luxury yacht fire

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Luxury superyacht destroyed in massive fire after exploding while moored at Hamilton Island Marina in the Whitsundays

A luxury superyacht docked at a marina in the Whitsundays has exploded into a ball of flames, spewing enormous plumes of smoke into the air and blanketing nearby vessels.

A luxury superyacht docked in the Whitsundays has been completely destroyed in a massive inferno after a blaze ignited on board the high end vessel.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service crews were called to Hamilton Island Marina at about 10:45am on Monday to find the luxury boat fully engulfed in flames.

Giant plumes of thick black smoke were seen spewing into the air, blanketing nearby vessels.

It's understood no one was onboard when the fire broke out, however a man in his 40s and a man in his 60s have been assessed for smoke inhalation. 

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A super yacht has been destroyed by fire on Hamilton Island. The cause is unclear. Police say no one was on board when it broke out. @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/pcp8miN9Ma — Jordan Fabris (@JordanFabris9) October 24, 2022

A QFES spokesman told skynews.com.au it took firefighters almost two hours to contain the blaze.

They remained at the scene alongside police to monitor the "active flames" and "smoke" as they tried to stop the giant vessel from sinking. 

The cause of the blaze is not yet clear and investigations are continuing.

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Formentera superyacht bursts into flames as passengers escape for their lives

Twelve passengers and five crew scrambled to abandon ship as they raced against the flames engulfing the 88ft Italian-designed megayacht that was anchored off Es Cavall d'en Borras beach off Formentera

• 08:21, 13 Aug 2023
• Updated 14:30, 13 Aug 2023

This is the dramatic moment a 88-foot luxury yacht goes up in flames off the paradise Mediterranean island of Formentera.

Onlookers gathered nearby in their own boats to watch the blaze take hold as thick black smoke rose high into the sky above the stricken vessel . Five crew and 12 passengers are said to have been on board the yacht but were able to abandon it in time despite the speed with which the fire engulfed the Italian-designed cruiser.

Terrifying video shows the flames roaring through the vessel, which is burnt back to little more than its frame in several places. The fire is thought to have ripped through the vessel in a matter of moments, sending it up in a massive fireball that could be seen from neighbouring Ibiza.

Only one of the crew members, described as a 39-year-old Spaniard who suffered minor burns, needed hospital treatment according to regional emergency response coordinators. The alarm was sounded around 6pm yesterday while the yacht was anchored off Es Cavall d’en Borras beach in the Ses Salines Natural Park.

Spanish coastguards confirmed this afternoon the yacht that went up in flames was called Irmao and it had sunk off a natural landmark called Punta de Sa Pedrera in Formentera. They shared a statement published alongside footage of coastguard vessel Acrux towing the stricken yacht further out to sea before it disappeared under the water.

It read: “Yesterday a fire occurred on board Irmao off of Formentera. Private vessels rescued the 17 people on board. Our centre in the Majorcan capital Palma mobilised Acrux which towed the yacht which was on fire, but it sank.” It was not immediately clear why the blaze had started.

The fine sand beach, one of the best in Formentera off Ibiza where Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted partying in recent days, is home to famous bar-restaurants El Tiburon and Beso Beach. The yacht has been named locally as Irmao, which is based in Ibiza and marketed online as being available for “out-of-this-world charter vacations." It sleeps 12 in a VIP cabin, one double cabin and four twin cabins and charters for nearly £40,000 a week in high season.

One unconfirmed local report said the vessel belonged to Spanish poker shark Diego Gomez Gonzales, who also goes by "The Lion", according to Olive Press. Gonzales, 34, earned his nickname after attending the 2012 European Poker Tour in Prague dressed in a fully-body lion costume. It's currently unknown if Gonzales was on board at the time or whether it was being rented.

Gonzales was reportedly born in Madrid in 1988 and while growing up he started playing the card game with school pals and members of his family. As he got older he was drawn into the world of online poker before getting a place on the Spanish poker circuit. At the same tournament where he wore the lion suit, he came fifth and scored a whopping £200,000 prize.

The yacht was anchored off one of Formentera's most-stunning beaches. The island itself is one of the Balearics and is situated next to Ibiza. It is host to a number of world-famous bars, including El Tiburon and Beso Beach.

It is home to famous bar-restaurants El Tiburon and Beso Beach.

The nationalities of those on board have not yet been made public. Spanish coastguards responded to the emergency by towing the yacht further out to sea and assisting in putting out the flames. Last summer a £20 million superyacht owned by wealthy Italian businessman Paolo Scudieri went up in flames off the coast of Ibiza.

The 150ft vessel Aria SF caught fire on August 11, just a month after being delivered to its multi-millionaire owner. Spanish coastguards sent two rescue boats to the area as the nine passengers and seven crew on board abandoned ship after a Mayday call following a failed attempt to put out the blaze. There were no reports of any injuries. The black smoke the fire caused could be seen as far away as Majorca.

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Luxury yacht engulfed in ball of flames off Spanish coast

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This is the dramatic moment a luxury yacht caught fire off the Spanish island of Formentera.

Footage showed the 88-foot vessel engulfed in flames, with plumes of thick, black smoke billowing into the sky.

The Italian-designed cruiser was anchored off the beach of Es Cavall d’En Borràs in the Ses Salines Natural Park near where Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted partying in recent days.

Five crew members and 12 passengers scrambled to abandon the vessel in a race against the time.

Only one of the crew members, a 39-year-old Spaniard, suffered minor burns and needed hospital treatment, the regional emergency response coordinators said.

Onlookers gathered nearby in their own boats to watch the fire.

Flames could be seen spreading throughout the yacht in just a matter ofminutes, turning it into a fireball.

Local media reported that the vessel belonged to professional poker player Diego Gomez Gonzalez, aka ‘The Lion’, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.

It was not immediately clear this morning if the people on board were tourists who had chartered the yacht or guests of the owner.

Their nationalities have also not yet been made public either.

The alarm was sounded around 6pm on Saturday, with Spanish coastguards sent to the scene.

The yacht was towed further out to sea where the fire was put out.

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New £20m superyacht destroyed by fire weeks after delivery to owner

Crew and passengers escape after Aria SF catches fire while anchored off Spanish island of Formentera

A brand-new £20m superyacht has been destroyed by fire in the Balearics weeks after it was delivered to its multimillionaire owner, the Italian car industry boss Paolo Scudieri.

The 43.7-metre Aria SF caught fire on Thursday afternoon while anchored at Cala Saona, on the west coast of Formentera, according to Salvamento Marítimo , the Spanish sea search and rescue agency.

Seven crew members and nine passengers on the ship were unharmed and evacuated to other boats nearby, but the Aria is thought to be unsalvageable. The cause and origin of the fire are as yet unknown. The yacht will be towed to Ibiza later on Friday.

The yacht, which had a gym and a pool and could accommodate up to 10 guests across five staterooms, was delivered to Scudieri late last month .

Scudieri’s suite on the main deck included a private lounge with a skylight, a terrace and direct access to an outdoor lounge via a private staircase.

The yacht, made by the Italian firm ISA, was due to make her debut at the Monaco yacht show in September.

Scudieri, the president of Adler-Hp Pelzer Group, an automotive parts supplier, is estimated to have built up a $500m fortune. He owns a Ferrari that he races in the Ferrari Challenge , a race series for Ferrari owners.

In May a superyacht estimated to be worth £6m sank while it was moored in a marina in Torbay , south-west England, after firefighters battled to extinguish a fire onboard.

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Luxury Yacht Destroyed After Catching Fire in New Bedford

The u.s. coast guard said it received a report just after 5:30 p.m. that the vessel was on fire., by kaitlin mckinley becker and kathryn sotnik • published august 30, 2021 • updated on august 31, 2021 at 12:34 am.

An 82-foot boat was destroyed Monday night after a fire broke out on the vessel while it was docked in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded after receiving a report shortly after 5:30 p.m. that a vessel was on fire at Popes Islands Fleet Marina. The New Bedford and Fairhaven fire departments also rushed to the scene.

#HappeningNow the @USCG received a report at 5:37pm of an 82 foot vessel on fire in #NewBedford MA. Coast Guard Station Menemsha is on scene along side @NewBedfordPD and @FairhavenFire departments. No pollution or injuries have been reported at this time. pic.twitter.com/TnxG4c4hZI — USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) August 31, 2021

Flames could be seen shooting off the luxury yacht, sending thick, black smoke billowing into the sky. Later, once emergency crews got the blaze under control, the multi-million dollar boat's charred remains were visible.

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Luis Frias, who works nearby, said there was tons of black smoke in the area.

