Sunken Boat!
30 May 2009 | Carolina Beach, NC
Scott Trefethen
This was a surprise for everyone here at the dock where we stayed. About 3am this yacht slipped beneath the waves at the dock where she was tied up. A fellow staying onboard his boat next door called 911 to notify authorities who arrived at the next morning. The mast can be seen sticking up from the harbor. A Tartan 37 sailboat owned by a local individual it had shown no signs of having problems the previous day. Fellow boat owners I spoke with were stunned to awaken to the sounds of workers trying to raise the yacht.
Sea tow responded to the emergency with numerous crew and loads of equipment yet the stubborn boat refused to yield held fast by the suction of the mud on the bottom. It would require 40,000 lbs of lift and 2 days effort to pries the keel from the bottom and get her afloat again. Surprising when you consider that she only weighs 17,000 lbs. It looked as if the problem was a rotted strainer in the generator raw water intake. A whole about ¾" in diameter sunk it in less than 5 hours. The boat may be a complete loss to the owner as it was submerged for more than 48 hours in the salt water. It was sad to see her come up full of mud and debris. The owner said he had wanted to sail her to the Bahamas next year. We wish the owner success in getting her restored to her former glory.