
Newly Built Motor Yacht Capsizes Moments After Launch
The newly constructed motor yacht Dolce Vento, measuring 23.9 meters (78 feet), built by Turkish shipyard Med Yilmaz, capsized and sank almost immediately following its launch. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, September 2nd, around 2:30 PM local time at the shipyard in Zonguldak, Turkey.
Immediate Response and Investigation
According to maritime publication Boat International, the luxury vessel sank to a depth of approximately seven meters. Local media reports suggest a suspected stability issue as the primary cause of the accident. Turkish Coast Guard and medical personnel were quickly on scene to respond to the emergency.
On board at the time of the incident were the yacht's owner, the captain, and two crew members. All four individuals jumped into the water and managed to reach shore safely without injuries. An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Vessel Specifications and Value
The New York Post reported that the luxury yacht had an estimated value of nearly $1 million. The Dolce Vento was constructed with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, typical of high-quality yacht construction. No information has been released regarding salvage or recovery plans for the sunken vessel.
Yacht launching procedures require careful planning and execution to ensure proper stability during the critical transition from land to water. According to maritime safety experts, stability calculations must account for various factors including weight distribution, buoyancy, and environmental conditions.