• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Megayacht News 2021 Logo

Megayacht News

the trusted source for megayacht and superyacht information

Megayacht News 2021 Logo
  • Home
  • Yachts
    • Associations & Organizations
          • Associations & Organizations Recent Posts
            Junior SeaKeeper students learn about water sampling from superyachts
            Junior SeaKeeper Program Wants Young Ocean Ambassadors

            July 20, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            superyacht company Northrop & Johnson is supporting Water.org
            Water.org Gains Support From Northrop & Johnson

            June 11, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            YachtAid Global, which works with superyachts, launched Operation Pearl to help the Philippines following Typhoon Odette
            Operation Pearl: Typhoon Disaster Relief for Philippines via YachtAid Global

            January 4, 2022 By Marie Cullen

    • Brokerage
          • Brokerage Recent Posts
            Graceful is alleged to be among Russian-owned superyachts
            Imperial Yachts, Several Superyachts Added to U.S. Sanctions List

            June 3, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            a new Y.CO partnership with YachtAid Global will see superyachts step up for sustainability
            Y.CO Partnership With YachtAid Global Supports New Sustainability Efforts

            June 12, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            Bruce Brakenoff, Jr. and his team are now part of the Edmiston expansion in the USA
            Edmiston Expansion in America Sees Perini Navi USA Team Come Onboard

            September 5, 2020 By Marie Cullen

    • Motoryachts
          • Motoryachts Recent Posts
            Hargrave E Series yacht Romeo Foxtrot
            Hargrave E Series Yacht Makes Global Premiere

            March 25, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            the Rossinavi yacht Alchemy launched in March
            Rossinavi Yacht Alchemy Reveals Chemistry of Design & Build Teams

            March 24, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            the first AB 120 yacht
            The First AB 120 Yacht Splashes, Set for American Shores

            March 21, 2023 By Marie Cullen

    • Sailing Yachts
          • Sailing Yachts Recent Posts
            the Perini Navi Genesis fleet includes a 77m superyacht
            The Perini Navi Genesis Fleet: Famed Sailing Brand Re-imagined

            March 22, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            the SW100X yacht is an all seas cruiser
            SW100X Yacht Has Seaside Lounge, No Mere Swim Platform

            March 16, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            the first wallywind 110 yacht will be delivered in 2024
            First wallywind 110 Yacht to Sail the Med in 2024

            March 10, 2023 By Marie Cullen

    • Superyacht 101 Series
          • Superyacht 101 Series Recent Post
            Buddy Darby
            Superyacht 101 Series: Advice From Fellow Owner Buddy Darby

            November 9, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            Mark Robba
            Superyacht 101 Series: Advice From Fellow Owner Mark Robba

            October 31, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            superyacht 101 owner's representative
            Superyacht 101 Series: Selecting an Owner’s Representative

            July 29, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Tenders, Toys, &
      Products
          • Tenders, Toys, & Products Recent Posts
            Yacht Life Vodka is for discerning palates
            Yacht Life Vodka Lets You Sip the Good Life

            March 23, 2023 By Megayacht News Staff

            the Wooden Boats Limo Tender 27 is for the owners of a Sanlorenzo superyacht
            Wooden Boats Limo Tender 27 Leans Into Fast Fun

            March 14, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            the Coast New Zealand Nimbus Collection comprises inflatable furnishings for superyachts and homes
            Coast New Zealand Nimbus Collection, Customer-Requested Floating Furniture

            February 23, 2023 By Megayacht News Staff

    • The Superyacht 6
          • The Superyacht 6 Recent Posts
            The Superyacht 6: 6 Superb Charter-Yacht Crews

            October 23, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

            The Superyacht 6: 6 Must-See Megayachts at the Fort Lauderdale Show

            October 9, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

            The Superyacht 6: 6 Editor’s Picks From the Monaco Yacht Show

            September 24, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Photo Galleries
          • the superyacht saloon aboard the Van der Valk yacht Blue Jeans
            Yacht Blue Jeans Begins Globetrotting: Photo Gallery

            January 16, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            Azimut Grande 26M megayacht
            Azimut Grande 26M Packs Punch in 86 Feet: Photo Gallery

            December 8, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Infinity Nine yacht
            Charter the Infinity Nine Yacht, Belonging to Former NBA Star: Photo Gallery

            November 24, 2022 By Marie Cullen

    • Sponsored Posts
          • Yacht Sponsored Posts
  • Builders
    • Builders Directory
          • A - E
          • F - L
          • M - R
          • S - Z
    • Yard News
          • Yard News Recent Posts
            Savannah Yacht Center joins Safe Harbor Marinas
            Savannah Yacht Center Sells to Safe Harbor Marinas

            March 23, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Cantiere delle Marche and IYC join forces for superyacht sales
            Cantiere delle Marche and IYC Partner for U.S. Superyacht Sales

            March 22, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            a variety of Ferretti Group yachts
            Ferretti Group Acquires Additional Shipyard for Big Boats

            March 20, 2023 By Marie Cullen

    • Sponsored Posts
          • Builders Sponsored Posts
  • Charter & Cruising
    • Charter & Cruising News
          • Charter & Cruising Recent Posts
            go whiskey-tasting in Scotland on Grey Wolf for an exceptionally memorable experience
            Go Whisky-Tasting in Scotland on Grey Wolf Superyacht Charter

            March 9, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            YachtAid Global has launched Operation Lalesi
            Operation Lalesi From YachtAid Global Delivering Earthquake Aid to Turkey

            February 16, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            book a Pandion Pearl yacht charter for an extraordinary itinerary
            Charter the Pandion Pearl Yacht for 14 Fabulous Destinations in 12 Days

            February 13, 2023 By Marie Cullen

    • Charter Yacht Brokers
      Directory
          • A - D
          • E - L
          • M - R
          • S - Z
    • Destination Guides
          • Destination Guide Recent Posts
            a superyacht charter in Tahiti should include Opuhohu Bay
            Superyacht Charter in Tahiti: 7 Reasons to Book Now

            February 27, 2023 By Megayacht News Staff

            an Ohana yacht charter in Croatia can begin and end in Split
            Yacht Charter in Croatia Isn’t Beyond Your Means

            January 25, 2023 By Jill Bobrow

            St. John is a budget-friendly charter destination for superyachts
            3 Budget-Conscious Yacht Charter Destinations for This Winter

            November 29, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

    • Marinas News
          • Marina News Recent Posts
            Jones Bay Marina is gaining superyacht slips
            Jones Bay Marina Gaining More Megayacht Berths

            March 11, 2023 By Ken Kremsler

            Marina Port Vell is the Preferred Superyacht Marina for the 37th America's Cup
            Marina Port Vell Named Preferred Marina for Superyachts for America’s Cup

            January 17, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Chula Vista Marina is near the famed Third Avenue
            Chula Vista Marina Acquired by Safe Harbor Marinas

            December 25, 2022 By Ken Kremsler

  • People
    • Consultants
          • Consultants Recent Posts
            YachtAid Global has launched Operation Lalesi
            Operation Lalesi From YachtAid Global Delivering Earthquake Aid to Turkey

            February 16, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            the yacht Tango belongs to Russian national Viktor Vekselberg
            2 Indicted for Assisting Sanctions Evasion of the Yacht Tango

            January 23, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Donald L. Blount left an indelible mark on superyachts
            Superyacht Owners & Industry Figures Who Died in 2022

            December 29, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Crew
          • Crew Recent News
            CrewBlast will fill superyacht crew needs
            CrewBlast Will Connect You to Crew Seeking Jobs in Seconds

            March 18, 2023 By Ken Kremsler

            the Irina VU yacht is a Sunseeker 115 Predator like this sistership
            Irina VU Yacht Disappearance Leads to Captain’s Arrest

            February 3, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            superyacht crew gyms lead to better teamwork
            7 Reasons Why Superyacht Crew Gyms Are Essential

            January 19, 2023 By Ed Thomas

    • Designer Directory
          • A - D
          • E - L
          • M - E
          • S - Z
    • Designers
          • Designers
            Vripack is upcycling with North Sails to get superyachts to help clean beaches
            Vripack Is Upcycling Sails Into Beach Cleanup Bags—and You Can Get One

