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Boat of the Week: Inside Giorgio Armani’s New Rule-Breaking 236-Foot Superyacht

The massive owner's deck, large exterior social spaces and armani casa furnishings define this yacht as something very special. even the massage room looks like a designer's sanctuary., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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Fashion designers and superyachts make a pretty pairing. Roberto Cavalli’s snakeskin-covered Freedom and Diane von Furstenberg’s 305-foot rigged schooner are two examples of what happens when haute couture meets the high seas.

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Armani’s first yacht was a 164-foot Codecasa called Mariù —named after his mother—and delivered in 2003. Overseeing the exterior design, Armani chose a charcoal-gray hull and gave the yacht matte, stainless-steel fittings to differentiate it from the flashy white boats dotted in the Mediterranean ports.

Five years later, he went bigger with a second Codecasa, the 213-foot Maìn ­ —named after his mother’s childhood nickname—which was delivered in 2008. He painted the entire exterior a dark shade of green to camouflage his presence at sea. He also focused on the onboard experience by introducing more sunbathing and dining areas to make it “feel like a house.”

Armani also requested the windows run in a continuous line along the boat to give large panoramic views, almost as though the boat had no walls.

For his third yacht, due to deliver in September 2024, Armani has gone bigger still, but has kept the build in Italy at Admiral’s Marina di Carrara facilities . “Armani is synonymous with timeless elegance and sophistication,” said Giovanni Costantino, CEO and founder of The Italian Sea Group, in a statement. “Project Metamorphosis, which combines technology and excellence in design with the distinctive features of Armani, will give us great satisfaction.”

In keeping with his previous builds, Armani mandated a wealth of hidden details to give the yacht an understated beauty, including inconspicuous cap rails, hidden lighting and a lot of glass. The light-filled interior is defined by hand-crafted finishes, earthy-toned linens and loose furniture by Armani/Casa.

“Project Metamorphosis pairs lots of exterior space with amazing interior volume, but most noteworthy is the yacht’s proximity to the sea,” Michel Chryssicopoulos, global managing partner at IYC, which has project managed the entire build, told Robb Report . “The large platform aft can be used as a bathing area for relaxation, but also accommodates large groups for outdoor dining and starlit parties.” The sea-level beach club is where guests will enjoy waterside relaxation. On the main deck aft, there are multiple lounge areas, some covered and others open to the elements. Onboard amenities include a cinema and dedicated games area on the bridge deck, a jacuzzi and firepit on the sun deck and multiple outdoor dining areas. There is a gym, a spa with sauna, steam shower and treatment rooms, and discreet meeting rooms for when Armani is conducting business at sea.

The owner’s deck is a personal sanctuary where Armani can retreat for some quiet time. It enjoys an owner’s suite, dining area, bar and lounge. It leads directly to a counter-current swimming pool for fitness workouts, a sunbathing area and intimate nooks for morning coffee or sundowner cocktails. There are six guest suites on the main deck and accommodations for a crew of 20. “An owner’s deck of this size is rarely found on private superyachts and draws on Armani’s personal experience of owning a vessel,” says Costantino. “It allows for a private escape within a floating oasis—the epitome of the yachting lifestyle.”

Armani presented the interior of Project Metamorphosis alongside his 2023 spring/summer men’s and women’s fashion collections recently at Milan Fashion Week. “The sea and design are two of my greatest passions,” he said. “With this new collaboration, I have extended my idea of furnishing and decor to the nautical world, in which—just as in fashion—aesthetics and functionality come together in a natural and elegant style.”

Click here to see more images of Project Metamorphosis.

Read More On:

• Admiral Yachts
• Giorgio Armani
• Superyacht Design

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“I Fear Chaos And Unruliness”: Giorgio Armani Talks Satisfaction, Sailing And Sustainability

By Anders Christian Madsen

From the flybridge of Maín , I can see Giorgio Armani and his navy-clad entourage zigzagging their way down Portofino’s narrow quay, one picture request at a time. On a July day, just before his 85th birthday, the designer has been chauffeured from Milan to the Italian Riviera, where his superyacht awaits him. Last night, she glided into the marina in all her army-green starkness, casting a formidable shadow over our Aperol spritz-dotted café tables like a solar eclipse. Now, she’s moored in the tiny tourist paradise, bigger than any hillside palazzo or nearby vessel – a constant gaggle of gobsmacked onlookers anchored at her stern.

Read more: Giorgio Armani Is Still Making Up His Own Rules

“I wanted it to look like a military boat,” Armani admits, now embarked and enthroned on a sizeable greige sofa on the lower deck of the boat that he has owned since 2008. Every corner of his self-made empire is run with utmost discipline, earning him astronomical wealth as a result. With his stint in the army during the 1950s, working at the Verona military hospital, it’s easy to imagine where a tendency for precision and control might stem from. “I fear chaos and unruliness,” he says. “Structure allows me to move freely and productively, because I can monitor everything.”

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Soon, Maín will take Armani to Saint-Tropez and Pantelleria, where two of the nine houses he has tailored for himself are situated. “I don’t like other people’s homes and I don’t like hotels, so there’s no other option,” he says, speaking through an interpreter. “I want this boat for the rest of my life, or for what remains of it.” Armani isn’t oblivious to the passage of time. He is far too controlling of his surroundings for that kind of denial. “Time flies,” he reflects, contemplating his birthday. “Especially in my line of work. It takes you fully, so it always seems you’re about to leave for somewhere.” For years, the industry has wondered just what will happen to his company – of which he remains the sole shareholder – the day the living embodiment of Giorgio Armani is no more. Speculation has pointed to Leo Dell’Orco, his right-hand man and close friend, who joins Giorgio on the yacht along with Roberta Armani, his niece and brand ambassador; or perhaps Stefano Pilati, who worked for him in the 1990s and went on to become head of design at Yves Saint Laurent? “I think Stefano is extremely skilled and a designer with an elegant touch. He is not in my succession plan, though,” Armani counters.

“I don’t want to name names and play this game. Rest assured that the succession plan is prepared in a fair manner.” Invincibly poker-faced, Mr Armani – as he is addressed –maintains an impressive balance between intimidating and charming. He elaborates that a foundation has been established “consistent with the principles that are particularly important to me and that have always inspired my work”. At this week’s Fashion Awards in London, Armani received the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his almost half-century of impact in the industry – since founding his empire in 1975, alongside his late partner Sergio Galeotti.

Following Karl Lagerfeld’s death last February, Armani is the oldest working designer in the business; some might think without equal, but not he. “Authors with a strong vision and an unremitting voice are those I admire and consider my peers: John Galliano, Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood,” he offers. “I like designers who stick to their guns, no matter the vogues du moment . I love designers who work on shapes and silhouettes rather than decoration.”

Maín was the affectionate nickname of Armani’s beloved mother, Maria, when she was little, and her other pet name, Mariù , graced his previous yacht. Rumour has it he replaced it with Maín when Valentino Garavani acquired a boat longer than his. ( Maín comes in at just more than 200ft, Valentino’s at some 150ft.) The competitive grandeur of fashion’s icons has become the stuff of legend, but their generation shares values perhaps less fundamental to a new guard of designers. “I respected Karl and admired his work. I was saddened by his passing. Karl had a vision, and today his is a priceless example,” Armani says. “You must have a vision if you are going to do anything meaningful – a vision you believe in and express consistently.”

You can’t fault Armani for sticking to those beliefs. His shows are primarily presented in the famed Armani Teatro, his Milanese runway room. If they relocate (recent destinations include Milan’s Linate airport, the Tokyo National Museum and Paris’s Petit Palais) the layout always remains: Italian monumental modernism morphed with Japanese wabi-sabi, a style that is reflected in every store, hotel, home and, indeed, yacht. “Natural, sophisticated, timeless,” as he defines it.

“Everything I do stems from a great passion combined with an almost maniacal attention to detail,” he admits. “My vision of style is crystal clear and perfectly formed, and is reflected in everything that bears my name.” He still oversees each of his 11 seasonal collections, foregoes show stylists in favour of his own finishing touch, and sticks to a unique cast of models. In Armani’s world, everything stays within the same frames. So much so, that a cheeky new generation of show-goers used to joke that his spotlit bows on the in-house runway were in fact holograms. On second thought, of course, he is too much of a perfectionist to risk it.

At sea, his personal routine remains intact: breakfast at 7am, followed by personal training, evenings spent playing cards or in front of the television. He loved Chernobyl and The Crown , disliked Money Heist , and didn’t do Game of Thrones (isn’t into fantasy). Like anyone, he enjoys a trip to the beach. On her voyages, Maín drops anchor off the coast from uncrowded beaches, where crew members will erect a mise-en-scène of deck chair, parasol and cooling bag filled with fruit and water. Armani arrives by chaloupe at 10am and leaves at noon, in time to change for lunch back on the yacht.

The designer’s love of nature is reflected in his show notes, which often muse on the elements. “We all have to do our duty to save the planet,” he told me backstage at September’s Giorgio Armani show, titled Earth. “The industry needs to take measures.” His summer on the yacht may pose a paradox to that idea but in the age of climate change and sustainability, Armani’s approach is as practical as ever. Small steps include recycling seats and fixtures from his shows, reusing the same dresses for Cate Blanchett on the red carpet, and famously checking if his employees turn off the lights before leaving the office. On a much bigger level, Armani recently signed the Fashion Pact, a G7 initiative to increase environmental protection in the industry. And, above all, his work is rooted in an anti-disposable philosophy of timelessness.

