The propeller of a 20ft motor cruiser became entangled in cable in Poole Harbour today, restricting access to the Backwater Channel for small vessels.
The boat owner first alerted the Poole Harbour Commissioners, who then called the coastguard and Poole Lifeboat Station. All the passengers were taken off board and no one was hurt. Southern Electric was also called out to establish it was not a live power cable.
Harbour Master, Brian Murphy said the boat would remain there overnight and the cable disentangled from its propeller in the morning during low water.
"The boat drifted outside the Channel and got caught up on something but they managed to manoeuvre it back into the Channel.
"We don't know exactly what the cable is yet but it's two inches wide, and we have established it is not a telecoms or power cable.
"This is an ongoing issue and is restricting access to the Channel for smaller vessels, as well as posing an underwater hazard. I must add that no one is in any danger."
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