The 31m (101.7ft) superyacht ‘La Dolce Vita’ has sunk in a protected area of a marine sanctuary after a fire broke out on board. No one on the yacht was hurt.
It is believed the fire originated on the starboard generator, when the vessel was located near the Marquesas Islands in Key West, Florida. The area falls within Florida Key National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex.
La Dolce Vita was carrying almost 4,500 gallons of diesel at the time of the fire. It is not yet clear how much of the diesel spilled into the waters, but the U.S. Coast Guard has started a clean-up operation.
At the time six people were onboard. They were all evacuated safely by tender and transported ashore.
The raised pilothouse motor yacht was delivered in 2009 by Hargrave Custom Yachts and previously named King Baby.
A full investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
