Yacht remnants discovered near Marmara Island, signifying the unexplained disappearance of a local entrepreneur.
In the coastal waters off Balıkesir's Marmara Island, the partially submerged yacht believed to belong to Halit Yukay, a prominent Turkish businessman, was discovered on August 6. The motor serial numbers of the damaged yacht matched those registered to Halit Yukay's private yacht, confirming its identity.
Halit Yukay, the founder of Mazu Yachts, went missing on August 4 after setting sail from Yalova. His destination was reported to be Çanakkale's Bozcaada, but some news outlets claimed he was heading towards Greece.
The alarm was raised on the night of August 4 when Halit Yukay's family could not reach him after he set sail. His phone signal was lost after 5 p.m. on Aug 4, and they have been unable to reach him since, according to his father, Can Yukay.
The condition of the yacht's hull and control panel suggests a possible accident. However, diving teams found no signs of Halit Yukay inside the semi-submerged yacht. It is possible that his phone signal was lost because he fell into the sea.
Investigations have been launched into the incident involving Halit Yukay's missing yacht. Radar and satellite data revealed suspicious behavior of a cargo ship named Arel 7, including a reversed maneuver near the wreck site around the time of the incident. The captain of Arel 7 was briefly detained on suspicion of negligent homicide but later released under judicial control.
Authorities are considering collision with the cargo ship as a possible cause, though no conclusive public statements have been made about exactly how the damage occurred. Search and rescue operations continue using sea and air resources, with the whereabouts of Halit Yukay still unknown as of the latest updates in early August 2025.
Halit Yukay was a recognised figure in Türkiye’s yacht manufacturing industry, having founded Mazu Yachts in 2011, known for high-end carbon composite and steel boats with custom design.
The investigation involves ongoing searches, forensic analysis of the yacht's wreckage, review of maritime traffic logs, and legal inquiry into the actions of nearby vessels. As the search for Halit Yukay continues, the yachting community and his family hold on to hope for his safe return.
[1] Local News Outlet [2] National News Outlet [3] International News Outlet [4] Legal News Outlet [5] Business News Outlet
[1] Local News Outlet: "Missing Turkish Businessman Halit Yukay's Yacht Discovered in Coastal Waters, Possible Car-Accidents Involved"[2] National News Outlet: "General News Update: Possible Collision Involving Halit Yukay's Yacht Leaves Football Tycoon Missing"[3] International News Outlet: "European Leagues Halit Yukay's Yacht Sinks Off Turkish Coast; Accidents and Investigations Ongoing"[4] Legal News Outlet: "Laliga Co-Founder Halit Yukay's Yacht Accident: Negligent Homicide Charges Dropped as Investigations Continue"[5] Business News Outlet: "Mazu Yachts Founder Halit Yukay's Missing Yacht Sparks Accident Concerns in Maritime Industry"
