The clean-up operation at Torquay harbour continues today following the fire to the princess yacht on Saturday 28 May 2022.
Teams from Tor Bay Harbour Authority, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Coastguard teams and the Environment Agency worked hard over the weekend to ensure that the salvage and clean-up operation got underway as quickly as possible.
Torbay Council have initiated their Marine Pollution Contingency Plan and are following national Maritime & Coastguard Agency guidance to minimise pollution and environmental impacts.
It is estimated that specialist teams have already removed three tonnes of marine diesel from the water with more due to be removed today.
To allow these specialist teams to safely dispose of the remaining fuel, Princess Pier is still closed, and a cordon remains in place.
Structural surveys are being undertaken to assess the damage to Princess Pier. The pier will remain closed for the foreseeable future and will re-open to the public once the salvage operation is completed.
Torbay Council are constantly monitoring the condition of the water and are taking the necessary precautions in terms of advising bathers and beach users of any changes to the water. Members of the public are asked to take note of any signs, messages, and instructions from Tor Bay Harbour Authority.
An investigation is underway by the police to determine the cause of the fire.
Torbay Council are liaising with the owners of the vessel and their insurers to ensure the vessel can be salvaged as quickly as possible.
Torbay Council would like to reassure everyone that the English Riviera Airshow and all other Jubilee events will be going ahead as planned this weekend. Final preparations for all aspects are underway for what is set to be a fantastic weekend of activity celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Event Village on Paignton Green will be open from 10.30am on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, with a fantastic line up of both military and civilian air displays team who take to the sky from early afternoon.
We’d like to thank all of our partners and the emergency services who have responded to this incident, and the public for their ongoing co-operation to ensure teams can carry out their work as swiftly and safely as possible.
Information on our Jubilee weekend programme can be found via: https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/
