26m Canados yacht Manta sinks off Corsica after reef strike
Images courtesy of Centre SNSM ProprianoThe 27-metre Canados motor yacht Manta has sunk off the coast of Corsica, France, after hitting a reef.
The incident, which occurred on 15 August at around 6:30am local time, was met with an immediate and coordinated response from local authorities and rescue teams after the yacht struck a shallow reef near the Senetosa lighthouse in the southern part of the island.
At the time of the incident, 11 people were on board Manta. All have been rescued, and no injuries have been reported, although they were left in shock by the ordeal.
The rescue operation involved a team of 17 responders, including three divers and one medical assistant. The rescuers arrived at the scene via a sailboat, a catamaran, and vessels from the rescue association “Le Sauveteurs en Mer – Centre Snsm Propriano.” By the time they reached the site, the Manta was already half-submerged, and despite their best efforts, the yacht eventually sank completely in shallow waters. Passengers were transferred to rescue RIBs and taken safely back to shore.
Local reports, citing passengers, indicate that the yacht’s satellite navigation system failed to detect the reef.
The Manta, a yacht from the Canados 86 series, had a beam of 6.45 metres and was designed to accommodate up to eight guests across four staterooms. The yacht featured both exterior and interior designs, as well as naval architecture, crafted in-house by the Italian shipyard. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines, Manta could reach a top speed of 33 knots and a cruising speed of 27 knots. It was delivered in 2016.
The local authorities have imposed a swimming ban in the vicinity as they prepare for the operation to remove the wreck.
satellite navigation systems do not detect. The reef was always there and will always be there. A human and the information he has, identifies the reef,its location relative to ship. the detection was done long ago when the first charts were drawn.