The world-famous celebrity yacht, Cujo, where Princess Diana enjoyed her last summer vacation before her untimely death, has sunk to the ocean floor off the coast of South France.
Dramatic Images and Rescue Efforts
The French Coast Guard shared harrowing images on their Facebook profile, showing the yacht initially afloat with most of its sun deck visible. However, moments later, only the bow could be seen protruding from the water, with furniture drifting in the sea. The expensive vessel now rests at the depths of the Mediterranean, approximately 2500 meters below the surface.
Fortunately, all seven passengers on board were rescued after the captain promptly issued a distress call upon the yacht’s collision with an unknown object near Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Despite rescue efforts, the ship sank around 19 nautical miles (approximately 35 kilometers) off the coast. The Coast Guard reported a significant water leak near the front starboard hull, and though the owner activated pumps and kept the engines running, they were unable to prevent the yacht from sinking.
A Fateful Yacht with a Royal Connection
The Cujo, once a sought-after yacht among superstars, made headlines in 1997 when it was used by Princess Diana‘s then-boyfriend, Dodi Al-Fayed, who owned the vessel, to evade the paparazzi’s watchful eyes. To ensure the luxurious yacht befitted a true princess, Al-Fayed spent one million pounds to customize and enhance it.
Tragic Outcome
The memorable images of Diana on the Cujo were taken shortly before the couple tragically lost their lives in a car accident in central Paris, caused by Al-Fayed’s drunken driver.
The sinking of Cujo, the yacht with a royal connection, is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of events. While the passengers were successfully rescued, the loss of this iconic vessel marks a somber moment for all those who cherish the memories associated with Princess Diana and her final summer escapade.
