Following the stranding of a wooden vessel off Small Hope Beach on Sunday 27th June, local contractors engaged by the boat’s owner have now finished retrieving the vessel and making the beach safe.
A wooden three-masted yacht got into difficulties last week in Sandown Bay, and ended up aground at the weekend off Small Hope beach, Shanklin.
Submerged by the tide
The boat was submerged by the tide and there were fears that it could break up and spread debris across the area.
The Isle of Wight Council inspected the beach, and erected signage to warn beach users of possible pollution, and the small amounts of fuel oil that escaped soon dispersed.
Yacht recovered
On Tuesday afternoon MMC Diving Services and Kevin Coghlan Plant and Transport were engaged by the owner of the vessel.
The operation to make the beach safe was successful, and the contractors were able to recover the yacht and debris that had fallen from it.
No evidence of oil remaining on the beach or seabed
MMC Diving Services have inspected the seabed and recovered any fragments that could be identified.
A further sweep by the divers will take place later this week.
The boat engine and fuel tank were both retrieved mostly intact, and there was no evidence of oil remaining on the beach and seabed.
The beach is now fully open, safe to use and all warning signs and fencing have been removed.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
