We were asked to assist an emergency salvage operation this week, when a powerboat got into difficulty near Sandbanks.
The Vintage powerboat Apache 555, built in 1969, was competing in the “Poole Bay 100” when a suspected debris strike caused a large hole in the boat’s hull and it started taking on water fast. The sinking boat was taken under tow, and the crew ran her towards the shallows off Sandbanks and sat her partially submerged on the seabed.
A call from the duty harbour master to Jenkins Marine resulted in a rapid response team being assembled and within 15 minutes our team were mobilising with utility vessel Stour to assist; the 32 ft stranded powerboat now posing a navigation hazard to other vessels as well as a pollution concern.
Once on site the powerboat was carefully recovered from the water using Stour’s powerful 68Tm deck crane. With a shallow draft of just 1m, STOUR was perfectly suited to the task as the water depth was very shallow in the area where Apache now needed recovery. Stour’s two self-elevating spud legs were perfect for quick deployment to secure a position for crane operations, and the large clear deck area easily accommodated the 32ft recovered power boat for transport safely back into port, where it was then lifted safely ashore.
Team Apache were very pleased to get the vessel safely recovered, and went straight to work getting it made safe and investigating what repairs were required.
You can read more about the incident at: https://powerboat.news/apache-555-sinks-at-poole-bay-100-after-suspected-debris-strike-crew-safe-boat-recovered/
And you can find out more about the Poole Bay 100 race at https://powerboat.news/poole-bay-100-2026-what-they-said-after-the-race/
If you have a requirement for marine operations in shallow or near shore projects, please feel free to get in touch to see where we can help.