arcona sailing yachts

Performance cruiser

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With her beautiful lines, modern hull shape, open transom, more accessible stowage and increased interior light, she continues in the tradition of the Arcona 410 as a quality performance cruiser with superb attention to detail.

The impressive pace, comfort, great lines and ability to sail with ease even in difficult weather conditions will continue in the Arcona 415. Experience the feel and responsiveness of the boat to the helm. With the sheets and control lines all to hand in the cockpit, she is easy to sail shorthanded.

The Arcona 415 has twin wheels, first introduced to the Arcona fleet on the Arcona 410, which make it possible to sit well to windward with a clear view of the sails whilst the spacious cockpit has room for the whole crew when in harbour.

The Arcona 415 is equipped with a Yanmar 3JH40C x SD60-5-223S as standard and can be upgraded to a diesel 4JH45C x SD60-5-223S.

The Arcona 415 can also be upgraded to an Oceanvolt Servoprop 15kW electric propulsion system, with variable pitch propeller technology and comes with a 23.2kWh* battery pack. A 15kW electric motor is the equivalent of a 50hp diesel engine on our 40-43ft yachts.

She combines exceptional sailing performance whether cruising or racing, with plenty of space and comfort for family and crew.

Contact [email protected]   for further information on this new Arcona model.

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Arcona 415 Magazine Tests

Yachting Monthly – video Yachting world (A410) – video

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Specifications

Contact us about Arcona 415

Interested in learning more about a specific Arcona yacht model? You can ask us any questions or book a visit for a test sail. Please fill in the form to the right and we will get back to you.

Prefer contacting us by phone? Please contact Arcona Yachts at +46 (0)8 519 410 40

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

First look: Arcona 50 – all new concept

• Theo Stocker
• May 15, 2023

Arcona has opted for an all-new concept with the Arcona 50, with Niels Jeppesen penning the lines for this new 50 footer

Product Overview

All Arconas from 1982 onwards originated from the drawing board of the late Stefan Qviberg. The lines he drew created easily-driven hulls with fine entry bows and smooth runs. It was no small thing, then, to find a replacement for Qviberg, and rather than replace an existing model, Arcona has opted for an all-new concept with the Arcona 50.

Stepping up to 50ft for the first time, the Arcona 50 aims at the bluewater cruising market with a higher volume and slightly gentler hull more suited to offshore sailing for a shorthanded crew.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the lines look familiar, if not particularly Arcona-esque, as they come from Niels Jeppesen, former chief designer for Danish rival X-Yachts. Along with Ariadna Pons, they have drawn a hull that has fuller sections, particularly forward, a wider beam, and more pronounced hull chines (though no hard-angled angles).

She also sports twin rudders for the first time to handle the wider beam, as well as allowing the rudders to be located further aft, for more accommodation space, and creating room for an athwartships tender garage, in addition to the large sail locker forward.

Fit-out is in either Khaya mahogany or light European oak

Engine options are for 80 or 100hp and optional retractable bow and stern thrusters. With tankage of 385 litres for fuel and 375 litres for water, this boat is set up for longer-distance cruising. There are also options for a carbon rig to further improve performance, as well as a carbon furling boom. I also like the option of an inner forestay for setting blade or storm jibs.

This reflects a higher degree of creature comforts on board, compared to the rest of the range which is aimed at fast coastal cruising. This includes a large U-shaped galley, a full nav station and a generous saloon with C-shaped seating and a moveable bench seat midships.

There’s a huge en suite owner’s cabin forward with a king-size island bed and two double or twin cabins aft along with another heads and shower compartment. There’s plenty of stowage, with attractive shelving on the forward saloon bulkhead, and overhead lockers outboard of the saloon seating.

The quality of the finish should be high with mahogany or light oak as finish options.