"It was just smoke, black smoke, that was it," he said. "It's a huge boat. It's a multi-million dollar boat and I think it's not even a year old."

The yacht had 500 gallons of fuel on board, which presented an added challenge for firefighters.

"Pretty much 100-percent of the boat was involved in the fire and the water they were putting on it was doing nothing," said Alan Wolfe, who owns a boat nearby. "It felt like a movie. I just feel sorry for the owners because I know them and it's a very expensive boat."

This is what’s left of the yacht tonight here at Fleet Marina. Plenty of foam on it from New Bedford Municipal Airport— thankfully no injuries New Bedford Fire Chief says. Investigating who was on yacht before fire. Fire started below deck. pic.twitter.com/UqNejbA2rN — Kathryn Sotnik NBC10 Boston (@KatNBCBoston) August 31, 2021

In the aftermath of the fire, it appeared as if it had snowed on the water due to the massive amount of foam.

New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Krueger said they used all of their foam and were forced to call in two more foam trucks from the New Bedford airport.

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A floating boom was used in the water to prevent pollution. The Coast Guard and environmental police on scene said no major pollution had been reported.

The boat is reportedly named Miss Dunia, according to our affiliate WJAR . The fire started below its deck, the chief said. It wasn't immediately clear who, if anyone, was on the boat before flames broke out.

“I’m not exactly clear what was going on at the time of the fire," Krueger said. "There might have been people coming and going, I’m not sure. We’re investigating all that.”

No injuries were reported, the Coast Guard and New Bedford fire chief said.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time. An investigation is ongoing.

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Investigation finds oily rags to blame for yacht fire in Gig Harbor

An accident report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found that oily rags were the cause of a fire that sank the 24-metre Fairline motor yacht Pegasus .

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on 15 July last year while the yacht was moored at the Peninsula Yacht Basin in Gig Harbor, Washington. An investigation determined that the probable cause of the fire was "spontaneous combustion due to the self-heating of used oil-soaked rags that had been improperly disposed of on the aft deck of the vessel."

Peninsula Yacht Basin security cameras first captured smoke and flames coming from the aft section of Pegasus at 2.04am. In the video, the fire burned for approximately 45 minutes before intensifying and spreading forward. No one was on board at the time, there were no marina staff on the docks overnight and visibility of the vessel from shore was partially obscured by other vessels moored at the facility. 

At 3.02am, an hour after the fire is understood to have started, a bystander saw the fire and notified emergency services, but by the time firefighters arrived, the flames had engulfed the aft section of the yacht. 

Firefighting efforts lasted over an hour and the flames were fully extinguished around 4.30am when the vessel sank stern-first due to the damage sustained. 

The Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau conducted a post-casualty investigation and the report said the exterior of the stern, swim deck, transom and aft deck had sustained significant fire damage with charring and "mass loss" of the fibreglass components. A dining table and bench seat had been "consumed" by the flames and there had been a significant area of burn through to the compartment space below. 

The flybridge also collapsed into the saloon and galley, and combustible materials in both interior spaces had been consumed by the fire. The damage was estimated at $1.5 million and Pegasus was declared a total loss. A yacht docked nearby also sustained minor damage. 

The owner of the vessel initially believed that fireworks had landed on the vessel but told investigators that, on the day before the fire, he and a crewmember had been refinishing wood surfaces of the vessel using name-brand teak oil and microfibre towels. The crewmember, after completing the work, wrapped the used towels in new towels, placed them in a plastic bag, and left the bag under the wood table on the aft deck of the yacht before leaving the vessel. The product contained raw linseed oil, a substance known to be a risk for self-heating and spontaneous combustion when soaked in rags.

"Rags soaked with oil-based finishes, which are commonly used for painting and refinishing, pose a fire hazard if stored improperly," the NTSB report said. "Because they generate heat as they dry, oily rags that are piled up, put together in a trash can, or bagged do not allow the heat to escape, creating a high risk for spontaneous combustion. To prevent a fire, users of oil-based products (or any chemical product) should carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleanup and disposal of rags, steel wool, brushes, and other applicators."

The full accident report can be found here .

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80-foot luxury yacht in new bedford goes up in flames at pope's island marina.

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The owner of a luxury yacht suffered a multi-million-dollar loss after the 80-foot boat went up in flames at a New Bedford marina on Monday night.

