$10 million yacht sinks after launch

$10 Million Yacht Sinks During Launch in Washington State

A $10 million, 90-foot yacht was being launched in Washington state when it suddenly capsized.

The yacht, named Baden, had already been lowered into the water in Anacortes, about 80 miles north of Seattle, when it slowly tilted and then sank, according to media reports .

The cause of last month's accident is under investigation, but New World Yacht Builders, which built the yacht under the Northern Marine brand, said the problem appeared to be in the launch apparatus, not with the boat.

"The physical evidence on, and adjacent to, the launch ramp suggests that the dolly carrying the weight of the port stern of the yacht may have suddenly dropped off the edge of the boat ramp during the launch, causing the vessel to experience a sudden list to port, from which it could not recover in its light condition for launch," Northern Marine said in a press release .

A YouTube video from YachtVid shows someone at the launch ceremony breaking the ritual champagne bottle on the hull before the boat slid into the water.

As it entered the water, the vessel started to lean to the port side, and then quickly capsized. Six people were on board and all escaped serious injury, according to reports.

Northern Marine said it has launched more than 35 vessels at the same ramp with no previous problems. Baden is a so-called "explorer yacht," designed more for remote expeditions than leisure.

The company added that it has "complete confidence" in its designs. According to a local media report , New World Yacht has since laid off its staff of 52 and production has been suspended.

—CNBC and NBC News staff

OOPS: Brand new $10-million yacht sinks in Anacortes moments after launch (VIDEO)

YouTube screen capture

ANACORTES, Wash -- A multi-million-dollar yacht sank in Anacortes last weekend moments after it's launch. No one was injured, but investigators are trying to figure out why it sank after just a few seconds on the water. This video shows the launch and the capsizing of the yacht. Earlier this week crews were able to right the vessel with the help of a huge crane . WATCH THE SINKING VIDEO BELOW: http://youtu.be/lEBJjsdTyWY?t=2m51s

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Video Emerges of $10M Yacht Launch Fail

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And now for the video you have all been waiting for… (skip to 2:30 for the action)

As you may have heard, on Sunday, May 18 the 90′ expedition style motor yacht Bäden, estimated to have cost $10 million according to some reports, capsized during its launch in Anacortes, Washington. Luckily, nobody was seriously injured in the incident, although several shipyard personnel were onboard the vessel and became trapped when it rolled over.

The incident is under investigation and, as mentioned in the video, it is likely that this phoenix will rise from the ashes.

UPDATE: In a press release issued May 29, Northern Marine addressed the yacht sinking. Here is their full statement:

On Sunday, May 18, 2014, New World Yacht Builders LLC (DBA Northern Marine) suffered a major accident during the launch of its new 90’ expedition yacht, as the yacht capsized onto its port side during the launch and settled to the bottom of the launch area. Fortunately, the experienced master and crew responded to the peril professionally and a ll aboard escaped, with only two employees suffering minor cuts. There was no property damage to the surrounding launch area and potential environmental contamination was negated as a result of instant response to avoid possible fuel leakage, of which there was none. Since the casualty, there has been much speculation as to what happened, often with little or no supporting evidence. Northern Marine is cooperating with the United States Coast Guard in its investigation into incident. Northern Marine has launch more than 35 vessels, ranging from 57 to 151 foot motor yachts, with all of its trawler models having been launched using transport dollies at the same ramp where the accident occurred on the 18th. Northern Marine continues to have complete confidence in its trawler designs, all of which have been tank tested and passed the same United States Coast Guard (USCG) stability standards applied to commercial fishing vessels operating in the North Pacific. Northern Marine trawlers have safely sailed to destinations throughout world, such as the 75-foot Starship that successfully completed a 1000 day, 78,000 mile journey to explore parts the world rarely seen by mankind. Northern Marine believes the 90 foot yacht involved in the launch accident to be no exception. Since the accident, the project naval architect/Professional Engineer has confirmed that the yacht, as designed, had adequate stability with the amount of ballast aboard at the time of launch, provided that “severe heeling moments” were not induced during the launch. Unfortunately, it appears that just such a severe heeling moment did occur during the launch. While investigations as to the cause of the capsizing are continuing, the physical evidence on, and adjacent to, the launch ramp suggests that the dolly carrying the weight of the port stern of the yacht may have suddenly dropped off the edge of the boat ramp during the launch, causing the vessel to experience a sudden list to port from which it could not recover in its light condition for launch. As noted above, the official USCG investigation continues and Northern Marine will cooperate in those investigations to their conclusion. Northern Marine is also working closely with the yacht’s purchaser and their insurance underwriters to address the losses resulting from the accident. Northern Marine wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation for its many employees that contributed their talents to the construction of the yacht.