Read more: How Giorgio Armani Shaped The Red Carpet As We Know It

“Water? Coffee?” he offers as we sit down. “Vodka?” He used to drink a shot before each show, but since surviving a serious liver condition a decade ago, he isn’t only teetotal but vegetarian, too. These days, he only indulges a sweet tooth, although his guests are encouraged to frequent the bar on the lower deck. Despite his regal tendencies, Armani clearly loves company. And yet, since the death of Galeotti, he hasn’t disclosed details of any romances. The couple never had children. Not surprisingly, Armani’s bedroom occupies the biggest cabin on the yacht, but every facility within it is intended for one. Decorated in custom Armani Casa furniture, Maín is manned by a crew of 14, uniformed in navy Bermuda shorts and beige polo shirts embellished with her logo. Armani’s favourites seem to be Fabrizio and Simone, who could be George Clooney’s stunt doubles. Dress codes are obligatory for all passengers. Rings are prohibited as they scratch the finishes. Shoes are strictly forbidden, although the black slippers I “borrowed” from the Armani Hotel in Milan a few nights before pass his inspection.

The design of the hotel’s sci-fi, mechanical metal shutters was inspired by the yacht’s. Armani’s eyes are intolerant to strong sunlight, a fact borne out by the crew’s constant flipping of shutters or rigging of black net blinds as he moves around the decks in his signature navy top and trouser combo, shoeless, in just a pair of white socks that sport his imperial Emporio Armani eagle. “I have developed a pragmatic uniform that makes me look and feel like a dedicated fashion worker,” he explains. In his ateliers, interns are expected to adapt. Armani’s devotion to structure and procedure paints a stark contrast to the contemporary idea of creative freedom. But he never pandered to zeitgeists. When, in 2017, I asked his thoughts on Demna Gvasalia’s new take on the broad-shouldered boardroom feminism Armani pioneered in the 1980s, he said that “women don’t need that in order to be credible anymore”. But are octogenarian magnate designers really that unaffected by waves of relevance? “Relevance is a quality that others give to you. One cannot self-crown himself relevant,” Armani retorts. “This said, judging from the sales, yes, I still am.”

He is utterly compelling, irresistibly sure of himself and timelessly handsome. When, at his haute couture show last January, I complimented the iceberg-sized diamond pin that pierced the buttonhole of his midnight-blue velvet tuxedo, he smiled cheekily and told me it wasn’t the biggest one in his collection. It’s the kind of fabulousness that can transcend questions of relevance, even to the millennial eyes now all-important in fashion. “Authenticity is and will always be relevant, not least because it is becoming rarer and rarer. Without authenticity, in fact, everything fails,” Armani argues, echoing a mantra attributed to those young generations. “Millennials have been commodified. I do not like the way the system talks about them, but I acknowledge the power of the new generations,” he says. “I look at them, for sure, and I try to interact, but the generational gap is enormous. I am fine with this. What I propose to young customers stems from a personal observation of their very fascinating world.”

Does Giorgio Armani use the internet? “Yes, to read the news and to send emails. Still, I prefer a written note and a printed paper.” Would he ever set up a personal Instagram profile? “I have a very reserved character, and I’ve always protected my private life. Besides, I don’t want to be influenced by influencers!” Is he concerned about the lynch mob mentality that comes with social media? “I think this watchdog culture has gone too far, honestly. We need to be very careful and consider everything, of course, but public shaming is the opposite of progress, and I am more interested in that than anything else.”

What about the broader political climate? “This is not the best historic moment. We are living in very divisive times. As a child of another era, I have always had a firm belief in advancement, but the current moment is possibly proving me wrong.” When you’re the king of your own castle, however, who cares about populist politicians.

As darkness falls, the yacht drifts out of Portofino like a samurai in the night, a lonely giant among dwarfs. Armani has a Saint-Tropez birthday party to get to. He is the last of the unicorns, but for all his structures and self-imposed solitude at the top, he tells me he is happy. “I am. But I am never fully satisfied with myself, so I think I could have done more.”

Taking in the unfathomable grandeur of the world he has created for himself, I wonder if he ever longs for a more conventional life, a companion, even children? “Just sometimes. Then again, if I look at what I have built, I see it is a lot,” Armani says. “I don’t really suffer regret, as it is a fairly pointless feeling. However, if I were to relive my life, I’d spend more time with my loved ones.”

This article was originally published in the January 2020 issue of British Vogue.

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Giorgio Armani Has Just Debuted a Luxuriously Appointed Megayacht

It clocks in at 236 feet long and has a dedicated massage room.

More than 600 black tie–clad guests were welcomed last weekend to Marina di Carrara, Italy, the headquarters of the Italian Sea Group, for the unveiling of a new 236-foot-long Admiral megayacht. The twist? The ship is one of two designed by none other than Giorgio Armani, developed by the Armani team in collaboration with the Admiral Style Center. While the partnership was announced two years ago, the yacht itself won’t be completed until 2024—though it does already have a buyer.

To commemorate the occasion, Mr. Armani himself presented the brand’s spring/summer 2023 men’s and women’s collections on a specially designed runway in the shadow of the steel hull of the ship. (That’s more than 100 looks to take you from day to night while you’re cruising between ports on the Mediterranean, for those wondering.) “The sea and design are two of my greatest passions,” said the chairman and CEO of the Armani group, who has a holiday home in the nearby town of Forte dei Marmi, in a release. “With this new collaboration, I have extended my idea of furnishing and decor to the nautical world, applying the same craftsmanship to the choice of materials, details, and production.”

Sean Santiago is ELLE Decor 's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality, travel, and luxury. He writes the So Courant! column for the magazine and elledecor.com.

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Inside the new 72-metre mega-yacht designed by Giorgio Armani

The italian fashion creator unveiled his latest project in tuscany.

Admiral is a 72-metre mega-yacht created by Giorgio Armani and The Italian Sea Group. All photos: Armani

With its sleek lines, sculptural silhouette and refined materials, the Admiral is a quintessential Giorgio Armani design .

Instead of clothing, accessories and homeware, the famed Italian designer has transposed his signature elegance to a 72-metre mega-yacht, commissioned by a private buyer. The designer has teamed up with The Italian Sea Group, the largest shipbuilder in Italy, to bring the behemoth to fruition.

Due for delivery early next year, the ship was recently unveiled at an event at the Marina di Carrara in Tuscany, Italy. More than 650 guests, including shipowners, brokers, VIPs and international press, gathered to mark the occasion.

Highlighting how the yacht is an extension of his long-established design ethos, Armani also treated guests to an exclusive showing of his spring/summer 2023 menswear and womenswear collections. A shimmer of gold wound its way through the women’s pieces, which included long, liquid dresses, fluid jackets and weightless skirts. Sequins glimmered in the light, while mandala motifs contributed to a sense of lightness. For menswear, outfits were louche and laid back, but impeccably tailored, running through a palette of blues, inky purples and shimmering greys.

This same deft approach is seen in the interiors of the new yacht, which include refined materials such as Carrara marble, hand-crafted finishes and a masterful melding of vibrant and more subtle hues. Textured wall coverings in shades of grey set the tone in the boat’s massage room, while wooden floors are set against a column of striated marble in the gym. In the living area, marble floors are set against plush seating by Armani/Casa , with minimal accessories, to accentuate the simple, sophisticated aesthetic. A pool and lounge area round off the luxurious interiors.

Admiral is the first of two yachts designed entirely by Armani. The imposing exterior is defined by large, sharp, geometric volumes, which are softened with curves. Large, full-height glazed openings infuse the interiors with natural light, which can be managed via cleverly positioned sliding panels.

The designer approached the interiors as he would a piece of ready-to-wear clothing, combining form, function and craftsmanship. "The sea and design are two of my greatest passions,” says Armani.

“With this new collaboration, I have extended my idea of furnishing and decor to the nautical world, in which — just as in fashion — aesthetics and functionality come together in a natural and elegant style. This highly stimulating project has allowed me to create customised spaces with Armani/Casa, like made-to-measure clothing, with the same craftsmanship applied to the choice of materials, details and production.”

Admiral is the benchmark brand of The Italian Sea Group and has produced 148 yachts since its launch in 1966. “This megayacht, the result of an exciting partnership of which I am extremely proud, is further confirmation of our way of being able to realise unique projects with 'Made in Italy' brands that share our values,” says Giovanni Costantino, founder and chief executive of The Italian Sea Group.

“Giorgio Armani is synonymous with timeless elegance and sophistication, and his stylistic vision has also increased our stylistic sensitivity. This new yacht is projected to be positioned as a stylistic benchmark, also given the countless comments and regards we’ve received from various industry players. This, therefore, confirms our business model, which aims to customise every detail in order to make each of our works absolutely unique, in line with the vision and desire of each owner."