New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger said the first call came in just after 5 p.m. with someone reporting smoke coming from the boat, which was at the Pope's Island Marina.

By the time crews arrived at the scene, a fire had broken out below the deck.

Firefighters encountered heavy flames and smoke, as the yacht was carrying 500 gallons of fuel, so crews had to use water and foam to battle the blaze.

In addition, the boat is made of fiberglass, which creates toxic fumes when it burns.

Kruger said a second alarm was struck and multiple crews from surrounding communities, including Fairhaven, responded to assist the New Bedford Fire Department. A crew from the United States Coast Guard also responded to the scene.

There are no reports of injuries, and it is unclear if anyone was onboard the yacht when the fire broke out.

Roads near the marina will be closed overnight as crews work to clean up the mess caused by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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The wreckage of the 100-foot yacht, La Dolce Vita, sinks near Marquesas, Florida, March 17, 2021. The Coast Guard is overseeing diesel spill clean-up operations after the yacht caught fire. (Coast Guard Photo)

Electrical Fire Destroyed Luxury Yacht Near Key West, NTSB Says

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The fire that destroyed a luxury yacht near Key West in March 2021 likely started from an electric source within the sound enclosure for the vessel’s starboard generators, the National Transportation Safety Board has determined. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, investigators were unable to conclusively determine the source of the fire.

Marine Investigation Report 22/16 , published Thursday, details the NTSB’s investigation into the March 16, 2021, engine room fire aboard the MY La Dolce Vita while anchored near Marquesas Keys in the Gulf of Mexico.

The crew unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire and abandoned along with two passengers using the vessel’s tender boat. They were then picked by two U.S. Coast Guard boats without injury. The fire, however, in the total loss of the $3.9 million yacht which sank a day later. An unknown quantity of diesel fuel oil was released, causing a small sheen.

The Cayman Islands-flagged La Dolce Vita was anchored with the crew preparing for the passengers to go snorkeling when the fire began. The captain and mate described the odor of the smoke to NTSB investigators as like burning plastic and like the insulation from wires burning.

Combined with the captain and mate’s description of where the smoke and flames emanated, investigators said evidence suggests the fire may have originated in the electric generator end of the starboard genset enclosure.

The vessel was chartered for hire four to six times a year, including at the time of the casualty. Under the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, a vessel certified for commercial use of La Dolce Vita size would have been required to meet the UK Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2) requirements for commercial use yachts. But investigators found the La Dolce Vita did not meet LY2 requirements, including having a way to remotely stop the engine room’s intake and exhaust fans and the capability to close off natural ventilation to the space.

The NTSB determined the probable cause of the engine room fire aboard the La Dolce Vita was an undetermined electrical source within the sound enclosure for the starboard generator. Contributing to the severity of the fire and total loss of the vessel was the inability to secure ventilation to the engine room, which reduced the effectiveness of the yacht’s fire extinguishing system and allowed the fire to spread beyond the engine room.

“Fixed fire-extinguishing systems in machinery and other hazardous spaces require a minimum concentration of extinguishing agent to either halt the chemical reaction producing the fire, displace the oxygen feeding the fire, or effect a combination of both,” the report said. “To ensure the effectiveness of the system and prevent the reintroduction of oxygen to the space, vessel designers and owners should ensure that the ventilation, both natural and forced draft, can be completely and remotely secured to all fire-protected spaces, and that all machinery within these same fire-protected spaces can be remotely stopped from outside the space where the machinery is situated.”

Marine Investigation Report 22/16 is available on the NTSB website .

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Luxury yacht destroyed in fire at Fort Lauderdale marina

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Crews were able to quickly put out a massive fire that destroyed a luxury yacht docked at a Fort Lauderdale marina.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to the Marina Mile Yachting Center, located at 2200 Marina Bay Drive, off State Road 84, at around 11 a.m., Friday.

7Skyforce HD flew over the scene where several firefighters could be seen working to put out the flames.

Officials said someone at the marina alerted workers aboard the 70-foot Sunseeker Manhattan that caught fire.

“They were evacuated by a neighboring boat, a neighboring operator,” said FLFR Battalion Chief Garrett Pingol.

The workers were all able to escape without injuries.

Witnesses said heavy gray smoke could be seen as far away as Interstate 95.

“Well, I saw it when I was staying in Fort Lauderdale. I saw the smoke,” said Don Govan with Govan Marine Company.

