A fire at Bodrum Yalıkavak Marina destroyed 7 yachts, highlighting urgent safety concerns raised by Yacht Tourism Association President Begüm Doğulu.
In the early hours of today, a massive fire at Bodrum Yalıkavak Marina resulted in the burning and sinking of 7 motor yachts, as well as severe damage to one vessel. This incident brings to mind the critical warnings made by the President of the Yacht Tourism Association, Begüm Doğulu, on CNBC-e screens just days ago. In her interview, Doğulu highlighted the dangers posed by unregulated technical operations conducted in marinas, effectively foreseeing today’s disaster.
"Marinas Are Parking Lots, Not Repair Shops"
In her interview, Begüm Doğulu pointed out that deviating from the intended use of marinas poses a significant risk. She criticized this structural flaw in the industry with the following words: "You do not unload engines or perform welding in a parking lot. Marinas are luxurious accommodation points where yachts are safely docked and their crew can rest. However, today there is an uncontrolled maintenance and repair process taking place within marinas. This situation poses a significant risk in terms of safety and also damages the luxurious fabric of the marinas."
Maintenance and Repairs Invite Fire!
The fire disaster that occurred in Bodrum, causing millions of dollars in damage, painfully validated Doğulu's emphasis on "security vulnerabilities." She stated that operations requiring "hot work," such as welding, painting, and engine repairs conducted among luxury yachts moored side by side, directly invite fire hazards. Doğulu had warned authorities that such unregulated interventions could lead to irreversible disasters. According to her, a small negligence on one vessel can quickly turn into a "graveyard for boats" due to the cramped structure of marinas.
The Only Solution: Mandatory Shipyards and Lifting Areas
Begüm Doğulu, President of the Yacht Tourism Association, argues that radical changes are necessary to prevent disasters: "Maintenance and repair work should only be carried out in specialized shipyards or lifting areas. Marinas should remain as accommodation and basic service points only. If we cannot make this sharp distinction, Turkey's image in luxury yacht tourism will continue to be overshadowed by such fires."
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
