Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Phocea yacht fire: seven crew rescued

by Wire Services 19 Feb 2021 12:01 HKT
s/y Phocea, on fire in Langkawi © SYT

The 75.13-metre sailing yacht Phocea, formerly Enigma, formerly Alain Colas's solo transat racer, Club Medirerranée, caught fire yesterday morning (18 February 2021) in Langkawi, Malaysia. While at anchor less than one nautical mile northeast of Pulau Singa Kecil (Lion Island), the 530 GT yacht was attended to by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), who rescued seven crewmembers who are reported to be safe and uninjured.

Once the fire was detected by a local patrol vessel, rescuers from the Malaysian Maritime 6 FLASH boat began fighting the flames and have been continuing to do so despite strong wind conditions. Kedah and Perlis MMEA director, Maritime First Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, said in a statement that the weather was making the operation “difficult." "No oil spill was reported and we will continue monitoring the situation," he added. The team have been tending to the fire since 08.18 local time.

In a statement issued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency states: "The Malaysian Maritime 6 FLASH Boat has been mobilised to the scene to provide proper assistance and also distribute information of the incident to the Navy at Royal Malaysia (TLDM), the Marine Police Force (PPM) Department of Fire Department and Rescue of Malaysia (JBPM), the Malaysian Sea Department and The Department of Environment for assistance. Assets from other agencies, KD Mahamiru and RHIB Boats from TLDM, PA 4 Boats from PPM and MV Suhail from the Malaysian Sea Department together with the Malaysian Fire Department are also on hand to extinguish the fire."

Enigma was built as a single-handed race yacht in 1976 to the design of Tim Heywood and interior designer Beiderbecks. After crossing the Atlantic in 1976, she was converted to a cruise ship by her original builders, the French shipyard DCAN.

She was refitted by Lürssens in 1999/2000. The yacht was again sold in 2010 to her current owners. Enigma accommodates 12 guests in a master suite, one VIP, two double and two twin cabins, and sleeps up to 23 crew members.

Related Articles

29th Superyacht Cup Palma overall
Rose produces historic conclusion to a spectacular event History was made at the Superyacht Cup Palma today when the 24m Wally yacht Rose became the first ever three-time winner of the iconic event, remarkably completing the achievement over three successive years on the Bay of Palma. Posted on 28 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Linnea Aurora turns the tables as it gets tight at the top A bigger and better breeze welcomed the racing fleet on the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025, resulting in full-tilt sailing around the 23nm five-leg racecourse. Posted on 27 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 1
Cervo and Open Season take opening day honours The Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 swung into action today, with captains and crews across the varied and inspiring fleet seizing the opportunity to take the measure of the competition out on the racecourse. Posted on 26 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma Practice Race
Boats and breeze at the home of Mediterranean superyacht sailing The waiting is over and the moment has arrived — The Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 is up and running once again for the 29th time in the home of Mediterranean superyacht sailing. Posted on 25 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma fleet is ready to go
Crews are now able to size-up the competition in their respective classes The owners, captains and crews of the spectacular array of yachts gathered for the 29th edition of the Superyacht Cup Palma are making their final preparations ahead of the start of racing next Thursday. Posted on 18 Jun
Corinthian focus at Ibiza JoySail
Confirming it as one of the Mediterranean's 'best kept secrets' Ibiza JoySail has been welcoming skippers and crews from across the sailing world for the past five years and is increasingly regarded as one of the key events marking the end of the Mediterranean season. Posted on 31 May
Tankoa launches second T55 Sportiva unit
This milestone marks another step forward in the shipyard's steady production pace Just over a month after the debut of the first hull, Tankoa Yachts proudly announces the technical launch of the second T55 Sportiva. Posted on 29 May
Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 count down begins
New entries and a new home base location at the prestigious Club de Mar-Mallorca The countdown has begun for Europe's longest running superyacht regatta, with a new-look Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 all set for a spectacular 29th edition from 25-28 June. Posted on 28 May
SYBAss responds to MAIB report on Bayesian tragedy
Beginning to study MAIB's preliminary findings The Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) has begun to study MAIB's preliminary findings and has also begun the process of consulting with naval architects and other experts to understand the provisional findings of the report. Posted on 19 May
Ibiza JoySail exceeds all expectations
Closing registrations four months before the event With four months to go, the superyacht race already has twenty-two entrants, with thirteen more on the waiting list. The event will be held from 18 to 21 September at Marina Ibiza. Posted on 16 May
B&G Zeus SR AsiaSea Sure 2025Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOM