve the original system used on oil rig tenders utilised transponders mounted on the oil rigs for the position information. But back to the original question, I do not see that it can be used as a replacement for anchors.

yachtluver said: ok, so now what about the kind of anchors. For the small yachts they use some kind of spade looking anchor for sandy bottoms and graveled bottoms.....the mega yachts use the heavy 300-600 KG anchors....what determines what anchor a yacht uses other than size of the yacht..? Click to expand...

A danforth?.. that is the name for the spade looking anchors?

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Cruising on luxury, mega, or a superyacht is the pinnacle experience of the yachting world. However, owning and managing these vessels needs to include an insurance program designed for your vessel and desired cruising range. Anchor Marine has the expertise to negotiate insurance programs for Luxury and Superyachts with coverage specifically designed to meet the owner’s needs and coverage for your crew.

Luxury yachts’ value typically ranges from $1 million to $50 million. Mega or superyachts can exceed this. One company may be able to provide all the coverage, or it may take several to put a program together. We encourage owners or yacht managers to set an appointment with us to discuss your needs.

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Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank. Was it a 'black swan event'?

The Bayesian set off on a leisurely cruise around Italy's southern coast on a sunny day in late July.

The luxurious super yacht − which boasted one of the largest masts in the world and carried a crew of business moguls, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his family and a chair of Morgan Stanley − set sail from the Amalfi Coast, bound for Sicily.

Less than a month later, the ship had sunk 160 feet under the water , leaving its cook dead and six of its passengers, including at least two Americans, missing and prompting a massive search that has drawn international attention.

Now, experts are trying to piece together why in the early hours Monday the Bayesian was quickly pulled under the waves amid a storm that saw at least one tornado spin up over the water.

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A perfect storm led to Bayesian sinking, experts say

The combination of unlikely factors that could have contributed to the ship's fate constituted a "black swan event," Matthew Schanck, chairman of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, told USA TODAY.

The Bayesian was well-built: A 2008 product of Italian ship maker Perini, it was constructed in accordance with international maritime standards and commercially certified by the U.K.'s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, according to Schanck.

The bout of bad weather that swept the area when the ship went down was also out of the ordinary in the northern Mediterranean, "which isn't renowned for prolonged, significant stormy weather," he said.

"The fact that those two elements have then resulted in the foundering of a super yacht is pretty extraordinary," Schanck said. "These things don't happen every day."

After the ship sank just before 5 a.m. local time, 15 people, including a 1-year-old, were pulled from the water. Some were rescued from a life raft by the crew of a ship docked nearby.

Ricardo Thomas, the ship's cook and a native of Antigua, was found dead, according to authorities.

As of Tuesday, six people were missing, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter. Several missing passengers were involved in Lynch's trial on fraud charges, including Jonathan Bloomer, a Morgan Stanley chair who served as his character witness, and one of Lynch's attorneys. Lynch, accused of fraud after he sold his company to electronics giant Hewlett-Packard, was acquitted of all charges weeks ago.

Who is Mike Lynch? UK entrepreneur among those missing after superyacht sinks off Sicily

Tornado formed over unusually hot water

Storms in the area that night may have whipped up a water spout, a tornado over the water , according to local meteorologists.

It was likely triggered by the water's unusual warmth, said Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist who served in the Navy.

"The water spout was an uncommon occurrence," he said. "But again, these things happen, especially in warmer water."

At 83.7 degrees, water in the area was more than 3 degrees hotter than average on the day the Bayesian sank, likely the result of climate change, Shema said.

"Hurricanes can form at 80 degrees. This was almost four degrees higher than that," he said.

The water spout may have spun up when cooler air dropped from mountainous places nearby onto the hot water, he said. "A water spout is a vortex, basically like a tornado, spinning real fast, sucking up water and moisture as the column rises," he said.

Although water spouts only reach around 120 mph, as compared with tornadoes on land, which can reach up to 300 mph, "you don't need 200 mph to sink a ship," he said.

"Even an average tornado, 120 miles an hour, that's a lot of wind," he said, "which would heel the boat over for sure."

Water spouts spring up suddenly, Shema said. Before they strike, winds can be slow, but "once the water spout comes over, bam, it's on," he said.

