31 metre superyacht intentionally beached after hitting rocks
Unbelievably, yet another super yacht has hit rocks off the southern coast of France. This time it is the 31 metre Heesen Matanthar.
The accident involving the yacht happened close by the port of Toulon where local sources state the yacht hit rocks rocks at the entrance to the calanque d’Alon, between Bandol and St Cyr that are shown clearly on the charts.
The yacht was holed below the waterline. Fearing pollution that would follow a sinking, Cross Med the French coast-guard, ordered the yacht to be run ashore onto Plage du Lido a sandy and gently sloping beach where they surrounded the yachts hull with anti spill booms.
After the planned grounding, inspection revealed that while tanks inside the yacht had been ruptured they were not in fact fuel tanks.
Plans are now in hand for private salvage contractors to refloat the yacht and tow her to Monaco Marine at La Ciotat for repairs.
The 28 knot all aluminium Matanthar was built in 2000 at Oss in Holland and launched as Buka. She carries six guests who are served by a crew of four.
Photo credit: Merijn de Waard / Yacht-Images.com