09/07/2000 00:00
TW
0

A 15 metre yacht has been beached at S'Illot since yesterday morning, and all attempts to tow her back to sea have failed, according to the regional rescue co-ordination centre. The German yacht Inspiration ran aground a few metres from the shore when the anchor failed to take hold on the sandy sea bed, according to initial theories as to how the accident happened. This left the yacht at the mercy of the current. A rescue ship based in Alcudia tried to tow the Inspiration, but the attempts failed because, according to sources, she did not have the necessary power. The operation was eventually suspended in the afternoon, as the yacht did not present a danger to shipping, nor was it a source of pollution in the area.

Eyewitnesses said that the cable with which the rescue launch tried to tow the yacht snapped in two without budging her an inch. Despite the accident, the beach at S'Illot remained open to the public and the frustrated rescue operation became just another attraction for the many bathers. It is believed that the owner of the yacht will send divers down to examine the state of damage before any further efforts are being made to tow her into deeper waters.