Helisara VI Shipwreck – Abandoned Yacht in Formentera

Poised in elegant decay upon the sunlit rocks of Formentera’s northern coast, Helisara VI now rests in unintended stillness—a vessel once defined by speed and refinement, reduced to a monument of memory and salt. With its red hull gently surrendered to the sea, this storied yacht evokes a past few would suspect upon first glance.

Commissioned in the early 1980s by the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan and crafted by the renowned Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman, Helisara VI was more than a sailing yacht—it was a personal statement. Named after his wife Eliette and their daughters Isabel and Arabel, the vessel stood at the crossroads of artistry and engineering: a fusion of classical grace and competitive might. It would go on to win a world championship in 1981, before becoming a symbol of Karajan’s love for the open sea.

Four decades later, the once-pristine vessel met its fate in August 2024, when a violent storm scattered boats across the Balearic coastline. Helisara VI was cast upon the rocks at Ses Illetes, in the heart of the protected Ses Salines nature reserve. There, she has remained—tilted, weather-worn, and unclaimed—her once-proud silhouette now visited not by sailors, but by passersby with cameras and curiosity.

In Wrecked Legacy, photographer Josef Huainigg captures this poignant juxtaposition: a yacht of impeccable pedigree, abandoned amidst beauty. The torn sails hang like faded opera curtains, and the mast rises defiantly against a cloudless sky—fragile, yet noble. The surrounding turquoise sea is indifferent, eternal.

This print is part of a strictly limited, hand-numbered edition, produced using museum-grade archival materials. A signed certificate of authenticity accompanies each piece, ensuring its provenance and permanence.

Prices include handcrafted, hand-painted high-quality white wood frames with collector-grade plexiglass. All prints come in custom packaging and include a certificate of authenticity, reflecting the limited quantity available. Please reach out if you require a custom size, print-only option, or bespoke framing. All sizes are approximate.