Fire and Explosions Engulf Luxury Motor Yacht in Marina del Rey
A 105-ft motor yacht named The Admiral caught fire and sank in Marina del Rey on Wednesday night. The fire was reported to have started around 8:30 p.m. A crew from the Los Angeles County Fire Department fought the blaze while explosions were coming from the burning vessel. According to a CBS News report, two people had been aboard when the fire began, but both got off safely. Fireworks and 1,000 rounds of ammunition were reportedly aboard the boat, which began to sink at around 10:30 p.m.
“The Admiral was heavily involved in flames, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Crews tried to fight the fire both by ground and by water, but it proved difficult to contain,” CBS wrote. Onlookers reported hearing explosions and seeing flames leaping into the air.
The vessel is reported to have been carrying 4,000 gallons of diesel.
This video posted on the Los Angeles magazine Facebook page shows the boat in flames.
Following the incident, a unified command was established to include members of the Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR) and a responsible party.
Coast Guard and CDFW-OSPR teams monitored the deployment of approximately 2,000 feet of boom placed around the vessel and affected areas. Crews will continue to monitor the area and work with the Oil Spill Response Organization through the night to assess the extent of impact and continue cleanup efforts.
“We were able to deploy containment and collection equipment as soon as it was safe to do so to mitigate the impacts from the discharge of diesel from the vessel after it became submerged,” Capt. Stacey L. Crecy, the Coast Guard’s federal on-scene coordinator, said in a statement.
“A CDFW-OSPR environmental scientist is on scene working to monitor and limit impacts to environmental resources and sensitive sites,” said Christian Corbo, CDFW-OSPR state on-scene coordinator. “Currently, there are no impacts to environmentally sensitive sites or species.”
Additionally, air monitoring is being conducted within the area. There are currently no reports of a threat to public health.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Defeats American Magic To Race in America’s Cup Challenger Final
The clock struck midnight for American Magic as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli bounced back from a catastrophic mechanical failure to eliminate the New York Yacht Club, without missing a beat. On a day where fickle, light winds were predicted, the Italians took charge from the get-go, even with a great start by American Magic co-helmsman Tom Slingsby. Luna Rossa was clearly the faster boat, and after the rounding at the second bottom gate, were never really threatened as they stretched out a lead to finish 61 seconds ahead of Patriot 2.0.
Italy showed no ill effects from the mainsheet traveler, which was ripped apart the day before with a loud crack — a veritable explosion that was seemingly heard around the world. Overnight, the Italian shore team burned the midnight oil repairing a damaged track system that had given way and gifted the American team a race win to close to 4-3 in this first-to-five series. The Italian shore team heroes were described as looking like “zombies” this morning, but their efforts were thoroughly rewarded with the semi-final series win. Luna Rossa will now face INEOS Britannia for the Challenger Final in a best-of-13 race series, or the first team to seven points, for the second consecutive time. The two teams faced off in Auckland in 2021, with the British coming in on a wave of momentum, only to be easily dispatched by the Italians 7-1.
Last time it was for the Prada Cup; this time the Louis Vuitton Cup makes a return after a seven-year absence. The winner will face off against a well-rested Emirates Team New Zealand, who represent the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as the Defender/Trustee.
American Magic were valiant in their efforts, bouncing back from a 4-0 deficit to take three straight races and put the Italians on their back feet, be it briefly. Tom Slingsby, and backup co-helmsman Lucas Calabrese, subbing for the injured Paul Goodison, sailed relatively mistake-free in a hard-fought series in which every race was decided by razor-thin margins.
Under leaden skies and flat-water conditions, the race began with NYYC American Magic’s Patriot 2.0 entering the start box on time from the left, crossing ahead of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. After a drag race to the right boundary, both boats turned back to the line, engaging in a tactical battle for position. The Americans crossed first, forcing the Italians to tack away, but Luna Rossa regained momentum with a surge to leeward as American Magic tacked away.
At the first windward gate, Luna Rossa led by 20 seconds, but Patriot closed the gap to just eight seconds after a well-timed wind shift. Despite mounting pressure, a brief touchdown downwind allowed Luna Rossa to extend their lead to 21 seconds at the second leeward gate. In the final leg, no opportunities to recover materialized, and Luna Rossa crossed the finish 61 seconds ahead, ending American Magic’s semi-final campaign.
Luna Rossa co-helmsman Francesco Bruni admitted to some nerves about the boat the previous night. “It’s been a fantastic journey, these sem-ifinals, and we are ready for more fights. We had some pressure for sure, and it was great to reply strong to that pressure.
“I wasn’t sure that the boat was going to be back in one piece. But at the same time, I have full trust in them, so making too many questions was wrong. So I went to bed not super-happy with the day.”
“We got to 4-0 up, and they’re a champion team, and they showed a huge amount of fight to really push us the whole way,” co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill added.
President of Sailing Operations for American Magic Terry Hutchinson reflected on the team’s performance after the race, expressing both pride and disappointment.“We were always one of those teams that was going to get better with more and more racing,”
“We faced some setbacks, like Goody going down, but I’m so hugely impressed with Lucas and how well he stepped into it. I’m also so proud of our team for how everybody evolved. It was so cool just to watch Tommy and Lucas’s relationship evolve in a very short period of time to a point where they were going toe-to-toe with the past winners of the Prada Cup and the last challenger in the America’s Cup.
