This article has been revised following a statement from Oyster.
‘Viva La Vida’ takes on water and capsizes
The Oyster 825 “Viva La Vida”, approximately 25 metres long, was seriously damaged on Friday 21 August 2026 during Hamilton Island Race Week in the Whitsundays, Australia. According to consistent reports, there were ten people on board. They were rescued; no injuries have been reported so far.
The yacht was entered in the Hamilton Island Blue Division for the regatta. Right at the start of Race Week, “Viva La Vida” had won its class on corrected time. The race took place in strong trade winds.
So far, only partially confirmed details are available regarding the exact sequence of events leading up to the accident. According to information from Oyster Yachts, the “Viva La Vida” was sailing downwind under spinnaker in low water and ran aground on a rock or a reef. A Mayday call was issued. Oyster’s statement reads: “The yacht was damaged and began taking on water. Despite the efforts of those on board, the water ingress could not be brought under control. It was therefore decided to abandon the yacht. All ten crew members and guests were transferred to another yacht.”
Sailor Wayne Styels reported on social media that he had overheard the emergency radio communications. According to his account, a diesel-powered bilge pump was brought on board from a workboat, amongst other things. Nevertheless, it appears that the water ingress could not be stopped. The yacht later capsized and was found floating keel-up in the Whitsunday Passage.
Pictures of the accident
The ballast broke off
Photographs and videos of the capsized yacht show that the heavy lower section of the keel – the actual ballast section – is missing. The upper part of the keel, however, appears to remain attached to the hull. The images do not reveal the cause of the water ingress. It is likely that only after the yacht has been salvaged and examined will it be possible to determine where the water entered the yacht and which structural areas were damaged. Furthermore, the spinnaker can be seen in the water.
Oyster states: “A full technical assessment will only be possible once the yacht has been salvaged and subjected to a thorough investigation. Until this work has been completed, it would be premature to draw any conclusions regarding the cause, nature or extent of the damage. Further information will be published as soon as it has been verified and the time is right to do so.”
In 2015, the ‘Polina Star III’ lost its entire keel structure
Back in 2015, an Oyster 825 sank after losing its keel. The ‘Polina Star III’, hull number 825-02, was sailing off the Spanish Mediterranean coast when it capsized and eventually sank. The crew managed to save themselves.
Pictures of the ‘Polina Star III’ following the loss of its keel
Following the recovery of the wreck, the damage appeared significantly different from that currently seen on the ‘Viva La Vida’. In the keel area, a large section of the actual hull laminate was missing from the ‘Polina Star III’. There was a gaping hole in the hull measuring almost 20 square metres. The keel had not simply been severed at the lower ballast section. The keel, the keel connection and parts of the surrounding hull structure were all affected.
At the time, *YACHT* reported in detail on the salvage and examination of the wreck: Oyster 825: striking images of a wreck
This difference could be significant. In the case of the ‘Viva La Vida’, a substantial portion of the keel appears to remain intact. In the case of the ‘Polina Star III’, on the other hand, the entire connection between the keel and large sections of the hull structure has been destroyed.
Investigation uncovered a vulnerability in early Oyster 825 models
Following the sinking of the ‘Polina Star III’, Oyster investigated the design and manufacture of the 825 series in collaboration with external experts.
In December 2015, the shipyard stated that investigations into the other early Oyster 825s had revealed a potential weakness in the process used to manufacture their internal structure. The process had not been used on other Oyster models.
Oyster had hull numbers 825-01 and 825-03 subjected to an in-depth inspection, after which the structures were rebuilt and reinforced as a precautionary measure. In the case of 825-04, which was still under construction at the time, the structure was inspected prior to launch. From hull number 825-05 onwards, Oyster, according to its own account, returned to a previously tried-and-tested manufacturing method. ‘Viva La Vida’ is listed by Oyster as hull number 825-7, built in 2019.
The loss of its keel proved to be a serious crisis for Oyster
For Oyster, however, the sinking had far-reaching consequences. In early February 2018, the renowned British shipyard found itself in existential difficulties. The then owner, HTP Investments, withdrew its financial support, and operations initially came to a standstill.
The YACHT reported at the time, regarding speculation that the consequences of the ‘Polina Star III’ accident might have further exacerbated the financial difficulties. However, no specific figure was publicly given as to the extent to which the accident contributed to the subsequent insolvency.
Just a few weeks later, a buyer came forward. Software entrepreneur Richard Hadida took over the insolvent Oyster Group and announced his intention to rebuild the brand in the long term. As we reported in March 2018 regarding the takeover and the planned relaunch.
Oyster makes a successful fresh start following its insolvency
Under Hadida, production processes were reorganised and quality control expanded. Oyster now describes, amongst other things, the ongoing documentation of laminating work and regular inspections by Lloyd’s. The shipyard explicitly cites the ‘Polina Star III’ case as one of the reasons for the fundamental overhaul of its production processes.
In 2019, the Oyster 565 – the first completely new model since the takeover – was launched. At the YACHT Test By early 2020, the order books were already well-filled once again.
Today, Oyster is once again one of the internationally established manufacturers of large blue-water cruising yachts. The ‘Viva La Vida’ itself took part in the 2026/27 Oyster World Rally.
Further spectacular keel losses
In this video, Oyster introduces the 825
Is a comparison with the ‘Polina Star III’ necessary, or is it still too early? Join the discussion.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital