Mammoth Ship Sets Sail and Sinks in Minutes: Owner Tries to Escape, Dives into Sea

International Center/Ni Yuwei Report

A luxury yacht worth nearly $1 million in Türkiye capsized on its first flight. (Photo/reprinted from X)

A few days ago, a luxury yacht worth nearly 1 million US dollars (about NT$30.53 million) in Turkey set sail. The owner also witnessed the yacht, but it encountered a “stability problem” about 15 minutes after it retreated into the sea. The whole ship began to tilt right and gradually sank into the sea. The owner and the driver jumped into the sea to escape. It is not clear why the shipwreck is in trouble, but the online discussion has been buzzing, and everyone exclaimed that “the ship owner collapsed”, “the most expensive diving board in history”, etc.

According to the foreign media Marine Industry News, the Turkish luxury yacht “Dolce Vento” is built by the “Medyılmaz” shipyard from 2024, and is worth nearly 1 million US dollars. On September 2, 2025, Dolce Vento launched its maiden voyage in the waters near Zonguldak, Turkey.

The boat gradually sank into the water 7 meters deep, and passengers jumped into the sea to escape. (Photo/reprinted from X)

But Dolce Vento was suspected of encountering a “stability problem” about 15 minutes after leaving the voyage. It can be seen from the video taken by witnesses that after the ship retreated and floated on the sea, it slowly overturned. Finally, the entire ship sank into the water 7 meters deep. Several passengers could also be seen jumping into the ship. One of them stood on the overturned ship and looked left and right before jumping into the sea.

Local media reported that when the Dolce Vento sinks, the owner, captain and two crew members of the yacht were on the ship. The last four people were rescued by workers from nearby shipyards, but fortunately no one was injured. As for the exact reason for the capsized ship, an investigation has been launched. The shipwreck video has been circulating on the Internet, and many people exclaimed, “The owner should have collapsed” and “Congratulations on getting the most expensive diving board in the world.”

🚨BRAND NEW $1M YACHT SINKS MINUTES AFTER LAUNCH
Luxury vessel tips over on maiden voyage off Turkish coast as owner, captain and crew jump overboard.
Everyone safely reached shore after expensive maritime embarrassment.pic.twitter.com/qD2Fd7sCj6

— The Naval Naval (Meral) September 3, 2025

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What legal ramifications did the ship owner face following their attempt to evade obligation and dive into the sea?

The Rapid Sinking of the MV Wakashio – A Case Study in Maritime Disaster

On August 6, 2020, the MV Wakashio, a Japanese bulk carrier, ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius. What followed was a catastrophic event: the ship broke apart and sank, resulting in a significant oil spill and a desperate attempt by the ship’s owner to evade responsibility, culminating in a dramatic dive into the sea. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in maritime transport and the complexities of ship ownership and liability. This article details the events, investigations, and aftermath of this devastating maritime incident, focusing on the owner’s actions and the subsequent legal battles.

Timeline of the Wakashio Disaster

The sinking wasn’t instantaneous, but the speed at which the situation deteriorated was alarming. Here’s a breakdown of the key events:

July 25,2020: The MV Wakashio departs from China,bound for Brazil.

August 6,2020: The ship runs aground on the coral reef near Blue Bay Marine Park,Mauritius. Initial reports suggest a navigational error.

August 7-12, 2020: Cracks begin to appear in the hull. Concerns mount about a potential oil spill. Salvage operations are initiated, but hampered by rough seas.

August 12, 2020: The ship breaks in two. Significant quantities of oil begin leaking into the ocean.

August 15, 2020: The majority of the Wakashio sinks.

august 16,2020: The ship’s owner,allegedly attempting to avoid questioning by Mauritian authorities,reportedly attempted to flee the island by boat. When intercepted by the Coast Guard, he allegedly jumped overboard and swam towards open water before being apprehended.

The Owner’s Attempted Escape and Legal Ramifications

The ship’s owner, whose identity has been widely reported as Sun Ho, faced immediate scrutiny following the grounding. allegations of negligence and attempts to downplay the severity of the situation quickly surfaced. His attempt to leave Mauritius, and the subsequent dive into the sea, were widely reported as a desperate act to avoid facing legal consequences.

charges Filed: The owner and several crew members faced charges related to maritime offenses,including navigating without a valid license and endangering safe navigation.

Asset Seizure: Mauritian authorities seized assets belonging to the ship and its owners to cover the costs of the cleanup and environmental damage.

International investigations: The incident triggered investigations by both Mauritian authorities and international maritime organizations, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Bill to vs. ship to: Understanding the financial responsibility is crucial. While the ship to address indicates where the cargo was destined, the bill to address identifies the party responsible for payment – in this case, the ship owner and potentially their insurance providers.

The Environmental Impact of the Oil Spill

The oil spill from the Wakashio had a devastating impact on the fragile ecosystem of Mauritius.

Coral Reef Damage: The coral reefs surrounding the island, already vulnerable, suffered significant damage from the oil.

Marine Life Affected: Numerous marine animals, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and seabirds, were affected by the oil, with many dying as an inevitable result.

Mangrove Forests Threatened: The oil also threatened the mangrove forests along the coast, which are vital for coastal protection and biodiversity.

Cleanup Efforts: Massive cleanup efforts were undertaken, involving volunteers, government agencies, and international assistance. Though, the long-term effects of the spill are still being assessed. Oil spill response techniques,including booms and skimmers,were deployed,but their effectiveness was limited by weather conditions.

Investigating the Cause: Navigational Error and Potential Negligence

Investigations into the grounding of the Wakashio pointed to a combination of factors, with navigational error being a primary cause.

Deviation from Shipping Lanes: The ship was reportedly sailing closer to the Mauritian coast than necessary, deviating from established shipping lanes.

Lack of Proper Lookout: There were questions raised about whether a proper lookout was being maintained at the time of the grounding.

Possible System Failures: Investigations also explored the possibility of system failures or malfunctions contributing to the incident.

Crew Fatigue: Concerns were raised regarding potential crew