“You could see flames shooting over the interstate, so I guess that’s about 100 feet or so,” said another witness.

“The flames are whisking up next to it, so it was impressive, if nothing else,” said Mike Firebaugh.

Rescue officials were able to capture a video of the Sunseeker completely engulfed in fire.

Firebaugh, a diver working on a nearby seawall at the time of the blaze, said he surfaced to see the yacht consumed by flames.

“It was a massive pillar of smoke. I mean, this thing was going well up over the interstate. All the cars were stopping on the interstate,” he said.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers had to be called to keep traffic moving along I-95.

Cellphone video recorded by the witness captured a closer look at the inferno.

“Crazy. I don’t even know how they’ll put that out with the fire hose,” said the witness. “The flames are so — I’ve never seen such a massive fire in my entire life. The flames are exploding.”

It took firefighters about a half hour to put out the flames. Two of them were sent to the hospital with heat-related injuries.

Because the yacht was dry docked, officials said, crews had to cut into the vessel to make sure the water would drain out in order to keep it from losing stability, as well as keep the flames from spreading to other boats.

Vessels adjacent to the yacht suffered minor damage.

“Everybody thinks it’s luxurious, it’s glamorous, but things can happen in a heartbeat,” said Govan. “Thank God nobody got hurt.”

As for the yacht’s owner, it remains unknown whether or not they are aware of the fire and are likely out of the country.

Officials said one of the injured firefighters will likely be kept at the hospital overnight for observation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Billionaire fights to dock his boat on water behind his house. His 164-foot boat, that is.

The love of the water, and a mega-yacht to enjoy it, is putting one resident at odds with village of north palm beach leaders..

For some people, the ultimate Florida lifestyle is a waterfront house , a private dock and a boat parked next to it. But what if that boat is a mega-yacht , and the mega-yacht stretches 164 feet?

That's the conundrum facing the Village of North Palm Beach.

This tiny community in northern Palm Beach County, with only 13,000 full-time residents, has an identity so tied to the water that a ship's steering wheel is the village's emblem.

But it's that love of the water that is putting one resident at odds with village leaders.

For the past several years, homeowner Michael Bozutto has been battling the village for the right to park his 164-foot Westport, dubbed Honey, behind a home he owns at 932 Shore Drive.

The house, built in 1961, is a one-story, ranch-style property with three bedrooms on a half-acre lot. Bozzuto paid $840,247 for the house in 2014, according to Palm Beach County property records.

Lawsuit rooted in dispute over where to dock mega-yacht

What makes this plain house special is its location. It's on a rare corner bordered on the north and east by navigable waters that provide access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Lake Worth Inlet. The east-facing dock is large enough to accommodate Bozzuto's motor yacht.

Since Bozutto bought Honey for an undisclosed sum a decade ago, he mostly has parked it at the Old Port Cove Marina, near Tiger Woods' 155-foot showy mega-yacht, ironically dubbed Privacy.

More recently, Bozzuto has wanted to park Honey alongside his Shore Drive house, one of four houses he owns in the village. While Bozzuto keeps some personal property at the Shore Drive house, he lives at a house he owns at Harbour Isles Court.

Village officials warned Bozzuto he can't park Honey at 932 Shore Drive because boats can only be parked on docks behind houses that are occupied by the homeowner.

But village rules do not define the word "occupied." For instance, the rules do not state that occupied means the house is a residence where the owner lives. Village rules also contain no restrictions on the size of boats that can be kept at private docks.

After years of pushing back against what he believes are fuzzy rules, Bozzuto in March filed a lawsuit against the village.

More: Cannonsport Marina sells for $58.5 million in big deal for tiny Palm Beach Shores

He alleged the municipality is illegally depriving him of his property rights because nothing in the village code prevents him from mooring Honey at his house. He is asking a Palm Beach County Circuit Court judge to rule that he has a constitutional right to dock Honey there.

Gregory Coleman, Bozzuto's West Palm Beach attorney, said the village has plenty of waterfront homes with yachts parked behind them. But Coleman said the village is illegally blocking Bozzuto from docking Honey at his house because the village is bending to pressure from a handful of neighbors who think the boat is too big.

The selective enforcement is wrong, said Coleman, a former president of the Florida Bar.

