A $4.5 million superyacht carrying 30 top social media influencers went down off the coast of Sardinia this weekend after its captain misread a buoy marker—forcing guests to scramble onto life rafts in a dramatic rescue operation. The vessel, chartered for a weeklong content retreat, began taking on water when it struck a submerged hazard at dusk on Saturday.
Sources tell The Guardian that the yacht’s navigation system was set to the wrong sea channel, causing the hull to scrape a hidden rock formation. Within minutes, water flooded the lower decks. Guests reported hearing a loud bang before lights flickered and alarms blared, sending everyone rushing to muster stations. The Guardian outlines the timeline of events.
“Absolutely terrifying—one moment we were sipping cocktails, the next we were in life jackets. Unreal!” https://twitter.com/InsideEdition/status/1652501234567890123 — Inside Edition (@InsideEdition) May 10, 2025
The Italian Coast Guard raced to the scene after a nearby fishing trawler radioed a distress call. Roughly two hours later, all 30 influencers and five crew members were safely aboard rescue vessels. No serious injuries were reported, though several guests were treated for hypothermia and minor cuts.
“All passengers evacuated safely. Investigation underway to determine navigational error.” https://twitter.com/USCGSicily/status/1652512345678901234 — USCG Sicily (@USCGSicily) May 10, 2025
One influencer, who asked to remain anonymous, described the harrowing escape: “We grabbed our designer bags instead of the emergency kits—complete rookie mistake. People were filming everything, but it was anything but glamour.” The incident has ignited a debate over the safety protocols for chartered luxury vessels and the growing trend of influencer‑led “adventure” marketing.
Maritime experts warn that even multimillion‑dollar yachts can be brought down by simple human error. Captain Luca Romano, a veteran skipper with 20 years of experience, told The New York Times: “Buoy markers are the basic bread and butter of navigation. Misreading them is inexcusable at this level of operation.” NYT provides an in‑depth analysis.
Safety first: always follow coast guard guidelines—even on a luxury charter. https://twitter.com/MaritimeSafetyOrg/status/1652523456789012345 — Maritime Safety Org (@MaritimeSafetyOrg) May 10, 2025
Insurance claims for the sunken yacht are expected to exceed $3 million, covering both salvage operations and passenger reimbursements. Charter company BlueWave Yachting issued a statement expressing relief that no lives were lost and pledging full cooperation with investigators.
As footage of the sinking—captured by influencers live‑streaming the event—spreads online, viewers are left stunned by the contrast between curated luxury and real‑world peril. The story serves as a stark reminder that even those accustomed to flawless branding can find themselves at the mercy of the sea.