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Giorgio Armani Designed a Superyacht—And It’s Stunning 

By Katherine McLaughlin

If you’re moved by both design and the ocean, as Giorgio Armani recently shared he is, crafting a superyacht just makes sense. “The sea and design are two of my greatest passions,” the famed fashion designer recently said in a statement. “With this new collaboration, I have extended my idea of furnishing and decor to the nautical world, in which—just as in fashion—aesthetics and functionality come together in a natural and elegant style.” The project in question is Admiral, the first of two superyachts designed by Armani that was unveiled this past weekend in Marina di Carrara, Italy. Crafted in collaboration with The Italian Sea Group , a luxury superyacht firm based in Marina di Carrara, the 236-foot vessel will be delivered to its buyer in early 2024, according to a press release. 

The upper deck of the superyacht is outfitted in contemporary and minimalist furniture. 

“This mega-yacht, the result of an exciting partnership of which I am extremely proud, is further confirmation of our way of being able to realize unique projects with Made in Italy brands of excellence that share our values,” Giovanni Costantino, founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said in a statement.  

A massage room in the superyacht

The onboard gym includes expansive windows. 

Defined by bold yet relaxed decor, subdued simplicity, and effortless luxury, the vessel is designed with the same timeless qualities that Armani has long imbued in his clothes and furniture. “This highly stimulating project has allowed me to create customized spaces with Armani/Casa—like made-to-measure clothing—with the same craftsmanship applied to the choice of materials, details, and production,” the designer added. Early renderings show multiple lounges, a gym, and a spa, which artfully express the minimalist touch Armani has historically valued in his creative philosophy. According to the press release, all spaces will be built with the highest-quality material and finishing, adding notable luxury without an over-the-top aesthetic. 

A pool and bar make relaxing on the upper deck of the ship even more enjoyable. 

The exteriors of the ship showcase two curved volumes, which create a dramatic but affable silhouette. A large and full-height glazed opening allows plenty of light into the ship, and sliding panels will allow the future owners the opportunity to adjust levels as necessary. Though the buyers were not shared publicly, it’s clear what they want out of their ship: something that’s both modern and classic, rich but pared down, opulent and understated. For this, they’ve got one of the best designers in the game. As Costantino said, “Giorgio Armani is synonymous with timeless elegance and sophistication.” 

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A Closer Look at Giorgio Armani's Yacht "Main"

Of all the yachts sailing, perhaps one of the most elegant is Giorgio Armani's Yacht "Main." The sleek deep green (bordering on black) vessel is, after all, owned by fashion designer Giorgio Armani. The iconic Main is a study in decadence and grandeur. If you're going to have a sixty million dollar home on the water and run a fashion empire, it's vital to adorn it in the most excellent and tasteful decor, which is exactly what Armani did. We can only imagine what it would be like to spend our time out at sea in a ship like Main.

Italian Yachtmaking at its Finest

The outstanding Codecasa went all out in creating this one of a kind ship for Armani. It was conceived and built in their Viareggio, Italy shipyard. They worked closely with Georgio himself who proudly had a hand in designing every aspect of the Main over the course of the thirty-month build. The whole interior is based on the concept of balance and harmony in a minimalist style. It succeeds beautifully, but we'd never expect less from Armani. After all, he is one of the tastemakers of the world, paving the future of beauty. On the outside, even the color of the Main is made to blend in with its surroundings. The dark green was specially chosen to camouflage her at sea. Armani himself has noted that the ocean is rarely the idyllic Carribean blue we think of for pictures, and his ship is at one with her backdrop. The aesthetic is both attractive and highly functional, affording the designer the peace and tranquility he can't have in daily city life.

While there's no doubt about Codecasa's experience and skill at making superyachts, Georgio Armani did have a couple of requests they found slightly challenging. It might not seem like curtains are a big deal in the grand scheme of designing the interior of a yacht, but making windows with louvered blinds that line-up Smoothly to give a perfect panoramic view is harder then it sounds. The second request was harder still. Armani wanted one of the decks to slide outward where the Saloon is located to give a larger space. Naturally, they rose to the challenge. As any millionaire fashion mogul can tell you, sometimes it's all about the fine details. This is never truer than when you're creating a minimalist appearance. A space that isn't visually cluttered draws the eye to its smooth lines, color choices, and pleasing shapes. The decking and wood details are all attractively laid out to give the most space without taking your focus off whatever the host and designer have in mind. It's truly an ingenious way to work, stage a fashion show, or even have a quiet meal with friends.

Yacht Specifications

As yacht fans, we love to know the details about every superyacht. After a little digging around we found some great stats to peruse, for those who are dreaming of owning a yacht someday and those who simply need some design inspiration for their next superyacht alike.

• Yacht Name:
• Yacht Length:
• 65 m (213 ft)
• 14 in 7 cabins
• 14 in 8 cabins
• Codecasa Design Team / Armani
• Caterpillar
• Displacement:
• Cost/Value:
• US$ 60 million

The Main houses fourteen crew members to keep her running smoothly. In addition to his master suite, there are six stunning cabins for guests, and it can accommodate up to twelve people in luxuriant style. Most of the interior mirrors the green on the outside, paired with pale birch and metal grey ceilings to carry the same essential mood as you go from one end to the other. However, each of the guest cabins has its own singular style with rich fabrics and color story for the discerning guests' comfort and pleasure. A spiral staircase shows off the classic handsomeness of pale wood and timeless design as well as any part of the pleasing-to-the-eye space. Something about the natural flow of the wood and contrasting walls is especially lovely without even trying.

The Veranda is the perfect place to catch some sun or gather around to watch the sunset. It's outfitted for both informal and formal dining, and Armani's own interiors division created all the furniture. Some yacht owners go for gold filigree and intricately patterned artworks along the walls. Armani's favorite features on the other hand, are the outdoor space and an extraordinary, utterly breathtaking antique Japanese cabinet installed in his quarters. For the fitness conscious, Main has a private indoor gym. Doubtless, after a few lavish meals, the models and celebs he has for guests will want to work up a sweat and keep their perfect figures. No need to worry about overheating though because the whole ship has air conditioning. After a sumptuous meal and a solid workout, the hot tub is a great place to relax and unwind. For those seeking a more cooling dip without the need for scuba gear, the pool is available. What luxury yacht would be complete without a private cinema for viewing the Cannes films the designer is so fond of?

Final Thoughts

We don't have a yacht, but in our dreams, Armani would be the designer if we did. His impeccable sense of elegant and understated style is relaxing merely to look on. The smooth, perfect lines and simple yet bold color choices are simultaneously exotic and comforting. We could stare at The Main for ages just perusing images of its sophisticated appointments and sumptuously serene bearing. If you could choose any designer to outfit a superyacht for you, who would it be? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Written by  Lily Wordsmith

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Giorgio Armani Has Designed an Exquisite Superyacht

The project, a collaboration with Italian Sea Group, was celebrated over a glamorous weekend at the Tuscan seaside.

The O.G. influencer , who owns a home here in the aristocratic town of Forte dei Marmi, has designed a superyacht for the Admiral brand of The Italian Sea Group, a nautical giant that has been launching boats since the 16th century. To celebrate the news, more than 600 black tie-clad guests were invited to the shipbuilding company's headquarters in Marina di Carrara on Saturday, though only one, a crypto-tycoon from Greece, could claim bragging rights to the keys—he has already bought the superyacht, which will be delivered in 2024. (This is one of two and the second doesn't have a buyer yet—we suggest you act fast.)

As for the rest of us? We were left to gaze up at the hull, completed and on magnificent display, and dream of what rarefied luxuries might await on board this sleek and curvaceous 236-foot vessel—we'd no doubt find ourselves perpetually swaddled in a buttery Armani/Casa cashmere throw, reclining on the silken cloud of a meticulously handcrafted chaise, the latest issue of T&C in hand, natch, the soft beige glow of the marbled interiors a perfect match for the Mediterranean sun streaming through the sliding panels.

"The sea and design are two of my greatest passions," Mr. Armani, who owns two yachts of his own, said in a statement. "With this new collaboration, I have extended my idea of furnishing and decor to the nautical world, in which–just as in fashion–aesthetics and functionality come together in a natural and elegant style."

But what good is life on an Armani superyacht—even an imagined one—without a proper wardrobe to match? Cue the encore presentation of his spring/summer 2023 runway collection. Streams of models waltzed out against the backdrop of the boat's imposing silhouette, their elegant silks and impeccably tailored separates shimmering in palettes of blue, gray, and cream, swaying us all into another twinkling reverie. And when Mr. Armani emerged to take his final bow and looked up at the hulking vessel looming above, even he couldn't resist his own display of wonder at this feat. Need we remind you he is 88?

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country , where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.

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Parent item expand the sub menu, art basel hong kong still draws fashion crowd amid uncertainty, enter thom sweeney, los angeles’ resident english tailor to the stars and millionaires, christie brinkley, xcel brands ready to launch lifestyle and apparel brand exclusively for hsn, giorgio armani’s enduring passion for sailing and designing yachts.

Armani speaks about the freedom he feels when sailing, his attraction to yacht design and the different experiences his beach homes in the Italian island of Pantelleria and in Antigua can provide. 

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MILAN — Giorgio Armani sees plenty of similarities between designing a luxury , made-to-order gown and a yacht, admitting that at one point he “risked becoming a boat designer” so much did he enjoy furnishing and creating his two personal yachts, the Mariù and the Maìn.

