The Superyacht LA DIVA (ex Arla-Jay, Ivana and Iva) has been totally destroyed by fire. The Superyacht was docked at Rybovich Marina, West Palm Beach.
Superyacht La Diva engulfed in flames Photo Credit Richard Graulich Palm Beach Post
None of the seven crew members onboard were injured however according to the Palm Beach Post, there were 3 firefighters injured while trying to tackle the huge yacht fire. The superyacht fire reportedly started about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning and was soon engulfed sending out 30-ft flames.
Motor yacht LA DIVA was heading into the Palm Beach Inlet when the fire started. The captain pulled into the nearest dock and evacuated the crew.
An onlooker Sean O’Brien who was laying tile about 5:30 a.m. in a nearby house when he smelled and saw the fire said “We got there and there were huge flames,” “It was like an inferno.”
La Diva Fire - Phoot Credit WPYV.com
“We cut a hole in the side of the hull and pumped in foam to smother the flames,” said Assistant Fire Chief Carlos Cabrera. Marina workers moved nearby yachts away from the stricken yacht.
Absorbent barriers were placed around the ship to prevent fuel from polluting the Intracoastal Waterway, said Chase Scott, West Palm Beach spokesman.
West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Capt. Rick Curtis collapsed at the marina and was taken to an area hospital. Two other firefighters were injured opening a door on the boat and were also taken to a hospital. One received second-degree burns on his hand. The other was slightly injured. “The flames just flew out,” said Scott.
According to previous reports and Bill DiPaolo of the Palm Beach Post, the 104ft motor yacht La Diva was owned in 2008 by Palm Beach residents Cristina and Bill Kallop who also own the ex presidental yacht Honey Fitz that is undergoing a refit
Motor yacht La Diva measured 31.8m (104ft) and as built by Baia Yachts in Italy in 1994. The 4 stateroom yacht was able to accommodate up to 8 guests plus crew.
