A significant fire has destroyed several multi-million pound vessels at one of Sydney's most exclusive marinas, resulting in three luxury yachts sinking completely in the early hours of Friday morning.
Emergency Response to Harbour Blaze
New South Wales Police confirmed that emergency services were called to the Spit Marina in Mosman, located on Sydney's Middle Harbour, at 3:30 am on Friday following reports of a blaze. Upon arrival, crews discovered one yacht "well alight" and immediately evacuated four people from the vessel.
One woman required treatment for smoke inhalation by NSW Ambulance paramedics. She was subsequently transported to hospital in what was described as a stable condition.
Contamination and Investigation Efforts
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent, Adam Dewberry, addressed the media, confirming the scale of the loss. "We've got three of these large yachts that have sunk," he stated during an interview with Nine's Today show.
Dewberry outlined the critical next steps, emphasising the environmental hazard. "We're now moving into the hazmat stage, where we're working with the Port Authority of NSW to get booms around to make sure that we capture all of that contamination," he explained. The operation aims to contain significant debris, fuel, and oil now polluting the water. Police, with assistance from fire rescue, will lead the formal investigation into the cause.
A Narrow Escape for the Prestigious Marina
Superintendent Dewberry reflected that the outcome could have been far more catastrophic. The Spit Marina is a hub for high-value vessels, with many serving as permanent residences. "Out here, there's dozens of boats and yachts and a lot of money... we could have lost many more," he noted.
He credited the swift action of firefighters and the timely deployment of the NSW Port Authority's fire tug with preventing the blaze from spreading through the densely packed berths. A fourth yacht sustained serious damage.
Authorities have indicated that initial inquiries do not suggest suspicious circumstances. The marina, recommended by Superyacht Australia for vessels over 30 metres, boasts 106 secure wet berths for boats up to 50m. The incident caused local disruption, with one northbound lane of Spit Road closed during the morning.
