It was an “amazing rescue,” according to Eric Graves, president of Boothbay Harbor Shipyard.

A small sailboat, half sunk on a mooring near the shipyard on the afternoon of September 18, was saved by shipyard workers, with assistance from the Boothbay Harbor Coast Guard and Harbor Master Nick Upham.

The sailboat, owned by Val Thompson of Edgecomb, was discovered by shipyard workers between 3 and 4 p.m. Graves said Thompson had finished building the boat last winter.

“We felt we had to do something; we couldn't let a boat sink in front of the shipyard,” Graves said.

Graves said his workers secured a salvation bag to the stern of the boat to keep it afloat.

“There was air in the bow, which also helped it stay afloat,” Graves said.

A Coast Guard boat, the harbor master and several lobster fishermen pulled up to the rescue scene to offer assistance, as the shipyard workers untied the boat and towed the boat to the nearby shipyard – about 200 yards – and secured it to a cradle on the railway shortly before 4 p.m.

On Wednesday morning, Sept. 19, Graves said the boat will probably be hauled out for the winter. He said it appears the boat received little or no damage.