Arcona 50 specifications

LOA: 15.80m/51ft 10in Hull length: 14.99m/49ft 2in LWL: 13.98m/45ft 10in Beam: 4.60m/15ft 1in Draught (standard): 2.95m/9ft 8in Draught (racing): 2.5m/8ft 2in Draught (shallow): 2.2m/7ft 3in Sail area: 142m2/1,528 sq ft (151m2/1,625 sq ft) Ballast: 4,600kg/10,141 lb Displacement: 13,900kg/30,644 lb Price: €825,000 ex VAT Contact: www.arconayachts.se

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

All carbon Arcona 465 on test – is this the ultimate performance cruiser?

• March 3, 2017

Is this all-carbon 46ft performance cruiser too hot to handle? Pip Hare goes for a test sail

Swedish yard Arcona, together with designer Stefan Qviberg, is offering a way out of the inevitable compromise between equipment and speed by building the new 465 with a carbon hull and deck as standard. By taking the weight out of the hull of this 46-footer, Arcona believes that the boat can still be fitted out with the luxury interior customers would expect and that owners will be able to load on nearly a tonne of extra gear and still enjoy great performance.

In theory it makes sense: the 465 is only three per cent heavier than the 430 but with ten per cent more sail area. But does it still feel like a cruising yacht in practice?

Area tested: Solent Wind range: 6-14 knots, flat water Model: number 1 fitted with teak decks and trim, carbon rig and uprated engine

Here is a boat that instantly changes its personality, coming alive when under sail. The helm was light and the boat felt nimble and fast.

As we made our way upwind, I firmed up the leeches on both sails to see what I could get out of it in the flat waters of the Solent. Thanks to my tweaks we were well heeled and achieving over seven knots of boat speed at a TWA of 37 degrees in 13 knots TWS.

Tips and tricks for successful shorthanded upwind sailing

The 465 is undoubtedly a stiff boat, but as light as the helm was, when hard on the breeze and trimmed for height, we could have used a dozen or so burly crew on the rail. This begs the question: has Arcona gone too far towards the performance end of the spectrum for this boat to be interesting for serious cruising sailors?

From my point of view the boat felt great – alive, capable and fun – but would you really want that electric feeling from the helm as a constant feature if double-handed cruising? My answer came from two of our crew, Richard and Colin, both of whom are Arcona 430 owners who cruise their boats extensively double-handed with their wives.

The moment I headed down below to experience the boat while sailing, these two took over and with some softening of the sails transformed the twitchy bucking beast I had created into a smooth and fast ride. We found ourselves cruising along just off the breeze at nearly nine knots while they amiably swapped notes on their beloved 430s.

Sailing for grown ups

The Arcona 465 is not a beginner’s boat. The combination of lightweight hull and powerful rig requires a certain amount of experience to make the most of its sailing potential and to calm things down for a comfortable passage.

Loads on this 46-footer are not insignificant and the mainsail was quite an effort to grind in, although the standard Harken 60AST winches (not fitted on the test boat) would certainly have made a difference. An optional electric winch on the cabin top helped with tensioning the halyards.

The traveller is full width across the cockpit floor and easy to trim from forward of the steering position, but could not be managed by the helm. Helming itself was a delight; the twin wheels are placed well outboard giving a great view of the jib whether sitting or standing, to windward or leeward.

Two collapsible platforms come out of the deck to provide a level platform for the helmsman while the boat is heeled. I could easily reach around the steering binnacle to the mainsheet.

It is lovely to see features like inhaulers as standard – it not only makes a great difference to sail trim, but also gives the impression the boat is serious about sailing. As standard there is a removable inner forestay from which a storm jib or even small staysail could be flown.

The boat I tested had a twin spreader carbon rig (aluminium is standard) which was easily controlled from the cockpit with a hydraulic backstay pump.

We hoisted an enormous A2 spinnaker and in a dying breeze that peaked at around nine knots were able to sail powered up at a wind angle of 100 degrees down to about 150, with speeds reaching eight knots. Off the breeze we held our speed at low wind angles, even in as little as six knots TWS.

The asymmetric sails are set off a stainless bow roller; our boat was also set up for symmetrical spinnakers though we had none to try. In every direction the Arcona 465 felt nimble and quick and we were turning heads as we strolled past everything on the Solent, sailing close under the lee of boats of a similar size.

