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Scores of boats raced to help a luxury 50ft yacht when it foundered on rocks off the Gwynedd coast yesterday afternoon (Monday, August 11). A passing jet ski played the Titanic theme tune through a loudspeaker as a crew member clung frantically to the listing vessel.
The ketch, on passage from Aberystwyth to Pwllheli, came to grief on submerged rocks a quarter of a mile from St Tudwal’s Island East near Abersoch on the Llŷn Peninsula. The island’s owner, Carl Hollins, was first on the scene and he tried unsuccessfully to pull the yacht from its its Carreg y Trai perch, also known as Half Tide Rocks.
The vessel was a Swedish-built Hallberg-Rassy, regarded as the “Rolls Royce” of sailing yachts. Second hand prices often start at £500,000 for smaller models.
Half Tide Rocks are usually visible above the surface and are a favourite basking spot for seals. Yesterday they were submerged by a high Spring tide but the rocks are charted and the twin-mast yacht should have been alerted to the hazard through its GPS system.
On spotting the stranded vessel, Mr Hollins, son of the late TV comedy writer Carla Lane, jumped into his rigid inflatable (RIB) and sped to the scene.
He said: “The rocks were a foot or two beneath the water and the yacht, with its sails down, had run hard aground. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
“The skipper knew what he was doing but there was a young woman on board who was clinging onto the deck for dear life. I tried to reassure her she would be OK – I shouted the Coastguard had been alerted and a lifeboat was on its way.”
In the meantime, Carl hatched a rescue plan. Asking the skipper to untie the yacht’s halyard – the rope running up its mast – he picked one end from the water and lashed it to his RIB.
“I gunned the engine as hard as I could to pull the yacht,” he said. “But it wouldn’t budge from the rocks.
“Unfortunately the tide was receding and there was a strong, four-knot current, making it hard to shift.”
By this time he’d been joined by Abersoch’s RNLI lifeboat – and a few others. “It seemed like 100 boats and craft had come to help,” said Carl.
“It’s always sad to see a boat founder that’s worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Being a Hallberg-Rassy, it’s one of the Ferraris or Rolls Royces of sailing boats.
“There was a lighter moment when a jet skier started playing the Titanic theme tune through his sound system. It was quite amusing – everyone seemed to see the funny side.
“Later, when the tides had gone out some 6ft or 7ft, there was lots of interest in the yacht and people started flying drones overhead.”
After sharing footage of the stranding online, Carl’s video prompted a few “can’t park there” comments. There was also plenty of applause for Carl and sympathy for the skipper.
One man said: “I feel very sorry for him/her. Yes, it was a big mistake, but anyone who has sailed for any length of time will have the odd ‘confession’ or two.”
Abersoch’s RNLI volunteer crew arrived at the scene at 12.42pm. The two casualties and their pet dog were taken onto the lifeboat where they were found to be “unharmed but somewhat shaken”.
Arrangements were made with the Harbourmaster to take them back out to their vessel later in the evening to try and refloat it on the next high tide.
“With a bit of luck they’ll be able to refloat the yacht, providing it hasn’t been holed,” said Carl. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter – sent every Tuesday
“Had the sea been rough, it’s likely it would have suffered damage – but the conditions were calm and settled today, so hopefully it will be OK.”
Abersoch RNLI volunteer Martin Turtle said the yacht had been checked over and it appeared to be watertight. He added: “Before you go afloat always check the weather and tide times, plan your passage and check the relevant nautical charts for the area in detail.”
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