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TWO Oyster Yachts Lost Their Keels. WHY?
3 September 2026 · 16 min · 513 views · Spanish coast
What this video covers
The 2015 sinking of the Oyster 825 *Polina Star III* resulted from a manufacturing defect where poorly laminated joints in the internal keel-support structure failed, causing the hull laminate to tear away.4:00 While the keel bolts remained intact, the structural matrix failed to transfer loads properly, leading to the yacht's loss off the Spanish coast.3:39 The subsequent litigation and delayed insurance claims forced the manufacturer into administration in 2018.7:23 New ownership later brought hull and deck molding in-house and implemented mandatory Lloyd’s Register certification for all new builds.9:06 A second incident occurred in August 2026, when the Oyster 825 *Viva La Vida* lost its ballast bulb after striking a reef in the Whitsunday Islands, Australia.10:00 Unlike the 2015 structural failure, the upper keel section remained attached to the hull, indicating an impact-related event.11:03 The primary safety takeaway for offshore sailors is to prioritize immediate distress signaling and life raft preparation over diagnosing the cause of sudden flooding or structural noises.13:59
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