Last week we reported a fire breaking out on 23m motor yacht Kahu, moored in East Cowes Marina on the Isle of Wight, UK and her subsequent sinking. Yesterday, Kahu was lifted clear of the water by a crane to be drained and will be taken to Portsmouth, UK, by barge.
Air bags, provided by Unique Seaflex, were attached by divers from Marine Management Consultants and RS Divers. Cowes Harbour Commission provided its Sea Clear barge and is overseeing the continuing work.
Her broker, Ancasta Yachts, comments: ‘The cause of the fire still hasn’t been ascertained, but the environmental impact was minimal in view of the fact that she was rescued with 9,000 litres of fuel still on board.’ Neither the broker nor the owner have yet decided on the next step for Kahu post-salvage efforts.
Approximately 30 firefighters, officers from the Environmental Agency and coastguards turned up on the scene to fight the blaze and manage the damage, but despite their efforts, the fire battled into the night and the yacht sank shortly after 11pm on 6 November, 2013.