Has there been a recent increase in the number of yachting accidents? In a special edition of the BOAT International podcast, Katia Damborsky interviewed Michelle Van der Merwe, superyacht account manager at Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, to delve into the rise of yachting disasters. The incidents of fires, collisions, and sinkings appear to be escalating, but Van der Merwe suggests that social media's role in highlighting these events might make the numbers seem inflated. She cites the aging fleet and the advent of new propulsion technologies, particularly the suspected connection between lithium-ion batteries and fires, as potential contributors to this trend. "Regulators and authorities struggle to keep pace with new technologies," making it difficult for insurers to evaluate risks when these technologies are not yet classified or certified, she explains.
Other contributing factors include adverse weather conditions linked to climate change and the overcrowding of marinas and ports, which leave yachts exposed during severe weather. Despite these challenges, Van der Merwe emphasizes that theoretically, yachting safety should be improving due to new regulations and conditions implemented at the crew level. "Measures are being taken, and I expect this to increase given the current year's events," she notes. Van der Merwe also points out that significant losses are typically the result of a combination of factors rather than a single cause. The 56-metre Bayesian incident stands out as the most severe yachting loss in recent memory, following a particularly troubling year for fires, collisions, and sinkings, according to BOATPro data.
As of 2024, 12 yachts have been completely destroyed, marking the highest number in a decade, with the year not yet concluded. There have been a total of 18 accidents and losses combined. However, the year has not been as catastrophic as 2023 and 2022, which saw 20 and 22 losses respectively. The year 2021 was the "safest" for boating accidents, likely due to fewer yachts cruising because of Covid-related restrictions. Here is a breakdown of yachting accidents since 2014:
2024: Destroyed: 12 Accident: 6 Total: 18
2023: Destroyed: 10 Accident: 10 Total: 20
2022: Destroyed: 9 Accident: 13 Total: 22
2021: Destroyed: 8 Accident: 4 Total: 12
2020: Destroyed: 7 Accident: 10 Total: 17
2019: Destroyed: 5 Accident: 15 Total: 20
2018: Destroyed: 4 Accident: 8 Total: 12
2017: Destroyed: 6 Accident: 2 Total: 8
2016: Destroyed: 6 Accident: 5 Total: 11
2015: Destroyed: 6 Accident: 4 Total: 10
2014: Destroyed: 3 Accident: 1 Total: 4
Which yachts have experienced accidents so far in 2024?
