- Images taken by angry bathers captured the moment when the authorities intervened
This is the moment Italian coastguards arrived at a pristine and protected beach on the island of Sardinia to break up an illegal party organised by the crew of a luxury private yacht on Sunday.
Images taken by disgruntled beachgoers captured the moment authorities intervened to stop the impromptu party on Talmone beach in Palau, Sardinia, less than two hours after it began.
Hours earlier, several motorboats had set off from the enormous 60-metre-long pleasure yacht to set up barbecues, gazebos, speakers and even a volleyball court on the quiet sandy shore.
Shocked and angry beachgoers can be seen splashing around in the sapphire blue waters as they watch the crew unload and set up their equipment despite regulations preventing boats from travelling too close to shore.
Within minutes, Talmone beach, an area of the coast reserved for bathers only and subject to a series of restrictions by the Italian authorities, became something like a private beach.
Images taken by disgruntled beachgoers captured the moment authorities intervened to stop the impromptu party.
Bathers watch as members of the Italian coast guard arrive to put an end to the party
Boats launched from the yacht repeatedly approached the island, ignoring the rules prohibiting such proximity, and quickly began to seize the shore.
Within minutes, Talmone beach, an area of the coast reserved exclusively for bathers and subject to a series of restrictions by the Italian authorities, became something like a private beach.
The crew erected two large gazebos, installed a grill, tables, chairs, speakers and even a volleyball court, turning the quiet beach into a rowdy party spot, much to the dismay of local beachgoers.
The Sardinian environmental group ‘Amici di Talmone’, dedicated to protecting this unspoiled natural area, alerted the coast guard and the Port Authority, whose ships approached the coast within two hours, abruptly ending the party.
The incident was detailed in a statement on the ‘Amici di Talmone’ Facebook page, which said: ‘Talmone beach has now become an illegal private haven for wealthy tourists from the Rock.It yacht.
‘Despite the prohibitions of the bathing ordinance issued by the Region of Sardinia, this flagrant disregard for the environment continues.’
Many of Sardinia’s beaches are subject to very restrictive regulations to prevent excessive tourism and protect delicate marine ecosystems.
Many of Sardinia’s beaches are subject to very restrictive regulations to prevent excessive tourism and protect delicate marine ecosystems.
The statement continued: ‘Tents, stoves and a volleyball net were set up early in the morning, taking up the entire beach. A steady stream of motorized boats brought in food, guests and supplies.
‘Fires broke out on the beach, which were only extinguished thanks to the intervention of the Coast Guard. Environmental damage was caused both on land and at sea.
‘As the summer of misbehavior continues, the vigilance of the ‘Friends of Talmone’ remains steadfast.’
Many of Sardinia’s beaches are subject to very restrictive regulations to prevent excessive tourism and protect delicate marine ecosystems.
The billionaire owner of the yacht was not present at the party in Sardinia, suggesting the event was organised by the boat’s crew or by private clients who had rented the vessel.
But ship tracking data confirmed the yacht’s presence off the coast of Sardinia this weekend as Italian authorities were forced to halt festivities that had engulfed the protected area.
(tags to translate)dailymail