The search-and-rescue mission for the Israeli yacht that had disappeared from radar between Cyprus and Israel, amid the “Byron” storm, has ended successfully. The vessel was located a short while ago in international waters, 90 nautical miles south of Limassol, with all passengers and the captain in good health.

According to official sources, the private boat was spotted around 17:20 by a research ship operating in the area, within the responsibility zone of the Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC).

Initial reports say that the four Israeli passengers, as well as the captain, have remained on board the yacht and have not requested medical assistance. The vessel is reportedly headed back to Israel, under monitoring by aerial and naval units—information confirmed by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Alarm in Cyprus, Greece, and Israel

The alarm was raised when communication with the yacht was lost. It had departed from the Israeli port of Ashdod, bound for Cyprus. The area was experiencing severe weather due to storm “Byron,” with strong winds and waves making navigation difficult.

Once authorities realized they had no contact with the yacht, a coordinated search-and-rescue plan was activated, involving services from Israel, the Republic of Cyprus, and Greece. The operation was directed by the JRCC Larnaca, using surveillance assets and ships already in the broader region.

The disappearance caused significant concern, prompting immediate mobilization by Israeli authorities and drawing media attention, as relatives and residents of the passengers’ hometown sought updates.

Questions over why the yacht set sail during the storm

According to reports, the Israeli authorities have already ordered an investigation into how the vessel was allowed to depart despite warnings about the approaching storm moving through the Eastern Mediterranean. It will also be examined why the yacht never sent a distress signal, even though it was considered missing for hours.

Three of the four passengers are reportedly Arab Israelis from the town of Sibli Umm al-Ghanem in southern Galilee, while the captain is from Haifa.

For Cypriot authorities, the case ends on a positive note, as no rescue operation requiring evacuation was needed. However, the incident has reignited discussion about maritime safety rules during severe weather conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean.