Mazu Yachts Founder Halit Yukay Reported Missing After Yacht Wreckage Found
Yacht designer Halit Yukay missing after his yacht Graywolf wreck found near Marmara Island; search ongoing.
Halit Yukay, 43, the founder and lead designer of renowned Turkish boatbuilder Mazu Yachts, remains missing following the discovery of his vessel, the Graywolf, severely damaged in waters off Marmara Island. The incident has prompted a multi-agency search and ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy.
Yukay departed from Yalova on August 4, setting course for Mykonos aboard his personally owned Turkish-flagged yacht. When communication was lost later that night, his family reported him missing to authorities, initiating a full-scale response.
Early the following day, a commercial vessel reported spotting partially submerged debris off Turanöy near Kapıdağ Peninsula in Balıksesir Province. Turkish coast guard units and divers confirmed the wreckage belonged to Graywolf and launched an extensive search-and-rescue operation. Despite deploying helicopters, patrol vessels, dive teams, and volunteer responders, no trace of Yukay has been found to date.
Underwater footage revealed deep fractures in the hull, indicating a possible collision, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Authorities are treating the incident as a potential maritime accident, with the captain of a nearby cargo ship detained under suspicion of causing death by negligence. Prosecutors are conducting a formal investigation to determine liability and sequence of events.
Mazu Yachts, founded by Yukay in 2011, rose to prominence for its sleek, high-performance composite yachts ranging from 11 to 40 meters. The company’s latest flagship, the 28.5-meter Waterlily, was a finalist in the 2024 BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards.
A statement issued by the shipyard expressed concern for Yukay’s well-being and emphasized the privacy of his family and team during this difficult period. It urged the public to rely exclusively on verified information from official channels.
Yukay's disappearance has sent ripples through the global superyacht community. Industry friends and colleagues have conveyed messages of support and solidarity. Nicola Pomi, head of Volvo Penta’s yacht division, commented, “Halit is a friend and a constant source of inspiration … our thoughts are with Halit, his family, and the Mazu team.”
As the search continues, the loss—or potential tragedy—of a visionary designer has cast a somber shadow over the luxury yachting sector, one that highlights both the inherent perils of solo voyages and the deep personal connections that drive marine innovation.
