An offshore supply ship operating as an emergency vessel reportedly suffered a mechanical failure while maneuvering to depart, reverting into a luxury sailing yacht moored in the marina.
The sailing ship, which was valued at more than $7 million, rapidly began taking on water and sinking.
According to reports from port officials at Tarragona in Spain, the rescue vessel Punta Mayor had begun its maneuver just after 8:00 a.m. local time on June 10 when her engines became stuck in reverse.
The captain tried to disengage the motors and drop both of the vessel’s anchors, but it was not enough to overcome the inertia of the 1,200 dwt vessel.
The port authority reports that salvage operations are underway to recover the yacht. They are expecting it to be refloated by the end of this week.