How to choose the right asymmetric spinnaker for your type of sailing

After a few hours on the water it was interesting to observe the boat’s two distinct personalities: depending on who was on the helm and whether they were ramping up or backing off the power, the boat could switch from being a twitchy sprinter to a calm ultra-runner and back again. Under engine, the 465 spun on a sixpence, reversed well and was utterly obedient in tight spaces.

The test boat had an 80hp engine rather than the standard 56hp, coupled with a Gori prop. It was a lot of power and if not used gently, did feel a bit aggressive. I have no doubt that a 56hp would do the job.

The engine controls and throttle are tucked away at ankle height on the starboard side of the boat. This does take a bit of getting used to – it’s quite a long way to bend down – though if you manoeuvre the boat from a sitting position, things become a lot easier.

Arcona can fit the throttle higher up on the binnacle if requested, but aesthetically this is not so pretty and would also be at risk of being knocked or caught by the mainsheet during gybes. Access to the engine was reasonable at the front and to the sides, but particularly good behind the engine and to the saildrive, with whole panels that can be removed in the aft cabin.

Arcona has made every effort to keep the deck layout of this boat clean and spacious. The 4.2m beam is elegantly absorbed into the length of the boat giving a clutter free feel on deck and promising plenty of space below.

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History of Arcona Yachts

Arcona Yachts, a preeminent name in the realm of premium cruising yachts, was established in 1971 in Sweden. The inception of this acclaimed brand was grounded on the principles of high performance, excellent craftsmanship and love for the sea. Founded by Nils-Erik Olofsson, the goal was to create sturdy and durable yachts that could withstand the unforgiving Northern Sea, while providing the highest degree of comfort and safety. For nearly half a century, Arcona Yachts has been devoted to designing and creating high-quality sailing yachts, thus becoming synonymous with exceptional quality, steadfastness and elegant design, attributes deeply cherished by the discerning sailors worldwide.Arcona Yachts are currently based in Gustavsberg, a small city located in the archipelago region of Stockholm, Sweden. With a deeply ingrained reputation for quality and performance, Arcona Yachts have consistently been at the forefront of developments in the marine industry. The Gustavsberg marina headquarters is where each yacht is painstakingly given form, under the watchful eyes of the very best master craftsmen, designers, naval architects and engineers. Each vessel is precision-engineered to be sea-worthy and reliable no matter the conditions, imbuing each yacht with a heritage of innovation, remarkable design, and sublime execution.In the present day, Arcona Yachts continue to thrive on their legacy while ardently embracing the future. Regular reinvestment in technological advancements, along with a fervent dedication to sustainable practices, helps the brand navigate the horizon of luxury cruising yachts. Testament to their expanding vision and constant evolution, Arcona Yachts was acquired in 2018 by Najad AB, another recognised leader in the world of yachting. The alliance propelled Arcona Yachts to extend their global reach whilst ensuring its brand ethos of quality, innovation and safety remain unaltered. After five decades, not only do Arcona Yachts remain true to their founding vision but they also continue to set new standards in the sailing industry.

Which models do Arcona Yachts produce?

Arcona Yachts produce a range of boats including the Arcona Yachts 410 . For the full list of Arcona Yachts models currently listed on TheYachtMarket.com, see the model list in the search options on this page.

What types of boats do Arcona Yachts build?

Arcona Yachts manufactures a range of different types of boats. The ones listed on TheYachtMarket include Racing boat , Cruiser and Sloop .

How much does a boat from Arcona Yachts cost?

Used boats from Arcona Yachts on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £49,300 GBP to £1,250,000 GBP with an average price of £329,000 GBP . A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from Arcona Yachts, for example the model, age and condition.

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Everything electric boats and boating

New Arcona 415 first sailing yacht with electric propulsion standard

Sweden’s arcona yachts has announced that their new arcona 415 has oceanvolt electric propulsion as a standard feature, a first for series-produced sailing yachts..

