A luxury yacht valued at €8 million sank off the coast of Porto Cervo, Sardinia, on Tuesday evening, just four days after delivery to its new owner. The Angiola II, a 98-foot vessel, capsized between Cappuccini Island and Capo Ferro after an engine failure triggered a fire, damaging seals and allowing water to flood the hull. All 14 passengers escaped unharmed and were rescued by nearby vessels or patrol boats.
The Italian Coast Guard confirmed the yacht settled at a depth of 23 feet on the seabed. The owner, an Italian businessman, was among those rescued, along with 13 other guests and crew. The vessel, built by Permare under the Amer Yachts brand in 2020, features five cabins, accommodates 10 guests, and is powered by four engines capable of 28 knots.
Engine failure and fire cited as primary cause
Italian authorities and maritime reports indicate the engine failure led to a fire, which compromised the vessel’s watertight integrity. The La Maddalena Coast Guard took control of the situation after nearly three hours of efforts, though the exact cause of the flooding remains under investigation. Ship brokerage Agenzia Marittima De Felice, which facilitated the sale in July, described the owner as a longtime client.
Yacht’s specifications and recovery plans
The Angiola II is part of the Amer F100 series and was delivered following an extensive refurbishment. With a reported value of €8 million (£6.8 million), the yacht includes five crew members and advanced onboard systems. Recovery operations are pending, with the vessel under surveillance until a specialized company can retrieve it from the seabed.
Italian media have not disclosed the owner’s identity, and no injuries were reported in the incident.