"He's a very under-the-radar guy who doesn't cause anybody any problems," Coleman said of Bozzuto. "He pays his property taxes, and he wants to be left alone by the village of North Palm Beach. Unfortunately, they are singling Mike out."

Neither Leonard Rubin, the village's longtime attorney, nor Village Manager Chuck Huff responded to requests for comment.

Eric Stettin, a Fort Lauderdale-based attorney who is representing the village in the Bozzuto lawsuit, said he could not comment on pending litigation.

What good is a man's castle if he can't have a boat in his moat?

Coleman's lawsuit describes the conflict as a battle over property rights, but real estate and yachting experts say it's also a sign of the times.

As wealthy new residents pour into the county wanting all the perks of the Sunshine State, they want a boat to go along with their waterfront homes and golf club memberships. Some longtime residents fear Palm Beach County is turning into a playground for billionaires, to the detriment of everyday people who also want to live in sunshine and peace.

This conflict between Old Florida and new money is an ever-present tension, but even seasoned yacht brokers say they've never seen interest in luxury yachts quite as strong as it is now.

More: Illegal boat slips are popping near Palm Beach Gardens. Residents want regulators to act

"What we've seen in the marketplace right after COVID in the yachting industry, and especially the superyacht segment, is the most incredible growth ever seen in the history of yachting to date," said Shannon McCoy, a luxury yacht advisor and broker with Worth Avenue Yachts in Palm Beach.

"A lot of people are moving here with serious money," added Pascal Savoy, U.S. managing director of Camper & Nicholsons International yacht brokers in Fort Lauderdale.

While in the past Palm Beach County was not considered lively enough for some buyers, Savoy said the county's growing sophistication is putting it on the map in a way never seen before.

"It's a mini-Monaco for us," Savoy said.

Prices for mega-yachts can range from $18 million to $60 million, or many times that, for the largest and most decked-out mega-yachts, Savoy said.

While some yachts can be glitzy, a 164-foot Westport is considered a more low-profile boat, Savoy added.

Michael Bozzuto's interests: Houses, boats and philanthropy

Bozzuto is no newcomer to North Palm Beach. He's been a resident of the village for 20 years.

He is the billionaire owner of a family-owned supermarket wholesaler in Connecticut, and an investor and philanthropist who likes to collect houses and yachts, Coleman said.

In addition to the four North Palm Beach houses and several yachts he owns, Bozzuto in February paid a whopping $31.1 million for a house in the Town of Palm Beach Shores. The house, which has two docks, sits just north of the Palm Beach/Lake Worth Inlet.

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Coleman said there is plenty of room for other boaters to navigate the waterway when Honey is parked at the Shore Drive house in North Palm Beach. And while other people may not have as large a yacht, there are other sizeable yachts parked on docks behind other North Palm Beach homes, too, he added.

At a 2017 village council meeting, then-Mayor Darryl Aubrey commented on the issue, according to the complaint.

"When I didn't live here full time, I had a boat sitting in my dock, I was gone nine months of the year. I don't see how you can say that someone has to be in a residence year-round, seems to be some interpretation of occupant, there would be an enormous number of violations," Aubrey said.

Another member of the village council asked if the village had a definition now, the complaint said.

Rubin, the village attorney, replied: "No, we don't," according to the lawsuit.

Show me the money? Here it is: West Palm and Palm Beach rank in top 5 as cities with fastest growth in millionaires

Palm Beach County's waterways run deep, and they are popular

The yacht docking dispute is particularly timely, given the scarcity of dock space for boats of all sizes.

The most convenient place to park a boat is on the water behind a house, brokers say. But not every waterway or channel can accommodate the draft, or depth, of a mega-yacht.

However, the dock behind Bozzuto's Shore Drive house can.

Not only is the Westport not known for its deep hulls, but the waterway also is typical of northern Palm Beach County, which boasts deep water and easy access to the ocean via the Lake Worth Inlet, said Coleman, a lifelong boater.

"In Palm Beach County, they have deeper water, and it allows people to have larger yachts," Savoy agreed.

But not every waterway is deep enough for every boat.

McCoy said she specializes in helping advise potential yacht owners about the county's varied water depths before they buy a house, if they plan to dock their yacht behind it.

If yacht owners don't have a private dock, the other option is a marina. But marina space is hard to find, with many dock berths reserved for months in advance, McCoy said.

Despite the challenges of owning a boat and finding a place to dock it, yacht brokers say demand continues.

