Last Friday news spread quickly about the sinking of Yogi, a sudden incident in Greece. Dozens of websites both within and outside of the yachting industry have been reporting the news since then. Unfortunately, incorrect reports have been published and assumptions have been made. In this editor’s opinion, the speculation needs to stop—now.
First, the facts according to the Hellenic Coast Guard. The 204-foot (60.2-meter) Yogi was 19 nautical miles off Skyros, Greece, early Friday morning when the captain contacted them. He reported that Yogi suffered mechanical failure, was unmanageable due to weather conditions, and was flooding. Eight individuals, all crew and including him, were aboard. Weather conditions were Force 8, a gale with winds between 34 and 40 knots and seas of 18 to 25 feet (5.5 to 7.5 meters). Two rescue helicopters dispatched, as did further Coast Guard vessels. A Navy frigate and four commercial vessels responded, too. Coast Guard video shows all eight people were in survival suits on an upper deck when rescue operations began. Additionally, it shows Yogi was on her starboard side. It took a little over an hour to safely get everyone off the yacht. Coast Guard personnel then took them ashore for medical evaluation.
Another fact comes from Proteksan Turquoise, which delivered Yogi in 2011. The yacht was at its yard in Turkey just prior to the accident for warranty repaint work. (Some news reports indicate the warranty work involved the interior.)
Last fact, at this point: The cause for the sinking of Yogi remains under investigation.
Naturally, whenever an event such as a superyacht sinking occurs, speculation occurs. Unfortunately, some yachting industry representatives have gone on the record, questioning the construction and even the crew. Are these valid questions? Without first-hand knowledge of the build or the accident, publicly pointing fingers sheds no light on the situation. Equally disconcerting, some media have taken a misguided attempt at humor and/or to attract higher readership. “Superyacht Sinks Like a Stone in the Mediterranean” reads one headline. Worse, another journalist, commenting on the charter rates, writes, “regarding the lower price, could it be the extra $28,000 for the option of keeping the boat upright throughout the voyage?”
Interestingly, that statement remained online for three days. She pulled it yesterday afternoon, after two people, including me, took her to task for being out of line. She replied to me, saying I’d made a good point. Yet, she gave a puzzling explanation for her original comment. “The shock that these supposedly new, modern, big ships and yachts are still so frail in the face of the sea – and that no amount of money can buy safety – was my point and not well made.”
Since the causes of the mechanical failure and flooding are still unknown, we’d all do well to await the investigation’s results. Proteksan Turquoise’s representatives, as well as the insurer and others, are speaking with the captain and crew.
Furthermore, we would all do well to simply thank the Hellenic Coast Guard and the other vessel operators for responding so professionally to the sinking of Yogi. Without them, this tragedy would be far more unthinkable.
UPDATE, MARCH 20, 2012: The shipyard released the following statement today:
“We have now consulted with all the relevant stakeholders involved in the building and operation of the yacht.
“We met with the Captain and Chief Engineer in presence of their lawyer on 9th March 2012 in Paris. At the request of the lawyers representing the Captain and Chief Engineer and the lawyers representing other parties involved, we have agreed to keep the content of those interviews confidential.
“We have also conducted our own internal inquiry into the sinking, including analyzing the yacht’s naval architecture, the construction methods and techniques employed by us in building the yacht.
“Proteksan-Turquoise is firmly of the opinion that the sinking is not attributable to anything structural or technical which would have compromised her seaworthiness.
“Proteksan-Turquoise would like to stress again the point that M/Y YOGI, whose construction and outfitting was surveyed and certified by the American Bureau of Shipping, was built to be MCA Large Yacht (LY2) compliant and was surveyed and approved by the French flag authorities.
“Unless there are material developments, no further updates will be released.”
Victoria Allman says
Well said, Dianne.
There are enough negative rumors swirling around events like this without adding to the fire.
Peter Seyfferth says
I absolutely agree! Congratulations, Diane, for the well chosen words!
Mike Hitch says
Well said. In this day of instant communication and the need for instant answers we would do well to stand back and let the official investigators do their job. I for one is very glad that no lives were lost.
Todd Flood says
THANK YOU! Speculation and schadenfreude serve no purpose to further the facts of what really happened. Calling into questions the actions of the crew or the quality of the yacht, and the yard, are low to the point of being slimy. I guess that waiting for an official investigation and for the real facts to come out is just not exciting enough.
Mark Turvey says
Diane, once again you show why I and many others trust your opinions and comments in this field. Facts and common sense can sometimes be hard to find. The medias penchant for dramatizing for the sake of sensationalism, or pure laziness not to write a fact based article, has tarnished their image.
No vessel is guaranteed to stay afloat, therefore, I echo your thanks to all the Coast Guard men and women around the world.
Greg Abell says
All “speculation” aside: Seaworthy vessels don’t have big ass swimming pools on their stern, nor do they have picture windows near the waterline.
Diane M. Byrne says
Greg, I’m curious as to why you say no seaworthy vessels have large pools aft or windows near the waterline. If either or both were inherently unsafe, no classification society would sign off on them. If approval shouldn’t have been granted, that’s a different story. Can you elaborate?
Greg Abell says
Sure, Diane, here is my reply. Ship stability. Large swimming pools add free surface which can accentuate pitching and rolling. The window issue should be obvious. The real problem is that design motifs on larger yachts work their way down to smaller vessels-even runabouts. I notice that large hull side windows are appearing in many new 60-70 foot yachts-even the trawer style vessels. This is a disturbing trend. It is dangerous to assume that “classification societies” are infallible-particularily when interior decorators are now designing seagoing yachts.
Diane M. Byrne says
True, no classification society is infallible, and that certainly wasn’t my intention to imply. If Yogi’s pool is ultimately proven to be partly or entirely at fault for her sinking, then surely, I would think, the investigators will take issue with the stability tests, the construction, and/or the classification society. Many other questions still need to be addressed, too.
Roger Doran says
The pool had been pumped dry at the start of the trip.
Greg Abell says
With the builder’s statement that nothing structural or technical compromised the seaworthiness, and their statement of no further updates without further developements, I guess we are being led to case closed. With the wreck of Yogi lying at an estimated depth somewhere around 450m, (1500′) I doubt if an investigative dive will take place. The design drawings show a flip-down swim-up bar in the starboard side aft of the engine room. There also appears to be a flip-down swim deck at the stern. What were the lock down procedures for a sea passage followed? Was the locking devices adequate? I have not seen any answers to these questions. The way the vessel went down at the stern and heeled to starboard suggests that the stern compartment aft of the engine room was breeched. Fortunately no one lost their life in this incident. It could have been a much different scenario had the vessel been full of guests.
Thanks for engaging in this discussion with me. I am counting on you for updates!!
Diane M. Byrne says
Yes, the depth of Yogi is such that it would be prohibitively expensive to send a robotic device to investigate. Even without physical evidence that a dive could provide, the insurance company will still conduct an investigation, asking questions of multiple parties. There’s no time frame for when it will be completed, but things like this have been made public before, so I do intend to read and share the conclusions when that occurs.