His passion for the sea and for luxury yachts has not waned, and in April, he revealed he would be the new title sponsor of the 15th edition of the YCCS (Yacht Club Costa Smeralda) Superyacht Regatta, to be held May 31 to June 4 on the waters off the Sardinian Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast, known for its fine-sand beaches and beautiful clear sea. The regatta is for superyachts with a minimum length of 90 feet and multihulls of at least 50 feet.

Last year, he teamed with The Italian Sea Group for the design of a one-of-a-kind motor yacht and even invested in the yachting specialist, which operates the Admiral and Tecnomar brands, focused on the production of yachts and high-tech motorboats, respectively, which went public on the Italian Stock Exchange in 2021.

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Here, Armani speaks about the freedom he feels when sailing, the pleasure of taking in the blue waters as far as the eye can see, and the different experiences his beach homes in Pantelleria, the island in the Strait of Sicily, and in Antigua can provide.

WWD: When did you first begin to enjoy and love the sea? What do you like best of life by the sea or on the water?

Giorgio Armani : I have always been passionate about the sea. I discovered it as a child, in very different times from the present, and this passion built as an adult. Back then, swimming is what appeared magic to me, then I discovered that living on a boat is how you live the true magic of the sea. What takes place is a real reverse of perspectives: the land appears far away and so do the minutiae that often characterize it. You can breathe a sense of absolute freedom and a connection with nature that is really unbeatable, total. The immense blue, as far as the eye can see, is a representation of the infinite possibilities of life.

WWD: Can you tell us of an episode connected to Maìn or about one of your sailing trips?

G.A.: Every sailing trip is memorable. For sure there have been adventurous moments, including sudden storms and the difficulties they entail, but these are inevitable drawbacks of life on a boat. Once you overcome these, you have fun and you feel reinvigorated. What I think is unforgettable, each time, is the experience in the blue of the sea: even across the routes, everything appears always different.

WWD: Why did you choose to support the YCCS Superyacht Regatta, in particular?

G.A.: The Italian seas offer scenic views that are wonderful and exciting; our islands, small and big, are unique. I am very fond of the Costa Smeralda and I find that this regatta is also a way to appreciate its beauty, from the sea, with a different perspective.

WWD: What kind of sea scenery do you prefer? I know you have a house in Pantelleria and in the Caribbean. How did you choose those locations and the houses?

G.A.: The sea is my element and the islands represent my idea of strength and independence. Pantelleria, suspended between Sicily and [the continent of] Africa, at a cultural crossroads, was the first that I discovered. I fell in love with it at first sight, even though to continue to love the island requires time and dedication. The acquisition of a series of small dammusi, the typical local buildings, turned into a small property. Here, the sensation of being surrounded by the sea is constant. Antigua is a more recent discovery, but also in this case I was immediately fascinated. The home overlooks the ocean and a small private beach. The island is infinitely bigger than Pantelleria, and it is entirely different. It’s difficult to put it into words, but the Caribbean landscape has an absolute magic light and in the background you perceive the titanic immensity of the ocean. As for the Costa Smeralda, it struck me precisely because of the emerald green color of the sea. The first time I saw it, arriving by boat, I thought that the name was perfect to describe the location. In addition to the color of the sea, I always admired its centuries-old culture, its landscapes at times luxuriant, at times rugged. I also appreciate its cuisine, so rich in flavors.

WWD: You have also designed yachts. How did you deal with these projects? What do you like to see in a yacht in terms of style and comfort, colors and atmosphere?

G.A.: The sea and design are two big passions of mine. I tackle the design of a yacht thinking of a domestic environment, in movement. Meaning, I adapt my rarefied sense of space, my preference for precious materials and neutral colors to function, leveraging artisanal craftsmanship. It’s a very subtle design and editing exercise that captivates me. Precisely for this reason I have begun a collaboration with TISG [The Italian Sea Group], through which I extend to the nautical world my idea of interior design, where, as in fashion, aesthetics and function pair in a natural and elegant style. A project that allows me to create with Armani/Casa personalized surroundings — just as with made-to-measure clothes with the same artisanal attention in the choice of materials and workmanship.

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11 yachts competing in the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta 2023

The Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta is back and returns to Porto Cervo next week from 6 June to 10 June. Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the four-day regatta marks the start of the Mediterranean racing season and encompasses both the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Southern Wind Rendezvous & Trophy. This year's entry list includes 11 sailing yachts, comprised of first-timers and regatta royalty, ready to race for victory in the La Maddalena Archipelago. Take a look at the 2023 line-up...

The 28.6-metre Southern Wind sloop made her debut on the Mediterranean racing scene as Windfall not long after her delivery in 2013. Commissioned by an owner looking to compete at the major regattas, she was the second of three SW94 models designed by Reichel-Pugh Yacht Design and boasts a carbon mast, rigging and boom. Built in advanced composite sandwich materials means she is light, fast and fearsome on the race circuit with her 463-square-metre sail plan she has clinched multiple regatta wins including the Maxi Rolex Cup and has taken fourth place in the Voiles De St Tropez. Under new ownership and a new name, she returns to the La Maddalena Archipelago to test her mettle. 

Another build by South African superyacht specialist, Southern Wind , Egiwave , was delivered in 2015 and raced for years under the name Seawave until a change in ownership in 2019. A 292 square-metre mainsail paired with a carbon fibre mast and boom gives her a remarkable acceleration when bearing away. Designed by Farr Yacht Design , she has recessed twin helm positions which enable additional space on deck for the race crew to navigate. She is a regular at this regatta and was one of the six Southern Wind yacht contenders last year.

The 30.2-metre carbon composite sailing yacht Freebird was delivered in 2011 and underwent a major refit in 2021. Her naval architecture was courtesy of Farr Yacht Design , the studio behind this popular SW100 RS mini-series, while her sporty profile and interiors were designed by Nauta Design . She has a light displacement meaning performance sailing even in light winds, with her rig hosting a sail area of 424 square metres. 

This custom sloop was first delivered as Salperton IV to a serial sailing yacht owner, the fourth in the Salperton dynasty, and has been racing ever since she splashed in 2009. The 45-metre sailing yacht was built by Fitzroy Yachts to a design by Dubois Naval Architects and is a born racer with wins at numerous Loro Piana events as well as the class win in St Barths, a second at the Palma Superyacht Cup and a first at the Dubois Cup. Now under new ownership, and racing under the name Gitana, her regatta career is far from over. She took fourth place in the Antigua Superyacht Challenge and competed once again in the Bucket.

Having scored fourth place last year at the Giorgio Armani regatta last year, Inoui is back and ready to race again, this time setting her sights on victory. She is the owner's third yacht, delivered in 2013, who wanted the yachting equivalent of a sports car in his next build. She is truly a lean, green racing machine, built from carbon composite to a design by Phillippe Brand , with a blend of carbon and Kevlar fibres for her rig. The impressive spinnaker on the 33-metre Vitters yachts bears its name, which means extraordinary in French. To ensure optimum sailing performance, she has a retractable fin-and-bulb keel drawing just 3.75 metres when retracted and 5.35 metres when down.

Ocean Horse

Ocean Horse might be the smallest in this year's lineup, but she has an excellent reputation and has seen great results in major races such as the Maxi Rolex Cup, Palma Superyacht Cup and the Maxi Rolex World Championship. She was delivered by Southern Wind as the fourth hull in its SW78 miniseries, designed in collaboration with Reichel-Pugh Yacht Design , and falls just shy of 24 metres LOA. A carbon and epoxy hull and superstructure translate to her excellent performance in some of the most renowned offshore and inshore superyacht regattas.  

Pattoo ( formerly Missy) was developed in collaboration with Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design and was the first project delivered by Vitters in cooperation with the studio. The owner's brief was for a carbon-fibre performance cruiser which resulted in her slim 7.5-metre beam, generous sail plan and lifting keel that extends from 3.75 metres to five metres. She has a carbon-fibre mast from Southern Spars (with ECsix carbon rigging) and carries a sail wardrobe from North Sails. Last year at the Superyacht Cup in Palma, she took home first place thanks to her narrow victory in the St Regis race. 

One of the newest yachts competing in this year's regatta is the full-carbon 34-metre Southern Wind Sorvind . She was delivered in March 2022 as the fifth unit of the successful SW105 mini-series and has been built to a proven design brief that called for a high-performance blue water cruiser. Her lightweight composition (she weighs 69,500kg) means she can sail well in light airs and careful consideration was taken to keep her weight low with synthetic teak decks and stanchions, pulpits and cleats made from aluminium. The yacht has been named after the Norwegian word for Southern Wind, in a fitting tribute to the yard which built her. A 7,000-nautical-mile maiden voyage proved her to be capable of crossing oceans, but how will she fare on the race circuit?

Launched as Farewell in 2006, this 30.2-metre Southern Wind 100 was the first in this series of yachts. Built in Kevlar composite with an exterior by Farr Yacht Design and an interior by  Nauta Design , she isn't new to the regatta scene. Sold in 2022 and renamed Starfall , with her new and younger owners, she will make her appearance in Porto Cervo to continue to prove her previous accolades. 

Built in carbon fibre by Italian yard Persico Marine to a design by Mills Design , the 30.4-metre superyacht was launched in 2017 as Tango . Delivered in 2017, the Wallycento model has a focus on speed with assistance from her 3Di sails from North Sails. The 45-metre Southern Spars mast offers a sail plan of 640-square-metres upwind and she regularly joins other Wallycentos out on the racing circuit across the Mediterranean. A minimalist interior design for weight optimisation without compromising comfort, as well as a sail storage room when racing, was developed by Pininfarina .

