One of the world’s most iconic harbours was the scene of a dramatic superyacht fire this evening as the 41-metre Sea Lady II, flying the Maltese flag, caught fire while moored along Quai de l’Epi in the heart of Saint-Tropez’s old port.
Blaze Breaks Out Near Sunset
Just after 8:00 p.m., thick plumes of smoke began rising from the yacht’s forward hull, quickly drawing the attention of tourists and locals along the promenade. Eyewitnesses reported hearing alarms and seeing flames erupt from the third deck cockpit area, shortly before the vessel was fully engulfed.
Firefighters responded within minutes, deploying two pump vans and quickly establishing a safety cordon to keep the gathered crowd at a safe distance.
Heroic Response on Land and Sea
As the fire intensified and plastics ignited, Saint-Tropez’s fire brigade was joined by a fireboat, working to combat the flames from the water. Meanwhile, the firefighters boarded from the stern, attacking the blaze internally.
Despite their efforts, the fire advanced to the yacht’s lower deck, prompting hours of extensive dousing and containment operations into the night.
By 9:00 p.m., the flames had been largely contained on the upper structure, but flare-ups continued to threaten the lower levels. As of 11:00 p.m., the fire was still smoldering on at least three decks.
Emergency Measures and Safety
Thanks to the quick actions of nearby crews, neighboring vessels were safely evacuated. An anti-pollution boom was rapidly deployed around Sea Lady II to limit environmental damage.
Two crew members, aged 24 and 30, were treated on-site for smoke inhalation. No serious injuries have been reported, and authorities have commended the rapid intervention of emergency services for preventing further disaster.
Investigation Underway
The exact cause of the blaze is currently unknown. According to early witness accounts, the fire originated from the cockpit on the upper deck, but a formal investigation is underway to determine the precise source and assess structural damage.
Saint-Tropez’s historic port is no stranger to prestigious yachts, and incidents like this are extremely rare. The fire aboard Sea Lady II marks one of the most serious maritime emergencies in recent memory for the French Riviera town.
