Sailing superyacht destroyed by fire in Phuket
Images courtesy of Royal Thai Navy/Third Area Command.
Officials in Thailand are investigating the cause of a fire that levelled a luxury yacht moored in Chalong Bay, Phuket, on Monday (20 May 2024).
No injuries were reported in the blaze, which destroyed the 34.2-metre sailing yacht Obsession II.
Phuket marine office director Natchapong Pranit told the Bangkok Post that firefighters had initially tried to use extinguishing equipment on board the yacht but were forced to leave the vessel for their own safety.
The Royal Thai Navy then sent two boats to the scene to tackle the fire and found the boat anchored and ‘continuously burning’, according to an official statement. The crew was not on board, as they had gone ashore to buy supplies. The fire burned for several hours before being controlled by the Navy ships and two other boats, including a speedboat, that were called in to assist.
While the full extent of the blaze is being assessed, images of the aftermath show the yacht’s mast has entirely collapsed, with the hull severely charred.
Obsession II was designed by Olivier Racoupeau and delivered in 2002 by the French shipyard CIM. At the time of the fire, it was reportedly being used as a charter vessel by Phuket-based firm Selalai. It can carry eight passengers and five crew.
