Sunday December 16, 2012
Source U.S. Cost Guard. Photo Credit Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen
VILANO BEACH, Fla. — A response operation for a 64-foot yacht on the shoreline at Vilano Beach, Fla., involving the Coast Guard, St. Johns County Fire Rescue, St. Johns County Sheriffs, commercial salvage and environmental response companies drew a large crowd of spectators Sunday morning.
The captain of the yacht, Rays the Bar, was transporting the vessel from Boston to Fort Lauderdale when the boat struck bottom, damaging the propellers, near St. Augustine Inlet during heavy seas and dense fog Saturday afternoon.
The captain anchored the vessel and called for help, but the anchor broke free of the vessel, causing it to drift and eventually land on shore at Vilano Beach.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue responders were on scene when the yacht beached itself Saturday evening and helped the captain and her daughter, who was helping her transport the yacht, to dry land where emergency medical technicians were waiting. Both women were taken to a local hospital and released without injuries.
Coast Guard pollution responders arrived on scene with the vessel before sunrise Sunday to determine if there was any environmental impact. The vessel did not appear to be leaking fuel. The Coast Guardsmen monitored as an environmental response company pumped the majority of the yacht's fuel, about 450 gallons, off the vessel. A commercial salvage company attempted to tow the yacht out to sea at high tide Sunday morning, but rough seas made it unsafe.
The owner of the yacht has contracted a different salvage company, which will attempt to remove the vessel at high tide Monday morning.
The Coast Guard is asking beach goers and spectators to stay clear of the vessel since it may be unstable as a result of waves and changing tides, making it unsafe for those nearby.
The yacht's captain reported dense fog, rough seas and complications with the yacht's radar were all contributing factors for the accident.
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