Since leaving the Baltic Yachts shipyard in 2015, Win Win has remained true to her name regularly picking up silverware on the racing circuit. The 33-metre is a seasoned champion with frequent victories at the Superyacht Cup in Palma and is certainly easy to spot thanks to her racing-green spinnaker. With her top-down furling kite, she can reach up to an impressive 18.5 knots while sitting comfortably at 11.2 knots close hauled. Taking seventh place at last year’s Giorgio Armani regatta, she is back this year ready to reinstate her winning streak.

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Passage to Siberia: Exploring historic Tyumen

Tyumen. View up the Tura River. From left: Church of the Elevation of the Cross, School of Commerce, Trinity Monastery with Church of Sts. Peter and Paul and Trinity Cathedral. September 4, 1999

At the beginning of the 20th century, Russian chemist and photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for vivid color photography. His vision of photography as a form of education and enlightenment was demonstrated with special clarity through his images of architectural monuments in the historic sites throughout the Russian heartland.

Tyumen. View up the Tura River. From left: Annunciation Cathedral (demolished); Church of Elevation of the Cross; Church of the Ascension & St. George; Trinity Monastery. Summer 1912

In June 1912, Prokudin-Gorsky ventured into western Siberia as part of a commission to document the Kama-Tobolsk Waterway, a link between the European and Asian sides of the Ural Mountains. The town of Tyumen served as his launching point for the journey north to Tobolsk, on the Irtysh River.

Cathedral of Icon of Virgin of the Sign, south view. August 29, 1999

During his journey, Prokudin-Gorsky took several extraordinarily valuable photographs of both Tyumen and Tobolsk . My photographs of Tyumen and Tobolsk were taken in the late Summer of 1999.

Humble beginnings

Cathedral of Icon of Virgin of the Sign, southwest view. August 29, 1999

Considered the earliest permanent Russian settlement in Siberia, Tyumen was founded in 1586 on the site of a Tatar encampment at the confluence of the Tura and Tiumenka Rivers. The initiative for its creation came from Boris Godunov, the power behind the throne of Tsar Fedor (son of Ivan the Terrible) and, eventually, to become tsar himself in 1598. 

Cathedral of Icon of Virgin of the Sign, south facade. August 29, 1999

Godunov was closely allied with the Stroganovs, who from their commercial center at the northern town of Solvychegodsk had sent a detachment of Cossacks commanded by a certain Yermak deep into Siberia to challenge the power of the ruler of Siberian Tatars, Khan Kuchum. Although the precise dates are open to question, it appears that, in the Fall of 1581, Yermak captured Chingi-Tura (later Tyumen), but abandoned his conquest, in order to proceed straight to Kashlyk, capital of Khan Kuchum, whom Yermak defeated in 1582 during a battle near the Irtysh River. 

Church of the Miraculous Image of the Savior, southwest view. Originally built in 1794-1819, this is an excellent example of "Siberian Baroque" architecture. August 29, 1999

Following Yermak’s death in a surprise Tatar raid in 1584, his conquests remained temporarily unconsolidated after his death. Nonetheless, Boris Godunov was aware of the enormous significance of Siberia and launched a campaign to found settlements, as he did in other border areas of the medieval Muscovite state.

Church of the Ascension & St. George, south view. Originally built in 1770-89, defaced during the 1930s & restored after 2003 with rebuilding of bell tower. September 4, 1999

Like other early Russian Siberian towns, Tyumen originally served as a garrison fortress for Cossacks and other troops, who protected newly developing trade routes in all directions. The eastern connections with China gained particular importance during the 17th century. 

Location, Location, Location

Church of the Elevation of the Cross, southeast view. Built in 1774-91. August 29, 1999

Tyumen’s location on the Tura River also provided a direct link westward with the gateway town of Verkhoturye founded by Boris Godunov on the Asian side of the Ural Mountains in 1598. And to the east and north of Tyumen, the Tura River merges with the Tobol, which in turn joins the great Irtysh near Tobolsk. By virtue of its location, Tyumen was destined from the beginning to play a significant role in the Russian development of Siberia.

City Council Building. Originally built in 1828-33 in a simplified neoclassical style. Chiming clock was added in 1857. August 29, 1999

The opening of Siberia for Russian colonization during the late 16th and 17th centuries was an epic confrontation between the vast distances of this severe land and the enterprise of Russian merchants, whose commercial interests coincided with the tsars’ appetite for eastern expansion. Although its rivers were only tributaries of the Irtysh (itself a tributary of the great Ob River), Tyumen was well situated to utilize Siberia’s vast water network.      

Kolokolnikov house, corner of Republic Street 18 & Turgenev Street. Originally built in 1804 by the merchant Ivan Ikonnikov, this superb example of classical wooden architecture was acquired in 1888 by the merchant Ivan Kolokolnikov, who modified the original design. August 29, 1999

Like most early Russian towns in Siberia, Tyumen originally served as a fortified settlement for Cossacks and other troops, who in the 17th century protected newly developing trade routes, particularly with China. 

Nikolai Masharov mansion, Lenin Street 24. Built in the late 19th century by the founder of the Tyumen Ironworks. August 29, 1999

When the southern boundary of Moscow’s Asian territory became more settled during the 18th century, Tyumen’s importance increased for the development of transportation as well as small commercial and industrial enterprises. Its status as a transportation nexus also involved the exile system, which sent convicts and political exiles throughout Siberia.

Orthodox Church HQ

Commercial building (corner of Republic & Kirov Streets) built by the merchant Nikolai Yadryshnikov in 1897. Example of highly decorated "brick style" favored for commercial buildings in late 19th century. August 29, 1999

As a regional administrative point for western Siberia, Tyumen rapidly became a center of the Russian Orthodox Church. Its Trinity Monastery was founded in 1616 on the high right bank of the Tura River. Originally dedicated to the Transfiguration, the monastery was a modest collection of log buildings until its transformation in the early part of the 18th century by an energetic Ukrainian prelate, Bishop Fyodor Leshchinsky.          

School of Commerce (now Engineering Institute). Completed in 1914 during a Siberian building boom stimulated by development of commerce along the TransSiberian Railway. August 29, 1999

As an ally of Peter the Great, Bishop Fyodor saw architecture as a reflection of a broad cultural transformation and the Church of the Trinity that he built at the monastery in 1709-1715 is Tyumen’s earliest surviving building. Gutted during the Soviet era, the Trinity Church has been renovated (with modifications) together with its neighbor, the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1741-1755. Fortunately, Prokudin-Gorsky photographed both shrines in 1912. 

Tekutyev Crafts School, Dzerzhinsky Street 2. Completed in 1914, the building is a fine example of provincial "style moderne". August 29, 1999

These early examples of a provincial baroque style served as a model for other 18th-century churches in Tyumen, culminating with the lavish Cathedral of the Icon of the Virgin of the Sign (Znamensky), which has recently been splendidly refurbished. Built in several phases between 1768 and 1891, the cathedral displays the florid decoration typical of much of Siberian church architecture.            

Submitting Siberia

Shaichik mansion, Lenin Street 47. Built in 1914 by Yankel Shaichik, major store owner & trader in dry goods. August 29, 1999

The daunting vastness of Siberia’s reaches gradually submitted in the 19th century to new forms of transportation. The first steamboat to ply a Siberian river was constructed here in 1838. 

Burkov house, Dzerzhinsky Street 30. Built at turn of 20th century by Vasily Burkov, trader in Siberian grain on an international level (China, Japan). August 29, 1999

The greatest impulse for economic growth came with the completion of a railroad from Yekaterinburg, on the east slope of the Ural Mountains in 1885. This line ultimately became an important segment of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, transporting the wealth of Siberia’s forests, mines and new agricultural regions, as well as leather and other products of local factories. 

Kozlov house, Turgenev Street 9. Built at end of 19th century by Ivan & Maria Kozlov, local merchants. August 29, 1999

At the turn of the 20th century, over half a million settlers passed through the town toward Siberia’s open, fertile lands. Fortunately, remnants of this period have survived in the central part of the city. 

Nikolaevskoe (Nicholas) Primary School, Lenin Street 5. Wooden building constructed in 1897 as part of a public schools network. August 29, 1999

This memory of the past is especially evident in the city’s remarkable wooden houses, with elaborate framed and carved window surrounds in a style specific to Tyumen. These massive window constructions often include carved panels below the sill as an additional decorative and protective device.

Wooden houses. L:eft: Volodarsky Street. Built at end of 19th century, the house has exuberant carved decorative window frames. Right: Komsomol Street. Built around 1900 as a wing of the A. G. Andreev estate, this small structure displays remarkable examples of decorative fretwork. August, 1999

Their solid construction allowed rows of large windows in wooden houses even in this harsh climate, thus bringing maximum available light to interiors during the long Siberian winters.

