[Bloody Sam Roberts]

German adventurer who was found dead drifting on his abandoned yacht at the weekend off the coast of southern Philippines.

So he died and then left the yacht? No?

Well then, the yacht wasn't abandoned, was it?

[PROCON]

Perhaps the word abandonment pertains only to the living?

[tpmintx]

I’m thinking that the people who found the yacht could not get anyone’s attention, and presumed it abandoned before boarding. I would still consider this an abandoned or derelict yacht.

Owner abandoned it but not necessarily willingly. If you’re washed overboard, it’s the same difference. The boat ends up abandoned.