Before sunrise, the ship's crew may not have seen the water spout coming. "The visibility was probably a big factor," he said.

With the windows of the yacht opened, as they likely were in the hot weather, the water spout could have triggered water that flooded through the portholes, Shema said, causing the ship to sink.

Tragedy strikes: Scramble to find survivors after Bayesian yacht sinks off Sicily coast

Search continues, but shift to recovery phase approaches

Italian authorities said the Bayesian was probably at anchor when the storm struck, meaning it couldn't maneuver and ride the waves, according to Mitchell Stoller, a captain and maritime expert witness. Other ships in the area that turned on their engines rode out the storm, he said.

"When you're at anchor and you see weather, you start your engine and you put the wind on the bow. You don't let it get on the side," he said.

Schanck said another key question concerns the position of the keel, a heavy weight underneath the boat that acts as a counterbalance to keep it upright, when the ship sank. When lifted, "that's going to affect the stability of the vessel, because, obviously, you've now raised the center of gravity of that vessel," he said.

The Bayesian was floating over 160 feet of water at the time, deep enough that the keel would likely be deployed. But the fact that "the vessel heeled over so heavily makes me question that," Schanck said.

The cause of the disaster may not be known until the ship can be examined in more detail, experts say. Prosecutors in a nearby town have already opened an investigation.

Schanck said investigators will have plenty to work with once the operation moves into a recovery phase.

"The vessel is intact and in good condition on the seabed," he said. "There's a lot of eyewitness accounts from other vessels in the area and the shore."

As the search entered its second day on Tuesday, the rescue effort may shift in that direction soon. "I suspect, later on, today or tomorrow, we'll probably see some mention of a recovery operation being stated," Schanck said.

The decision to would depend on whether rescuers find signs of life in the ship and air pockets or survivable spaces, Schanck said. At this point, survivors on the water's surface looks unlikely. "My professional opinion is that the casualties will be located within the vessel," he said.

"There is a risk versus benefit in all maritime search and rescue incidents," he said. "Where we start transitioning to a recovery phase, that line shifts."

Contributing: Reuters

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

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What caused the fatal sinking of the superyacht Bayesian?

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

One of the world’s largest sailing superyachts sank in high winds off Sicily on Monday, causing the death of UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six other passengers and crew whose bodies were recovered from the wreck or from the sea.

The trip on the Lynch family’s yacht had been intended to celebrate his recent acquittal by a US jury, with 12 passengers on board, including his wife and 18-year-old daughter, and 10 crew members.

The Italian coastguard said the 56-metre, 540-tonne, British-flagged yacht Bayesian sank within minutes after it was hit by ferocious winds of 60 knots (over 110km/h) near Palermo.

The rapid sinking of such a large, modern and well-equipped yacht due to bad weather, rather than as a result of a collision, has raised concerns over marine safety as extreme weather events occur with more frequency and intensity.

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Why did the superyacht sink?

The yacht may well have been caught in a waterspout — a form of tornado — because the extreme wind speeds were recorded only in a localised area around the harbour of Porticello, where the boat was anchored about 300 metres offshore when it was struck.

Karsten Börner, the skipper of a nearby boat, told the FT that Bayesian appeared to capsize. He said he regarded the boat as unstable and his comments suggest that it could have been the combination of high winds and Bayesian’s 72-metre mast — the world’s tallest aluminium mast, according to manufacturers Perini Navi — that triggered the disaster.

Even with no sails up, a boat with a tall mast has a lot of “windage”, or surface area exposed to the wind, which can tip the vessel over in a storm. The boat may have heeled over so far that it took on water through open windows, hatches or companionways.

According to Perini Navi, Bayesian had a keel that can be lifted to reduce the draught of the boat — otherwise nearly 10 metres — for easier entrance to shallow harbours. If the keel were for some reason in the raised position rather than fully extended, that could compromise the boat’s stability in a strong wind.

Skippers of sailing yachts with exceptionally high masts typically aim to move out of harm’s way if strong winds are forecast.

