Questions remain over who will remove a grounded yacht from the beach at Yaverland, with a local councillor warning that the vessel poses a ‘serious risk’ if it is washed back out to sea or deliberately set alight.
‘Sea Quester’ has been grounded on the foreshore at Yaverland since last month, close to the foot of the cliffs.
HM Coastguard was first alerted to the vessel on Sunday (16th August) and has previously confirmed that salvage is the responsibility of the vessel’s owner.
Councillor Adrian Whittaker, who sits on both Shanklin Town Council and Lake Parish Council, has now raised concerns about what could happen to the yacht if it remains where it is.
He says he has spoken with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) about Sea Quester and was advised that responsibility for removing the vessel from the beach lies with local authorities.
However, the Isle of Wight Council does not have legal powers to remove a wrecked vessel and the yacht is not on land owned or managed by the local authority.
Councillor Whittaker has said:
“I have just spoken with the Maritime Coastguard Agency regarding the yacht Sea Quester. They are fully aware of the situation, as is the Environmental Pollution Unit.
Article continues below this advertisement “They have advised that responsibility for removing the vessel from the beach lies with the local authorities.
“There is now a serious risk that the vessel could be washed back out to sea, potentially causing further environmental damage, or, as has happened with a number of buildings in the area, it could be burnt out.
“Given the potential risks to the environment, public safety and the surrounding area, I believe this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“For safety reasons, I would strongly advise people to stay away from the area and avoid approaching the vessel at this time.”
I have an idea, get an Haulage Company to
pick it up and place it on the pavement outside the old
tourist information centre opposite Sandown Pier.
It will look much better than a bunch of vehicles
EVADING PAYING PARKING CHARGES CLUTTERING
UP THE PAVEMENT INSIDE A PEDESTRIANISED ZONE!
Being a boat it will fit in with the seaside scene.
I have just spoken with the Martime agency who have suggested the councillor could always make sure the boat is securely anchored to prevent it from drifting back out to sea
That’s it. Give the arsonists the nod to set fire to it ! What a stupid comment to make knowing how easily led these people are.
“For safety reasons, I would strongly advise people to stay away from the area and avoid approaching the vessel at this time”.
They won’t!
Get a local boatyard to salvage it to Bembridge and back charge the owner.
If the owner won’t pay, flog it off. Someone will buy it.
Just stop pissing about.
Great idea they could auction it off and give the money
to charity, every little helps.
Now it has been highlighted as being there, it won’t be left alone for much longer.
There are hundreds of shipwrecks around the island, why is this one so special.
Many of the shipwrecks are not visible like this one.
Why on earth are you reporting on the uninformed comments of Cllr Whittaker? Have you verified his knowledge or experience in these matters???
Thanks to this article all the idiots for miles around will now make there way there.
Is it a club house for those who go to that end of the beach to expose themselves?