Previous Coverage: 

• PHOTOS: Shipyard Personnel Freed with Fire Axe as $10M Motor Yacht Capsizes at Launch
• Time-Lapse Video: Salvors Raise $10M Yacht That Sank at Launch

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6 lessons learned from the Northern Marine 85 launch capsize

Yacht launches can go wrong.

Yacht launches are usually a cause for celebration, but last year one went horribly wrong when a Northern Marine 85 superyacht capsized during her launch in Ancortes, Washington. Now a recently released official Marine Accident Brief from the National Transportation Safety Board details exactly what went wrong.

On May 18, 2014, Northern Marine 85 yacht Baaden , known as project Blood Baron during build, was launched stern-first down a boat ramp at the Fidalgo Marina when it capsized, as seen in the video below. From transcription errors and instability to unorganised project management, there seem to have been multiple problems that led to the capsize of Baaden , all of which offer important lessons on how similar accidents can be avoided in the future.

The first lesson to be learned is simple: understand that accidents can happen and launches can go wrong, and plan ahead accordingly.

Transcription errors can be fatal to a superyacht launch

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the capsizing of Baaden during its launch to be the "vessels low margin of stability due to the combined effects of a recording error during the final vessel weigh, which resulted in an incorrect assessment of the vessel’s centre of gravity, and an overestimation of the weight of installed ballast."

In other words, there were ballast and stability issues, caused in large part by a transcription error from the builder New World, which had acquired Northern Marine's assets and was operating under its name.

New World had supplied the stability naval architect with an aft starboard load value of 68,500 – a typo as it was really 60,550. But the naval architect used the incorrect measurement to calculate the vessels total weight, and the aft port load had 68,700 – an 8,000 pound difference caused by a typo that proved fatal for this yacht's launch. On top of this, New World also overstated the ballast weight as 23 LT when it was really 16.61, causing the architect to overestimate the yacht's stability.

Don't assume anything when launching a yacht

As the Marine Accident Brief reports, all was going as planned until 40 seconds after the front dolly transporting Baaden submerged and the team said there was a "sudden loud clank and crunching sound from the stern".

The team paused the launch to find the cause of the problem, but there were no leaks and all launch mechanisms appeared to be behaving normally, so they decided to proceed with the launch 12 minutes later. The team had no way of knowing that there were serious ballast and stability issues going on with the yacht.

Hindsight is 20/20, but this excerpt from the report is telling, "the launch team believed the boat would right itself from the port list once it floated free from its cradles."

But as the yacht moved into the water, it was apparent the port stabiliser fin was dragging on the ramp. The vessel listed further to port, slipped off the front of its cradle, and as the captain accelerated to help the yacht into the water more quickly, her roll rate to port only quickened. The boat "quickly capsized" and began to take on water through its engine air intakes.

Consistent project management is a necessity

Before the fateful day of the launch that went wrong, Baaden had a tumultuous beginning. Her initial builder, Northern Marine went bankrupt in 2012, and New World Yacht Builders acquired its assets, construction techniques and retained the company’s name. Baaden began as an 80-foot hull mould and was expanded to 25.9 metres in her midsection and stern while the bow was given more flair.

Project management of the build seems to have been chaotic with the engineer departing early in the project and the yacht owner's onsite build captain being let go and replaced with a less hands-on management group. While the general manager who had previously served with Northern Marine was on the New World team, he was not specifically involved with Baaden . All of this combined could have led to a less than functional build with errors, such as ballast issues, easily slipping through the cracks.

According to the accident brief, "The company's acting general manager stated that the Baaden project had more discontinuity in technical personnel and a greater amount of subcontracted work compared to past builds."

Stern-first launches are tricky for yachts of any size

While it might be tempting to think this launch capsize was a one-off incident, it's important to note that large yachts will always be vulnerable during stern-first launching. As the report states, "Stern-first launching on an angled ramp or incline presents a stability issue that large vessels face only when first entering the water. The large trim angle causes the vessel’s stern to become buoyant while the bow is supported on a cradle. This can cause a momentary negative righting arm and, without additional supports at the bow constraining the vessel from rolling, necessitates getting the hull into the water quickly to obtain full stability."

