Owners ‘devastated’ after blaze destroys $60m superyacht

TVNZ –

The owners of a multi-million dollar superyacht say they are “shocked” after it was destroyed in a fire at an Auckland boat-yard.

Up to 90 firefighters battled the blaze, which occurred around 1.30am on Sunday at the McMullen and Wing yacht and boatbuilding business in Mt Wellington.

The luxury 50 metre, 24-berth vessel, Star Fish, was three-quarters complete and due to be delivered to its overseas owners next year.

Rob Chappelhow from Aquos Yachts in the UK said: “We’re absolutely shocked and stunned.

We’re keen to get to the bottom of what’s gone on.

“But it’s devastating news for everyone involved.”

The guide price on the Aquos Yachts website for the superyacht was $49.5 million ($60.9m NZD).

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Wounded veterans spend the day diving in Panama City

WJHG – 

Close to a dozen veterans set sail Wednesday morning in Panama City Beach for a day of scuba diving and camaraderie.

The non-profit organization, Disabled Sports USA, helps children with disabilities and military, it also helped this group of veterans get to the beach for the dive, it is part of their physical therapy.

“I’m trying to get out after coming home from the army and get back to doing things I used to do before I got blown up,” said Andrew Strege.

“It is helping me get back and experience things I couldn’t do and some people with all their limbs don’t do.

I just want to prove everybody wrong. Just because we’re missing legs, we can do anything.”

The wounded warriors are visiting from San Antonio as part of the non-profit, Warfighter Sports. A branch of the Disable Sports USA directly helping disabled veterans with their rehabilitation.

Orlando Gill got involved with the organization after his time overseas. “In 2004 I was shot with a rocket.

After that Disabled Sports came to my bedside,” said Gill.

Now Gill works for the non-profit, and it is his turn to come to other wounded soldiers’ bedside.

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Cerritos sheriff’s detective tracks down burglar

MarieSam Sanchez –

A 25-year-old Hawaiian Gardens man is behind bars today on suspicion of breaking into a vehicle parked outside Carrows restaurant in Cerritos and stealing more than $5,000 worth of scuba diving equipment, most of which was eventually returned to its rightful owners with help from a Cerritos sheriff’s detective.

Victor Aguirre was arrested at his home on Aug. 3 and is currently facing five felony counts of burglary, possession of stolen property and credit card fraud, said Cerritos Sheriff’s Station detective Rich Kent.

Aguirre is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 23 and is currently being held in lieu of $40,000 bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Information website.

The events leading to the suspect’s arrest began on Aug. 2 at about 10:30 a.m. when a vehicle burglary was reported outside the restaurant located at 19011 Bloomfield Ave. in Cerritos, said Kent.

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