61m Lürssen LUNARIS Rescues Three After Vanuatu Ferry Sinking

Lunaris joins the response off Vanuatu

Fraser said on 17 September 2026 that the 61-metre Lürssen yacht Lunaris rescued three people while assisting the search-and-rescue response to the sinking of the ferry MV Matui off Vanuatu. The ferry was reported to have gone down on 11 September between the islands of Santo and Ambae, triggering an extensive maritime emergency response.

The yacht, formerly known as Marguerite, belongs to Fraser's yacht-management fleet and was on a round-the-world voyage with the owner and family aboard. Fraser credits the captain and crew for their participation, but their role should be understood as one part of a much wider operation involving other responders.

Twelve hours in difficult conditions

According to the brokerage, Lunaris spent more than 12 hours involved in the response under challenging conditions and ultimately recovered three people from the water. Fraser says the yacht reached the area around a day after the ferry was believed to have sunk, though precise timelines should be assessed against official emergency-service records.

The rescue illustrates the possible contribution of a privately operated superyacht when a maritime emergency occurs far from routine support facilities. It does not establish that yacht crews should undertake hazardous interventions without coordination, appropriate equipment and instructions from the responsible rescue authorities.

Casualty information requires official confirmation

Reports on the ferry disaster have included changing passenger counts and casualty figures as the search progressed. This article does not repeat an early estimate as a final toll and keeps the confirmed yacht-specific outcome separate from wider investigations into the sinking.

Fraser praised the owner, family, captain and crew while expressing concern for all those affected. Further reporting on causes, accountability and the final casualty count requires statements from Vanuatu's responsible authorities rather than conclusions drawn from a yacht-management announcement.