Having electric as standard on a boat like the 415 marks a big change. Now it means that potential owners would have to specifically ask about diesel as an option, which then requires comparing its pros and cons to electric. Arcona obviously thinks most will go with the clean, quiet, zero emission system.

“Electric is here to stay” says Urban Lagnéus, Arcona Yachts CEO. “The ability to spend your leisure time at sea without emissions, and yet gain advantages in comfort and performance, opens up a new world of opportunities for our normal usage. Our cruisers sail beautifully in any conditions, but in light winds and close to marinas, if you need to use the engine, electric propulsion is the way forward.”

Electric propulsion that recharges itself

To provide the motors and electric system the company turned to Oceanvolt , which was founded in 2004 by avid sailor Janne Kjellman and is a pioneer in zero emission propulsion for sailboats.

Their modular AXC series lets the user ‘stack’ motors to build power configurations of 10kW, 20kW, 30kW or 40kW and their patented ServoProp variable pitch sail drive was a 2017 category winner in the prestigious DAME awards that recognize the best-designed products in each year’s METSTRADE nautical trade show.

It is the ServoProp with hydroregeneration that will be the standard on the Arcona 415, using a 15kW system and 19kWh battery pack. In hydro regeneration (sometimes called just regeneration or ‘regen’) the electric motor can be instantly converted to an electricity-generating turbine that is turned by the ServoProp propeller while the boat is under wind power. That electricity is then stored in the system’s battery pack for later use.

One of the keys for regen is achieving enough speed to get the propeller turning, and the Arcona yachts are well suited to the task. The boatyard is known for ‘cruiser-racers’ which are designed to perform well in racing when the pilot has an expert team aboard, but also be comfortable, safe and easy to sail for relaxed family cruising.

Lagnéus says “The sleek and light hull design works extraordinarily well with electric propulsion, however our customers have seen the hydro regeneration commence when the yacht is sailing at a speed as low as 3.3 knots.”

Crossing the Atlantic with zero emissions

Arcona is also a pioneer in electric propulsion. It already has the largest fleet of electric sailboats on the water, the first being the Arcona 380Z (for Zero emission) launched in 2015. In 2019 Graham Balch of Green Yacht Sales wrote about What it’s Like to Cross the Atlantic Ocean in an Electric Sailboat.  You can read the whole story »» on the Green Yachts site , but here’s a teaser:

And (spoiler alert):

“ Would I do it again? Crossing the ocean in an electric sailboat was so enjoyable compared to a sailboat with a diesel engine, I would never want to cross the ocean with a diesel engine ever again (pretty similar to how most Tesla owner feels about the idea of going back to driving a gas car).”

The beginning of the beginning

Sailing boat owners have been some of the first to adopt electric propulsion over the past decade, with a big reason most likely being that many sailors like sailing for the very reason that they prefer silence and fresh air to the sounds and odours of diesel and gasoline motors.

Many owners have converted boats themselves, with motors from companies like Oceanvolt , Fischer-Panda , Bellmarine , Thoosa and others (check the Plugboats Guide to Electric Saildrives and Pods and the Marketplace of Electric Motors ).

A growing number of builders have been offering electric propulsion as an option, and the number of manufacturers doing so is increasing almost daily. In February Elan yachts was the first to offer electric as an option across its entire fleet , and an Electric Sailboat category was started in this year’s Gustave Trouvé Awards.  You can see the nominees »» here

Electric propulsion as the standard feature is the next important step in the transition away from fossil fuels.

As Arcona’s Lagnéus says: “The benefits of electric propulsion are numerous; not having an exhaust and the elimination therefore of emissions, the ongoing cost saving vs. fuelling up with diesel, the minimized operating noise and vibrations, the increased space for living, the complete power management, the ease of use and maintenance, and having an overall lighter weight thus increased performance.”

“We can all do our bit to combat climate change, and to be the first yacht builders with zero emission propulsion as a standard is an important step towards further enjoyment of sailing the Arcona way.”