The present & future  

Log apartment house, no. 57 (street unknown; house may have been demolished). Fine example of carved window frames on typical log structure. August 29, 1999

Tyumen today is the capital of an enormous province - stretching from Kazakhstan in Central Asia north to the Arctic Ocean - that is one of the world’s richest energy producing regions. Tyumen has benefited from this bounty of natural resources and is at present one of the few Siberian cities to show major population growth: from slightly over half a million in the 2002 census to some 850,000 in the latest estimate. As usual in Siberian cities, most residents live beyond the historic center in Soviet-era housing developments.           

Minshutin house, Vodoprovodnaia Street 43. Built in 1891, the house was restored in 1998 by architect A. Klimchenko with decorative window frames carved by Vadim Sheetov. September 4, 1999

A walk through the historic center of town shows vivid contrasts of modest pre-revolutionary brick and wooden buildings, rarely more than two stories in height, with ponderous Soviet buildings and sleek new commercial centers. Some of the new structures are private apartment houses, others are banks and office buildings and still others form a part of the expanding Tyumen State University. 

Minshutin house, detail of decorative carving by Vadim Sheetov. September 4, 1999

In the early 20th century, Russian photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for color photography. Between 1903 and 1916, he traveled through the Russian Empire and took over 2,000 photographs with the process, which involved three exposures on a glass plate. In August 1918, he left Russia and ultimately resettled in France where he was reunited with a large part of his collection of glass negatives, as well as 13 albums of contact prints. After his death in Paris in 1944, his heirs sold the collection to the Library of Congress. In the early 21st century, the Library digitized the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection and made it freely available to the global public. A few Russian websites now have versions of the collection. In 1986, architectural historian and photographer William Brumfield organized the first exhibit of Prokudin-Gorsky photographs at the Library of Congress. Over a period of work in Russia beginning in 1970, Brumfield has photographed most of the sites visited by Prokudin-Gorsky. This series of articles juxtaposes Prokudin-Gorsky’s views of architectural monuments with photographs taken by Brumfield decades later.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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• Tobolsk: Exuberance of Siberian Baroque
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• Discovering the historic neighborhoods of Perm

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Six presumed dead after cargo ship crash levels Baltimore bridge

BALTIMORE — A major Baltimore bridge collapsed like a house of cards early Tuesday after it was struck by a container ship, sending six people to their deaths in the dark waters below, and closing one of the country’s busiest ports.

By nightfall, the desperate search for six people who were working on the bridge and vanished when it fell apart had become a grim search for bodies.

“We do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon N. Gilreath said.

Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, said earlier that one of his workers had survived. He did not release their names.

Up until then, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore had held out hope that the missing people might be found even as law enforcement warned that the frigid water and the fact that there had been no sign of them since 1:30 a.m. when the ship struck Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Moore expressed heartbreak after officials suspended the search for survivors.

"Our heart goes out to the families," he said. "I can’t imagine how painful today has been for these families, how painful these hours have been have been for these families."

It was a crushing blow to the loved ones of the missing men, who had waited for hours at a Royal Farms convenience store near the entrance of the bridge for word of their fate. 

Follow live updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse

The tragic chain of events began early Tuesday when the cargo ship Dali notified authorities that it had lost power and issued a mayday moments before the 984-foot vessel slammed into a bridge support at a speed of 8 knots, which is about 9 mph.

Moore declared a state of emergency while rescue crews using sonar detected at least five vehicles in the frigid 50-foot-deep water: three passenger cars, a cement truck and another vehicle of some kind. Authorities do not believe anyone was inside the vehicles.

Investigators quickly concluded that it was an accident and not an act of terrorism.

Ship was involved in another collision

Earlier, two people were rescued from the water, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said. One was in good condition and refused treatment, he said. The other was seriously injured and was being treated in a trauma center.

Moore said other drivers might have been in the water had it not been for those who, upon hearing the mayday, blocked off the bridge and kept other vehicles from crossing.

“These people are heroes,” Moore said. “They saved lives.”

Nearly eight years ago, the Dali was involved in an accident. In July 2016, it struck a quay at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, damaging the quay.

The nautical commission investigated the accident, but the details of the inquiry were not immediately clear Tuesday.

The Dali is operated and managed by Synergy Group. In a statement, the company said that two port pilots were at the helm during Tuesday's crash and that all 22 crew members onboard were accounted for.

The Dali was chartered by the Danish shipping giant Maersk, which said it would have no choice but to send its ships to other nearby ports with the Port of Baltimore closed.

The bridge, which is about a mile and a half long and carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore, was "fully up to code," Moore said.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said that her agency will lead the investigation and that a data recorder on the ship could provide more information.

"But right now we're focusing on the people, on the families," she said. "The rest can wait."

President Joe Biden vowed to rebuild the bridge and send federal funds.

"This is going to take some time," the president warned. "The people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them, at every step of the way, till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt."

Speaking in Baltimore, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed the president's promise.

"This is no ordinary bridge," he said. "This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure."

But Buttigieg warned that replacing the bridge and reopening the port will take time and money and that it could affect supply chains.

The Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest in the U.S., is the busiest port for car imports and exports, handling more than 750,000 vehicles in 2023 alone, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

Writer David Simon, a champion of Baltimore who set his TV crime drama "The Wire" on the streets of the city he once covered as a reporter, warned online that the people who will suffer the most are those whose livelihoods depend on the port.

"Thinking first of the people on the bridge," Simon posted on X . "But the mind wanders to a port city strangling. All the people who rely on ships in and out."

Timeline of crash

Dramatic video captured the moment at 1:28 a.m. Tuesday when the Dali struck a support and sent the bridge tumbling into the water. A livestream showed cars and trucks on the bridge just before the strike. The ship did not sink, and its lights remained on.

Investigators said in a timeline that the Dali's lights suddenly shut off four minutes earlier before they came back on and that then, at 1:25 a.m. dark black smoke began billowing from the ship's chimney.

A minute later, at 1:26 a.m., the ship appeared to turn. And in the minutes before it slammed into the support, the lights flickered again.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the workers on the bridge were repairing concrete ducts when the ship crashed into the structure.

At least seven workers were pouring concrete to fix potholes on the roadway on the bridge directly above where the ship hit, said James Krutzfeldt, a foreman.

Earlier, the Coast Guard said it had received a report that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge” and confirmed it was the Dali, a containership sailing under a Singaporean flag that was heading for Sri Lanka.

Bobby Haines, who lives in Dundalk in Baltimore County, said he felt the impact of the bridge collapse from his house nearby.

"I woke up at 1:30 this morning and my house shook, and I was freaking out," he said. "I thought it was an earthquake, and to find out it was a bridge is really, really scary."

Families of bridge workers wait for updates

Earlier in the day, relatives of the construction crew waited for updates on their loved ones.

Marian Del Carmen Castellon told Telemundo her husband, Miguel Luna, 49, was working on the bridge.

“They only tell us that we have to wait and that they can’t give us information,” she said.

Castellon said she was "devastated, devastated because our heart is broken, because we don’t know how they have been rescued yet. We are just waiting for the news."

Luna's co-worker Jesús Campos said he felt crushed, too.

“It hurts my heart to see what is happening. We are human beings, and they are my folks,” he said.

Campos told The Baltimore Banner that the missing men are from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Active search and rescue ends

The Coast Guard said it was suspending the active search-and-rescue effort at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"Coast Guard’s not going away, none of our partners are going away, but we’re just going to transition into a different phase," Gilreath said at a news conference.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland L. Butler, Jr., said it was moving to a recovery operation. Changing conditions have made it dangerous for divers, he said. 

Butler pledged to "do our very best to recover those six missing people," but the conditions are difficult.

"If we look at how challenging it is at a simple motor vehicle crash to extract an individual, I'm sure we can all imagine how much harder it is to do it in inclement weather, when it's cold, under the water, with very limited to no visibility," he said.

"There's a tremendous amount of debris in the water," which can include sharp metal and other hazards, and that could take time, Butler said.

'A long road in front of us'

Built in 1977 and referred to locally as the Key Bridge, the structure was later named after the author of the American national anthem.

The bridge is more than 8,500 feet long, or 1.6 miles. Its main section spans 1,200 feet, and it was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world upon its completion, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance .

About 31,000 vehicles a day use the bridge, which equals 11.3 million vehicles per year, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The river and the Port of Baltimore are both key to the shipping industry on the East Coast, generating more than $3.3 billion a year and directly employing more than 15,000 people.

Asked what people in Baltimore can expect going forward, the state's transportation secretary said it is too early to tell.

"Obviously we reached out to a number of engineering companies, so obviously we have a long road in front of us," Wiedefeld said.

Julia Jester reported from Baltimore, Patrick Smith from London, Corky Siemaszko from New York and Phil Helsel from Los Angeles.

Julia Jester is a producer for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Corky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.

Watch CBS News

Who are the victims in Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse? What we know about those missing and presumed dead

By Adam Thompson

Updated on: March 29, 2024 / 8:06 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE - Six workers missing after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning are presumed to be dead, the U.S. Coast Guard announced after a day of search and rescue efforts.

The search for the six became a recovery effort Tuesday evening. Two bodies were recovered from the site of the collapse in a red pickup truck Wednesday morning.

State Police said the search has moved to a salvage effort because officials believe the four still missing are in vehicles encased in the bridge debris. Divers are no longer able to operate around the debris.

The span was struck by a cargo ship shortly after it left the Port of Baltimore early Tuesday morning.

