A luxury yacht, Dolce Vento, worth nearly $940,000, sank off the coast of Turkey’s Eregli district on Tuesday, only minutes after its maiden voyage. The 85-foot vessel, freshly completed at the Med Yilmaz Shipyard, submerged fifteen minutes into its first trip, according to the New York Post.
🚨#BREAKING: Watch as Brand new $1M luxury yacht tips over and sinks just minutes after launching forcing crew to jump overboard
Watch as a luxury yacht worth nearly $1 million plunges into the waters off Turkey just 15 minutes after its maiden voyage,… pic.twitter.com/mdrn1oCeW0
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) September 3, 2025
Passengers and Crew Escape Safely
Eyewitnesses reported that passengers and crew panicked as the yacht tilted, jumping into the water to reach safety. The owner and captain also abandoned ship, swimming back to shore with the others.
Officials confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.
Videos of the yacht slowly sinking quickly circulated online, showing the massive vessel slipping beneath the waves.
Viral Reaction on Social Media
The sinking quickly went viral. Social media users mocked the launch, questioning the yacht’s design and cost. Some popular reactions included:
- “Who tf launches a yacht like this from the shore with wood planks?”
- “If a yacht that size only cost $1M, then that explains why it sunk.”
- Others suggested the yacht may have been unbalanced or criticized the quality of construction.
Investigation Underway
The Med Yilmaz Shipyard told Superyacht Times that technical inspections will determine why Dolce Vento sank so soon.
Early reports show no mechanical failure, leaving speculation about design flaws or balance issues. Structural problems have not been ruled out, and the investigation is ongoing.
Key Facts
- Location: Eregli district, Turkey
- Vessel: Dolce Vento, 85-foot luxury yacht, ~$940,000
- Incident: Sank minutes after maiden voyage; no injuries
- Investigation: Shipyard to examine design, balance, or structural issues
Authorities and the shipyard continue to investigate the cause, while the viral footage draws attention worldwide.
