A luxury yacht has been recovered from the bottom of the sea in an investigation to learn more about its dramatic demise.
The $18million (£13.8m) maxi yacht, called Atina, sank after a devastating fire broke out on board.
The ship’s owner, Serkan Borançili, who is best known for co-founding the grocery delivery app Getir in 2015, had used the vessel for luxury cruises in the Mediterranean.
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At the time of the incident, the Turkish businessman was on board the boat with friends while it was moored in the Gulf of Olbia in Sardinia, Italy.
After the fire broke out, port authority immediately dispatched a tug boat and a second vessel to try to help, as reported by Luxury Boat News.
Footage shared by Italy’s coast guard showed the superyacht sinking while it was doused with an extinguisher in the port, also known as the Billionaire’s Playground.
But efforts to save it were unsuccessful and within hours the superyacht had sank in shallow waters.
Sixteen passengers and crew miraculously escaped from the Atina before it was completely engulfed in flames on August 10.
And for just under three months, Atina has remained at the bottom of the Mediterranean, lying on its side at a depth of about eight metres.
It has now been recovered.
The operation itself was coordinated by the Port Authority of Olbia, and carried out by specialised personnel from Resolve Marine.
Parbuckling operations were required, which helped to straighten the structure so that it could be lifted out of the water.
About 10 divers worked with a crane to straighten and lift the Atina, so that it could be placed on the platform of the Conquest MB1.
The Conquest MB1 was also used for the recovery of the Costa Concordia, an Italian cruise ship which capsized in 2012.
The coast guard is set to carry out an inspection on Atina to conclude investigations into the causes of the shipwreck.
Images show that there is very little left of the 154-foot yacht, which was built by the Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts in 2008.
The blue and white hull has become a charred mass, and the bridge, deck, and rear door are hardly recognisable.
On the evening of November 3, operations were suspended as the chains which are fixed to Atina needed to moved to a new position.
As the structure has been soaked with water, it is heavier than expected.
Adjustments need to be made so that operations can be completed safely.
This morning (Monday November 4) its retrieval will be resumed, and the yacht will be transferred for demolition.
The investigation is set to be concluded on November 6 and 3D scans of the area where the Atina sank will be carried out.
At that point, all that will be left of the Atina is an investigation file in the offices of the Tempio Prosecutor’s Office.
The Atina was sold in 2021 for more than £14million and it won an award at the World Superyacht Awards in 2009.
It underwent an eight-month-long revamp when it was bought three years ago with the top deck completely redesigned.
The yacht was complete with five cabins, lounge areas and an entertainment system installed throughout.
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