End of a yacht?

Mataji

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3752F0AC-AFFD-455A-869C-89F8EBA9FFCA.jpegBE0B2CE2-F6A2-441A-AB96-E5F7C524D2E6.jpgBE0B2CE2-F6A2-441A-AB96-E5F7C524D2E6.jpgI first spotted this ketch about 6 weeks ago almost totally submerged. It is anchored, or moored, on the beach on the Ribble at Lytham St Annes (just opposite Lowther Gardens for those who know the area). We get tides of up to 10 metres and where the boat is it will be afloat (or in this case submerged) for 3 to 4 hours on every tide. It has had dozens of fenders/mooring buoys/plastic containers etc attached to it, not sure if these are an attempt to keep it afloat or provide a cushion for when it dries.

When the tide is in the boat’s decks are totally awash. Whether the flotation devices are keeping it up or the keel is still grounded is not clear. Where it is is very exposed to the west and it is not unusual for boats left on this beach over winter to meet a nasty end. BE0B2CE2-F6A2-441A-AB96-E5F7C524D2E6.jpg
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Mataji

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Yes that’s it. I don’t know how she got from where she sank to where she is now, either towed there or drifted. If she drifted she is lucky that she ended where she is. We don’t get many visiting yachts anchoring off Lytham these days, usually only the odd bilge keeler, but it’s around this spot they might stay.
The article says a 40 cm round hole. Not clear if that means diameter or circumference, either way I’d have thought it could have been patched by now and the boat pumped out. She is totally submerged after half tide, and has been for 2 months now.
 

grandpaboat

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I have just caught up with this sad tale from a friend who lives in Lytham and has got to know the owner of this stranded yacht. Celestial Dawn has been lying on the beach since August last year when the new owner hit the training wall on passage from Preston to the Isle of Man.
It seems he has recently patched the hole with the intention of floating her on today's high tide and having her towed back to Preston to lift her out. With a view to a major restoration project.
For whatever reason Richard did not show up today and the tide submerged her again.
My friend will keep me posted on any further developments. Quite clearly she wasn't insured and IMHO there can't be much worth saving after a over a year's worth of Irish Sea gales.
 
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grandpaboat

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It seems it's been quite an attraction for photographers from far and wide. If you Google celestial dawn Lytham there are plenty of posts.
I asked my friend what the local council make of it. And understand they accept he intends to remove it.
 

Quandary

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There is a yacht high and dry on the shore at Corpach just outside the entrance to the Cally, like the abandoned trawler ashore close to it, its angle of repose provides considerable interest to photographers who like to get Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis into the picture. So in the right place these incidents can serve some purpose.
 

Steve_N

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A week ago on one of the FB Groups there were reports and pictures of Celestial Dawn being re-floated and under tow, then eventually beached again in a position where repairs could be made to her rudder. So some progress is being made, hopefully.
Pictures are in reverse order I think..
 

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grandpaboat

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The latest update from Lytham is that the vessel that was going to tow him up the Ribble to Preston backed out due to the latest increase in Covid restrictions. I believe he is considering fitting an outboard motor to allow him to carry out the recovery singlehandedly.
Although the repair allows it to float he is leaving valves open so it floods with the tide to prevent it from moving.
 

Tradewinds

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Looks like a Morgan Out Island 41?

In it's present condition not worth saving I would have thought - but good luck to him anyway.
 
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