Engine failure at sea.
Documented engine failure incidents from the Logbook — 6 records, each with sources, lessons, and the SeaWise procedures that address it.
← Search & filter the full LogbookAn engine that quits is rarely the whole emergency — it is what the failure leaves you unable to do: hold off a lee shore, punch through a foul tide, make a harbour before dark. The incidents here show the value of keeping sailing options open, diagnosing calmly, and calling for a tow while there is still sea-room rather than after the boat is committed.
On 12 August 2026, the newly delivered 30-metre Amer F100 motor yacht Angiola II suffered an engine-room fire off Capo Ferro, near Porto Cervo, Sardinia, and sank in about 7 metres of water. All 14 people aboard were taken off safely by nearby boats; no injuries or fuel leak were reported.
Solo sailor Kai Sato lost his mast and then his fuel two weeks into a first Pacific crossing from Long Beach, drifting for 44 days with no way to sail, motor, or call for help. He improvised repairs and a water still to survive, and was rescued by the containership M/V George III about 750 miles off Hawaii on 21 July 2026.
On the night of 27 July 2026, a yacht sailing single-handed in the Solent suffered a complete battery failure, losing all navigation lights. GAFIRS volunteers spotted the unlit boat by near-full moonlight off Gilkicker — the skipper was using a torch to warn other traffic — and towed it to safety at Gosport Marina.
On 26 May 2026, the sailing yacht Maserra, with three Canadians aboard, suffered mechanical failures and lost the ability to navigate about 32 nautical miles off San José del Cabo, in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The Mexican Navy located the boat, found the three crew in good health, and towed the disabled yacht to a safe port.
On the morning of 27 June 2026, the Penghu-registered yacht 'Daily Ocean' took on water in rough seas about two nautical miles off Dongji Islet, then lost power and capsized on a diving outing. All four aboard, including a captain surnamed Lee, went into the water and were pulled out by the nearby fishing vessel 'San Chuan Fa' before the coast guard arrived.
On 26 May 2026, 489 miles off Oregon, the 29-foot Alice was dismasted and left with a dead engine in a gale while her 74-year-old skipper sailed alone from Hawaii to British Columbia. He hurt his shoulder but stayed in contact by handheld satellite messenger. The Coast Guard flew overwatch and the cruise ship Silver Whisper diverted 120 miles to lift him off.