Officials say that eight people were working on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Two people were rescued from the water shortly after Tuesday's collapse. One of the rescued workers was unhurt, the other was treated at the University of Maryland Medical Center and has been discharged. 

Who were the bridge collapse victims?

The men were working for Brawner Builders, filling potholes on the center span of the bridge at the time of the collapse. They were originally from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

One of the missing workers from El Salvador was identified as Miguel Luna by the nonprofit organization CASA. 

"He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years," CASA executive director Gustavo Torres said in a statement Tuesday night, noting Luna was a "longtime member of the CASA family."

A former coworker, Moises Diaz, described Luna as a kind person who worked hard and always shared his food with other workers and friends. In an interview with CBS News, Diaz said he considered Luna like a brother.

Maryland State Police identified the two men found in the red pickup truck as  Dorlian Cabrera , 26, who was originally from Guatemala and lived in Dundalk; and Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes,  35, who lived in Baltimore and was from Mexico.

The Honduran Consulate confirmed  Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 34, was among the missing. His brother, Carlos Alexis, described him as a kind, big-hearted and funny family man who came to the U.S. when he was about 20. He had a teenage son and a 5-year-old daughter.

Jose Mynor Lopez, 35, was originally from Guatemala. His wife, Isabel Franco, told WJZ he moved to the U.S. 19 years ago and was a loving father to their child and three stepchildren

"He had a good heart. He was a hard worker. He was always worried about his family too. He died but he was fighting for us always," she said in Spanish.

The sixth victim, a man named Carlos whose full name has not been released, was also from Mexico. 

Recovery mission paused, salvage begins

The search for bodies was paused Wednesday as attention turned to clearing debris from the  deadly collapse  and reopening the Port of Baltimore. 

The bodies of  two construction workers  were recovered from a submerged truck Wednesday. Four people remain missing and are presumed dead, but divers can no longer operate around the mangled bridge debris that has encased submerged vehicles, officials said.

The span was  struck by a cargo ship  that had  lost power  shortly after it left the Port of Baltimore early Tuesday morning.

The U.S. Navy is mobilizing barges outfitted with heavy lift cranes to help clear the Patapsco River of debris. 

Three cranes with varying lift capacities and support vessels are expected to begin removing submerged portions of the bridge. Two cranes arrived by Friday morning. 

"This was so completely unforeseen," Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, told The Associated Press. "We don't know what else to say. We take such great pride in safety, and we have cones and signs and lights and barriers and flaggers. But we never foresaw that the bridge would collapse."

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I was raised in Ohio, but made stops in Virginia and North Carolina, before landing in Maryland.

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The Dali was just starting a 27-day voyage.

The ship had spent two days in Baltimore’s port before setting off.

• Share full article

By Claire Moses and Jenny Gross

• Published March 26, 2024 Updated March 27, 2024

The Dali was less than 30 minutes into its planned 27-day journey when the ship ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday.

The ship, which was sailing under the Singaporean flag, was on its way to Sri Lanka and was supposed to arrive there on April 22, according to VesselFinder, a ship tracking website.

The Dali, which is nearly 1,000 feet long, left the Baltimore port around 1 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The ship had two pilots onboard, according to a statement by its owners, Grace Ocean Investment. There were 22 crew members on board, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement. There were no reports of any injuries, Grace Ocean said.

Before heading off on its voyage, the Dali had returned to the United States from Panama on March 19, harboring in New York. It then arrived on Saturday in Baltimore, where it spent two days in the port.

Maersk, the shipping giant, said in a statement on Tuesday that it had chartered the vessel, which was carrying Maersk cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard, the statement said, adding that the company was monitoring the investigations being carried out by the authorities and by Synergy Group, the company that was operating the vessel.

“We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected,” the Maersk statement said.

The Dali was built in 2015 by the South Korea-based Hyundai Heavy Industries. The following year, the ship was involved in a minor incident when it hit a stone wall at the port of Antwerp . The Dali sustained damage at the time, but no one was injured.

Claire Moses is a reporter for the Express desk in London. More about Claire Moses

Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times in London covering breaking news and other topics. More about Jenny Gross

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The Boat Races 2024: Cambridge do the double over Oxford, again – as it happened

• Cambridge dominate both races to claim victory
• Light blues win double for second year in a row
• Pulling together: Tom Jenkins’ Boat Race photo essay
• 1d ago Oxford men's boat reaction
• 1d ago Cambridge men's boat reaction
• 1d ago Cambridge win the men's Boat Race!
• 1d ago Men’s race crews
• 1d ago We're underway in the men's Boat Race!
• 1d ago Oxford women's boat reaction
• 1d ago Cambridge women's boat reaction
• 1d ago We have a red flag
• 1d ago Cambridge win seven in a row in the women’s Boat Race!
• 1d ago We're away!
• 1d ago Women’s race crews
• 1d ago Preamble

Luke McLaughlin’s piece from Mortlake has dropped, read the report here:

I’ll drop the full report in when it goes live, but that is it for the live coverage today. Thanks for following along with me.

Now it’s the turn of the Cambridge men. We’re unlikely to see the traditional cox dunk due to the pollution levels, so that will that be that for the boat race.

The presentations now taking place on the riverbank, first the Cambridge women collect their trophy and Jenna Armstrong is drinking the ‘British sparking wine’ out of the cup!

Oxford men's boat reaction

Lenny Jenkins, Oxford seven seat, tells the BBC: “I don’t really have any words. We had a really clear plan of what we wanted to do and we had a really good setup for that – the last couple of days have been amazing. The boys have taken another step on and then for some reason it just didn’t come together on the day. That’s really diappointing.

“It’s been a great battle with the guys, everybody’s put everything into it and I couldn’t be prouder of them. It’s a shame the results didn’t show that, but Cambridge showed their class, they’re a top group of athletes. They did to us what we wanted to do to them.

“I really didn’t expect it to be such a big difference [between the two teams]. I will also say – and this is in no way to take away from Cambridge – that we’ve had a few guys go down pretty badly with E coli strain. This morning I was throwing up and I wasn’t sure if there was going to be chance of me being in the boat, but I ultimately kept that quiet and that’s on my shoulders. I’m not sure if that was the right choice as I really didn’t have much to give. It would have been taking one of the top guys out of Isis [the Oxford reserve boat] and ruining their chances. It would have been ideal to not have so much poo in the water.

“That’s not to take away from Cambridge. They are a talented crew and I don’t know if we would have had a chance to get them even if we were on form. So it’s in no way to make excuses.”

Cambridge men's boat reaction

Cambridge University Boat Club president, Seb Benzecry, tells the BBC: “That was my last race with the club, it’s been four unbelievable years. Going into it, this was the biggest challenge we’ve had, that Oxford crew is a really, really classy unit – really good guys – so we knew we had to put a lot into and push ourselves to a place where we very rarely go. That was just the most unbelievable feeling. I’m so proud of the guys.

“Credit to Matt [Edge] to go that deep. I’m sure a lot of that margin we took early in the race was him. He was putting down such a dynamic rhythm and that takes a lot out of you in the stroke seat. So proud of him.”

Matt Edge is carried out of the boat, he left it all out there.

So that’s another double for Cambridge, a repeat of last year’s results. What have Oxford got to do to end the light blue dominance?

Doesn’t look like the Oxford cox Will Denegri will appeal, so the result will be officially confirmed shortly.

Cambridge win the men's Boat Race!

They effectively finished with seven rowers but the light blues still won by several lengths.

When I think there is not much left to say about this race the ambridge stroke seat Matt Edge begins really struggling, so the light blue boat is effectively rowing with seven crew. Oxford are too far behind at this stage to make that count.

This is over, we’re headed for a fifth Cambridge win in the last six races.

The gap is now over 10 seconds for Cambridge.

We could be on for another upset here. Oxford, if anything, are now falling further behind. Cambridge are rowing away.

Cambridge now have clear water to the Oxford boat and are moving across the line of their rivals.

Cambridge still have the lead going under the Hammersmith Bridge, the light blues lead by about a second and a half. Oxford struggling to make use of the bend advantage.

Oxford have come back a bit but Cambridge have a good lead going into the Surrey bend.

Cambridge have pulled ahead in the early running and umpire Pinsent has been busy with the white warning flag with oars nearly clashing.

Men’s race crews

Oxford: Jelmer Bennema (Exeter), Harry Glenister (Keble), Saxon Stacey (St John’s), James Doran (Oriel), Elias Kun (Green Templeton), Frederick Roper (Somerville), Leonard Jenkins (Mansfield), Elliot Kemp (Oriel)

Cox: William Denegri (Oriel)

Cambridge: Sebastian Benzecry (Jesus) Noam Mouelle (Hughes Hall), Thomas Marsh (Wolfson), Augustus John (Wolfson), Kenneth Coplan (Hughes Hall), Thomas Lynch (Hughes Hall), Luca Ferraro (King’s), Matt Edge (St Catharine’s

Cox: Ed Bracey (Wolfson)

We're underway in the men's Boat Race!

Matthew Pinsent sets the teams off.

The teams are on the start line.

Boats in the water, not long now until the men’s race.

We’ve had the coin toss for the men’s race, which was won by Oxford who chose the Surrey side of the river – the winning side for Cambridge women’s winning crew.