“We were there, knocking on the door, basically every single race,” Hutchinson said. “The disappointment is that you can see all the promise and where we were heading.”
“It’s really hard. This is one of the worst feelings you’ll ever feel in sport, especially when you’re part of such a larger team, to get close and fall short,” said Slingsby. “As much as I’m sort of stewing a few of my bad decisions in that race, we’ve got to hold our heads high from where we were a week or two ago, to the team we are now.”
“Our designers built us a fast boat, and then I guess the sailors, hats off, our cyclists are absolute weapons, and it’s been a privilege to sail with them,” concluded Slingsby.
Come See Naos Yachts at the Sausalito Boat Show
Youth and Adult Sailors: Get Your Applications In
Here are two very different opportunities for sailors: one a great job opportunity for an adult sailor at the Bay Model in Sausalito, and the other competitive race-training opportunities for youth sailors in Long Beach. Both have deadlines coming up fast.
Bay Model Job Opportunity:
The Bay Model in Sausalito, run by the Army Corps of Engineers, is looking for a new volunteer coordinator for the visitor center. We think this could be a pretty cool job for a sailor interested in helping others discover the magic of the Bay. It’s located right on the Sausalito waterfront, and outside the offices sit the brigantine Matthew Turner and the schooner Seaward. It’s a terrific facility that helps kids and adults get introduced to the Bay’s ecosystem.
We’re giving you short notice since applications are due in by September 27. It looks like a pretty cool gig for the right sailor. To learn more and apply click here.
Youth Racing Camp — Long Beach
US Sailing Youth Racing Camps, presented by Risk Strategies, will be hosted in 2024 in both Long Beach and Miami. Youth sailors who would like to apply to participate need to get applications in by October 1. In Long Beach this is an opportunity for youth sailors in the ILCA 6, 29er, Formula Kite and I420 classes. Again, applications are due by October 1.
The format of the camps brings together top youth sailors and coaches in a collaborative and competitive environment, promoting information sharing and resource optimization. Sailors attend with their own team/regional program coach, and US Sailing coaches lead training for the athletes and coaches in each class. This hybrid format combines a regatta-competition environment with collaborative training, allowing sailors and coaches to try new things and get immediate feedback.
Long Beach is the site of the 2028 Olympic sailing competition and an ideal place for youth training. You can learn more here and request an invitation here.
Waves of Opportunity at the Second Annual Sausalito Boat Show
The second annual Sausalito Boat Show (SBS) kicks off on Friday, October 4, and continues through Sunday, October 6. “Boating offers countless ways to enjoy the water, yet this experience remains out of reach for many,” boat show organizers said. “The Sausalito Boat Show seeks to change that by highlighting diverse ways to explore the water — whether through boat ownership, paddling in a kayak, or embarking on a charter boat adventure. This event celebrates the passion driving the marine industry and its commitment to making boating accessible to everyone.”
One of the ways in which the Sausalito Boat Show is enacting this commitment is through its support for “Waves of Opportunity” — a charitable Happy Hour event from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the charter pier at Clipper Yacht Harbor. Helmut’s Marine Service, in partnership with the San Rafael Channel Association and Big C Charters, has organized the event to raise funds for purpose of taking children from the Canal Alliance out on the water.
“The Canal Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by removing barriers to success. Despite living so close to a navigable channel, many children in the San Rafael Canal district have never had the opportunity to explore the water. Through the Waves of Opportunity event, our goal is to dismantle these barriers and inspire a love for the ocean while supporting parts of the marine industry,” said Helmut’s Marine spokesperson Nadine Urciuoli.
“Many people have never had the chance to experience the transformative power of the sea. Children from communities adjacent to navigable waterways like the San Rafael Canal often grow up without stepping on a boat. However, initiatives like Waves of Opportunity are working to change that.”
The Sausalito Boat Show is a celebration of waterfront life, offering something for everyone from first-time boaters to seasoned sailors: Local food, live music, family-friendly activities, and free educational seminars covering marine topics are all on the schedule.
Tickets to the boat show are available here. And we encourage you to join Friday’s Waves of Opportunity: “Together, we can create waves of opportunity and ensure that everyone, regardless of circumstance, can experience the magic of life on the water.”
Tomorrow Is California Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, September 21, is the 40th-anniversary California Coastal Cleanup Day!
California Coastal Cleanup Day is the country’s largest annual volunteer event. Each September volunteers remove hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from the state’s beaches, lakes, and waterways.
Participating in California Coastal Cleanup Day is easy! Follow these steps:
- 1. On the map, click on the cleanup you want to attend and read the instructions. Some sites require pre-registration, others allow you to simply drop in on the morning of the cleanup. Please check the date carefully as not all cleanups will take place on September 21.
- 2. Sign the online waiver of liability. Show the confirmation email to cleanup staff on the day of your cleanup. If you’d prefer to sign a paper waiver, download here and bring your signed waiver to the cleanup.
- 3. Gather reusable cleanup supplies from home, like a bucket and gardening gloves. Cleanup supplies, as well as liability waivers, will be available at each cleanup site if needed.
- 4. Show up at your cleanup site at the designated time and day. Check in with on-site cleanup staff and start cleaning!
- 5. Continue your efforts after Coastal Cleanup Day by participating in the Adopt-A-Beach Program, by conducting a Self-Guided Cleanup, or a Schoolyard Cleanup, any time during the year!
Check out what sailors have done in the past to help clean up the planet.
Save the Date: Redwood City Port Fest
