A nearly $1 million luxury yacht sank just 15 minutes into its maiden voyage off the northern coast of Turkey, sending its crew and owner scrambling for safety.
The 85-foot vessel, named Dolce Vento, had just launched off the coast of Zonguldak’s Ereğli district on Tuesday when it began to tilt sharply and take on water. Within moments, the yacht slowly slipped beneath the surface, as captured in dramatic footage shot by onlookers.
The yacht had been delivered from Istanbul and was embarking on its first trip when disaster struck. The owner, captain, and two crew members all jumped overboard and swam safely to shore, escaping without injuries. Emergency teams from the Coast Guard and local port authorities quickly responded, securing the area around the sinking vessel.
Officials say the cause of the incident remains under investigation. Technical inspections are expected to shed light on what led to the rapid sinking of the newly launched yacht.
This maritime mishap comes just weeks after a fishing boat carrying 11 people began sinking off Sheepshead Bay’s Pier 1 in New York, prompting a swift rescue by the NYPD Harbor Unit.