The 30-metre yacht Stoli with three sailors on-board struck a small group of islands Les îlots des Moines, 3.5 km off Roccapina, on the night of May 16-17, according to local media Corse Matin. The vessel reportedly departed from Sardinia heading to Saint-Tropez.

The captain stranded the boat at Tradicettu beach after the collision to avoid sinking, where she stayed for more than a week on the shore. Last weekend, Stoli was bailed out and towed to the port of Propriano. The crew members were taken care of, found shocked though not injured.
The operation of carrying the 115-tonnes boat was performed by the sea rescuers of the SNSM Propriano, the Sea and Assistance Company and BEXMA Expertises Maritimes.

Earlier, hazard weather conditions did not allow the towing of the yacht. During the operation, the rescuers had to pump fuel into the bunkers, mandated by the shipowner and insurance terms.
The specialised team extracted 10,000 litres of diesel oil, sea water and viscous liquid within 19 hours. Meanwhile, the risks of pollution were eliminated, thanks to erected floating pollution barriers.

This operation has mobilised for more than a week more than thirty marine rescuers of SNSM Propriano. Further investigations are under way to permanently secure the boat to a port where it will be landed.
Since the accident, the three sailors have been heard by the Maritime Gendarmerie. For the moment, the collision with the islands remains unexplained, even if the yacht was sailing at a rather high speed.
Photos: Les Sauveteurs en Mer - SNSM Propriano.