This is the moment Italian coastguards descended on a pristine protected beach on the island of Sardinia to break up an illegal party organised by the crew of a lavish private yacht on Sunday.
Footage taken by disgruntled bathers captured the moment authorities intervened to halt the impromptu fete on Talmone Beach in Palau, Sardinia, less than two hours after it had got underway.
Earlier in the day, several motorboats had launched from the enormous 197ft-long pleasure yacht to set up barbecues, gazebos, loudspeakers and even a volleyball court on the tranquil, sandy shore.
Shocked and enraged bathers paddling in the sapphire-blue waters can be seen watching on as the crew unload and set up their equipment in spite of regulations that prevent boats from travelling too close to the shoreline.
Within minutes Talmone Beach – an area of shoreline which is reserved only for swimmers and is subject to a slew of restrictions by Italian authorities – turned into something resembling a private beach
Footage taken by disgruntled bathers captured the moment authorities intervened to halt the impromptu fete
Bathers look on as members of the Italian coastguard arrive to end the party
Dinghies launched from the yacht repeatedly approached the island, disregarding regulations that prohibit such proximity, and swiftly set about taking over the shoreline.
Within minutes Talmone Beach – an area of shoreline which is reserved only for swimmers and is subject to a slew of restrictions by Italian authorities – turned into something resembling a private beach.
The crew erected two large gazebos, set up a barbecue grill, tables, chairs, speakers, and even a volleyball court, converting the tranquil beach into a raucous party venue – much to the dismay of local beachgoers.
The Sardinian environmental group ‘Amici di Talmone’ dedicated to protecting this untouched natural area, alerted the coastguard and Port Authority whose boats bore down on the shoreline within two hours to bring the party to an abrupt end.
The incident was detailed in a statement on the Facebook page of ‘Amici di Talmone’, which read: ‘The beach of Talmone has now become an illegal private retreat for the affluent vacationers of the yacht Rock.It.
‘Despite the prohibitions of the bathing ordinance issued by the Region of Sardinia, this blatant disregard for the environment continues.’
Many of Sardinia’s beaches are subject to highly restrictive regulations to prevent overtourism and protect delicate marine ecosystems
Many of Sardinia’s beaches are subject to highly restrictive regulations to prevent overtourism and protect delicate marine ecosystems
The statement continued: ‘Gazebos, stoves, and a volleyball net were set up early in the morning, occupying the entire beach. A constant flow of motorized dinghies brought food, guests, and supplies.
‘Fires were lit on the beach, which were only extinguished by the intervention of the Coast Guard. Environmental damage has occurred both on land and at sea.
‘While the summer of misconduct continues, the vigilance of the ‘Friends of Talmone’ remains steadfast.’
Many of Sardinia’s beaches are subject to highly restrictive regulations to prevent overtourism 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 ship’s crew or by private clients who had chartered the vessel.
But ship tracking data confirmed the yacht’s presence off the Sardinian coast this weekend as Italian authorities were forced to interrupt the festivities that had engulfed the protected area.
