The wreckage of a 60ft cabin cruiser overturned and sank in the Severn estuary is still visible but no longer a major menace to other river users.

The 54-year-old owner of the motor cruiser Jaqmarie rowed himself and his dog to safety in a dinghy when she ran aground on Lydney Sand on June 15.

She now lies on Frampton Sands, just off the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and is out of the commercial shipping lane according to Severn Area Rescue Association chairman Dave Moore.

"But she is starting to break up. A bit has already washed ashore at Slimbridge. The bits could be a hazard for a while yet," said Mr Moore, whose crews tuned out when alerted by Swansea Coastguard.

They have since been putting marker buoys on the largest piece of the wreckage as a warning to small craft.

"There has been some talk of salvaging the engines, I understand. It all depends on whether she sinks any further in the sandbank."

Mike Johnson of Gloucester Harbour Trustees, who is based at Sharpness, said he also thought the vessel was breaking up rapidly.

"I looked at her through glasses and there certainly isn't all that much of her now," he said. "I don't think there would be anything salvageable. What's left is sinking into the sands rapidly."

Jaqmarie was on course from Ilfracombe to Sharpness when she grounded and was overturned.

The owner from Chichester, Sussex, who had been living aboard, was unhurt, as was the dog.

"I understand he is pretty upset though," said Dave More.