Much has been said about the superyacht collision on July 22, capturing the attention of social media and sparking numerous clickbait headlines. The incident drew attention not just because it involved two billionaire-owned vessels but because it was broadcast live, making it a spectacle. However, the purpose of this blog isn’t to revisit the sensationalism but to focus on the crucial lessons we can learn.
For those who missed it, here’s a brief overview based on the statement issued by a representative for the owner of Lady Moura:
“Lady Moura [104.85m] was anchored in the Bay of Naples at a depth of 40 meters with seven shackles of chain deployed, which is the minimum required for safe anchoring under the given conditions. Several hours later, Venus [78.2m] arrived at the anchorage and seemingly misjudged the length of the chain that Lady Moura had in the water. Subsequently, a violent squall with winds of 50-55 knots from an unexpected direction—different from the prevailing forecasts—caused the impact. Despite numerous efforts by Lady Moura’s crew to alert the Venus crew by whistle and radio, it appears that the bridge of Venus was unmanned. Neither vessel dragged anchor.”
Despite the fact that neither vessel dragged anchor, the collision still occurred. How is this possible?
Key Learnings for Superyacht Captains
1. Safety Must Always Take Priority
Global standards for vessel and environmental safety, set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), offer both recommendations and requirements. The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and the STCW Code (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) provide essential guidance on safety protocols, including anchor watch requirements. As captains, ensuring these standards are met should be non-negotiable.
2. Always Maintain an Anchor Watch
Lady Moura can accommodate 72 crew members, while Venus can carry 22. Surprisingly, at the time of the incident, Venus’s bridge was unmanned, leaving no one available to take immediate corrective action. Expect the unexpected. Prepare for it. Ensure someone is always on anchor watch, as per the guidelines mentioned above.
3. Corrective Actions Require Time
Even the most powerful superyachts can’t respond instantly. There is a time lag as crew members get to their stations and begin executing the necessary maneuvers. In a crowded anchorage, the options for corrective action may be limited, making proactive measures even more critical.
4. Communication is Critical
Only the captain and crew know the exact length of the anchor chain deployed. For other vessels entering the anchorage, unless they reach out to confirm with the anchored vessel, it’s a judgment call. With increasing harbor traffic and larger vessels, effective communication between yachts is essential to avoid miscalculations and potential collisions.
5. GPS Alarms Are Not Always Reliable
While GPS alarms offer a set radius for monitoring, they aren’t foolproof. Combined with active anchor watch and visual checks, they can help prevent incidents, but they are prone to false or delayed alarms. Given the time needed to react, relying solely on GPS alarms is insufficient.
Why AnchorGuardian is Essential
These learnings underline the importance of AnchorGuardian. Developed to enhance safety at sea, AnchorGuardian minimizes the risk of anchor drag, offers predictive insights, and triggers immediate alarms with sub-meter accuracy.
AnchorGuardian not only monitors the anchor in real-time but also displays the exact anchor location on your electronic chart (e.g. GPS plotter or ECDIS). If the anchor or chain shifts, the icon on your display moves accordingly, ensuring you are always informed and ready to take action. In the near future, we plan to not only show your anchor position on your your electronic chart, but you will be able to share your anchor position automatically with all other yachts in your vicinity (e.g. through AIS). In the case of Lady Moura and Venus (assuming both had AnchorGuardian installed), Venus would have been able to see where Lady Mouras anchor is located, and could thereby also deduct the amount of chain laid out. With this information Venus could have adapted their anchoring strategy (similar chain length laid out, or selecting a different anchoring position), thus potentially preventing the collision.
Finally, AnchorGuardian does not change how you anchor, nor does it replace the brilliance of the captain and crew on duty. It does provide additional intelligence around the anchor and chain when anchoring and this is information which is not yet available on the market today. This high-profile collision (with luckily no casualties) gave us an opportunity to revisit key safety learnings and emphasize the value of AnchorGuardian as an advanced safety solution for superyacht captains.