The 26-meter yacht HEMDEMİM sank near Bodrum Castle due to engine failure, but all crew members were rescued safely.
In the Bodrum district of Muğla, the 26-meter-long Turkish-flagged motor yacht HEMDEMİM experienced a mechanical failure during anchoring maneuvers off Bodrum Castle and collided with the rocks of the breakwater due to the influence of the wind.
The yacht, which was being towed to deeper waters, quickly took on water and sank. Two crew members aboard the vessel were rescued by Coast Guard teams, and no marine pollution was detected in the area.
The mechanical failure occurred during anchoring.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, around 1:30 PM off Bodrum Castle.
According to the information obtained, the 26-meter-long motor yacht named HEMDEMİM experienced a failure in its port main engine while maneuvering to anchor.
After the mechanical failure, the yacht lost control due to the wind and was swept towards the breakwater, colliding with the rocks.
As a result of the collision, damage occurred to the underwater hull on the port side of the motor yacht. Following the damage, the vessel began to take on water.
The yacht sank quickly while being towed.
Noticing the accident, nearby sailors rushed to assist the damaged motor yacht. Upon notification, teams from the Bodrum Coast Guard Command were also dispatched to the scene.
A towing operation was initiated to pull the damaged yacht to a safer area.
However, during the operation, water ingress accelerated from the port side of the vessel. The motor yacht, which was quickly submerged, sank with its upper deck remaining above the water surface.
Two crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard.
After the accident, the two crew members aboard the motor yacht were safely evacuated by Coast Guard teams.
It was reported that the health conditions of the two sailors taken aboard the Coast Guard boat were good.
It was learned that no one else was on the motor yacht besides the crew at the time of the incident.
There were no casualties or injuries in the accident.
No marine pollution detected.
Following the sinking of the motor yacht, initial inspections in the area revealed no marine pollution.
Efforts have begun to remove the yacht, which had its upper deck remaining above the water surface, from its location off Bodrum Castle.
It was reported that the wreck removal operation would be conducted in coordination with the Bodrum Port Authority and the yacht's captain.
No detailed statement has yet been made regarding when the yacht will be removed and the extent of the damage to its hull.
It was also covered in the international yachting press.
The sinking of HEMDEMİM was reported in the international superyacht press as well.
SuperYacht Times announced in its news on November 4, 2026, that the 26-meter motor yacht sank off Bodrum.
Initial information regarding the cause of the accident points to a mechanical failure, while the technical reason for the failure and the exact extent of the damage caused by the collision have not yet been disclosed.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
