Insufficient Evidence in Yacht Fire Loss

Salvage operation of the burnt-out Kahu. Picture by Graham Brading.

When the 23 metre Nordhavn yacht Kahu caught fire at East Cowes Marina on the River Medina, over 30 fire fighters from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were employed tackling the blaze.

The 114 gt yacht subsequently sank and later was salvaged from the bottom of the harbour, partially re-floated and taken to Southampton.
Having spent weeks inspecting the wreck, Police have now completed their investigations into the cause of the fire and have determined that there is insufficient evidence left for the forensic team to confirm if a crime was committed when the £3.2 million super yacht burnt out on November 5th.

Kahu, owned by former Isle of Wight businessman Paul Rudling, founder of Newport-based composite manufacturers, SP Systems, was on the market for sale at the time of the fire.