Mirabella V, Joe Vittoria’s 246ft Ron Holland-designed yacht currently stranded on rocks near the entrance to Beaulieu sur Mer harbour, is this evening reported safe with a rescue plan in place.

Latest infomation is that the wind and sea state has dropped and Mirabella V is sitting upright again. Hydraulic failure due to a problem with the pipework had caused the keel to drop although it has been raised again. It is not thought to be a contributing factor in the grounding.

Mirabella is now sat on her keelbox and a small boat is in attendance with a line on. A tug is due within two hours. The 206ft explorer yacht Big Roi and Roman Abramovich’s 282ft motor yacht Ecstasea are standing by but not now actively involved in attempting a tow.

Some damage has been sustained but the rig is said to be secure. The La Ciotat dry dock is standing by to receive Mirabella as soon as she can be recovered.