            December 3, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Donald L. Blount left an indelible mark on superyachts
            Donald L. Blount, Renowned Naval Architect, Dies

            July 15, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Marco Casali Freedom Collection includes 500 superyacht NFTs
            Marco Casali Freedom Collection NFTs Minting Now

            April 15, 2022 By Marie Cullen

    • Leadership Series
          • Leadership Series Recent Posts
            Alexander Dreyfoos
            Megayacht News Leadership Series: Alexander Dreyfoos, Silver Cloud Owner

            September 6, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            Roberto Zambrini
            Megayacht News Leadership Series: Roberto Zambrini, Mondomarine

            August 1, 2016 By Michael Verdon

            Antonio Romano Hot Lab Yacht & Design
            Megayacht News Leadership Series: Antonio Romano, Hot Lab

            July 1, 2016 By Frances and Michael Howorth

    • Owners
          • Owners Recent Posts
            the owner of Lady May is Guo Wengi a.k.a. Ho Wan Kwok
            Owner of Lady May Arrested for Fraud & Money Laundering

            March 20, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Loretta Rogers owned the superyacht Loretta Anne
            Loretta Rogers, Owner of Loretta Anne: 1939-2022

            January 20, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Donald L. Blount left an indelible mark on superyachts
            Superyacht Owners & Industry Figures Who Died in 2022

            December 29, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Yard Staff
          • Yard Staff Recent Posts
            Giuseppe Taranto was the vice chairman of The Italian Sea Group superyacht conglomerate
            Giuseppe Taranto, The Italian Sea Group Vice Chairman, Dies

            February 27, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Jan-Eric Nyfelt, a co-founder of the Baltic Yachts superyacht yard, as a young sailor
            Jan-Erik Nyfelt, Baltic Yachts Co-Founder, Dies

            February 7, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            Donald L. Blount left an indelible mark on superyachts
            Superyacht Owners & Industry Figures Who Died in 2022

            December 29, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

  • Events
    • Awards
          • Awards Recent Posts
            the Bowsprit Award will be given at The Honours superyacht awards ceremony
            The Honours Superyacht Awards Nominations Deadline Approaching

            February 4, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            The Honours recognizes superyachting achievers
            The Honours Awards to Recognize Superyachting Change Makers

            September 27, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            SeaKeepers honoring Nainoa Thompson along with superyacht owners
            SeaKeepers Honoring Nainoa Thompson & Polynesian Pioneers

            August 13, 2022 By Marie Cullen

    • Boat Shows & Seminars
          • Boat Shows & Seminars Recent Posts
            you'll see plenty of superyachts at the Palm Beach show
            Palm Beach Boat Show Superyachts to Put on Your Must-See List

            March 8, 2023 By Ken Kremsler

            the Flute Mirabello superyacht tender show takes place at Porto Mirabello
            Mirabello Flute Is World’s First Luxury Superyacht Tender Show

            January 13, 2023 By Ken Kremsler

            DB( is among brokerage yachts at FLIBS
            4 Fantastic Brokerage Yachts at FLIBS 2022

            October 21, 2022 By Ken Kremsler

    • Fundraisers
          • Fundraisers Recent Posts
            superyacht companies support the London to Monaco cycle ride
            Join the Fifth London to Monaco Cycle Ride to Support BLUE

            September 3, 2022 By Ken Kremsler

            superyacht owners can aid Mikoko Pamoja via Yacht Carbon Offset's blue carbon initiative
            Yacht Carbon Offset’s First Blue Carbon Project

            March 27, 2021 By Marie Cullen

            YacvhtAid Global launched Operation Viti for superyacht owners and crew to aid Fiji
            Operation Viti by YachtAid Global, for Fiji’s Tropical Cyclone Yasa Recovery

            January 1, 2021 By Marie Cullen

    • Rendezvous & Events
          • Rendezvous & Events
            Marina Port Vell is the Preferred Superyacht Marina for the 37th America's Cup
            Marina Port Vell Named Preferred Marina for Superyachts for America’s Cup

            January 17, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 has high interest
            Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 Set to Kickstart the Summer

            April 12, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            NZ Superyacht Fishing Competition Coming in 2022
            Fish On! NZ Superyacht Fishing Competition Coming in 2022