There were no bow constraints in use on the Baaden launch, nor any launching calculations performed to evaluate stability at various trims and positions when entering the water when the yacht would be at its most vulnerable position.

Plan for worst case scenarios

The launch capsize of Northern Marine 85 superyacht Baaden reminds us to always have a backup plan for worst case scenarios.

The report states that launch crew trapped in the engine room saw water leaking in through the lazarette and determined that the area was likely flooded and they wouldn’t be able to escape this way. Recalling a watertight window in the starboard-side head forward of the engine room, they made their way there and a shoreside team was able to use a rock to break this window and let out four of the five crew members. Fortunately, there were only three minor injuries. An important lesson here is for crews and owners alike to have a plan in place with escape routes and emergency procedures when everything goes wrong – even during launch – but hope they never will need to be used.

Despite being salvaged, due to damage to the interior woodwork, machinery and electrical systems, the capsized superyacht Baaden was declared a total loss worth an estimated $10 million.

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That sinking feeling: Brand-new $10million yacht capsizes with six crew on board while being delivered to owner

• A newly built yacht was being delivered to its owner in Washington when in capsized
• Six people were on-board when the boat keeled over; one had to be rescued from the bilge
• Two were admitted to hospital with minor injuries
• The yacht was purchased for at least $10 million
• It tilted as it was lowered, then capsized completely when it hit the water
• The boat's builder will be responsible for the cost of the salvage

By Alex Greig

Published: 20:35 EDT, 19 May 2014 | Updated: 08:34 EDT, 20 May 2014

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A multi-million-dollar yacht capsized last night, dumping six people in the water in Washington.

Witnesses say the brand-new 90-foot yacht was being launched at the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes at about 9pm after a buyer paid at least $10 million for it.

As the yacht was lowered into the water, it tilted to one side, say witnesses, and flipped over completely as it hit the water.

Scroll down for video

Rock the boat: The yacht sits on its side Monday, May 19, 2014, near Anacortes, Washington

All at sea: The newly built yacht capsized as soon as it hit the water

Brand-new: Wes Fridell, representative of New World Yacht Builders, looks at the sunken yacht from the deck of a salvage barge and crane

The six people on-board were helped ashore by onlookers, and one person had to be rescued from the bilge at the bottom of the boat.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jordan Akiyama says two were checked out at a hospital.

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KOMO reports a boom has been placed around the yacht as a precaution but there's no sign of a fuel spillage.

The yacht is reportedly worth $10 million and was being delivered to its new owner when it capsized.  

No gas leaks: A salvage worker seals window openings on an overturned yacht

'Heartbroken': The yacht was being delivered to its new owner, who is devastated that it capsized

Catastrophe: Six people were on-board when the boat went over, and two were hospitalized after they were rescued from the water

Northern Marine in Anacortes was the builder of the boat, which had just been purchased.

According to witnesses, the water was completely calm and flat at the time of the capsize.

'The boat tilted to one side, and although not unusual, the amount of tilt was a bit more than normal,' Wes Fridell of Northern Marine told KIRO-TV .

'So we paused to collect ourselves and assure that everything was going to be right, and then as we continued to lower it down, it pitched, and that's when it went over.'

The company that built the boat will be responsible for the cost of the salvage operation.

The buyer of the boat told KIRO-TV that they are 'absolutely heartbroken' by the boat's capsize.

Share or comment on this article: Brande-new $10 million yacht capsizes in Washington as it's delivered to owner

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Ukrainian sailor sinks Russian boss’s $10 million luxury superyacht

A Ukrainian sailor said he would “do it again” after being arrested for sink his tycoon boss’ luxury super yacht in Spain.

Ex PMs among Aussies banned from Russia

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‘Unfathomable’ secret trial Russia is hiding

A Ukrainian man was arrested for partially sinking his Russian tycoon boss’ $10 million luxury super yacht in Spain in protest over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Taras Ostapchuk, 55, was taken into custody on Saturday in Mallorca after he allegedly opened several valves to intentionally flood the 50m-long vessel, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.

The yacht — named Lady Anastasia — is owned by businessman, Alexander Mijeev, who is the CEO of Russian military weapons company, Rosoboronexport.

When officers arrived to arrest Ostapchuk, the crew member allegedly said: “My boss is a criminal who sells weapons that kill the Ukrainian people.”

