The remains of the 26 metre Princess motor yacht Rendezvous have been raised from the seafloor at Torquay marina in the UK following a huge blaze which gutted the yacht at the end of May.
A clean-up operation has been ongoing since the vessel sunk in order to limit the risk of pollution. At the time of the incident, Torquay councillor Swithin Long, cabinet member for tourism, told local newspaper DevonLive that diesel pollution "is currently contained with buoys which have been put in place."
The wreck remained submerged until the end of June, when it was loaded onto a transport vessel via strap lift. A dive crew was on the scene prior to the removal in order to prepare the wreck for lifting.
The area remained cordoned-off to the public as ash and debris were removed from the water. Work to repair the fire-damaged pier has also commenced.
Emergency services were called to Torquay Marina at midday on May 28 after receiving over 50 reports of a yacht on fire. Five fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze on Rendezvous, which was believed to be carrying approximately 8,000 litres at the time.
The yacht had broken loose from its mooring after the fire burnt through the ropes tethering it to the pontoons and was resting on a neighbouring pier.
A major incident was declared and the marina and beach were cordoned off. Fire crews began to evacuate the immediate surrounding area, with assistance from the harbourmaster, and began to extinguish the blaze with water jets.
Devon and Cornwall Police urged residents to keep their doors and windows closed due to the smoke.
Rendezvous was built by British shipyard Princess and delivered in 2010 as a Y85 model. This model can sleep up to eight guests and carries a crew of three.