Exclusion zone set up around £1.8million yacht wreck

Monday 27 November 2017

Divers and mariners are being warned to avoid the wreck of a £1.8million yacht that sank in St Aubin’s Bay after hitting a buoy, just over a week ago.

The 62ft P6T2 Pershing motor cruiser was on its way to Guernsey when it struck the Raudière metal buoy on Friday 17 November.

Two men needed to be pulled from a life-raft by the Fire and Rescue Service’s inshore rescue boat after escaping the stricken yacht.

A survey carried out less than 24 hours before the vehicle sunk indicated that it was lying level with the seabed.

But now the boat appears to have moved, and at certain stages of the tide is sitting upright on its stern. 

Video: the type of vessel that sank in St Aubin's Bay.

An official report says:

“The wreck has not moved in position, however it does appear to be moving dynamically with the tide. It is suspected that an air pocket in the bow means that during slack water the vessel is almost perpendicular to the seabed, sitting on its stern.

“When the tide starts running, this pushes the vessel to a more lateral orientation in relation to the seabed."

Situated half a nautical mile south of La Moye Point between the island’s two main shipping channels, it has now been assessed as a “hazard to navigation.”

Although there is evidence that some have already visited the wreck site according to the Jersey Coastguard, a maritime exclusion zone has now been placed around the vessel prohibiting diving, fishing and trawling in the area.

The direction, which was issued by the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Culture, will remain in place “until further notice.”