A sparkling superyacht and bumps and scratches are a brutal combination to imagine, and an even tougher reality to endure, but that is exactly what happened to the Amels motor yacht Vibrance. The 160-foot vessel, pristine and perfect, had barely changed hands to an undisclosed buyer after a sale involving Paul Cullen and James Lloyd of Edmiston when it struck the Paradise Island Bridge in the Bahamas just 120 minutes later. For a yacht that has been around for more than two decades since her 2004 launch, it was an astonishing stroke of bad luck, all unfolding within hours of entering a new chapter. The mishap in Bahamian waters made the episode all the more jarring, turning what should have been a smooth post-sale passage into an immediate and very public setback.
The 659 GT yacht, built in steel and aluminum, boasts both exterior and interior design by Donald Starkey. It is also a heavily updated example of Dutch pedigree, which makes the fresh scrapes and dents all the more painful. Sold in pristine condition one day, scraping a bridge structure the next, Vibrance has had a far more dramatic change of hands than anyone expected. The yacht underwent a major refit in 2019 that included a full repaint, machinery upgrades, and electronics upgrades. She also received further works in 2024, including the completion of her 20-year survey. Everything pointed to 2026 continuing in the same polished vein, especially after brokers described the nearly $17 million Vibrance as being in pristine condition. That state changed within hours.
Footage shared by SuperYacht Times showed the yacht making contact with the bridge structure, though the exact cause of the incident remains unclear. The scene appears chaotic, with two crew members scrambling on deck in what looked like an attempt to save the vessel from further damage, though there was little they could do in the moment. The reason for the crash could have been environmental, as even choppy water, a light set of wind, or a current can push the bow off line quickly. Another theory is the loss of an engine, which may have caused the yacht to drift toward the structure.
Although the impact does not appear especially severe, Vibrance would almost certainly have suffered paint and fairing damage, with the possibility of denting or creasing to the shell plating around the bow shoulder. Repairing metallic gray superyacht paint is never a cheap affair, but that is likely the sort of bill the third owner of this $17 million vessel would not lose sleep over. Inside, Vibrance is every bit as impressive as her pedigree suggests, with accommodation for up to 12 guests across five cabins.
The main deck houses the master suite, complete with a private deck. The generous saloon is elegant, with comfortable sofas flanked by armchairs, coffee tables, a bar, and an entertainment center. A step up leads to the skylounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer some of the best views on board, while large glass doors open onto the al fresco dining area. After a hearty meal, guests can work it off in the equally invigorating al fresco gym to port, complete with a fold-down balcony.
As for leisure, Vibrance offers plenty, including a beach-club-style swim platform and a sundeck with lounge areas, dining space, a bar, a Jacuzzi, and sunpads, all protected by a hardtop. In terms of performance, setting this latest mishap aside, Vibrance can reach a top speed of 14.8 knots thanks to her twin 1,057 hp MTU engines, while offering a range of 4,000 nautical miles.