Exciting things are happening every day in electric boats and boating. Subscribe to the Plugboats newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

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Iconic 'little blue boat' that calls Montrose Bay home up for sale after family makes tough decision

For almost 50 years a little blue boat has been moored on the River Derwent in Hobart's northern suburbs by the side of a busy highway.

It is known affectionately by many Tasmanians as "the little blue boat", and has floated alone next to the Brooker Highway at Montrose Bay over the decades.

Sea Breeze, its official name, was built by Robin Attrill in his Montrose backyard in the early 1970s.

His son Colin Attrill said the boat was launched at Macquarie Wharf in 1976.

"It's been on the mooring in Montrose Bay ever since, and that's why it's such an iconic little blue boat," he said.

Tasmanians curious about 'little blue boat'

The boat is an object of fascination for Brooker Highway motorists and foreshore walkers due to it seemingly never moving.

Colin Attrill said it was "absolutely amazing" the number of people who would stop and talk to him about the boat when he was launching the dinghy to go and check on it.

"The number of people that talk to me that are walking past and go 'that boat has been there forever' and 'it was there when I was going to school or every day when I've been driving to work'," he said.

"Some people say they've never seen it move. Well it used to move all the time.

"Of late it's slowed up, we're all busy and dad has slowed up. We lost mum and once that happened it impacted on family activities."

Tough decision to sell

Its owner is now 91 and the boat has not been sailed for about 10 years.

Colin Attrill said the family had recently made the tough decision to try to sell the boat.

"Dad isn't well and he's gotten old, which we all do, and the boat's got old," he said.

"Anyone who knows about a timber boat knows that they need maintenance."

Mr Attrill said the family used to put the boat on the slip at least once a year to clean and antifoul it, and do any repairs.

"But the past few years Dad has been unable to do anything, and the boat unfortunately has just sat on the mooring," he said.

He said the family decided it was time for the boat to have a new owner.

"Nobody is using it, it needs a new owner who will give it the time and get the enjoyment out of it that we had growing up," he said.

"It's a great boat, and there are many years left. Wooden boats just last."

'Next phase' for the boat

The Attrill family is full of passionate sailors and Robin's brother Peter represented Australia in sailing at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952 — Tasmania's fifth Olympian and the first to represent the state in sailing.

When Robin finished building the 25-foot river cruiser, known by the family as The Breeze, it was used for trips away around Hobart.

"We used to have family trips down the channel, down to Cygnet, down to Dover, and all places in between fishing and weekends away," he said.

"We also used to go to events in Hobart like the Hobart Regatta, the Sandy Bay Regatta. We'd be down the river at any chance, or up the river. She made it to New Norfolk a couple of times.

"The boat was all over the place, wherever we could."

Mr Attrill said it would be a sad day when the boat left Montrose Bay after almost 50 years.

"We will see where it goes and where it ends up and what's the next phase for the boat," he said.

Over the years its owner has been keeping a watchful eye on it just a matter of metres away, across the Brooker Highway from his Montrose home of more than 70 years.

"He's always been there. He'd open the blinds in the morning in the kitchen and look out the window and there's the boat," son Colin said.

"It's always been a part of his life."

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Imperial : Private airport transfer / Check-in at the luxurious Four Seasons Moscow***** only a minute from the Kremlin and Red Square

Volga dream experience:

Gold: City Tour / Novodevichy Cemetery Imperial, Platinum:  City tour / Lunch in a Moscow City Skyscraper / Novodevichy Cemetery / Sparrow Hills

Meals: Breakfast

Platinum / Imperial

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Gold:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / GUM Department Store

Platinum:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / St. Basil’s Cathedral / GUM Department Store / Park Zaryadye

Gold:  Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Platinum:  Leo Tolstoy House-Museum in Hamovniki / Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gold, Platinum:  Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class

Gold, Platinum:  Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house 

Volga dream experience: Sun Deck Barbeque

Gold:  Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery  

Platinum:  Ferapontov Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

Gold, Platinum: Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – Compositions by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

Gold, Platinum:  Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell Dinner, Captain’s cocktail