            July 31, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

    • The Superyacht Cup
          • The Superyacht Cup Recent Posts
            the Superyacht Cup Palma 2023 is the 27th year of the race
            Superyacht Cup Palma 2023 Setting Sail: Sunday Superyacht Video

            January 29, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            The Superyacht Cup Palma regulars and newcomers are excited
            Superyacht Cup Palma Regulars and Newcomers Set to Race

            January 29, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the Superyacht Cup Palma is exclusively for sailing superyachts
            Superyacht Cup Palma to Celebrate 25th Anniversary, With Changes

            February 27, 2021 By Marie Cullen

    • Sponsored Posts
          • Events Sponsored Posts
  • Podcasts & Videos
    • Podcasts
          • Recent Podcasts
            Patrick Knowles of Patrick Knowles Design
            Patrick Knowles: What Superyacht Owners Want

            March 21, 2023 By Megayacht News Staff

            Operation Swimway needs superyacht owners and guests to help
            Operation Swimway: Scientists Need Your Help  

            March 6, 2023 By Megayacht News Staff

            the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index provides a benchmark for superyachts
            The Yacht Environmental Transparency Index: A Benchmark for Sustainability in Superyachting

            February 24, 2023 By Megayacht News Staff

    • Yacht Videos
          • Recent Yacht Videos
            the Moonen Cocoon superyacht
            Moonen Cocoon Crushes Force 5 Conditions: Sunday Superyacht Video

            March 26, 2023 By Ken Kremsler

            the superyacht known as Heesen Project Setteesettanta underwent scale model tests
            Heesen Project Setteesettanta Tank Testing: Sunday Superyacht Video

            March 12, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Royal Huisman Project 406 sportfishing yacht cockpit
            Royal Huisman Project 406 Sportfishing Yacht Decked Out: Sunday Superyacht Video

            March 5, 2023 By Diane M. Byrne

    • Builder Videos
          • Recent Builder Video
            WiderCat 92 hulls
            WiderCat 92 Hulls Move Through Fano Streets: Sunday Superyacht Video

            January 15, 2023 By Marie Cullen

            fuel cell superyacht at Lürssen
            Megayacht News Minute: Fuel Cell Superyacht at Lürssen

            October 13, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Port of Port Angeles has a superyacht Marine Trades Center
            Washington’s Port Angeles Is Making Maritime Waves: Sunday Superyacht Video

            December 26, 2021 By Marie Cullen

  • About
Home / Builders / Exclusive: Mehmet Karabeyoglu, CEO of Proteksan Turquoise, Comments on Yogi Report

Exclusive: Mehmet Karabeyoglu, CEO of Proteksan Turquoise, Comments on Yogi Report

February 22, 2013 By: Frances and Michael Howorth

The French Marine Accident Investigation Office, a.k.a. the Bureau d’Enquêtes sur les Évènements de Mer (BEAmer), released its report into the sinking of Yogi this week. In this exclusive interview, Mehmet Karabeyoglu, the CEO of Proteksan Turquoise shares his thoughts on the findings and candidly discusses what has occurred at the yacht yard over the past year.

 

MegayachtNews.com: Now that the report into the sinking of Yogi has been published, can you explain your feelings?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: It is difficult to really express precisely how I feel. I am relieved that an independent body of marine experts without, in my opinion, any agenda or vested financial interest in why Yogi sank have published their findings. I cannot say I am happy or sad because the fact remains that a beautiful yacht that encapsulated the physical and intellectual labor of many people sits some 500 meters below the waves; it doesn’t make me happy that the very public sinking is there on YouTube to be viewed time and time again. However, it is clear, as we at the shipyard have always felt and known, that Proteksan Turquoise acted within the law, that the shipyard did everything that was expected of it, and that there was no failings on our part as builders.

Indeed, in April 2012, three Turkish court-appointed experts concluded that Yogi did not sink due to any design or engineering fault or any construction defect, and those court-appointed experts did not avoid the difficult questions.

As to the French report? I am a little frustrated that on some key points, BEAmer’s conclusions and summations of the report are clumsy, as they are illogical and convey misleading impressions. For example, they say that the original inclining test was done without French flag representation, yet the report says that ABS were the flag’s representatives and ABS were present and conducted the tests. How can they then imply that that no one was present at the inclining test?