Yacht designers and sailors are nevertheless puzzled by the sinking of the boat. AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking data shows it took 16 minutes from the time Bayesian appeared to started dragging its anchor until it sank. But it is not yet known whether vulnerable hatches were open or when water started entering the boat. Italian prosecutors are investigating possible charges of manslaughter and “negligent shipwreck”.

Giovanni Costantino, chief executive of Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, told the Financial Times that Bayesian was “absolutely safe” and said the crew should have had time to secure the boat and evacuate passengers from their cabins.

Should we blame climate change?

Climate change is likely to have been at least a contributing factor in the Mediterranean’s unsettled and sometimes violent weather this summer. The Mediterranean is a favoured cruising ground for superyachts during the northern hemisphere summer — in winter, the wealthy prefer the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean — because the weather is typically warm and sunny, and storms are rare. 

Meteorological experts have long predicted that climate change and the heating-up of oceans will help trigger more extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and more severe hurricanes.

Last week, the Mediterranean reached a median temperature of 28.9C — its highest surface temperature on record — and similar records are being broken in other seas. June was the 15th consecutive month that global sea temperatures hit a record high and forecasters predict the warmer waters may fuel an intense Atlantic hurricane season.

Will disasters at sea occur more often?

While design improvements and safety regulations have made even the smallest boats safer, the potential dangers posed by bad weather are increasing in line with the rising number of pleasure vessels at sea.

Last week, a sudden and exceptionally strong thunderstorm with wind squalls blowing at up to 53 knots (about 100km/h) swept over the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera, driving several sailing and motor yachts to crash on to the shore. Among those damaged and grounded but later recovered was a luxury, 30-metre vessel made by the Monaco-based Wally Yachts .

The cause was a thunderstorm known as a “Dana”, a Spanish acronym for depresión aislada en niveles altos or isolated high-altitude depression. The bad weather also caused serious flooding in Mallorca and Menorca to the north.

How can boat makers and skippers help avoid more deaths?

The weather in the Mediterranean is often notoriously unpredictable and prone to sudden, unforecast gales — unlike the north Atlantic, where weather shifts are usually signalled days in advance by changing air pressure and cloud formations visible to the naked eye.

Safety at sea depends largely on two factors: the seaworthiness of the boat and the skill and experience of the captain and crew.

Modern boats — Bayesian was built in 2008 and refurbished four years ago — are normally built to high safety standards and equipped with electronic navigation and communications systems, as well as standard emergency gear such as life vests.

Common accidents include people falling overboard, fires on board and accidental groundings or collisions — not sinking in bad weather.

Visual and data team: Alan Smith, Aditi Bhandhari, Ian Bott and Jana Tauschinski

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St Pete Yacht Rental

Yacht rentals st. pete | best yacht charters in st. petersburg, florida, thank you for making anchor the #1 yacht rental company in st. pete, st. pete yacht rentals .

Welcome to St. Petersburg, FL, one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida! Anchor has a beautiful fleet of yachts available for rent or charter in the greater St. Pete area. St. Pete is the perfect yacht charter destination, with intracoastal waterways to view mansions, sandbars for swimming and water activities, and a large selection of yacht charters to choose from. Whether you're celebrating a bachelor or bachelorette party, birthday, or just hangin' with your crew, Anchor is the top-rated yacht rental company in St. Pete!

Day Charters

St. Pete has plenty to offer for a perfect yacht charter. We offer 4 hour rentals, 6 hour rentals, and full-day rentals. We also offer multi-day trips if you want to visit destinations like Fort Myers , Cape Coral , South Seas, Marco Island, and Florida Keys. Day charters are an affordable way for you and your crew to rent a private yacht with Captain and Crew included. Also included in the price of your charter is local cruising fuel, cleaning fees, service fees & taxes, and even some gratuity on most charter listings. Most of our yachts have a 13 guest max, not including the Captain and Crew. So grab 12 of your best friends and head out for a St. Petersburg yacht charter with Anchor!

Find the perfect yacht rental in St. Pete

Anchor has hundreds of yachts available for rent with a Captain. You can shop and browse yachts and filter by date, location (using the map), size, budget, and much more. Book a yacht with confidence with our transparent and all-inclusive pricing. Never worry about hidden fees or additional costs, unless you want to add provisions to your charter. Finding the perfect yacht charter in St. Pete is super easy with Anchor. If you're interested in a St. Pete Boat Rental instead check out this page to view our available inventory!

