197-Foot Super Yacht Sinks in the Aegean Sea (VIDEO)
'Mechanical Failure' cited as the cause of the vessel's demise

Posted Thursday, February 23, 2012

 
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On February 17th, the largest French-flagged superyacht sunk off the coast of the island of Skyros in the Aegean Sea. All eight passengers and crew onboard were rescued by Greek Coast Guard and air force helicopters. The exact cause of the sinking is unknown, and is being called a 'mechanical failure.'

According to a report by Soundings magazine, "The incident happened in gale-force winds off the island of Skyros. The captain of Yogi, which has a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, sent out a distress signal Feb. 17, prompting the dispatch of two coast guard vessels, two Hellenic Air Force helicopters and a navy frigate."

The Soundings article went on to say that the eight suvivors were transported to Skyros, and then to Athens. Proteksan Turquoise, the builder of the ship, in a statement, thanked the coast guard and said the cause of the sinking was unclear. The yacht was built last year.

The video below shows footage of the 197-foot yacht listing on its side, with survivors clinging to the side, waiting to be lifted to the rescue helicopter.

According to Soundings technical writer, Eric Sorensen, a consultant to boat- and shipbuilders, the ordeal serves as a reminder of the importance of proper engineering and construction, especially the incorporation of watertight compartments in the hull. In a separate article in the magazine he presents his analysis of what might have happened to cause the ship to sink.

"Although no one knows how Yogi sank, attributing it to “mechanical failure” is curious. As a first defense against sinking, a well-found vessel relies on compartmentation, which divides it into many watertight sections by watertight bulkheads," writes Sorensen. "These bulkheads should have no penetrations below the point to which the vessel would settle when one, two or three compartments are completely flooded, depending on whether it is a one-, two- or three-compartment ship. A two-compartment ship, for example, is designed to stay afloat with adequate reserve buoyancy and stability in a damaged condition with two contiguous compartments completely flooded."

He goes on to say that modern super-yachts with popular features such as windows close to the waterline, and large tender garages with watertight doors leading to the engine room or staterooms just invite trouble.

Sorensen's opinion is nicely summed up in the following quote: "The hull is there first and foremost to keep the ocean out of the vessel, and intentionally introducing a series of weak points made of glass that compromise this vital function creates a vessel that I personally would have little confidence in out in heavy weather. While many owners would not know what a serious compromise to structural integrity such windows may represent, the vessels’ designers get paid to know better."

Click play on the video below to see the yacht Yogi, as she is listing and her passengers are waiting to be rescued.