The Port Hacking Sailor who can't take a trick
Barry Waugh, it seems just can't take a trick when it comes to sailing boats. Just two years ago, the Port Hacking sailor's yacht was burnt out when a fire on the motor cruiser berthed next door spread to his yacht. Now he has lost a second yacht in even more bizarre circumstances.
'washed up Vida III and crew photo by St George and Sutherland Shire Leader'
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With four crew, he was going north on the new $750,000 yacht Vida III, motoring without sails to get into port before dark. The seas were about two metres, and they were off the coast near Trial Bay on the New South Wales coast when the mast snapped. The mast snapped when motoring? Yes, the mast snapped when motoring! Is that a world first?
But it didn't finish there. They couldn't get the mast cut away from the yacht, and when they tried to anchor, the anchor jammed and wouldn't go down.
So then they decided to set off the emergency beacon and both Port Macquarie and North West Rocks rescue vessels came to their aid. So far so good.
However, when the vessels tried to tow the Vida III, the towing line broke twice, and then the rope became wrapped around the prop of the towing vessel.
After battling the conditions for many hours, the yacht was now being swept towards the beach, so at about 3.00am they abandoned the yacht, and the crew were brought to safety by the rescue boat.
There's more good news - the yacht is insured, and Mr Waugh can manage a smile as he says he's going to take up carpet bowls.
by BW Media 
Turners Beach, TAS