Gold:  City Tour / Peter and Paul Fortress

Platinum:  City Tour / St. Isaac’s Cathedral / Canal boat / Yusupov Palace

Gold:  The State Hermitage Museum / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Platinum:  The State Hermitage Museum (Early Entrance!) / Gold Room / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Gold:  Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Platinum:  Faberge Museum / Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Meals: Breakfast / Imperial

Gold, Platinum, Imperial: Check-out / Airport transfer

Volga dream experience: -

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Aid ship offloading cargo into Gaza; Israel to continue negotiating over cease-fire

Israel’s government warned that Hamas “is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands” as it prepared to review the latest cease-fire proposal Friday. A ship carrying 200 tons of food — the first attempt to deliver aid by way of a maritime corridor — began offloading its cargo into Gaza on Friday. The boat left Cyprus earlier this week, dispatched by the U.S. nonprofit World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés , and the Spanish search-and-rescue group Open Arms.

• At least 20 killed, 150 injured in attack on crowd awaiting aid in Gaza
• Muslims gather at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for tense Ramadan prayers
• Israel says Hamas has ‘unrealistic demands’ as cease-fire proposal is put forward

Here's what to know:

Here's what to know, live coverage contributors 18.

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• At least 20 killed awaiting aid in Gaza as new cease-fire offer debated March 15, 2024 At least 20 killed awaiting aid in Gaza as new cease-fire offer debated March 15, 2024
• Israeli officials slam Schumer’s call for new election as ‘counterproductive’ March 15, 2024 Israeli officials slam Schumer’s call for new election as ‘counterproductive’ March 15, 2024
• Who is José Andrés, the chef behind the first aid ship to Gaza? March 15, 2024 Who is José Andrés, the chef behind the first aid ship to Gaza? March 15, 2024

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel-Gaza war: Israel’s government warned that Hamas “is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands” as it prepared to review the latest cease-fire proposal Friday. A ship carrying 200 tons of food — the first attempt to deliver aid by way of a maritime corridor — began offloading its cargo into Gaza. The boat was dispatched by the U.S. nonprofit World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés , and the Spanish search-and-rescue group Open Arms.

Middle East conflict: Tensions in the region continue to rise. As Israeli troops aim to take control of the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, officials in Cairo warn that the move would undermine the 1979 peace treaty. Meanwhile, there’s a diplomatic scramble to avert full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon .

U.S. involvement: U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria killed dozens of Iranian-linked militants , according to Iraqi officials. The strikes were the first round of retaliatory action by the Biden administration for an attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members .

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Dozens of Migrants Die After Their Dinghy Deflates in the Mediterranean

Survivors, who departed from Libya, said they had been adrift for four days when they were found.

By Gaia Pianigiani

A European humanitarian aid group said on Thursday that about 50 migrants died after their small boat deflated during an attempt to cross the central Mediterranean Sea.

A ship belonging to the charity, SOS Mediterranee , spotted the deflating rubber dinghy on Wednesday, in international waters under the Libyan rescue jurisdiction. Twenty-five dehydrated and exhausted migrants were on board.

The survivors told the charity that they had been adrift for four days, since the engine on their dinghy broke. Some 50 other people were with them when they departed from the Libyan port of Zawiya, they told the rescuers, including two infants and four women. There were only male survivors, half of them boys, the charity said.

Valeria Taurino, the director general of SOS Mediterranee, said the situation on board was “disastrous.”

Two of the passengers were unconscious when they were found, and they were evacuated by the Italian military for treatment on shore. The rest, hailing from Gambia, Mali and Senegal, showed signs of dehydration, exhaustion and burns from fuel on the boat, and were receiving medical treatment aboard the charity’s ship, the Ocean Viking, Ms. Taurino said.

The Ocean Viking was heading to disembark the passengers at Ancona, on the northeastern Italian coast, over 870 miles from where the survivors were found. The government says it is spreading the burden of identifying and later housing migrants. But charity groups argue that the practice is aimed at keeping ships occupied and off the ocean where they look for migrant boats, and makes rescues more expensive in terms of fuel consumption.

