She had just come out of the yard and had been launched in April.
The "Aria SF", a 45m super yacht, was ravaged by flames late Thursday afternoon as it anchored off Saona beach, on the island of Formentera in the Balearic Islands (Spain).
Estimated at nearly 25 million euros, this floating palace was to be one of the attractions of the Cannes yachting festival in September, but also of the Monaco Yacht Show the following days.
It belonged to an Italian entrepreneur.
“The yacht's seven crew and nine passengers are all safe and sound.
They were taken on board a ship of the Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil”, explain, on Twitter, the Spanish rescuers at sea.
The crew had evacuated the passengers to neighboring ships, then tried to contain the fire.
In vain.
According to the authorities, after burning for three hours, what remained of the boat affected by the fire had to be towed to Ibiza.
Incendio yate of 40 meters in Formentera pic.twitter.com/77yNRrRTSx
— nachocandel (@nachocandel_) August 11, 2022
Before its destruction, the origin of which is not yet known, this ship had impressive characteristics.
Her steel hull and aluminum superstructure accommodated up to 10 people in five suites, each with en-suite bathrooms.
Another yacht of this line expected for 2023
The yacht needed nine crew members to maintain her spa and pool area and her many lounges (cooled by air conditioning) and sunbathing areas.
It had a range of over 5,500 km.
A boat caught fire in Cala Saona in Formentera.
No hay heridos.Dos embarcaciones de @salvamentogob se encuentran trabajando en el lugar pic.twitter.com/HGKhoMACYg
— Radio Ibiza SER (@RADIOIBIZASER) August 11, 2022
In the middle of the summer season, this is not the first time that a super yacht has been destroyed by fire.
An 88m giant had burned off Positano, Italy on July 22, while another 27m vessel was wrecked in the port of Valencia in April.
Fans of these impressive floating buildings can be reassured since, according to specialized sites, a second ship in the same series is under construction.
It belonged to the "Gran Turismo" series, yachts with a sporty and luxurious line, like the famous Italian coupes of the 1950s of the same name.
Its delivery is expected for 2023.