Ostapchuk said he was spurred to sabotage the luxury yacht after seeing news reports of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the local outlet.

Stream the latest news on the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine live & on demand on Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

“I watched the news about the war. There was a video of a helicopter attack on a building in Kyiv. The armaments used are produced by the yacht owner’s company. They were attacking innocents,” Ostapchuk said as he faced court.

He told the judge he didn’t regret his actions and “would do it again”.

The yacht reportedly suffered severe damage to its engine room.

Ostapchuk, who had worked on the yacht as a mechanic for a decade, was later released from custody and has since left Spain.

He intends to return to his native Ukraine to help fight.

“I’m going to fight. As soon as I reach the first Ukrainian city I will look for a military commander and ask him if they need me,” Ostapchuk told the local outlet.

“I told myself: ‘Why do I need a job if I have my country. I had a good job as a head mechanic on the boat and a good salary but I am going to fight for my nation.

“I am not going to lose my country. I am not a hero, I’m a middle-aged man, but I have a lot of experience as a mechanic.

“I’ve never held a weapon but if necessary I will. Why not!”

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission

Two former Prime Ministers have appeared on a fresh list of Australians who will be denied access to Russia for an “indefinite term”.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a reality TV star was found dead alongside a woman in a home in the UK.

Fears are mounting as Russia begins a highly secretive trial, claiming the accused was caught “red handed”.

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90′ Yacht Sinks at Launch

90′ Long Range Motor Yacht sinks at launch

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The $10 Quintillion Object Floating Through Space

N ASA's mission to an asteroid worth $10,000,000,000,000,000,000 ($10 quintillion) is well on its way, using ion thrusters to get there by the end of the decade.

The asteroid, named 16 Psyche, is located millions of miles away from Earth in the Asteroid Belt between Jupiter and Mars, and contains a large quantity of valuable metals.

NASA launched a spacecraft—also named Psyche—to investigate the asteroid from NASA 's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 13, 2023, but it won't arrive until August 2029.

What is Psyche?

Psyche is a large asteroid in the Asteroid Belt, measuring about 173 miles across at its widest point. Its distance from Earth varies between 186 million miles and over 372 million miles, depending on where both bodies are in their orbits.

Unlike most asteroids, which are primarily rocky or icy, Psyche is believed to be composed largely of metallic iron and nickel— possibly between 30 and 60 percent . This has led scientists to speculate that it might be the exposed core of an early planetesimal that lost its outer layers due to violent collisions in the early solar system, or even the remains of a different type of metal-rich cosmic body.

The value of the metal within the asteroid is thought to be worth about $10,000 quadrillion, the equivalent value of 100,000 of the world's $100 trillion GDP economy.

Exploring Psyche will give scientists a unique look at a body that may resemble the interior of our own planet, offering clues about the building blocks of planets and the early solar system's history. The mission could also pave the way for future exploration and potential mining of metal-rich asteroids, which could have significant implications for space resources and industry.

"I am excited to see the treasure trove of science Psyche will unlock as NASA's first mission to a metal world," Nicola Fox , associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said in a NASA statement. "By studying asteroid Psyche, we hope to better understand our universe and our place in it, especially regarding the mysterious and impossible-to-reach metal core of our own home planet, Earth."

How will we get there?

The van-sized Psyche spacecraft is well on its way toward the asteroid—as of late May this year, it was 190 million miles away from Earth, and moving at a rapid speed of 23 miles per second, or 84,000 mph. It will eventually reach speeds of up to 124,000 mph, according to NASA. The spacecraft will take a long, spiraling route to the asteroid, amounting to around 2.2 billion miles.

The craft had recently entered "full cruise" mode, meaning that it began using its electric ion thrusters to power its journey toward the asteroid. These futuristic thrusters work by throwing out charged ions of xenon, powered by sunlight, exerting a steady acceleration.

The spacecraft will slingshot past Mars in spring 2026, before its final sprint toward the asteroid. It is due to arrive in 2029, at which point it will orbit around the asteroid for about 26 months, mapping its surface, gravity and magnetic field.

"This will be the first time we've sent a mission to a body that is not mostly rock or ice, but metal," Benjamin Weiss, an MIT professor of planetary science, said in a statement after the launch . "Not only is this asteroid potentially a metal world, but asteroids are building blocks of planets. So Psyche could tell us something about how planets formed."

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about Psyche? Let us know via [email protected].

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