They see interest continuing from business executives moving here with their families as they relocate their companies to Palm Beach County. There's also a growing demand for yachts among female buyers, McCoy added.

They also see younger mega-yacht buyers, some even in their early 30s. This is in sharp contrast to the mostly older buyers in the past, Savoy said.

Palm Beach County may not be as go-go as Miami-Dade County when it comes to showy ships, but if interest continues, "it's coming," Savoy said. "You're going to attract bigger yachts."

Put another way: "No one needs a boat, but everyone needs a boat," McCoy said. "It's the ultimate lifestyle."

Alexandra Clough is a business writer and columnist at  The Palm Beach Post . You can reach her at  [email protected] . Twitter:  @acloughpbp .  Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

90 Sunreef Power yacht honored with the Golden Crown in the category Discovery of the year on the Russian market

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Leonard Leo won't comply with Senate Democrats' subpoena in Supreme Court ethics probe

By Melissa Quinn

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 3:22 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo said he will not comply with a subpoena issued by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of their ongoing investigation into ethics practices at the Supreme Court.

The subpoena was issued to Leo by Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin on Thursday, months after Democrats on the panel voted to authorize it . Durbin has been looking into ethics issues at the high court for roughly a year following a series of reports that revealed Justice Clarence Thomas took luxury trips with a Republican megadonor, Harlan Crow, and did not disclose them. Crow, a Texas real estate developer, did not receive a subpoena from Durbin, a spokesman for Crow said.

"Mr. Leo has played a central role in the ethics crisis plaguing the Supreme Court and, unlike the other recipients of information requests in this matter, he has done nothing but stonewall the committee," Durbin said in a statement. "This subpoena is a direct result of Mr. Leo's own actions and choices."

Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said that Leo's "outright defiance left the Committee with no other choice but to move forward with compulsory process."

Leo's lawyer, David Rivkin, told Durbin in a letter Thursday that his client is not complying with the "unlawful and politically motivated subpoena" he received. 

"I am not capitulating to his lawless support of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the left's dark money effort to silence and cancel political opposition," Leo, who has played a crucial role in the confirmations of several of the conservative Supreme Court justices, said in a statement. Leo is the co-chairman of the conservative Federalist Society.

A Judiciary Committee aide said that in the event of noncompliance, there are options available to the Senate to enforce the subpoena.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the panel, criticized Democrats for issuing the subpoena. The committee's GOP minority has argued Democrats' November action was unsuccessful because they failed to follow Senate and committee rules, and the committee lacked a quorum to conduct business when the vote to authorize the subpoenas was held. 

"The world is on fire, the border is broken, and the Biden Administration is completely incompetent on multiple levels. Yet the Democrat-led Senate wants to subpoena a private citizen for political clickbait," he said in a statement. "The subpoena is illegal, the underlying allegations are frivolous and I hope the American people are fed up with this. I know I am."

Senate Democrats' investigation

Democrats on the panel voted in late November to approve the subpoenas to Leo and Crow, whose decades-long relationship with Thomas has come under scrutiny.

It's unclear why the subpoena wasn't issued to Leo until months after it was approved by all 11 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee. 

Republicans have lambasted their Democratic colleagues for pursuing the demands for information, which they claimed was part of an effort to undermine the Supreme Court by targeting private citizens. GOP senators have also denounced Democrats' investigation into ethics issues at the high court as an attack on the court's integrity following blockbuster decisions on abortion , gun rights and affirmative action .

Democrats are seeking documents about gifts, trips and lodging provided to any member of the high court. Leo and Crow's involvement in luxury trips provided to Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito were revealed last year.

The Judiciary Committee launched its probe in April 2023 following a series of reports from the investigative news outlet ProPublica that revealed trips Thomas took aboard Crow's private plane and yacht, and luxury vacations the justice accepted from Crow over their 25-year friendship.

Thomas did not disclose the travel on his annual financial disclosure forms, and said in response to the revelations that he did not believe he had to do so under exemptions for personal hospitality.

Alito, meanwhile, traveled to Alaska for a luxury fishing trip in 2008 aboard a private jet provided by GOP donor Paul Singer, and accepted lodging from Robin Arkley, the owner of a California mortgage company and another GOP donor. Alito also did not disclose the trip, but refuted that it should have been reported, also citing exceptions for personal hospitality. 

