Atlantic Towage & Marine recently undertook a high profile salvage operation of an €18million racing yacht the Rambler 100. The yacht, which was taking part in the annual Fastnet Race off south west Ireland, capsized when her keel broke off. All 21 of her crew were rescued by the Baltimore lifeboat, a local boat the Wave Chieftain and the Irish Coastguard Helicopter.
Atlantic Towage & Marine were contracted to undertake the salvage operation with their tug the Ocean Bank. On arriving at the scene skipper Sean Harrington and his crew secured a line onto the 100ft yacht, and towed her into a sheltered inlet off Barley Cove Beach. Divers inspected the yacht’s hull, and the decision was made to remove all rigging and the mast before lifting her. Using the recently fitted deck crane which can lift up to 30 tonnes, the delicate operation of lifting the yacht backed up with airbags and compressors commenced . When the Rambler 100 was successfully righted pumps were put into her hull and pumped her out overnight to prepare her for towing to Baltimore Harbour. The tug Ocean Bank towed the Rambler 100 into Baltimore Harbour the following morning and handed her over to her owners.
The Rambler 100 is owned by US millionaire George David, and is one of the most technologically advanced racing yachts ever built. She was one of the favourites to win this year’s Fastnet Race
