Mazu Yachts founder missing after his boat crashed

Mazu Yachts сonfirms ongoing search for founder and designer Halit Yukay following a maritime accident on August 4, 2025, when a vessel with Yukay onboard was involved in a collision with a cargo ship off the coast of Marmara Island.

As a result of the incident, Halit Yukay's boat sustained severe damage and sank. The man himself has yet to be found. The Turkish Coast Guard, gendarmerie, maritime police, and volunteers are continuing the search and rescue operation.

According to media reports, on August 4, Halit Yukay was traveling from Yalova to Bozcaada aboard his personal Mazu 42 Graywolf. He was seen departing alone, but it remains unclear whether anyone else was on board at the time of the incident. At 11:40 PM that same day, the rescue service dispatch center in Bursa received a report that Yukay had not arrived at his destination. On Tuesday, August 5, at approximately 2:30 PM, a commercial vessel reported finding debris from a sinking yacht, prompting rescuers to head to the scene.

Halit Yukay founded Mazu in 2011. The company specializes in building high-speed tenders, dayboats, and motor yachts up to 35 meters in length, made from composite materials and carbon fiber. Yukay personally contributed to many of the shipyard's projects as a naval architect and designer.