BEAmer also claim, and on this point we are taking legal advice, that we refused to carry out a new inclining test during the last warranty works, and present as evidence a warranty wish list upon which the merits of an new inclining test are discussed. It is true that on the initial warranty list the owners alleged a listing problem, but the owner’s team removed the item from the warranty list and as far as we know did not report the matter to class. We have no way of knowing if there was a stability problem or if the listing, if any, was caused by some other cause. It was never tested. We did not decline a new inclining test, and we have the emails from the owner’s team to prove it. But BEAmer didn’t think it was important to check their facts. If there was a stability problem, I don’t believe a professional captain would have allowed the matter of a new inclining test to be removed from the warranty list or would have headed off in a force 8.  BEAmer unfortunately did not have the good grace to put that allegation to us during the consultation phase. Frankly, I think on both these points, BEAmer have let us, the industry, and themselves down.

 

MegayachtNews.com: How is it we don’t know about the Turkish courts’ expert inquiry into the sinking? 

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: We felt that if we announced the Turkish report before BEAmer had published their findings, it might be received by a sceptical world as being pro-Turkish, given that we had requested the Turkish courts to investigate the sinking. We also didn’t want the Turkish report in any way to taint the official French investigation, but the fact is the yacht sits at the bottom of the ocean, the only real evidence we have is firstly, the video clip on YouTube, secondly what was said by the crew and those witnessing the sinking onboard the surrounding vessels, and finally the certified documentary paper trail of the French flag and the classification society.

What has been troubling over the past year is just how many different versions of the sinking have emanated and how those have evolved and changed. Some of the stories cross over, and others only surfaced several months after the sinking, when logically the story of the sinking should have been consistent.

I have not read all the versions of the sinking, but I think we have the captain’s call to my former partner, Hayati Kamhi, and the yacht’s project manager, Nedim Sukas, wherein one version of the sinking was given which was reported by the press; (2) the testimony of each of the crew to the Hellenic Coastguard; (3) the Rapport de Mer of the captain and the senior officers to the French Ambassador in Athens on 20 February 2012; (4) the interviews with BEAmer; (5) the owner’s insurance claim; (6) the Turkish courts’ expert report. As you can see, there are many possible variations and versions of the truth, and no two versions seem to be identical, and of course now we have the seventh version, that is the BEAmer report, which seems to be chiefly an academic exercise and yet another version of events. I think we need to ask BEAmer just what did they consider and what did they reject as evidence.

Yet, I find it quite interesting that one of the recommendations of the French investigators is that yachts over 500 tons carry the same voyage data recorders that commercial ships carry, in that way you have absolute certainty as to the position of the ship, its speed, what alarms worked and did not work, how the rudder worked and so on.  The data on the voyage data recorder is independent, tamper-proof, and verifiable.

 

MegayachtNews.com: Are you saying that the crew, in giving their testimonies, were not independent, not verifiable, and not tamper-proof?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: No. Absolutely not. I’m not saying that at all, but the French investigators who ordinarily investigate commercial shipping accidents and having never investigated a yacht sinking of this kind, I think they were unhappy to discover that the only source of evidence for what actually happened on the night the yacht sank was what the crew had said to them several months after the event, and those statements were not capable, at least not easily capable, of being cross-checked, especially when the log book was lost and that yachts do not have either voyage or voice data recorders. But, for some reason it is thrown in as a recommendation, without a logical process to arrive at the recommendation.

 

MegayachtNews.com: Do you have any knowledge about the insurance claim or what is happening in Greece?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: As to the insurance claim, I do not want to comment because that is a something for the owners and the insurers to sort out, if it hasn’t already been settled. As to Greece, I understand there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