Yacht rentals and yacht charters to Egmont Key

Egmont Key is a popular yachting destination with beautifully clear / turquoise water. Egmont Key is located just North of St. Petersburg and just north of Anna Maria Island , so if your yacht is departing from downtown St. Pete, you'll want to book a minimum of a 6 hour charter, or save money with the discounted full-day (8 hour) yacht charter options. 

Yacht rentals and yacht charters to Johns Pass Sandbar

Johns Pass is located a bit further south and is a great local meet up location for yachters. If you've chartered a yacht from downtown St. Pete, you\'ll want to be sure to book a 6 hour rental or 8 hour rental to ensure you have enough time to get there. Johns Pass is a really fun local sandbar where yachters party 7 days a week. Mostly on Saturdays and Sundays.

Looking For Something Smaller?

View our st pete boat rental selection here. We offer amazing charters in great areas around St Pete. Book very quickly and easily to enjoy a great day on the water!

Looking For a Pontoon?

View our tampa pontoon rental selection here. We offer amazing charters in great areas all over Tampa. Book very quick and easy and enjoy a great day on the water!

Weather in St. Pete

Always keep in mind the weather when planning your yacht rental experience. St. Petersburg is an ideal location for a yacht charter, either while on vacation or “staycation” because of the wonderful weather patterns. Located just above the tropical divide, the winters range in the 70°s and summers in the 90°s, so there's no wrong time to visit. While it may rain frequently in St. Pete, the storms are almost always scattered and very short in duration, oftentimes only lasting a few minutes and then the sun is shining again. If you're traveling to St. Pete in the cooler months of the year, be sure to pack some layers to wear while on your yachting trip, especially if you plan to go yachting in the evening. If you're traveling during the summer months, remember to stay hydrated and take some extra precautions when it comes to sun care.

When planning to rent a yacht in St. Pete, your Captain will keep an eye on the weather patterns. The Captain will warn you of any weather that could cause your yacht charter to be canceled, rescheduled, or departure time pushed back. Safety is always our top priority.

Other popular yacht charter destinations near St. Petersburg

St. Pete is located on the west coast of Florida and is nestled near several other wonderful yachting destinations, so if you can't find the yacht charter you're looking for in St. Pete, check out these other amazing locations. Anna Maria Island and Sarasota, Fl are the nearest yachting destinations. Tampa Bay has yachts available just 30 minutes from St. Pete.   Ft. Myers and Cape Coral are about an 2 hour drive south and located below the tropical divide for warmer weather in the winter months.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht in St Pete?

The average cost to rent a yacht in st. pete is $2200.00 (usd).

Average cost of a 4 hour yacht rental = $2200.00*

Average cost of a 6 hour yacht rental = $2900.00*

Average cost of a 8 yacht rental = $3300.00*

*The average cost of a yacht charter or yacht rental can differ based on the size of the yacht and the year the yacht was manufactured. Newer yachts are more expensive, but they are cleaner and offer nicer amenities. And bigger yachts are typically more expensive, but they offer often more space, amenities, crew, and overall experience. 

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Calculate the safest anchor for your boat.

It is very important that you have the right anchor for your boat to keep you and your family safe. Our anchor calculator will recommend the best anchor for your boat based on the type of boat, its size and weight and the sort of boating activity you are wanting to do. Select your preferred measurement scale (metric or imperial) and then follow the path. Click on the boxes that best describe your situation, select the length and weight values and then press the red Calculate Your Anchor button. This anchor calculator is for boats up to 28m/90ft. For enquiries above this boat length please contact us directly. 

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The New Generation anchor range use materials and designs suited to the latest boat designs.

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The Traditional anchor range uses classic designs like the Plough (CQR) or Ray (Bruce) Anchor suited to older boat styles.

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Boat weight (metric), boat length (imperial), boat weight (imperial), your recommended anchors, we recommend the manson supreme anchor, however if your bow sprit conflicts with the supreme’s dimensions, we recommend the manson boss anchor. learn more about the anchor dimensions on the product pages..

