A catastrophic maritime incident unfolded off the coast of West Sussex this week when a brand new, state-of-the-art motor yacht sank mere minutes after its highly anticipated launch. The vessel, identified as a £425,000 Princess V55, met a watery grave on its maiden voyage in a shocking turn of events.
A Maiden Voyage Turns to Disaster
The luxury motor cruiser, fresh from the shipyard, was being manoeuvred in the waters near Pagham when it suddenly and inexplicably began taking on water. Onlookers and harbour staff watched in horror as the sleek, white vessel quickly listed to one side before capsizing and sinking beneath the waves.
The owner of the yacht and one crew member were aboard during the short-lived journey. As the situation rapidly deteriorated, they had no choice but to abandon the sinking ship. In a dramatic escape, both individuals were forced to swim for their lives to the nearby shore, emerging from the water shaken but unharmed.
Investigation and Aftermath
Emergency services, including the Coastguard and lifeboat crews, were swiftly dispatched to the scene. A significant clean-up operation was initiated as pollutants from the sunken craft began to leak into the surrounding marine environment.
Marine accident investigators have launched a full probe to determine the cause of the sudden sinking. Early speculation points towards a potential failure of the sea cock, a crucial valve that allows water to flow in and out for the engine's cooling system. If this valve fails or a connected hose comes loose, it can cause catastrophic flooding.
The sunken yacht now lies partially submerged in the harbour, a stark and embarrassing sight for the prestigious boat manufacturer, Princess Yachts. The company has stated it is "aware of the incident" and is cooperating fully with the investigation to understand the root cause of this devastating failure.
