NEW YORK–The Coast Guard is investigating the circumstances surrounding an 89-foot motor yacht partially sunken in Sheepshead Bay after the night watchman aboard heard a load bang at 5:30 a.m. today.
Although there was no pollution reported initially, at approximately 1 p.m. the vessel began to discharge an unknown amount of fuel as vents to the fuel tanks began to flood with the rising tide. The owner of the vessel said there was approximately 1200 gallons of diesel onboard.
Sea Tow contained the area with a boom as a precautionary measure well before the fuel began to leak and are using absorbent pads to collect the fuel as it surfaces.
The Coast Guard received the report of the partially submerged Sunset Queen at 9:30 a.m. and immediately dispatched investigators to the pier where it was moored.
Investigators found the vessel’s stern completely submerged. The man who heard the bang said that the vessel began listing to the right shortly after he heard the sound and then slowly sank.
Divers from the NYPD are standing by to survey the damage.
Sea Tow is required to submit a salvage plan to the Coast Guard for review before attempting to recover the vessel.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Source: USCG D1 Public Affair Detachment New York
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