Sunken yacht has broken up on seabed

The yacht went down in St Aubin’s Bay last month and was later moved to deeper water in St Brelade’s Bay.

In a statement, Ports of Jersey said: ‘A decision has been taken late this afternoon (Wednesday) to suspend the salvage operation on the P6T2 private vessel.

‘The decision was taken by the Salvage Master in consultation with the Harbour Master and agreement with the vessel’s insurance company. Despite two days of 24 hour diving operation around the location of the vessel and despite salvaging some items, including one complete engine closer examination of the area indicated that the boat has now broken up on the sea bed, making it impossible to retrieve the entire vessel.

‘The salvage vessel has returned to St Helier Harbour late this afternoon with some of the items retrieved from the seabed. The salvage vessel and its team are due to leave the Island on Thursday afternoon.

‘Despite regularly monitoring the vessel’s location it is believed that a period of unsettled conditions last weekend may well have contributed to the vessel recently breaking up.

‘Ports of Jersey has remained in close contact with the environment department throughout this process and have worked with Oil Spill Response Limited in the UK to monitor potential environmental impact. The assumption now an engine has been located, is that fuel has been lost. The fact there have been no reports of surface oil, indicates that any oil has dispersed and broken down.

‘Ports of Jersey is asking mariners and beachcombers to keep an eye on any debris that may be found floating in the sea or washed up ashore and are asking that Jersey Coastguard is informed of this by telephoning (01534) 447705.’

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