Firefighters save sinking luxury yacht

The owner of a luxury yacht could face a bill topping $400,000 after it began sinking in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour overnight.

By the time firefighters arrived shortly before 7am today the 20 metre Karuba IV was bow down and full of water at its berth.

Firefighters clambered on board and used three pumps to pump the yacht dry, discharging water at 40 litres a second.

Auckland deputy harbour master Jim Dilley said a fitting failed and then the yacht began taking on water overnight.

As it settled bow first, sink outlets went under water and it began taking on water faster. Firefighters said it would have sunk completely in 20 or 30 minutes.

Mr Dilley said it was very wet inside and full of sewage from the holding tanks. The engine had been under water and would have to be removed and stripped. The yacht would probably have to be rewired.

He said the bill could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The skipper was believed to be in Paihia in the Far North.

Firefighters fixed the faulty fitting and had the yacht pumped out within an hour.

- NZPA