40 Boats and Yachts Destroyed by Fire in Nautica Aqua Olbia Sardinia

Forty boats and yachts from ten to thirty meters in length were destroyed in a super fire at Nautica Aqua yacht yard shed in via Madagascar, Cala Saccaia, Cipnes industrial area, Olbia for a blaze which started just after 15:30 of Tuesday 22 April.  The Olbia, Arzachena and Tempio Vigili dell Fuoco, plus the specialized units of Costa Smeralda airport, coordinated by the Sassari fire station responded to this complicated extinguishing operation, which with a shed full of boats and yachts, made it become an oven fuelled by glass fibre and the fuel inside the vessels.  The fire fighting operation lasted till the following morning, and seventeen hours to turn off and extinguish.  In a miracle no one was injured in this fire with the exception of one yard worker which suffered little smoke inhalation and was treated on the spot.  The 118 Emergency helicopter was also involved, along with the local police and Carabinieri.  It is not confirmed how the fire started, if from a boat or yacht, or an electrical failure in the shed, with an investigation being opened to find out on what really happened.

Nautica Aqua was founded in 2012 by Raffaele Virdis a previous service manager with Ferretti Group, and Gruppo Gaias a property developer from the area.  With this synergy Nautica Aqua grew fast, operating two big sheds; Aqua and Aquarius adjacent to each other in Madagascar street.

It will be impossible to note all the boats and yachts in this fire, but information has come that a Magnum 53 Maltese as produced from 1977 to 1995, and an Otam 65 as produced from 2009 till 2021 have been lost.  We will update this list if more information will come along.

New Model: Rio Le Mans 45

Rio continue to expand its Coupe Walkaround line and present the Le Mans 45, the second model in the series which follows the Le Mans 50.  The Le Mans line is for the most part based on the Daytona line models, from which it retains the main features, with the difference coming from the three part hard-top that envelops the cockpit and provides extra protection.  The Rio Le Mans 45 offers easy stern to bow movement thanks to its deep walk around decks, along with a spacious cockpit that allows for convivial moments with guests. The Le Mans 45 also features the spacious transformable cockpit being the fulcrum of life onboard.  The cockpit also includes two expandable bulkheads which drop down to become balconies that allow for expanded connection to the sea and surrounding nature. The movable seats enable the layout to be customized within minutes, creating a large sofa around the fixed table. The helm console, modern in design and highly technological, is complemented by an external galley to port side.  On the fore deck the Le Mans 45 provides double opposite-facing sofas at the bow, where there is also a large sunbed on the cabin coach roof.  The interiors, conceived by the renowned Sy Design studio, are bright and crafted to be both functional and intelligent, and offer two cabins sleeping four guests; master double forward and two twin at midship, and accompanied by a well-designed bathroom to starboard side, and a unit to port side. The Rio Le Mans 45 is powered by twin Yanmar 370hp or 550hp inboard engines with shafts, and or a triple outboard set up which sit invisible under the sun-pad.

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.70 m (44.9ft)

Hull Length - 11.9 m

Beam - 4.10 m

Draft - 0.60 m excludes drives and props

Displacement - 12,000 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 1200 l

Water Capacity - 300 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Yanmar 8LV 370hp or 6LF 550hp, 3 x Mercury Verado 400hp

Propulsion - line shaft inboards, or triple Mercury outboard set up

Speed - 38 knots max 32 cruise with Yanmar 550hp, 44 knots with triple 400hp Mercury

Project - Veronica Yien and Matteo Sassone SY design interior

Certification - CE B

www.rioyachts.net

Classic Aft Cabin Cruiser Partly Sinks in Marsascala Malta

An unattended classic aft cabin cruiser of ten meters in length started sinking in Marsascala, to the South East of the Island of Malta at around 21:00 of Friday twentieth May 2022.  The classic aft cabin cruiser was moored to a swing mooring, in the bay of Marsascala.  By about 23:00 local time about eight persons are seen on the spot trying to save the cruiser from sinking, with a pump also being used.  Ultimately the boat was seen partly sank and secured to numerous ropes.  According to local news outlet Lovin Malta which covered the sinking, the incident was not Police reported.  

The aft cabin cruiser in this sinking is a first generation Moonraker 36 with the flybridge option.  The Moonraker 36 was replaced by the 350 in the end seventies.  Moonraker was founded by Colin Chapman a British car designer famous for founding sports car marker Lotus, which was also involved in Formula One.

Engine: Baudouin 6F21 1000hp

Baudouin present the 6F21, a six-cylinder, 12.5-liter engine producing up to 1000hp, enabling a best-in-class power density in a very compact and light original marine design. This level of performance was achieved not by a single development, but by evolution in multiple technologies. The 6F21 includes a strengthened engine structure to withstand high torque and a higher cylinder pressure well over 200 bar. A two-stage turbocharger system is also fitted on the engine, along with two intercoolers, and a high-end common rail system, operating at 2200 bar. To keep the overall weight down, light materials have been utilized. In the 6F21 every part that can be made of aluminium, is made of aluminium. Cast iron and steel are only used when stress and temperature demand it. Flywheel housing, the oil sump, covers, brackets, supports, and even heat exchanger bodies are all constructed from light alloys. The end result is a high power and lightweight engine, but one that still promises a long life, with the robustness that Baudouin are known for. Every 6F21 engine also has optimized maintenance for low total cost of ownership, and complies with IMO II and EPA III standards, with IMO III and EPA IV following soon. The 6F21 delivers a genuine marine design with marine components, such as individual cylinder heads that make maintenance easy, even in the smallest of engine rooms. The fuel filters are mounted in the front to allow an easy and quick maintenance, and there is no need to dismantle any part of the engine in order to reach a component. The latest safe technology is also included as standard, such as double wall HP pipes, a protected rail, fuel leak sensor, and marine-approved components and monitoring systems. Like all Baudouin units, these are not ‘marinized’ truck engines, but specialized products designed for the challenges of working life at sea. The 6F21 is available in the two other duty ratings with continuous compact power. This includes best-in-class for power output at intermittent duty 815hp, and light duty 900hp. Overall, the Baudouin 6F21 is one of the best engines in-class for power density throughout all three duty ratings.

www.baudouin.com

Project: Itama 54

Ferretti Group looks back to Itama, as it presents the totally new 54 project as designed by Tommaso de Luca.  A totally new Itama has long been coming since 2009 and the Fifty, the last totally new model from the Ferretti Group owned iconic blue and white open yacht, and as the new models which came from 2012, like the 45 and 62 and subsequent S and RS were all in reality evolutions of the Forty and FiftyFive from 2006 and 2007 respectively.  For this new Itama 54 project Ferretti Group bring new designer Tommaso de Luca, a previous Luca Bassani of Wally prodigy, who will have to bring a cautious evolution side, against the revolutionary one he was taught.  De Luca replaces Marco Casali, who marked the Ferretti's Group Itama since the they own the name by the year ending 2024, with his designs bringing success and a soft evolution respecting the name to the letter.  54 means also a second generation model, with the Mario Amati Itama 54 as produced from 1985 to 2001 being also the flagship till 1996.  For his first Itama De Luca brings traditional input in this new 54 like the windshield which is similar to the Mario Amati 1986 launched 45, which then evolved as 46 in 1995, and then the 50 in 2003, with new evolutions incoming; see angle outwards stern, and fore deck which is not flush and drops slightly down in the middle section, and will also integrate a sun-pad.  The 54 will also feature window glazing serving the cabin area on the hull side.  The accommodation on the cockpit is superb, and the Itama 54 will feature spaces nearly competing with those of the 62; a C-shaped lounger forward, a C-shaped dinette, the large sun-pad aft with storage underneath all lying to starboard, with helm station and wet-bar behind it to port side.  The Itama 54 lower deck will feature two cabins, two bathrooms, a galley and a dinette.  The spacious master cabin forward contains a central bed with two large storage drawers in the base and two wardrobes. The guest cabin located to midships and can be furnished with a queen-size bed or bunk beds. Next to the fully appointed galley is a dinette with a sofa and a table.  The Itama 54 will be powered by twin Man 730hp as standard or optional 850hp with line shaft propulsion, with top speeds of 33 knots and 37 knots respectively.  The first new Itama 54 should arrive in the half of this year.

www.itama-yacht.com

Marex New Web Site

Marex presents its new web site.  Marex was founded in 1973 by Eyvin Aalrud in Rykene, with the name coming from the Latin words Mare-Rex which means King of the Sea.  In its first year Marex debuted the 24 Sun Cab model, which was also offered in a 24 Sun Fun variant by the end of that year.  The first Marex 24 Sun Cab model will be produced for fourteen years selling 432 units, its second best sold model to date following the 21 Flexi from the eighties till 2001 which sold in 593 units.  In 1979 Marex suffers a set back as its Rykene factory is destroyed by a fire, with Eyvin relocating in Fevik, a previous Fjord Boats factory.  In 1996 Marex started a cooperation with Saulius Pajarskas and Raimondas Siugzdinis who had a small boat production facility in Kaunas, Lithuania.  This was started with the 270 Estremo model, but eventually all the production will be moved to the Baltic state.  Marex has always been a family holding and continues as at today with this philosophy with Eyvin sons, Espen and Thomas Aalrud taking over the company helm in 2009.  Marex has up till today build over 3500 boats in over thirty different models, and received twelve awards. Today Marex offers seven models from nine to twelve meters, starting with the 310 Sun Cruiser and go up to 440, with its latest model being the 440 Scandinavia arriving in early 2025. Marex new website takes you around with the following buttons; Our Boats, Discover Marex, Latest News, Marex Shop, Contact Us, Dealers Only, Press Area, Log In, and Register.  Marex is also on social media with bottom page buttons taking you to its Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages.

