Distress at sea: Crew member leaves hull hatch open - "Ethos" sinks off Greek island

A 47-metre motor yacht caused quite a stir, and not just among luxury lovers, when it ran aground off the coast of the Greek island of Kefalonia. Five tourists and five crew members are said to have been brought to safety, according to the Greek media outlet protothema.gr reported.

How did the incident happen?

A crew member is said to have left a hull hatch open in good weather conditions, which ultimately led to the "Ethos" flooding and capsizing. According to local media reports, the weather is said to have changed suddenly and water is said to have entered due to increased swell. The crew members were probably unable to react in time and the yacht began to sink. Other people on the water filmed the dramatic scenes as the superyacht tipped to one side and the stern was already under water. The footage went viral on social media:

Cause still unclear

When the crew finally realised the seriousness of the situation, it was already too late and the "Ethos" ran aground in Paleokaravo Bay. It is still unclear whether it was deliberate action or an unfortunate mishap. According to various media reports, the safety systems are said to have been working properly at the time of the incident.

Rescue operations to salvage the ship and investigate possible damage to the reef are currently underway. The coastguard has also been requested to investigate the condition of the yacht in more detail.

Charter yacht "Ethos" costs at least 180,000 euros per week

The "Ethos" was originally known as the "PetraTara" and was delivered by Admiral Yachts in 2014. As she had only recently changed hands, she was given the Greek name "Ethos" in 2023. After a comprehensive refit in January 2024, the yacht was practically as good as new.

The ship has an interior volume of 499 GT and space for twelve guests in five exclusive suites. She has been available for charter holidays at Papilas Yacht Yard since completion. With numerous luxurious amenities, including a Jacuzzi, a wellness centre and a spacious owner's suite, the yacht was a popular destination for wealthy charter clients. And it came with a hefty price tag: according to yachtcharterfleet.com 180,000 to 210,000 euros for customers per week for a stay.