STAMFORD (AP) — Maritime officials say a 50-foot, custom-built yacht worth $1.5 million is likely a total loss after it was struck by a barge laden with sand and gravel in a Connecticut harbor.

Capt. Eric Knott, Stamford's harbormaster, tells the Stamford Advocate a tug boat was delivering two barges to a construction materials company on Monday morning when one drifted away.

The barge hit the Sea Jay, a year-old catamaran built in South Africa that was preparing for a trip to French Polynesia. Knott says the barge broke off the back of one hull and severely damaged the back of the other. There also was internal and structural damage.

Sgt. Kevin Fitzgibbons of the Police Harbor Unit said the yacht is probably a total loss.

The Coast Guard is investigating.