Dolce Vento sinks 15 minutes into maiden voyage off Zonguldak

A newly launched luxury yacht, Dolce Vento, capsized and sank off the coast of Zonguldak in northern Turkey on Tuesday just 15 minutes into its maiden voyage, forcing the owner, the captain and two crew members to jump into the sea and swim to shore. Officials and eyewitnesses said the roughly 85 foot vessel went over on its side and settled on the seabed about 200 meters offshore, but no injuries were reported.

Amateur footage that circulated online shows the boat initially easing into the water before suddenly listing to one side. Passengers and crew scrambled into the water as the vessel slowly disappeared beneath the waves. Local coast guard and port teams arrived on scene and established a security perimeter around the stricken yacht, officials said. All people aboard reached land safely, according to authorities and eyewitnesses.

The yacht, identified as Dolce Vento, has been valued at about 940,000 dollars. Reports varied on its recent history. Shipyard officials said the vessel had been completed at a regional shipyard several months ago and was delivered to its owner from Istanbul prior to the launch. Some accounts described the delivery as occurring only hours earlier....