Supreme Anchor (SHHP)

From $ 134.99 – $ 4,999.99

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You can rely on supreme safety with our best-selling anchor – the Manson Supreme. This anchor ensures your precious family gets the good night’s sleep they deserve. Aptly named the Manson Supreme, this anchor sets and holds immediately. It is considered the world’s safest anchor with innovative features that lead the industry. It is self-launching and self-righting, using a rollbar to make setting your anchor a worry-free process. The Manson Supreme Anchor will turn or quicky reset and hold with the wind and tide so you can sit back and enjoy your surroundings. Available in galvanized steel or exquisitely polished stainless steel.

Boss Anchor

From $ 179.99 – $ 9,499.99

The Manson Boss is a truly multi-purpose anchor. It was designed to have the same instant setting and high-holding power of the Manson Supreme, but to also fit the bow-rollers on motorboats. This new generation anchor operates in all seabeds, the sliding and fixed shank design ensures easy setting and retrieving, regardless of the conditions and your surroundings.

The Manson Boss Anchor gives you and your family the reassurance they need to sleep well while at anchor in unfamiliar places. This is a safe and reliable choice, used by thousands of boaters around the world. The Manson Boss really does perform like the Boss! Available in galvanized steel, black painted steel or exquisitely polished stainless steel.

Ray Anchor (HHP)

The Manson Ray Anchor is a very fast setting anchor, most suited for quick deployment and ‘no fuss’ anchoring.

The fast setting nature makes the Manson Ray ideal for use in crowded or narrow anchorages, particularly on sand or muddy seabeds.

The Manson Ray Anchor tends to be used more frequently on Super –  Sailing  – Yachts as a more traditional yacht type of anchor and it is then deployed via cassettes in the bow.

It is Lloyd’s Register Type Approved as an HHP (High Holding Power) anchor and available approved sizes from 5kg – 600kg, and unapproved up to 3425kg.

Plough Anchor (HHP)

Engineered to provide a strong and secure hold, 90% of all cruising boats use plough (CQR-style) anchors. The Manson Plough Anchor has hinged shanks, improving the scope of movement of the chain and has a weighted tip delivering secure reliable holding in sand, weeds and mud.

The Manson Plough Anchor is a proven yachting favourite and traditionally tends to be used on Super –  Sailing  – Yachts, deployed via an anchor deployment arm. Increasingly we are seeing designers select the Manson Plough Anchor in conjunction with the patent pending Subplough System from sister company Bowmaster. See here for more on this  underwater anchor deployment solution. 

The Manson Plough Anchor is Lloyd’s Register Type Approved as a HHP (High Holding Power) anchor and is available in approved sizes from 5kg – 1000kg, and unapproved from 1000kg – 5000kg.

This anchor calculator is a guide only.  It is not intended to replace or supercede any class or maritime sizing recommendations.  Lloyd’s Register rules apply to the Manson Supreme, Manson Plough and Manson Ray Anchors.  For any queries, please contact [email protected]

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Buying or selling a boat? Let us help you coordinate your sea trial, survey, and delivery. Tell us what you need. We are here to help. 

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Let your journey begin with Sailicity with all-inclusive sailing experiences. We foster the spirit of sailing and craft personalized and unique voyages tailored to discriminating guests. Tell us where you want to go, and we will plan the rest. We partner with an array of dynamic fleets designed to combine luxury lifestyle and the travel freedom of a memorable sailing experience. We have the privilege to provide guests with alternative social gatherings by hosting socially distant events on the sea, making all feel safe and exclusive.

Our Charter Concierge will craft private charters from half-day, weekend, or up to 14-day voyages. We have multiple types of charters; that sail anywhere in Florida along the Atlantic coast in the spring and fall with our Summer base in New England and our Winter Home in the Caribbean. Sailicity’s concierge service removes the headaches of planning and will take care of all the small details with industry-leading experts.

Our mission is to provide you the sailing experience of your dream. Make an appointment to speak to a Charter Concierge at no cost.

