VIDEO: Firefighters warn of superyacht sinking as tourists flock to St Tropez
Courtesy of Gary Sturrock
A 41 metre superyacht – Sea Lady II – is in danger of sinking after a fire ripped through the vessel yesterday (9 July). While no deaths have been reported, the 30 firefighters on site tackling the blaze said that they feared it was likely to sink.
Media reports that an anti-pollution barrier has been placed around the stricken vessel.
“Surrounding yachts were quickly moved away and we have put up anti-pollution barriers,” a fire service spokesperson told AFP. The official also said that it was “likely” that the boat would sink in the port.
According to Yacht Charter Fleet, the 41.21m Sea Lady II (ex. D’Angleterre II) built by shipyard W.A. Souter & Sons in 1986 is available for charter for up to 10 guests in five cabins. This yacht features interior styling by Frédéric Mechiche.
It boasts an array of living areas for those who can stump up $90,000 a week to hire.
Built with a aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure, the vessel benefits from a semi-displacement hull and is powered by twin Caterpillar engines. Sea Lady II cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 16 knots and has a range of up to 4,031 nautical miles from the 45,000 litre fuel tanks at cruising speed. With a shallow draft of 2.2m/7’3″ Sea Lady II can anchor closer to coves and seemingly has two tenders.
The video below, filmed by Gary Sturrock on X (formerly known as Twitter) shows smoke thickening before the flames burst into anger.
Oh my goodness! We just witnessed a luxury yacht Sea Lady II on fire in Port of Saint-Tropez. 😳 #sttropez #sainttropez pic.twitter.com/m9mW70E7G8
— Gary Sturrock (@GoatyG) July 10, 2025
This video, courtesy of ThisisSttropez on Facebook, is taken from the opposing view and shows the fury of the blaze as thousands of tourists and locals watch in horror.
According to The Sun, an emergency services spokesman said the fire started at around 20:00.
“The yacht’s forward hull then burst into flames, and then the fire spread to the lower decks.”
Two people believed to be crew members were rescued, both suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
While the worst of the blaze was extinguished by midnight, firefighters reported “difficulties boarding the boat,” and said that “surrounding yachts were quickly cleared.”
An investigation has been launched.
