UPDATED: A motor cruiser that polluted a section of Sandown beach with oil and diesel when it washed ashore during the early hours of Thursday morning is to be lifted onto a lorry first thing tomorrow morning (Saturday).
Island Roads have announced that an emergency closure will be put in place on the Esplanade between Pier Street and Avenue Slipway from 05:30. At around 06:00 the wrecked vessel is to be lifted off the beach by crane before being placed onto a low loader and transported away from the scene – just in time for the start of the Summer holidays.
As first reported by Island Echo, the ‘Barracuda III’ slipped its anchor and washed ashore near the Sundial Cafe on Thursday morning. A recovery operation that afternoon saw the boat hauled up the beach to prevent it from being broken up by the incoming tide and rough seas.
Island Echo can now reveal that the same vessel – and it is thought the same crew – required the assistance of the RNLI just 7 months ago only a week after it was purchased. The Barracuda III was eventually round 10 miles from its stated position. On Thursday, the 81-year-old owner of the vessel and his crew of 2 were heading towards Dorset but somehow ended up in Sandown Bay by mistake.
The road closure is expected to be in place for a few hours.
UPDATE @ 17:52 – The Isle of Wight Council have said that the lift will no longer take place tomorrow, due to the anticipated adverse weather.
Instead the lift will take place on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“Due to forecasted high winds over the weekend, the boat currently on Sandown beach is unable to be moved until Monday morning at approx. 6am.
“We would advise residents and visitors that the recovery of the boat will require the closure of the Esplanade to allow the boat to be craned off the beach onto a removal vehicle.
“As a result, some on-street car parking bays will be out of use on Sunday evening (23 July) and early Monday morning (24 July).
“Out of concern for public safety, we would appreciate if residents and visitors avoid the immediate location of the boat recovery operation.”
