A HOUSEBOAT in Bembridge Harbour has 'sunk' this afternoon (Wednesday) despite the efforts of firefighters and coastguards.
A rescue operation was launched this afternoon (Wednesday) to save the vessel, Xoron, which used to be a bed and breakfast.
Firefighters and a team from Bembridge coastguard attended to assist in pumping water out of the vessel, but it became clear the boat was taking on water faster than it could be pumped out and the rescue efforts were stood down, according to Martin Groom of Bembridge Coastguard.
He said the bottom of the boat was resting on the bottom of the harbour and its lower deck was significantly submerged.
The alarm was raised just before 1.45pm.
The boat began to take on water after an inboard pump failed.
It will now be down to the owner and the harbour to arrange the vessel's salvage from the water.
Xoron started life as a motor gun-boat, built in 1941 and was renovated into a house boat.
The boat has featured on a number of television programmes, including Michael Palin's Column and Abroad in Britain.
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