It took eight hours to refloat the yacht on Playa de Carchuna and many hours of previous preparation but finally it was ready to be towed to Motril Port.

It needed 18 people working on the beach and another ten in the sea-rescue launch, Sar Mastelero, as well as the 4-man crew of the sea-rescue launch, Salvamar Gineah, to bring this difficult operation to fruition.

The yacht (Neeven) had inflated balloons (for want of a better word) inside, as well along the sides, which were enough to get it off the rocky seabed next to the beach. Previous to this, the 6,500 litres of fuel had to be removed, as well as other contaminantes.

Once afloat but prior to beginning the towing operataion, the hull breach had to be plugged and the seawater that had entered pumped out.

In the meantime, the Policía Local had their work cut out for them keeping gawkers on the right side of the cordonned-off, safety area.

As if things weren’t complicated enough,Sar Mastelero developed a fault and a replacement ship had to be brought in (Salvamar Gineah). It  wasn’t needed in the end because the engine was repaired and the towing chain was attached to the stern – they had tried it from the bow, but the yacht wouldn’t budge. 

Depsite the proximity of Motril Port it took about two hours to reach its destination because the towing vessel had to proceed very slowly.

(News: Carchuna, Costa Tropical,  Granada, Andaluca – Photo: Still from video)