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Your Charter Concierge will help you create an experience you and your family will never forget. Celebrating a special occasion? Take the family on vacation? Explore incredible sights you can only see by water? We are here to help!

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We amplified the concept of micro weddings with the creation of Weddings on the Water. Our venue focuses on personalized details for a brief ceremony at anchor for the bride and groom and up to 10 additional guests. 

We will provide wedding planning services, coordinating Florist, Videographer, Photographer, and Caterers to create a memorable experience. The Ceremony can be followed by cruises to resort destinations around Florida’s Gulf.

It took years of planning and effort to get to this point in your life.  There is no better way to celebrate and say thank you to the people who helped you get here. Your day has come, and we strive to meet all your expectations when planning your retirement holiday. 

Your celebration may be a catered dinner and sunset sail or a weeklong excursion, combining sailing, golf, dining, and tennis as we traverse Florida’s Gulf coast and visit some of our finest resorts.

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Celebrate the time of your life with the people you love aboard a well-appointed crew yacht. Whether it is a milestone or not, let our special event planner help you celebrate in style. 

We will suggest menu options and provision for day cruises for up to 12 guests or overnight retreats for up to three couples. It can be the most memorable celebration of life.   Birthday yacht charters originate from the Vinoy Marina in St. Petersburg, FL, or Key Bight in Key West.

Why Sailicity Charters & Yacht Sales?

We remove the headaches of planning and will take care of the small details with industry-leading experts. We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen to your needs because WE CARE & have a passion for sailing.

We offer the chance to climb aboard the best boats from world-class manufacturers. Our boats combine maximum comfort blended with high performance.

It takes years of experience to know the different types of sailing vessels and how to determine which one is best for you. We are here to guide you to ensure you receive the best value on the type of boat you want.

We’re sailors. We are here to give you a sailing charter experience you will never forget. Start planning your sail today.

The possibilities are endless! Our beautiful Bali Catamarans are always based at ports during high season in the region. Our Concierge Service will help you plan your sailing adventure and build itineraries that are all about you.

A bareboat charter or demise charter is an arrangement for the chartering or hiring of a ship or boat, whereby no crew or provisions are included as part of the agreement; instead, the people who rent the vessel from the owner are responsible for taking care of such things. We are happy to arrange bareboat charters for qualified sailors who choose to go it alone. However, our specialty is to help you connect with knowledgeable captains and competent crew members to enhance your sailing experience by organizing your provisioning, planning your sailing itineraries, helping you manage meals and the galley and keeping you safe during your sailing adventure. Learn More .

Learn more about yacht ownership here . 

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Divers find 5 bodies during search of yacht wreckage off Sicily

The Associated Press

Italian firefighter divers bring ashore in a green bag the body of one of the victims of the U.K.-flag vessel Bayesian on Wednesday. The luxury sail yacht was hit by a violent sudden storm and sunk early Monday, while at anchor off the Sicilian village of Porticello near Palermo, in southern Italy. Salvatore Cavalli/AP hide caption

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.

Who are Mike Lynch and the other people missing after a yacht sank in Sicily?

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.

Emergency services at the scene of the search for a missing boat, in Porticello, southern Italy, on Tuesday. Salvatore Cavalli/AP hide caption

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.

Search teams scour waters along Italy’s southwestern shore, where a luxury yacht sank

“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.

Search resumes for British tech magnate and 5 others after yacht sinks off Sicily

“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.

“I think the fact that there’s been quite a lot of diving presence around the vessel and that they haven’t been able to pick up any signs of life inside the vessel, is, is unfortunately, not a particularly good sign,” said Souppez.

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Final Body Is Recovered From Yacht That Sank Off Sicily

Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, was on board a yacht that was hit by a storm and went down in the early hours on Monday.

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By Emma Bubola and Elisabetta Povoledo

Emma Bubola reported from Porticello, Italy, and Elisabetta Povoledo from Pallanza, Italy.

For nearly a week after a violent storm sent a luxury yacht to the bottom of the sea off the coast of Sicily, Italian scuba divers plunged deep underwater, moving through ropes and fallen objects inside the yacht in a desperate search for the six people missing.

