Yacht Aground, Princess Safe

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 2

Yacht Aground, Princess Safe

fN Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright; ROME, August 26. The Italian news agency, Ansa, tonight reported from Sassari, Sardinia, that Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon had to abandon the Aga Khan's yacht today when it ran aground off the Island’s Esmerald coast.

Port authorities at Olbia—, : (the main port on the Esmerald coast—said they ihad heard nothing about the i incident But the operator of the [telephone exchange ft Olbia,! I in the north-east Sardinia,!

told Reuter: “The report is true. The Aga Khan’s yacht ran aground this afternoon but they were rescued and all are safe and sound. “The yacht heeled over on its right side . . . the authi orities are not saying anyI thing.” i Some reports in British ! newspapers said the couple had to jump into the sea when the Aga Khan’s yacht Amaloun was holed by a rock. Life Rafts Others said the Aga Khan and his guests were taken off the sinking vessel by life rafts. The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent said the incident happened “when sudden bad weather and torrential rain churned up the sea. The yacht was hurled up against a cliff off the island of Mortorio.

“The yacht sprang a leak and began to ship water. “The Aga Khan and his guests had to jump into the sea. Sailors from the yacht prepared life rafts and life belts.

“Only one sailor remained on board and called the sea rescue station on the radio. After heavy buffeting they reached a rock beach. Princess Margaret and other guests were pulled to safety. “Cars were summoned by radio telephone and took them to a hotel at Mortorio. Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon were both smiling when they arrived . “They said they had not been injured in any way.” The “Daily Express” said ■ the couple were rowed ashore lin the yacht’s lifeboat, and i were picked up later by ‘another boat