A newly delivered $9.1-million luxury yacht sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sardinia on Tuesday, just four days after its handover to the owner, according to maritime reports. The 98-foot vessel, identified as the Angiola II, encountered a sudden engine failure that sparked a fire in its seals, allowing seawater to flood the hull before it capsized and submerged, Fox News reported.
Fourteen people, including guests and crew members, were on board the luxury vessel when the emergency unfolded near the resort town of Porto Cervo. Dramatic video footage from the scene captured the multi-million-dollar ship listing heavily onto its starboard side before disappearing beneath the surface. Authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew escaped without injury.
The incident occurred in shallow waters between L’Isola dei Cappuccini and Capo Ferro along Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda, the New York Post reported. The yacht reportedly settled at a depth of roughly 23 feet, remaining partially visible as local maritime agencies secured the wreckage site to monitor for potential environmental hazards.
Emergency Response and Passenger Evacuation
The crisis began when the vessel’s four engines suffered a catastrophic failure, igniting a fire that compromised the integrity of the ship’s seals. As water poured into the lower compartments, the yacht lost its buoyancy and began to tilt sharply. Most of the occupants transferred safely to a nearby vessel that responded to the distress call.
The yacht’s owner—described by regional media outlets as an unidentified Italian businessman—along with one additional passenger, remained aboard the stricken ship until local rescue authorities arrived. A patrol boat subsequently transported the remaining two individuals to Poltu Quatu. Italian environmental officials reported that initial inspections showed no signs of a fuel leak from the submerged hull.
Vessel Specifications and Salvage Operations
The sunken ship is an Amer F100 yacht originally constructed by Italian shipbuilder Permare in 2020. Designed for high-end luxury cruising, the vessel features five cabins capable of accommodating up to 10 guests, alongside quarters for a five-person crew. Powered by four engines, the yacht could reach speeds of up to 28 knots.
Following the sinking, local authorities established a strict surveillance perimeter around the wreckage. Marine contractors and Italian maritime agencies are currently organizing recovery efforts, with plans to deploy a 220-ton pontoon boat to lift the multi-million-dollar craft from the seabed. The Italian Coast Guard has opened a formal investigation to determine the exact mechanical triggers behind the engine failure and subsequent fire.