Halit Yukay’s Last Words Before He Was Lost at Sea

Bahar O.

Halit Yukay, the founder of Mazu Yachts, tragically lost his life in a recent sea accident. He spoke his final words on the phone during his last conversation with Turkish actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, a friend who still remembers the moment vividly.

Tatlıtuğ, the last person to speak with Yukay, recalled, “After he said, ‘Everything is under control, don’t worry,’ I heard his voice carried off, as if caught in a sudden gust of wind.”

What Happened

On 4 August 2025, Halit Yukay set sail from Yalova to Bozcaada. Later that day, contact with him was lost, prompting family and authorities to launch an immediate search.

By 5 August, the Coast Guard located Graywolf, wrecked and partially submerged off Marmara Island, with its identity confirmed via serial numbers. Despite extensive search efforts involving helicopters, divers, sonar, and remotely operated vehicles, Yukay’s body was not recovered until 23 August, at a depth of approximately 68 metres. Authorities believe the body is his, pending formal identification.

Investigators determined that Graywolf had collided with the cargo ship Arel 7, supported by scrape marks on both vessels and security footage from Izmit Port. The cargo ship’s captain, C.T., was initially detained on charges of negligent manslaughter.

The journalist reached the statement of one of the crew which indicates this neglicence.

Statement of Crew M.S
“After leaving the Dardanelles Strait, I handed over my shift at 8:00 a.m. I painted the ship's deck until 4:30 p.m., and later we prepared dinner. While helping with the meal, I carried raw meat upstairs and cooked chicken downstairs. As I returned for the chicken, I felt a vibration on the ship. When I came out, I saw pieces floating on the sea - boat parts. I recorded them on my phone while the ship maneuvered around them. The second captain was with me as I filmed. The sunken boat parts were known to the captain, which is why I didn’t report it elsewhere.”

Halit Yukay, studied industrial design in the US, turned his passion for boats into reality when he founded Mazu Yachts in 2011. He was a devoted husband and a loving father to one child. His disappearance and tragic death have left a profound impact on the Turkish yachting community.

Yukay named his yacht brand “Mazu” after the Chinese sea goddess Lin Mo, a thousand-year-old protector of seafarers who watches over fishermen, sailors, and traders on perilous voyages.

Tragically, even Mazu could not save him.

See also: Halit Yukay’s Body Recovered from the Sea