On Friday, the recovery of the body of Hannah Lynch, 18, put an end to the wrenching search and to the slim hopes that any of the missing people might have survived.

Ms. Lynch, the daughter of the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who also died in the yacht’s sinking, was the last person to be formally unaccounted for since Monday after tragedy struck a group that had been celebrating her father’s acquittal in a high-profile fraud case.

There were 10 crew members and 12 passengers on board the 180-foot vessel, the Bayesian, when it was hit by a storm and went down about 4.30 a.m. on Monday, the boat’s management company said on Friday.

Fifteen survived.

The body of the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was found on Monday, a few hours after a downpour hit the northwestern coast of Sicily, near the port of Porticello, where the yacht had been anchored.

But it took several days to recover the bodies of the six passengers who were apparently trapped inside the yacht: Mr. Lynch and Ms. Lynch; Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of Morgan Stanley International; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Christopher J. Morvillo, a lawyer at Clifford Chance; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

On Friday, a round of applause could be heard from the firefighter’s tent set up on the dock in Porticello after the last body was pulled out in what the corps described as a “complex” search operation at a depth of about 165 feet. The firefighters said they had made 123 immersions into the sea to try to retrieve the bodies.

The body bag was then loaded onto an ambulance. A local man had left a small wooden cross on the rocks in front of the dock where the bodies were brought ashore.

Mr. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was among those who managed to reach the safety of a raft. They were rescued by a sailing schooner that had been bobbing about 150 yards from the yacht.

In a statement, the family thanked the search teams and said that it was enduring a “time of unspeakable grief.”

“The Lynch family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends,” the statement added.

As prosecutors from the nearby city of Termini Imerese began conducting interviews with the survivors and possible witnesses, the crew and passengers of the Bayesian have been confined to a local hotel, where the news media have been denied access.

Salvatore Cocina, the head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, said on Thursday that the survivors had turned down the psychological assistance his department had offered to them.

In Porticello, the sprawling presence of rescue services made a haunting backdrop for an otherwise tranquil port town. People sunbathed and ate ricotta-filled pastries, and stores selling sandals and dried fruit opened as normal, while coast guard and firefighting vessels came and went from the shore, taking scuba divers out to the shipwreck.

Other reminders of the tragedy could be seen along the coast, among palm trees and ice cream shops, with groups of onlookers staring out at the sea, now tranquil and flat.

Local and national news organizations have complained that prosecutors have not issued a statement or held a news conference. Prosecutors may shed more light on the yacht’s sinking when they hold a news conference on Saturday.

The marine accident investigation branch of the British transportation ministry was also looking into the shipwreck of the vessel, which was registered in Britain.

One of the major questions is what caused the boat to sink: Was it the fault of the boat maker, of the crew or of a powerful act of nature — or some combination of the three? None of those who were onboard the Bayesian have spoken publicly.

The luxury yacht, built by the Italian manufacturer Perini Navi and launched in 2008, had the second-tallest aluminum mast in the world, according to its makers.

Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought Perini Navi, has been assertive in defending the design and construction of the yacht, saying that the Bayesian would be “unsinkable” if the proper procedures were followed.

But yacht design experts have cautioned that the lesson of the Titanic, the ocean liner that sank on its 1912 maiden voyage, showed that no vessel, no matter how robust, was worthy of that label.

Nautilus International, a maritime-focused labor union, criticized any implication that the crew had been at fault, especially at this stage. In a statement , the union’s general secretary, Mark Dickinson, said, “Experience tells us that maritime tragedies are always the result of multiple, interconnected factors,” and he urged people to refrain from drawing any conclusions until a thorough investigation had been carried out.

The investigation into the causes will take months, prosecutors said.

Michael J. de la Merced contributed reporting.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

Elisabetta Povoledo is a reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years. More about Elisabetta Povoledo

'Indescribable' crew errors led to Sicily shipwreck, yacht maker says

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Reporting by Matteo Negri; Writing by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Richard Chang

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Hezbollah launches missile barrage at Israel to avenge top commander

Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones against Israel on Sunday in retaliation for the assassination of a senior commander in Beirut last month, the Iranian-backed movement said, as Israel's cabinet met to prepare a response.