A British sailor has come to the rescue of a classic British sailing yacht which was beached in Palmanova and work is underway today to refloat the vessel. The future of the 120-year-old Owl was very much in doubt until British sailor and yacht management owner Jim Passmore stepped in and saved the day. He arrived in Palmanova this morning with a team of divers and other specialists.
"I was walking along the beach about 10 days ago with my wife and daughter and I couldn´t believe what I saw. I have admired Owl at a distance for many years. I was horrified to see her in this state. So after a few sleepness nights I put together a team of well-meaning charitable experts to rescue her. So this is what we are doing this morning. We have eight divers and a wide range of specialist equipment including two dive boats. We hope to have her refloated by this evening," said Jim Passmore.
Owl slipped her moorings during a freak storm in Palmanova at the start of the year and was washed up on the beach. Despite the best efforts of her owner he was unable to refloat her and there were fears that she could be destroyed by the Calvia council.
"We were determined to save her, she has survived two World Wars and we weren't going to let her be destroyed," he said.
Once refloated Owl will be taking to the STP shipyard in Palma where further repairs will be carried out. "This marks the dawn of a new era for the yacht."