FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A luxury yacht that had been anchored off Fort Pierce for years is now the subject of an active investigation after sinking in May.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to CBS12 News that a report has been taken and the case is awaiting assignment to a detective.

The vessel, known as the Legacy, sank near the Fort Pierce turning basin, where it had been anchored just off Derecktor Shipyards.

According to St. Lucie County officials, the yacht had been in the area since 2022, making it a familiar sight to many boaters and residents.

The 158-foot sailing yacht has since been raised from the water but remains in the Fort Pierce area. The vessel is still surrounded by floating barriers.

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Investigators have not released details about what may have caused the sinking, and no arrests have been announced.

Long-time sailor Matt Woods told CBS12 News that a yacht the size of the Legacy is equipped with large systems designed to remove water and keep the vessel afloat.

“A yacht that big would take a lot because everything on that boat is big,” Woods said. “It’s going to have bilge pumps that are big, and they’re going to be able to move a lot of water.”

Because of the yacht’s size, Woods said vandalism is one possible explanation.

“For a boat like that to be sunk, it would really be an act of vandalism,” Woods said. “Somebody had to do lots of things to make those systems not work for the boat to sink.”

However, Woods said there are several possible explanations for a sinking and cautioned against jumping to conclusions before investigators determine what happened.

“Boats do sink. It may not be a situation of vandal,” Woods said. “Everything in the boat corrodes. The saltwater attacks the metals and maybe a big fitting broke off.”

The Sheriff’s Office has not said whether investigators suspect foul play or are examining other possible causes.

CBS12 News has reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for additional information and is awaiting a response. CBS12 News has also reached out to the yacht’s owner for comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.