www.marex.no

Production History;

24 Sun Cab 1973-87 (432)

24 Sun Fun 1973-87

32 Friendship 1974-99 (140)

23 DC 1976-85 (167)

27 Sun Cruiser 1979-90 (111)

21 Flexi 1980-2001 (593)

77 Holiday 1983-90 (356)

770 Dagger 1984-91 (60)

2100 Dixie 1985-90 (35)

2300 Gambler 1985-91 (99)

1700 Pepper 1987-90 (25)

8900 Sun Cruiser 1988-89

1900 Chili 1988- (35)

277 Consul 1988- (102)

277 Holiday 1988-90 

7100 Touring Sport 1989-2001 (89)

290 Sun Cruiser 1990-2005 (356)

280 Holiday 1991- (350)

27 Quintet 1994-97 (38)

270 Estremo 1996-2015 (306)

330 Millennium Scandinavia 2000-04

21 Duckie 2001-

330 Cabriolet Cruiser 2005-

300 Sun Cruiser 2006- (159)

350 Cabriolet Cruiser 2006-20

350 Scandinavia 2006-

370 Aft Cabin 2008-14

320 Aft Cabin Cruiser 2012-20 *320 Holiday Cruiser project

310 Sun Cruiser 2014-

373 ACC 2015-23

375 2016-

360 Cabrio Cruiser 2020=

330 Scandinavia 2021-

440 Gourmet Cruiser 2023- *420 project

440 Scandinavia 2025-

Marex first model, the 24 Sun Cab produced from 1973 to 87

Project: Tankoa S520

Tankoa looks forward to its success, and follows the popularity of the fifty metre S501 semi custom platform, with the project of the S520 which was revealed during the 2025 Palm Beach boat show.  Coming again from the drawing board of Francesco Paszkowski, the new Tankoa S520 lengthens the S501 platform from fifty to 52 metres whilst maintaining the same winning proportions found on the previous model.  The S520 is a refreshed and two meter larger S501, in both exterior design and layout choices, with three key differences; expanded stern area, floor to ceiling windows, and more exterior spaces.  A key distinction between the S520 and the S501 can be found in the significant enhancement of the outdoor spaces on offer. This includes a longer and wider sun deck, which now comes complete with an infinity pool, an enlarged upper deck sky-lounge and an extended flybridge.  Paszkowski has reimagined the stern of the S520 so that it joins the main deck, aft platform and beach club seamlessly, thus creating the ultimate beach club concept.  This light-filled space has flexible spaces which can be arranged for a plethora of different purposes, split across two levels and opens up onto two side platforms, resulting in unparalleled contact with the ocean.  Benefitting from three light sources, a porthole facing the pool and two side portholes along the hull this space also features two sunbathing areas protected by glass which are integrated into the hull and enable usability even while cruising.  The cleverly incorporated ‘functional elements’ found in the S520 are numerous, but of note is the crane for the tender at the bow, which has been integrated into the overall design, rather than appearing as a separate technical component. Furthermore, the gangway is seamlessly built into the aft platform, majorly boosting the liveability of this space.  Relocating the staircases to the port side which serves to expand the upper deck aft and establish a fully-dedicated entertainment area the upper deck forward is purely dedicated to toy storage: ideal for the current and future generation of adventurous owners.  For the interior the standard offer is the established collaboration between Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini, the two designers have collaborated on a number of Tankoa projects over the years from the recently launched T580, the first S501, the S501 Evo, and S701.  Although being a semi custom platform, an owner can still bring his interior designer of choice.  The S520 interior is all about high ceilings and large windows than her predecessor, the architectural choices made by Paszkowski feature overlapping panels and partitions which create intentional fragmentation within the spaces for a distinctively modern effect. On the main deck, the living and dining areas are separated by panels whilst still remaining highly unified spaces. The elements found in the generous owner’s stateroom; a bedroom, lounge, study, walk-in wardrobe and vanity area, function as independent yet connected spaces. The rounded shapes and materials found here effortlessly link areas between floors and ceilings.  Indeed, throughout the S520 the carefully chosen materials cleverly join the different areas, with the subtle grey-toned colour palette extending into the furnishings and reinforcing the strong visual link between interior and exterior spaces.  The Tankoa S502 is to be powered by twin Man 1430hp engines for a top speed up to sixteen knots, a cruise of fifteen, and a long range up to 3750 nautical miles at twelve knots.

