Whitsunday warning as disaster hits six yachts

6:12 AM Fri 5 Feb 2010 GMT

'’Find a secure place during bad weather,’ says Kevin Fogarty' .

After a disastrous weekend when six yachts were lost and four written off during bad weather, Whitsunday Sailing Club Commodore Kevin Fogarty has encouraged boat owners to move their boats to Shute Harbour in stormy weather conditions.

The recommendation comes after several boats were destroyed and damaged during the king tides and heavy winds on the weekend.

"Boats shouldn't be left unattended on anchors at this time of the year," he said.

"In these conditions people should think about going around to Shute Harbour."

Whitsunday Sailing Club - a good place to meet other cruisers - .. .

He said that boat owners must also be watchful of their vessels and mindful of weather conditions even if their boats are on moorings.

"People need to make sure the attachment systems on the boat are compatible with the mooring," he said.

According to Mr Fogarty, there were six boats that were affected by the weekend's bad weather including four that were written off.

"Six boats is par for the course in a storm like that," he said.

by Whitsunday Times/Sail-World