Oxford women's boat reaction

Oxford cox Joe Gellett: “In my mind [the bump] happened just after Cambridge had been warned and I don’t think they had moved back. Therefore it was happening in our water. Obviously that is might point of view in the heat of the moment. It will be something we look back at somepoint, probably not soon, but having discussed with the unpire and looked at past few years’ races it was a potential move that could lead to disqualification if it had happened with Cambridge in our water. Unfortunately after Richard [Phelps], the umpire conferred again with the rest of the umpires, it didn’t happen in our water. So the race stands.”

Cambridge women's boat reaction

Cambridge cox Hannah Murphy on the collision: “Seeing them [getting] closer and closer, I knew we were on our station. I had even moved slightly off our station, but I was really confident that I was in the right there and I wanted to get right back on our rhythm as soon as possible. You can see there [on the replay], that we immediately take off.”

Jenna Armstrong adds: “I trust Hannah 100%, that’s why she was selected to be the cox for this race. In the four seat my job is to trust and to go. So I just put my head down, listened to what she said and did it – we all did it. That was incredible.”

The result stands, Cambridge confirmed as winners!

Still no final decision, but the replay appears to show Oxford moved over.

Phelps and Gellett are still arguing this out. The umpire does not seem minded to change his mind, saying Oxford moved into Cambridge’s station to bump the other boat.

We have a red flag

The Oxford cox, Joe Gellett has raised his hand in appeal. Richard Phelps, the race umpire has gone over to the dark blue boat and is reminding Gellett of the pre-race briefing regarding being in station.

Cambridge win seven in a row in the women’s Boat Race!

Incredible performance from the light blues to come back and overhaul their rivals.

Oxford now trail by nearly 15 seconds. This race all turned on that incident.

Cambridge have almost certainly won this now, as they power away towards Barnes Bridge.

That has really cost Oxford, who are now well behind Cambridge, at least a full boat’s length. Oxford look like they were playing to try and get Cambridge disqualified but it massively backfired. Big error from Oxford cox Joe Gellett.

Big drama! Cambridge move in front of the Oxford boat and there’s nearly a collision as the dark blues move right up behind them.

This is high quality stuff, Cambridge almost back on terms and they nudging in front? The light blues have rowed this bend so well and look to have got in front.

Cambridge continue to claw back the deficit as they go under the Hammersmith Bridge. Now at half a length.

There is a little bit of overlap between the two boats with two thirds of race left. Cambridge not out of it yet, but have a lot to do.

Oxford were heavy favourites going into the race and we’re seeing why now. The bend is about to come into Cambridge’s favour as we near Hammersmith Bridge.

The teams are coming past Craven Cottage and Oxford look like they are pulling away again and almost breaking clear water.

Cambridge have recovered after that big early dark blue push and are sticking gamely to the task.

We're away!

And Oxford have got off well, nearly half a length up already

A lot of international interest in the Boat Race this year – the New York Times, Fox News, ABC, CNN and numerous other international media have run stories in the buildup – but not for the reasons you might want.

River Action said testing showed E. coli levels up to 10 times higher than the level the country’s Environment Agency considers to be ‘poor’, the bottom of four categories it has for rating bathing water areas.

Right then, the boats are coming out on to the water. The race gets underway in 10 minutes.

Women’s race crews

Oxford: Lucy Edmunds (Pembroke), Ella Stadler (Exeter), Tessa Haining (Balliol), Claire Aitken (Oriel), Sarah Marshall (Jesus), Annie Sharp (St Antony’s), Julia Lindsay (St Cross), Annie Anezakis (Pembroke)

Cox: Joe Gellett (St Peter’s)

Cambridge: Gemma King (St John’s), Joanna Matthews (St John’s), Iris Powell (Churchill), Jenna Armstrong (Jesus), Carina Graf (Emmanuel), Carys Earl (Gonville and Caius), Clare Hole (St Catharine’s), Megan Lee (Lucy Cavendish)

Cox: Hannah Murphy (Girton)

So today’s order of business is the 78th running of the women’s race begins at 2.46pm, while the 169th men’s race gets underway an hour later at 3.46pm (both GMT).

Guardian photographer Tom Jenkins has been spending time with the Cambridge University Boat Club over the past few months as they prepare for 2024’s races. His photo essay is well worth checking out for an insider look at the hard work and dedication that goes into taking on Oxford.

Will Thames Water’s failures know no bounds? The latest calamity of the UK privatised water industry is that the Boat Races – one of the most British of fascinations – will not feature the winners’ traditional post-race cox dunk into the river. Alas, decades of neglect and sewage dumping by the local water company have led to race organisers issuing tough new safety guidelines to combat the dangerously high levels of E coli in the Thames. At least the rowers are smart enough to know better than ignore them.

Welcome to the annual battle of the boats between Cambridge v Oxford, this year with added excrement excitement.

Cambridge won both the women’s and men’s race last year, continuing Oxford’s win-less run in the women’s race that dates back to 2016. It is a similar story of light blue dominance in the men’s race, with Cambridge having taken victory in four of the past five men’s races. In the all-time standings, Cambridge’s men lead their series 86-81, with one recorded dead heat, and have a 47-30 advantage in the women’s series.

However, the bookmakers have Oxford are favourites in both events this year. The dark blue men’s crew, which features GB rowers Harry Glenister and Lenny Jenkins, has enjoyed positive results so far this year, albeit Cambridge boasts more experience on the Championship Course.

Oxford are banking on experience in the women’s race, with six of the crew having previously featured before. Cambridge, on the otherhand, count just two rowers - Jenna Armstrong and Carina Graf - among their crew from last year’s triumph.

• The Boat Race
• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford

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Baltimore's biggest bridge collapses after being hit by a cargo ship, videos show. Mass casualty event declared.

• Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early on Tuesday morning.
• A livestream captured the moment a ship collided with one of the bridge's support beams.
• Authorities are calling it a "mass casualty event" and say 20 people went into the water.

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on Tuesday morning after it was struck by a large container ship.

A video of the incident was posted early on Tuesday morning to X, formerly Twitter. In the video, the container ship the Dali is seen colliding with one of the bridge's support beams. Smoke is seen billowing from the ship before the bridge began crumbling.

BREAKING: Ship collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse pic.twitter.com/OcOrSjOCRn — BNO News (@BNONews) March 26, 2024

"MAJOR BALTIMORE TRAFFIC ALERT: AVOID I-695 southeast corridor. I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike," the Maryland Transportation Authority said in an X post on Tuesday morning.

A representative for the Baltimore Police Department told ABC News that "at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge."

Emergency services teams, including divers and at least two helicopters, responded to the scene, per Baltimore County's police scanner in the hour and a half after the bridge's collapse.

Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency early on Tuesday.

He said he was working to "quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," per the BBC.

In a news conference later in the day, Moore said that the crew on the ship notified authorities they had lost power.

Moore told reporters that the ship was moving at a "very rapid speed" and that the call to the authorities stopped a greater disaster from occurring, with cars redirected away from the bridge.

He also said the bridge was "fully up to code" and had no structural issues.

Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland's transportation secretary, told reporters that there were workers on the bridge at the time repairing potholes, and that six people were unaccounted for.

The White House said it was "closely monitoring" the situation, and that there was no indication of any nefarious intent.

"Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident," a spokesperson told BI in a statement.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on X that he had offered the DOT's support to Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.

The Baltimore Fire Department estimates that up to 20 people people went into the water, the BBC reported .

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Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said at a press conference early Tuesday that two people had been recovered from the water. One refused service, while another was transported to a local trauma center "in very serious condition," he said.

The fire department had not made contact with the ship's captain yet, he said.

A livestream view of the area at around 3:00 a.m. local time showed the bridge's structure partially submerged in the harbor and in several pieces.

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said that the ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, ABC News reported .

The crew notified officials that they had lost control and warned of a possible collision, the report said, per ABC News.

Structural engineer Ian Firth told the BBC that the heavy ship would have struck the bridge support backed by many thousands of metric tons.

"The support is a very, relatively, flimsy structure when you look at it, it's a kind of trestle structure with individual legs," he told the outlet. "So, the bridge has collapsed simply as a result of this very large impact force."

Barbara Rossi, an engineering professor at the University of Oxford, told BI: "According to what I could see online, the bridge has received a huge impact force on one of its supporting structures."

"The impacting force must have been immense," she said.

The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm. The firm confirmed in a statement on Tuesday morning that their vessel had struck one of the bridge's pillars, per TradeWinds .

"All crew members, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," read the firm's statement.

It had 22 crew aboard, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement .

According to Grace Ocean, the vessel was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka when the accident took place.

Maersk, the ship's charterer, confirmed that vessel company Synergy Group operates the ship. Maersk's spokesperson told BI in a statement that the company is "horrified" by the events, and added that no Maersk employees were on board.

"We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy," it added.

As of Tuesday morning, authorities warned mariners and drone operators to avoid the waters and nearby airspace.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. said in an X post that the authorities "are closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Key Bridge."

"Our prayers remain with all those impacted," Olszewski wrote.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977 as the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the MDTA .

It cost $60.3 million to build and is 10.9 miles long, per the MDTA.

Watch: A Diwali celebration in western India turned to tragedy after a deadly bridge collapse

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Bulgarian cruise ship crashes into wall on Danube in Austria, injuring 11

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