The owner of a luxury yacht, which ran aground on Redhead Beach, is set to be handed an estimated bill of $90,000 for its removal.
Due to an engine failure, the $800,000 boat was left lodged deep into the sand in the early hours of Friday 3 January.
Police were quickly called to the scene, where the vessel’s two female passengers aged 21 and 57 were found uninjured.
A two-day operation was then required to safely remove the yacht from the beach, which will cost the owners a pretty penny.
On Saturday 4 January, a team of at least 15 workers began the lengthy process.
A tugboat was stationed 300 metres from shore to pull the vessel, while excavators worked to dislodge it from the sand.
The seven-hour mission was a larger feat than initially anticipated, requiring additional pumps, divers and mechanics onsite.
At the six-hour mark, the boat was almost free, needing one last pull before it could be removed from the beach.
But, due to suction created by residual sand, the chord connecting the vessel to the tugboat snapped.
According to excavation company owner Richard Hardy, the incident was an unnecessary “cherry on top” to an already tumultuous assignment.
Shortly after, the yacht was finally transported to a marina in Marmong Point where it currently resides awaiting repairs.
Tugboat operator Aaron Hampo said the operation was estimated to cost between $60,000 to $90,000, with the snapped chord expected to be a pricey addition to the bill.
For more news stories:
- Work resumes on M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace
- Nursing support for all, no matter the cancer type
- Police charge hundreds of speeding, drunk and dangerous drivers
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