Mehmet-Karabryoglu-Proteksan-Turquoise-2
PHOTO: Frances Howorth

MegayachtNews.com: The report clearly does not criticize your shipyard or its build practices, but falls short on saying where the fault lies. What are you own personal thoughts on the sinking of the yacht?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: My own personal thoughts are not really relevant because again I have a vested interested. What I would say is that the vessel was built with state-of-the-art knowledge, and state-of-the-art class and flag rules were applied and certified as applied. She was in class, she was built to the French version of the Large Yacht Code, namely Division 242, and when she originally left the yard on delivery and subsequently when she left the yard after the warranty work, all the work had been signed off, and all of the work requested to be undertaken at the shipyard was completed and signed off by the captain. BEAmer have a copy of the complete warranty list as approved, yet they only published a single page of that list in their report. Everything that needed testing by us was tested. The BEAmer report has made no credible effort to establish the water ingress, even though as photographs show, deck furniture cushions were floating near the sinking yacht. In fact, we delivered to BEAmer a photograph we had taken a few days before the sinking showing all the deck cushions stowed in the beach club…yet there is no acknowledgement of this.

 

MegayachtNews.com: In retrospect, is there any action you or your shipyard could have taken to prevent the loss of Yogi?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: In retrospect, I wish we were more forceful in our suggesting to the captain not to sail on that fateful evening. We knew that a storm was coming in, and we suggested that the yacht did not sail until the following day, but the captain was determined to leave, and as the records show, determined to leave and sail into those force 8 winds at high speed, which to this day I cannot understand.

 

MegayachtNews.com: Did the shipyard receive any cancellation of orders following the sinking?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: Cancellation of orders? No, but people who were building with us and are still building with us asked us some very searching questions, as did existing owners of our yachts. No one terminated a yacht construction, and no one terminated negotiations with us on the basis of the sinking of Yogi.

 

MegayachtNews.com: How did the sinking affect the morale of the workforce?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: As I have said before, each yacht is seen, by us, as our child, and to see a child pass away is an experience a parent never wants to go through, and to say that the morale of the workforce was not affected would be a lie. They were deeply affected. Our craftsmen, shipwrights, and indeed all the designers and support staff are proud people, proud of the work that they do on each individual aspect of a yacht whether it’s seen or unseen, and they are proud of the success that all of their efforts have brought not just to the shipyard but to Turkish yacht building. We cannot live our lives forever mourning, and the yachts that we have subsequently built and are building are benefitting from a re-invigorated pride to show the world that we build some of the best yachts in the world.

 

MegayachtNews.com: Were you forced to make cutbacks in expenditure or workforce as a direct result of the sinking?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: Cutbacks? Yes we have made some cutbacks. Is it as a direct result of the sinking or the economic climate? It is difficult to say. It would be easy to blame the sinking of Yogi, but the fact is other yards have also made cutbacks who have not faced our tragedy.

 

MegayachtNews.com: What do you plan to do to restore the image the shipyard had before the sinking?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: In reality, I don’t think our image really has been damaged.  However, we have deliberately not sought to be insensitive and pretend nothing has happened. We could have been quite aggressive after the Turkish experts report. But we didn’t. We just wanted to get on with building yachts and yachts for people to be proud of and confident of. We will allow our yachts to speak for our reputation.

 

MegayachtNews.com: What do you think the superyacht industry can learn from this tragedy?

Mehmet Karabeyoglu: Save for an exceptional weather event, no single event causes a sinking. BEAmer had no axe to grind, and we as an industry should look at their recommendations seriously. I know that some of their comments are directed specifically at the French flag, but all flags should be discussing the merits of BEAmer’s recommendations, such that they are.

However, I do believe the sinking of Yogi was a wake-up call to the whole industry to remind everyone in the industry that we build ships that can and should be able operate in harsh conditions, and everyone associated with yachts must be trained and competent not only to meet those harsh conditions but to be prepared for those harsh conditions. Whether it is regular ISM drills, regular reviews of the class status of the vessel, or a serious reconsideration of how yachts are to be used and who should crew them.

Equally we should take a step back and remember that these are not toys but ocean-going vessels, with a responsibility to keep those onboard safe, but equally, if we are to be taken seriously by the wider maritime community, we must be serious about our obligations to that wider maritime community.