Following the reports of Thomas and Alito's trips, the Judiciary Committee requested information from Crow, Leo and Arkley. Leo has repeatedly declined the committee's request, and his lawyer told the panel in a letter Oct. 19 that its inquiry lacked a valid legislative purpose.

Crow offered to provide the Judiciary Committee with limited information, though it did not satisfy Senate Democrats.

Republicans have defended Thomas and Alito and accused Democrats of unfairly focusing on them while ignoring revelations from the Associated Press that Justice Sonia Sotomayor's court staff pushed public institutions to purchase her books, and that the justice declined to recuse herself from copyright cases before the court that involved her book publisher. Justice Neil Gorsuch also did not step aside in a case involving the publisher of his 2019 book.

Thomas' ties to Crow in particular created mounting pressure on the Supreme Court to adopt a binding code of ethics. Last summer, the Judiciary Committee advanced legislation along party lines  that would require the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable set of ethics rules. The court announced in November that it had adopted for the first time a formal code of conduct, though it does not include an enforcement mechanism.

Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.

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ms renaissance nile cruise reviews

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MS Renaissance Nile cruise - Nile River Cruise

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At first we got disappointed by the boat cabins but after a day we got used to it, there was simply... read more

We've recently returned from a week's Nile cruise on the MS Esadora which we booked through Classic... read more

MS Renaissance Nile cruise

Just completed a 7 day cruise on the River Nile. The boat was described as 5 star luxury but was more like a European 3 star. The boat was rather old fashioned but still clean and had its own charm. The air conditioning was superb considering how hot it was outside. The food was okay, always served very hot and there was quite a good variety of vegetables, fish, beef, chicken mostly served with rice. Omelettes were made to order at breakfast which was lovely. There was no WiFi on the boat but you could purchase a SIM card. There could have been more games or other activities onboard otherwise there was just the small pool on the upper deck. I only took part in one of the many tours available to the passengers as I was quite unwell. I was told they were really good. Cleaning of the cabins was very thorough and also had my clothes laundered. This was very reasonably priced and they were very clean

We did this as part of an Insight tour. Its all about expectation, we were expecting 5 star, as per the Spring Tours website and we were disappointed. The boat was quite old but had been superficially renovated some years ago. Our room was of a good size for a boat but was only superficially cleaned, there was dust under the furniture which could be readily seen, the bathroom had mould on the ceiling and in some of the grout around the bath/shower. There were gaps in the joints between the bath and the tiles where dirt accumulated and the bathroom door was visibly rotten at the bottom. It was not only our room as I commented to other passengers and found the same. The much advertised top deck was very basic. There was a bar, but they seemed to have to bring drinks up from 3 floors below. There was a pool, but most if it is only a few inches deep.. The staff were friendly and mostly provided good service. The food was of variable quality. All meat was overcooked and often covered in sauce. I was told it was a food safety issue but it was often not pleasant to eat There was a good variety of salads and desserts. They had little understanding of dietary requirements or allergies. But dont let me put you off cruising the Nile. It was a lovely experience on the top deck watching Eqypt go by. Just understand the quality of your boat. There are a couple of hundred of them. I suspect most of them are of similar quality. Also the Insight guide we had was fantastic.

Opera nile cruise is wonderfull i was enjoy in my tripe in egypt one week in opera nile cruise and anther in airomy greet to egypt

Outstanding experience! Worth doing whatever you have to do to go there and travel the Nile River and wake up early to catch the sunrise. The light on River and animals in the early morning is fascinating!

We we're booked by Egypt tours Portal on the Andrea Nile River Dinner cruise. The food was great & the show with the belly dancer and male performer were awesome & graceful. We enjoyed it! This shouldn't be missed when visiting Egypt. It's relaxing to cruise thru the serene Nile River which is full of history.

Excellent Nile Cruise. Booked the MS Minerva, but was switched to Royale. Royale was a bit of a downgrade relative to the pictures on the TUI site. Food was good and well prepared. All staff very friendly. Guide for the temples (Tariq) was excellent. Excursions were well thought through and the group was well looked after throughout. Very good value for money and great introduction to Egyptian culture.

Review of Nile River Cruise. Reviewed July 28, 2023 via mobile. Just completed a 7 day cruise on the River Nile. The boat was described as 5 star luxury but was more like a European 3 star. The boat was rather old fashioned but still clean and had its own charm. The air conditioning was superb considering how hot it was outside.