Missing Yacht Latest

[ajc]

Just before Xmas ( remember that) I posted a help note to find my missing yacht. Actually first note was probably Nov. Well some very helpful guys from the Hampshire Marine Unit noticed a blip on their sonar, a few days later with better weather they encountered a Navy Diving Unit on exercise who gladly went down to take a peep and hey presto! my yacht Hilary Joyce. The divers apparently offered to go get some air bags and raise her but marine law being what it is were stopped from doing so. You have to have the owners permission to raise a craft.

It was arranged to get her raised and taken to Port Solent for assesment, Insurers say she should be salvageable, theYard say unlikely. As Port Solent is closed at present we cannot raise her so on the bottom she sits! So much for four years restoration.

 

[absit_omen]

That is what the media calls 'closure'. Very sad, I wonder if the whole story will ever come out - I doubt it.

Anyway, life goes on. Get yourself another project!

 

[mrswigglestick]

Pretty sickening. She looked so lovely in the photo you posted too. Good luck getting her back on top of the water.

 

[DRW]

Do you think it might be worth asking the Navy Divers if they would like to schedule in the lifting of your boat as part of an exercise some time in the near future?

They have to do something for an exercise, and this could be productive for them, give them some pretty good positive PR, and help QHM keep his harbour bed clear.

They are on Horsea and are a pretty friendly bunch, but the request would have to spell out the positive benefits to them as well as to you.

What about taking her to Wickham Marine instead of Port Solent?

Hope it all works out, such a shame for you.

 

[BrendanS]

If you know one or two or more of them, then personal introductions invariably work better than requests out of blue?

 

[DRW]

Yes, fair enough, but contact with them is through work rather than on a personal basis, but always a friendly helpful bunch turn up.

As they have already dived on the boat it shouldn't be out of the blue, but if ajc would like I can get him the direct line number for them at Horsea, rather than having to go through the switchboards.