Related posts

Baltic 130 My Song Baltic 142 Custom to exceedPeters & May CEO Comments on My Song Loss Default ThumbnailProteksan-Turquoise’s Yogi Yogi Sinking Report Concluded; No Blame, But Unanswered Questions

Categories: Builders, People, Yard News, Yard StaffTags: Proteksan-Turquoise

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Michael Moore

    February 22, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    Excellent interview! Extremely well done and clarifies so many thoughts of what caused YOGI’s unfortunate sinking. Mr. Karabeyoglu is to be commended for having the courage to give the interview.
    All best …Michael

    Reply
  2. Simon Harvey

    February 22, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    Good to see these comments from Mr. Karabeyoglu as I am sure it was hard to know what to say after this type of incident. As Mr Karabeyoglue rightly points out, “no single event causes a sinking” and after reading the report it certainly seems impossible to know what really went on, and at what point the situation got to a place of no return.

    Thanks for keeping us up to date on this.

    Reply
  3. Diane M. Byrne

    February 25, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Mehmet Karabeyoglu issued further comment over the weekend. “BEAmer’s general recommendations do merit consideration,” he says. However, he largely questions why some of the agency’s initial conclusions, released in a first draft presented to the shipyard and other pertinent parties for commentary late last year, do not appear in the final report. “We do not expect our view to automatically hold sway, but what is disturbing, in several places, where we pointed out errors in the conclusions drawn by BEAmer, in the final report we now read altered hypotheses which support the conclusions we criticized,” he states. Here is the rest of his statement:

    “The alterations circumvent failings that we identified. For example, in the draft report BEAmer mentioned that the speed of Yogi was 16.7 knots at a 60% load on the engines. From our own sources, the speed originally cited by BEAmer was close to being correct. We advised them that the loading was incorrect, because at that speed, and if the 16.7 knots speed was correct (which we believe it was), then the correct engine loading would be 100%. Pushing any vessel in those conditions at 100% load is not wise. BEAmer decided to maintain the 60% loading and reduce the speed of the yacht in final version.

    “One has to ask why? Even though the yacht’s AIS was turned off, we know exactly what time Yogi left the Dardanelles, there are pilots’ records which clearly state when she cleared, and we have the captain’s statements as to when the engines overheated. A simple calculation which takes into account the distance travelled and the time it took to travel that distance places the speed at around 16.7 knots, and of course we have the original sea trial reports that confirm this speed can only be achieved at 100% load.

    “We also presented them with photographs taken from the rescue helicopter which shows the boat upright before the sinking. This photograph is significant, although we don’t want to go in details at this time. Photographs also show aft deck cushions, which were stored in the beach club, floating next to the yacht. This raises the question, how did they come out of the beach club where they were stored?

    “We also note that BEAmer accepted that assertion that the crew we were able to see 1 metre of water in the beach club by using the outside watertight door. When we read the draft report, we thought that it was impossible to open that door inwards against 1 metre of water. With the assumption there was no water in the staircase, we calculated the force needed to open the door using the handle at the centre of the door more than 460 kg of force is required to open the door. If it is pushed on the farthest edge rather than at the centre, more than 230 kg of force is required.

    “In the final report and AFTER we pointed out the amount of force needed to open the door, new words were introduced into the report that state there was a lurch to port which forced the door open. But instead of looking at these human issues in any serious detail, BEAmer has chosen to concentrate on stability issues. It is common knowledge that stability of yachts and ships are based on different scenarios, and following inclination tests by computer software; this is carried out with the inspector of flag authority. If this test is ever doubted, due to a change in weight of the yacht, or other loading conditions, this test must be repeated immediately, which can be done at any shipyard anywhere in the world as long as a surveyor from class and/or flag state authority is present.

    “The yacht was delivered in May 2011 and cruised extensively during the entire summer season. When she was back at the yard for warranty repairs, which were largely painting and other minor issues, initially the owners wanted to repeat the inclining test and, yes, that was on the original warranty list. Yogi was in the shed for painting, and this test could only be carried out in water after the re-launching. When we received the final warranty list, the request for the stability test had been removed by the owners, so this was not performed. We have the emails which prove this, including the email from the owners’ representative with the final warranty list.

    “Finally, following a short sea trial the warranty list was signed off and Yogi left. There was never ever a suggestion that the yard had refused a stability test, and there was no reservation on the warranty list relating to stability. We can only conclude that stability was not an issue; otherwise the captain would not have sailed for months if he had doubts about stability and certainly would not have sailed into poor weather after the warranty work if he had serious concerns about stability. The only inclining test done to date was done by ABS on behalf of the French flag before delivery. It was valid then. It is valid today because no intervening testing took place.