Migration advocates say there is a glaring scarcity of rescuers in the central Mediterranean. The U.N. International Organization for Migration said that 227 migrants had died on the Mediterranean route this year, without taking into account the most recent shipwreck. While arrivals have decreased by 70 percent compared with 2023, the death rate is not falling as rapidly.

“Deaths are down by 20 percent only,” said Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration in Italy. “It is a clear sign that the rescue system at sea is insufficient, and people keep dying as a result.”

An earlier version of this article misstated the distance between Ancona and where the survivors were found. It is 1,400 kilometers (870 miles), not 1,400 miles.

How we handle corrections

Gaia Pianigiani is a reporter based in Italy, covering breaking news across Italy and Europe. More about Gaia Pianigiani

Boat with 25 migrants from Haiti interdicted off Florida

A boat carrying 25 migrants from Haiti was recently interdicted by Florida law enforcement, state officials said Friday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Florida Fish and Wildlife officers intercepted the vessel “within the last couple of weeks.”

“In their boat, in their vessel, they had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear and were boating very recklessly, which would potentially endanger other folks,” DeSantis said at a press conference.

DeSantis said the boat was interdicted near the Sebastian inlet, and the migrants were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation.

Florida Fish and Wildlife released a statement acknowledging that officers had intercepted a boat carrying “multiple illegal Haitian immigrants, guns, drugs and night vision equipment” on Feb. 29. After stopping the vessel, officers “immediately” knew they had “intercepted a human smuggling operation,” the agency said.

On Thursday, DeSantis announced Florida would deploy additional law enforcement resources to the southern regions of the state in anticipation of a possible wave of Haitian migrants as the country struggles with street violence and political instability.

The Florida governor, speaking at a press conference, said he signed three bills that target illegal immigration in the state. He also said the state had been looking at boats before the announcement Thursday and law enforcement is going to “continue to do it.”

DeSantis criticized the federal government for failing to take responsibility and said it is “not really” Florida’s responsibility to increase its resources to combat the influx of migrants.

“We’ve got an incredible amount of resources that are now on display,” he said, later adding that the “Coast Guard does by and large a good job but they’re undermanned, they’re under resourced, so we’re filling those gaps.”

DeSantis used the speech to slam President Biden for his border policies, and said migrants from all over the world, as well as Haiti, are going to have an easier time entering the United States by “walking across the border” than anywhere else because they know that “Biden will just let everybody in.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

China and Taiwan launch joint rescue bid after boat capsizes near sensitive islands

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan dispatched coast guard boats on Thursday to join a rescue mission at China’s request after a fishing vessel capsized near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands , amid heightened tension in the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the island’s strong objections, and has stepped up military activities near it in recent years, with almost daily incursions into air defense identification zones.

Authorities on both sides sent the rescue boats after a Chinese fishing vessel capsized in the early hours, Taiwan’s coast guard said in a statement, adding that two people were missing, though two had been rescued and two bodies retrieved.

Coast guard chief Chou Mei-wu told a parliamentary committee the boats were sent after Chinese authorities sought help, adding that such requests were common, with 119 people rescued in such efforts over the past three years or so.

“The waters are narrow around the Kinmen-Xiamen (area) and co-operation between Taiwan and China is very important,” he said, referring to the neighbors’ cities that face each other across the strait.

Taiwan sent four coast guard vessels and its Chinese counterpart six to participate in the rescue effort, the coast guard said.

Last month, China’s coast guard began regular patrols around the Kinmen islands close to its coast, after two Chinese nationals died while trying to flee Taiwan’s coast guard after their boat entered prohibited waters.

The Chinese fishing boat capsized about 1.07 nautical miles west of Taiwan’s Dongding island, the coast guard said, with armed forces stationed there also engaging in the rescue, but did not elaborate.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Kinmen defense command said it had not received any request from Chinese authorities to search the island, but added that any survivors found would be handed to the coast guard.

Last week, Taiwan’s top China policy-making body urged its giant neighbor not to change the “status quo” around the waters there by sending coast guard boats into restricted areas, saying tension should be “controllable.”