A gulet from the V-GO fleet sank in Kalkan harbour today, 28th April 2009.

The V-Go 1, a twin masted 26 metre gulet, was travelling from Demre to Fethiye when, according to unconfirmed reports, it struck rocks close to Kapıtaş, and was holed below the waterline.

The V-GO 1 was travelling with another gulet, the Vivere, and both vessels made an emergency diversion to Kalkan harbour just before 3pm. Both gulets moored up in the harbour, on the opposite side to the Fener Cafe, so they are not interfering with routine boat traffic.

A number of men attempted to stop the boat from sinking, however their efforts did not prevent the vessel from ending up resting on the sea bed, within the harbour. At one stage, the huge crane that has been at the harbour to lift Kalkan's boats back into the water, was requisitioned to help keep the boat afloat.

Divers managed to get a hawser underneath the partially submerged gulet and the crane got as far as taking the strain, before the attempt was abandoned. The crane operator did not appear keen to proceed with the lift. A single line under the mid-section of a water-ladened boat would perhaps be too risky an operation.

As KTLN left the scene, crew members were busy pumping water out of the inner cabins, and there was talk of lifting the craft using air bags. We were unable to ascertain the extent of the damage to the hull.

The V-GO 1 remains on the harbour floor, submerged up to the gunwales (the top edge of the side of the boat).

The V-GO 1 is an 8 birth gulet, which normally operates with a 3 man crew. There were no passengers on board at the time of the incident. Staff from the company's office in Fethiye are at the scene assessing the damage.

For details of the gulet see the company website www.v-go.co.uk