Portugal

Jorge d'Almeida Araujo

The 49.8-metre classic <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arsenal do Alfeite (Company)">Arsenal do Alfeite</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte49.8m (163'5&quot;)Arsenal do Alfeite1968">Espadarte</a> off the coast of Agropoli, Italy, on Thursday, 9 October. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte49.8m (163'5&quot;)Arsenal do Alfeite1968">Espadarte</a> was approximately 17 nautical miles from the coastal town when the blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/374663/image/large-e59c44c0cbba9c2753d72974053b3c54.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/374663">According to Italian authorities, two Coast Guard patrol vessels and a tug carrying firefighters from the Vigili del Fuoco national fire and rescue service were immediately dispatched to the scene. The yacht’s crew initially attempted to tackle the fire themselves, with a privately owned vessel also arriving to render assistance.All 16 people onboard were safely evacuated by one of the patrol boats, while firefighters and remaining crew worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading beyond the engine room.&nbsp;The fire was eventually brought under control later that evening, after which <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte49.8m (163'5&quot;)Arsenal do Alfeite1968">Espadarte</a> was towed to the port of Salerno for assessment. No serious injuries have been reported.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/89473/image/large-0a5ff3a2afb08c0d97b16b01b7e330af.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/89473">Delivered in 1968 as Donapila II and previously known as Thea, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte49.8m (163'5&quot;)Arsenal do Alfeite1968">Espadarte</a> was built in Malta to military specifications with exterior design and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1422" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jorge d'Almeida Araujo (Company)">Jorge d'Almeida Araujo</a>. Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte49.8m (163'5&quot;)Arsenal do Alfeite1968">Espadarte</a> can accommodate up to 10 guests and 11 crew members.&nbsp;In 2018, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte49.8m (163'5&quot;)Arsenal do Alfeite1968">Espadarte</a> completed a rebuild at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> shipyard (part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6046" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut-Benetti Group (Company)">Azimut|Benetti Group</a>) in Livorno, Italy. Work included a long list of updates including a completely rebuilt interior in the style of a chic beach house.Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48678" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Major refit completed ​on 49.8m motor yacht Espadarte (2018-06-26 12:10:00 +0200)">Major refit completed on 49.8m motor yacht Espadarte</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/46231/image/large-44d5300011ba02d21cff3a886bc560d5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/46231">The cause of the fire remains under investigation. SuperYacht Times will continue to monitor this story.

Espadarte: 50m classic motor yacht fire in Agropoli, Italy

The 49.8-metre classic Arsenal do Alfeite motor yacht Espadarte off the coast of Agropoli, Italy, on Thursday, 9 October.

50m classic motor yacht Espadarte damaged in fire off the coast of Agropoli, Italy

Thea may not be a new vessel, but according to Ken Burden of Fraser Yachts, who is offering the yacht for sale, “Thea has a certain ‘magic.’” While she was refitted in 1999 and 2005, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte50.11m (164'5&quot;)">Thea</a> is in need of another refit, but Fraser is convinced that she is well worth that effort. “Personally, I consider her one of the most beautiful yachts ever built and has one of the most perfect sheers I’ve ever seen on a motor yacht,” says Burden. “She is certainly worth spending the money on because she is a yacht that will always be a beautiful classic. The only other yachts I can say that about are sail,” he says.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125434/image/large-499663c917b6eb8d525cc6fb2df523cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125434">The original architect, Jorge d’Almedia Araujo, passed away a few years ago at the age of 97. Launched in 1968 as the Donapila II, Thea was sold and renamed the Myrna, then the Deerama in 2000, when she was offered for charter in the Mediterranean. In 2006, she was offered for sale in Greece as the Rama. “The yacht is virtually exactly as she was when she was originally built. A very strong yacht built to military specifications,” Burden says.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125435/image/large-e49a056c9744e9b955e72a2139cc91b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125435"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125436/image/large-86e975c970381aced7b534e566d10e47.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125436">The upper deck includes a captain’s cabin with a shower room and separate chart and radio area. The tenders and sports equipment (including a jet ski) are stored in a deck area aft of the wheelhouse, where there is also a sun deck and a tented dining area that converts into a large entertainment space. The dining portion includes a bar and a table with ten curved wooden chairs. Guests can sunbathe on the semicircular area forward of the bridge, which is equipped with yellow and white striped mattresses.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125437/image/large-318e152833dd0161222762b0f44f0493.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125437">The main deck is generous with a toilet and a saloon that includes three individual spaces separated by sliding doors. The main salon has large picture windows, two wide couches, and several chairs, all in solid and patterned blue fabric with contrasting pillows.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125438/image/large-578d13c783933832ac248373cddb3362.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125438"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125439/image/large-2ab4c3346a996d12d6f3b56d025435f3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125439">The game room on the main deck includes a staircase that leads to the guest cabins. There is also an elegant dining saloon that seats eight. Its paintings and ornate wall light fixtures make it look as though it belongs in a fine European hotel. The serving pantry on the main deck includes a dumbwaiter for efficient service from the galley.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125440/image/large-011bbfdc059f97801c9cfa79c95a00cb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125440">The large master stateroom is bi-level with a bathroom on each – one with marble fixtures, a separate shower room, and a spa bath, while the other is downstairs by an office area and includes a shower and toilet room. The bed sits on a platform, and there are large windows on both sides along the entire length of the room for spectacular views.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125441/image/large-e124fb998b744a0c5e9c88450f82a25a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125441">Thea features four guest cabins on the lower deck level, which each accommodate two guests. These rooms include the oak paneling which is a prominent design element throughout the vessel, as well as the yacht’s classical European motif. Like the master cabin, the guest accommodations include king-sized beds and marble baths. The crew’s cabins are also on the lower deck, forward of the guest rooms, and include five twin berth cabins, a lounge, and three showers.The galley features a 4-burner electric range, professional oven, large storage space, four refrigerators, and two freezers. The laundry facilities include two washers and dryers.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125442/image/large-8677633433ae7af6b1446ff52eaebf4b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125442">Created by the Arsenal do Alfeite shipyard in Portugal, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2530" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espadarte50.11m (164'5&quot;)">Thea</a> has a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. She can accommodate ten guests and eleven crew members. Equipped with two 1350 HP Mercedes DB-820 diesel engines, the yacht cruises at 15 knots and can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots.Fraser Yachts insists that Thea is a “timeless” vessel. “I don’t know what it is,” says Burden, “but she is special.”