Two crew members were rescued from an 80-foot yacht that sank after striking an underwater dredging pipe off the coast of Florida over the weekend, authorities said.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the operator of the motor yacht Atlantis sent out a distress signal around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, saying the vessel had struck an object about three miles off the coast of St. Augustine Beach and began taking on water.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue Marine Unit rescued two people aboard the sinking sailboat, one of whom suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, according to the USCG.
The photo shows the yacht’s stern submerged below the waterline, with its bow tilted straight up into the sky.
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The 80-foot motor yacht Atlantis sank about three miles off the coast of St. Augustine Beach. (St. Johns County Fire and Rescue)
St. Johns County Fire and Rescue said the vessel appears to have struck a dredging pipe piling that was partially submerged.
Authorities said the vessel appears to have struck a piling of dredging pipe, which was partially submerged. (St. Johns County Fire and Rescue)
The Coast Guard expressed gratitude to St. Johns County Fire Rescue, local police and nearby good Samaritans who helped coordinate the rescue effort for the crew stranded from the sinking yacht.
Officials also noted that the luxury yacht had activated a properly registered Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), allowing rescue teams to pinpoint the vessel’s location.
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“Now that the weather is improving and mariners are out at sea, it’s imperative that everyone ensures their vessels have all the necessary safety equipment,” said Senior Sergeant Ricardo Santacana, command duty officer for the Jacksonville District. “This will allow rescuers to quickly find you and provide assistance in the event of an emergency, as was demonstrated in this case.”
USCG officials said the Atlantis’ owners will arrange for its salvage.
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The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