    “As you can see, it is extremely alarming to us that BEAmer has concentrated on the initial warranty list, not the final agreed warranty list in which the owners had removed the inclining test. BEAmer were supplied with the complete signed-off warranty list, yet BEAmer have only published a single page of that warranty list, and not only that, but that page is incomplete. BEAmer had one full year to complete the report, yet this critical point, which throws a serious allegation at us, was excluded from the draft we were asked to comment on. Even if it is true, as BEAmer claim that this allegation only gestated in January, they did not seek to verify this serious allegation.

    “The allegation that important build modifications were not communicated to flag is nonsense. Elsewhere the report states that the additional keel and the drawings were approved by ABS, who had delegated flag authority. The draining circuit was an owners’ post-delivery request for which the owner had not sought class approval.

    “BEAmer claim that damage stability criteria did not take into account the most adverse situation (two contiguous aft compartments flooded), but they also concede that such flooding contingency is not a requirement of Division 242 and was only the subject of a French flag internal memo that was sent neither to ABS or us.”

    “Yogi sank in 7-8 hours after the initial incident. It is hard to fathom how the water flooded into three watertight compartments. The yacht had electrical power right up until the final sinking; why weren’t all three bilge pumps operated to try and save the yacht?

    “These few issues makes the report extremely disappointing, and we do not understand the process that BEAmer used to collect and verify evidence.”

    Reply
  4. Michael Howorth

    February 25, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    I am really not surprised Mr Karabeyoglu has found it necessary to issue this statement. It seems to me that he has done every thing he can to help the enquiry in a bid to clear the name of his shipyard and then the French report writers armed with his information appear to have altered what they had at first written.

    It is my firm belief, and experience backs me up here, that yachts and ships generally do not sink without due reason, they either, blow up, catch fire, hit something, are overcome by weather or are lost by poor practise.

    One thing that does amuse me is how lucky it was that the yacht lurched to port at the very moment that someone needed to open the door

    Reply
  5. JG VERGES

    February 27, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    As the interior designer and stylist of I will just say here that by having collaborating for all those years with Proteksan Turquoise with Mehmet KARABEYOGLY and Hayati KAMHI, doing about 8 yachts with them, I’m proud that I had the chance to work with such highly skilled professionals people as I’m proud too of the Management team, Engineering team, Design team , and Workforce team of this splendid shipyard.
    No doubt that Yogi was built to the highest standard in all ways and I think I can say this.
    All I did read or see during this past year concerning Yogi was making passing from sadness to hunger because of the many stupid thing I saw or heard.
    Now as of this final investigation report that I have been reading about two days agoo this leaves me a bit harmless with all those conclusions and writting !!! I will not extend myself as Mehmet and many here have been pointing out evidence.
    To conclude, thanks Mehmet for your great analyse of all this and your courage and thanks to all Proteksan Turquoise people,that are real professional people to my eyes.I hope now this page will be turned of.

    Sorry to readers for my poor English writting

    Best

    JG

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search Megayacht News

Popular Posts

  • Cosmos Yacht Launch at Lürssen
  • Superyacht Security Services Provided by Former Navy SEALs
  • Yacht Nakoa Sinks Off Hawaii After Grounding

Explore more

  • Mr. Cinema allows legal streaming of first-run films on superyachts
    Mr. Cinema Brings First-Run Flicks to Megayachts, Legally
  • the Oceanco sailing yacht Koru
    WATCH: Sailing Yacht Koru on Sea Trials
  • Giorgio Armani's Admiral yacht features marble and wood, like most superyachts
    Giorgio Armani’s Admiral Yacht Unveiled at Super Gala
  • USPA superyacht security service
    Superyacht Security Services Provided by Former Navy SEALs
  • Hodgdon Tenders has a Beachlander tender under contract for a repeat superyacht client
    Hodgdon Tenders Pulls Hat Trick With Repeat Client
Megayacht News 2021 Logo (White)

Footer

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2023 · RedHedInk LLC · Designed and Developed by Bet Hannon Business Websites