www.tankoa.it

George Nicholson 1937 - 2025

 

It is with great sadness that Camper and Nicholsons announce the passing of George Nicholson at the age of 87 on the 27 February.  Born 23 April 1937 into a family and name which is part of yachting history, fourth generation Nicholson George was the man responsible for adding the brokerage arm of the then famous and exclusive Camper and Nicholsons yacht builder.  He will be the chairman of Camper and Nicholson International, the brokerage firm till 2007.  George Nicholson started the brokerage adventure in 1959, opening its first sales offices in Cannes, then Antibes, Monaco, London, Palma, and then the United States, what today is thirteen World scattered offices in all the important yacht places of the globe.  George Nicholson also made headlines over the years, as when for example he sold motor yacht Albecaro, the 1963 Dutch build Kerstholt 40 meters from the hands of Monaco’s Prince Rainier to Abu Dhabi’s Sheik Shakbut, the first brokered yacht exceeding one million US$ in value.  Another headline for George Nicholson will come when he represented the owner for the new build CRN 47 meter m/y Awal which was the first yacht with a touch and go helipad.  George Nicholson contributions to the yacht industry are part of yachting, in brokerage as in yacht building, as Camper and Nicholsons looks to the future, now carried forward by next generation Fernando Nicholson.

New Model: Damen Yacht Support 53

 

Damen Yachting presents its new Yacht Support 53, a semi custom series which has already been delivered in three units.  The first Damen Yacht Support 53 launched in mid 2024 was delivered to Bad Company, a new flagship to the fleet of the World largest private sportfishing program, which currently includes eleven boats and yachts upwards of nine meters.  The YS53's expansive exterior deck is designed for action and boundless versatility. From launching tenders and hosting events to supporting scientific discoveries, this large aft platform adapts to your every need.  The YS53 is equipped with a powerful 15-tonne crane and an optional A-frame, providing exceptional lifting capacity for even the heaviest and most delicate loads; from launching tenders, submersibles, or specialised vehicles, these heavy-duty tools ensure precise handling.  The expansive 310 square meters deck space, spread across the Main and Bridge Decks, offers unparalleled versatility.  This area on the Yacht Support is also customable coming as a blank canvas to suit an owner with his vision, whether it is specialized vehicles, tools, machinery, or even entire hangars and laboratories. The YS53's interior offers practical and adaptable layouts, with select configurations to perfectly suit an owners requirements; from space for guests, additional crew, or specialised staff, the cabin can be specified to accommodate six to sixteen guests, and or six to sixteen crew including the Captain and depending on the chosen layout.  The Damen Yacht Support 53 goes beyond functionality, as it is also the first sub-75-meter Yacht Support to completely rethink interior comfort. From the carefully positioned windows to the advanced climate control systems, every detail is designed for onboard well-being.  The Damen Yacht Support 53 is also about speed, efficiency, and adaptability and powered by twin MTU 3003hp reaches speeds up to nineteen knots, and cruise for five thousand nautical miles at twelve knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 53.25 m (175ft)

Beam - 9.20 m

Draft - 3.05 m

Displacement - 499 gt *volume

Fuel Capacity - 155,000 l

Accommodation - from six to sixteen guests, from six to sixteen crew *subject to choice

Engines - 2 x MTU 3003hp

Speed - nineteen knots, twelve knots cruise

Range - 5000 nautical miles at twelve knots cruise

Construction - steel hull and super structure

Design - Damen exterior, interior and naval architecture

www.damenyachting.com

Project: Cormorant COR690

The Polish Cormorant present the COR690 project, a twenty meter explorer yacht as designed by the Gdansk yacht builder, with naval architecture by Grzegorz Władziński. The COR690 presents itself as an explorer yacht made for extended long journey cruises, with a spacious interior providing functionality that is unique in this class. The Cormorant COR690 will offer a spacious interior with four cabins for eight guests, with the choice to have the fourth cabin ordered as a small office space. A crew cabin for two, with an utility room to starboard is also located aft. The living is all located on the main deck, which is offered in an astern galley layout, and lounging and dining C-shaped saloon forward. Further forward is the pilot house and two steps up is also the central located pilot station which also features a forward look dinette to port side. The Cormorant 690 also features a day head on the main deck, this located on the passageway to the pilot station. The flybridge also comes as a spacious covered by the hard-top for about 70% of its area, and accessibile from a stair case on the aft deck, and in internal stair-case to starboard. The COR690 can be powered by twin engines from 750 to 1400hp, with top speeds up to 23 knots for the bigger engine option, with a long distance 5050 nautical miles range possible at seven knots. Another custom detail of the Cormorant COR690 is that it can also be specified with different hull extensions; like an extended keel, or a bulbous bow.

www.cormorantyachts.com