MEMBERS of the public are being warned to stay away from a yacht wrecked off Lowertown, after five youngsters were rescued from nearby rocks on Sunday evening.

The five boys had been unable to resit the temptation of the 39-foot yacht, the Mistral, which ran aground after breaking free of its moorings last Tuesday, September 4.

The yacht, believed to be from the Liverpool area, had previously been rescued by Fishguard lifeboat on Sunday, August 12.

On that occasion the yacht, with two crew onboard, was ten miles north of Strumble Head and had experienced engine failure in foggy conditions. She was towed back to Fishguard Harbour.

Just over three weeks later the yacht broke its moorings in northerly winds and ended up on the rocks.

This time there was no crew onboard. Last Thursday a specialist contractor boarded the vessel to remove fuel from the vessel and minimise risk of pollution. The Western Telegraph received, as yet unconfirmed, reports of customs officials onboard the yacht on Friday.

The hull of the yacht is now holed leaving her submerged as the tide comes in but exposed on allow tide.

On Sunday five youngsters, one understood to be a non-swimmer, got caught out by the tide after boarding the yacht.

They were rescued by a local fisherman, Ed Hughes, a couple swimming nearby also went to their aid. A local sailor had seen the boys in trouble and raised the alarm; Fishguard lifeboat and coastguard crews were also tasked to the incident.

"We urge people to stay clear of the yacht as there are potentially many hidden dangers," said a spokesman for Fishguard coastguards.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said the authority had been liaising with the vessel’s owners to arrange for its recovery.

"To date no action has materialised," said the spokesman. "We are working with contractors to remove the yacht this week."