Yacht used by Princess Diana and lover Dodi Fayed on final summer holiday sinks
Seven people on board were rescued following the accident off the coast of France
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The world-famous celebrity yacht used by Princess Diana on her final summer holiday in France has sunk to the bottom of the sea.
Cujo, once also a favourite of Hollywood superstars, disappeared below the Mediterranean waves after hitting an unidentified object off Beaulieu-sur-Mer, on the French Riviera, on Saturday.
Seven people on board were rescued following the accident, but the boat ended up at a depth of almost 2500m around 18 nautical miles off the coast.
“The skipper of the Cujo issued a Mayday,” said one officer. “His ship was sinking due to a leak.
“Rescue boats were sent from Antibes, and, after making sure everyone was safe, gendarmes detected a significant water leak at the level of the starboard front hull.
“Her owner had activated the pumps and kept the engines running, but this didn’t stop the boat sinking.”
The Princess Diana Beanie Baby led to the strangest toy craze of the Nineties: ‘It was like the crown jewels!’
Princess Diana’s iconic red gown from 1991 movie premiere is going up for auction
Kate Middleton’s fans defend her after Vogue editor calls her taste in jewellery a ‘disappointment’
Kate Middleton’s most significant jewellery pieces
Famous Princess Diana jumper goes on display ahead of Sotheby’s auction
All of those on board, including the Cujo‘s Italian owner, were placed in a rescue boat, and taken back to shore uninjured.
Reports about Cujo - an Indian word that means ‘Unstoppable Force’ - dominated the media in August 1997, when it was owned by Diana’s boyfriend, Dodi Al-Fayed.
The multi-millionaire film producer had spent some £1m refitting the boat, and wooed Diana on board, as the world’s media looked on.
This was shortly before the couple died in a car crash in central Paris caused by their drunk driver.
That summer, Diana was also photographed on Sokar, the yacht then owned by Al-Fayed’s father, retail billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Cujo was built in Italy in 1972 for businessman John von Neumann after he told Italy’s Baglietto shipyard that he wanted the world’s fastest motor yacht.
She was fitted with two 18-cylinder engines that ensured she had a top speed of 42 knots.
Van Neumann then sold the boat to the son of Adnan Khashoggi, the world’s richest arms dealer, and he sold her on to his cousin, Dodi Al-Fayed.
Cujo was frequently moored off St Tropez, the most famous celebrity hotspot on the Riviera, with celebrity guests including Clint Eastwood, Tony Curtis and Bruce Willis on board.
Following the death of Princess Diana and Mr Al-Fayed, Cujo fell into disrepair.
She was decommissioned in 1999, and spent years in storage, before being restored by new owners.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments