A large-scale maritime search is underway for prominent yacht designer and businessman Halit Yukay, who vanished on August 4 while sailing from Yalova to Bozcaada aboard his personal yacht Graywolf. The disappearance triggered an urgent response from Türkiye’s Coast Guard after Yukay’s family lost contact with him later that day.
The search took a grim turn on August 5 when a commercial vessel reported sighting partially submerged wreckage near Turanköy, off the Kapıdağ Peninsula in Balıkesir’s Erdek district. Responding to the coordinates, the South Marmara Coast Guard Group mobilized an extensive operation involving a helicopter, a diving team, and seven naval units. Divers confirmed that the engine serial number on the wreck matched that of Yukay’s yacht. Underwater footage revealed the Graywolf was badly fragmented, raising concerns about a severe collision at sea.
Collision Suspicions and Legal Investigation
Authorities are investigating the possibility that Yukay’s yacht was struck by the cargo ship Arel 7. The vessel’s captain, C.T., was detained in Yalova under suspicion of causing death by negligence. Although later released under judicial control with a travel ban, forensic inspections revealed scrape marks on the bow of Arel 7 consistent with a collision.
The incident is now under the jurisdiction of the Marmara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with marine accident experts conducting a detailed technical examination to determine the cause of the wreck. The shattered yacht has been recovered to Ekinlik Island for further inspection using cranes and specialized equipment.
Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ Joins the Search Effort
Actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, a close friend of Yukay, joined search operations both at sea and from the air. Reports indicate that Yukay had planned to meet Tatlıtuğ and his family, who were vacationing in Greece, after picking up relatives in Bozcaada. Tatlıtuğ, equipped with drones and diving gear, coordinated with Coast Guard teams and urged authorities via social media to investigate areas along the Çanakkale coast that he marked on a shared map.
Multi-Agency Search Operations
Now in its sixth day, the search spans the Balıkesir shoreline and surrounding islands, including Ekinlik, Avşa, and Paşalimanı, as well as the coves of İlhanlar, Doğanlar, Turanköy, and Ormanlı. The operation involves divers from the maritime units of Bursa, Çanakkale, and Samsun Police Departments, totaling 13 specialized “frogmen” combing the seabed for clues.
Teams launched dives from Narlı Mahallesi, tracking wind patterns to search nearby islands and inlets. If current efforts fail, authorities plan to deploy a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from İzmir Police capable of capturing footage at depths of up to 300 meters, enabling a thorough search of the sea floor starting Monday.
Wreckage Found Near Rocky Shores
In a recent development, divers located additional fragments of the Graywolf washed against the rocky northern shore of Paşalimanı Island. The debris was brought ashore for examination, and footage of the recovery shows the extent of the yacht’s destruction.
Profile of Halit Yukay
Yukay is a well-known figure in Türkiye’s maritime industry, serving as chief designer and engineer at his yacht manufacturing company based in Altınova, Yalova. His expertise in luxury vessel design has earned him recognition both domestically and internationally.
Community Shock and Hopes for Closure
The disappearance has stunned Türkiye’s yachting and business communities. Friends, colleagues, and volunteers have joined the coordinated search, providing private vessels and resources to aid in the operation. While hopes of finding Yukay alive diminish with each passing day, search teams remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the accident and locating his body.
As the investigation progresses, maritime safety experts stress the importance of thorough collision-prevention protocols in busy sea lanes like the Marmara. The case is expected to prompt discussions on enhancing navigational monitoring systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
