BTN News: A German family’s idyllic summer vacation in Mallorca took a dramatic turn on August 10 when their luxurious yacht began to take on water, forcing them to abandon ship. The family of five, who were on board a Sunseeker motor yacht, suddenly found themselves in a life-threatening situation as water started flooding the vessel. The incident occurred near a picturesque bay in the southwestern part of the island, where the family had been enjoying the sunny weather and tranquil waters. The situation quickly escalated, and the family was left with no choice but to be rescued by a lifeboat, which safely transported them to Port Adriano, the same port from which they had departed.
The unfortunate event resulted in the complete loss of the yacht, as rescue services were unable to prevent it from sinking. The Spanish Maritime Rescue Service reported that by the time they arrived, the yacht’s saloon was already “completely flooded, with no possibility of pumping out the water,” leading to the inevitable sinking of the vessel. While the precise cause of the incident remains unclear, it is a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea.
For the yacht’s owner, the challenges don’t end with the loss of the vessel. According to maritime regulations, once the yacht hits the seabed, the owner will be required to submit a plan to the authorities for the salvage of the sunken vessel. This process is not only a logistical challenge but also a financial one, as the owner will have to bear the costs associated with the recovery operation. On a more positive note, initial reports indicate that there are no leaks of oil or fuel from the submerged yacht, which could have caused significant environmental damage.
The incident is a stark reminder that even on the most peaceful of holidays, the unexpected can happen. For this German family, what started as a relaxing summer retreat turned into a harrowing experience they are unlikely to forget anytime soon.
