Hallberg-Rassy 42 Rescue: Salvage Video
Hallberg-Rassy 42 Rescue
It’s the phone call no sailor ever wants to make, and no boat owner ever wants to receive.
Recently, the Boatbreakers Video team was called to action after a devastating report from Portsmouth Harbour. A much-loved Hallberg-Rassy 42, a 15-tonne Swedish-built legend known for its blue-water pedigree, had suddenly and unexpectedly sunk overnight on its mooring.
Seeing a vessel of this calibre, with a market value exceeding £150,000, fully submerged is a heartbreaking sight. But in the world of marine salvage, there is no time for sentiment, only a race against the tide.
The Operation Begins
Just two days after the sinking, the recovery mission was in full swing. To tackle a job of this scale, Boatbreakers Video joined forces with the heavy-lifting experts at Baker Trayte Marine and the professional underwater team from RS Divers.
The challenge was immense. To get a 15-tonne yacht off the seabed and back onto the surface requires more than just a big crane; it requires precision, patience, and a bit of luck. The Baker Trayte barge moved into position alongside the wreck, while the dive team worked beneath the murky surface to secure the lifting strops and assess the hull’s integrity.
Could She Be Saved?
The big question on everyone’s mind was: Will she float again? A submerged yacht faces massive internal damage from salt water, silt, and pressure. However, Hallberg-Rassy hulls are built like tanks. The drama of the moment was palpable as the crane began to take the strain. And the yacht slowly emerged from the Portsmouth waters.
Watch the Full Recovery
We captured every moment of this high-stakes salvage operation. From the initial dive to the final moments of the re-float, you can see exactly what it takes to rescue a sunken legend.
Watch the full, dramatic recovery operation here!
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