KITTERY, Maine — Local boaters are being alerted: After a number of delays, the salvage operation of the sunken 70-foot Marlow yacht that was destroyed by fire last month was again tentatively set for Saturday, July 9.

There are a lot of factors that play into the plans to raise and bring to shore the "TOO Elusive," and more delays are still possible, according to the Coast Guard. Wind and wave conditions have caused cancellation of the scheduled operation recently. The operation, expected to begin in early morning, could be called off any time.

On June 18, smoke was seen for miles as the yacht burned in the vicinity of the Wentworth Marina in New Castle. The three people aboard the yacht leaped into the water with their two dogs and were rescued by a local lobsterman. The burned yacht drifted into Maine waters, sinking under about 80 feet of water about a mile south of the K2R buoy, where it has remained since, according to authorities.

Now, the mission is to get the vessel out of the water to reduce the environmental impact of pollutants and fuel leakage.

Coast Guard Lt. Ryan Koroknay said Friday afternoon the salvage team has kept a close eye on the weather to ensure the operation will run smoothly. 

"We've been waiting for the right window of good weather because it is a very complex process to get this vessel situated," Koroknay said. 

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Kittery sent out a notice from the harbormaster to residents, asking boaters to stay out of the area during the removal. Authorities have warned that the salvage operation is an all-day undertaking.

The Coast Guard will be enforcing a 200-yard safety zone. Boaters will be required to stay outside of the zone and be mindful of their vessel wake while in the general area. Koroknay asks boaters to reduce speed and not congregate around the perimeter, noting that wake waves could endanger salvage crews in the water. 

To avoid the risk of any damaged or lost gear during this time, boaters are encouraged to remove all gear in the area ahead of time.

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The salvage operation has been postponed twice now, with the Coast Guard citing weather, wind and water conditions. Koroknay said winds were blowing nearly 20 mph in the area surrounding the wreck on the last scheduled day, which can cause wave conditions that may be unsafe for divers.

David Madore, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, said that the operation is subject to change. If it doesn't happen Saturday, it would be rescheduled to another day next week.

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The salvage company and divers will meet with the various state and regional agencies to debrief on the weather and wave conditions the morning of the operation.

"Compared to other salvage projects, this one has a lot more unknowns, and because of the location and the condition of the vessel after the fire, we must take all necessary precautions," Madore said.

A crew of divers and salvage operation members have already rigged 10 airlift bags to the vessel, which will be inflated to help the yacht rise to the surface. Side tow barges will help float the boat to where a crane will be used to put it onto a barge. The barge will bring the yacht to Riverside and Pickering Marine Contractors in Newington.

Amber Lagace, spokesperson for New Hampshire State Police, said the yacht will remain there, for now, as evidence in the ongoing investigation by New Hampshire authorities, the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.

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Crews from the Coast Guard, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and Maine Department of Environmental Protection continue to monitor the situation and will be on hand during the removal operation. Also involved are Maine Marine Patrol, Riverside and Pickering Marine, and US Ecology of Portsmouth, the environmental firm hired to do any cleanup if it is needed.

Karen Dandurant and Ian Lenahan contributed to this report.