Yacht And Crew Safe

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31052, 6 May 1966, Page 3

Yacht And Crew Safe

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 5.

Under jury cig the yacht Satanita, making about three miles an hour, sailed into Whangarei Harbour late this afternoon. All of the seven men on board are fit and well and say that at no time were they in danger. The Satanita is now at Marsden Point wharf and, if weather permits, will sail for Auckland tomorrow. The yacht had been the object of an intense air and sea search since it reported being dismasted on Tuesday. Before she sails again the empty fuel tanks will be filled

and a shaft bearing on the engine will have to be repaired. To moor alongside the wharf, kerosene from the cooking stove was used to give the engine temporary life.

Speaking tonight of their experience, the yacht’s skipper, Mr R. Wilkie, and the navigator, Mr T. Buchanan, said that when the mast broke the Satanita was sailing at from nine to 10 knots and was near the head of the Suva race fleet. When the mast broke it brought down the wireless aerial. Another aerial was rigged and later contact was

made with the Endeavour. At this time, the Endeavour was busy searching for the Tatariki. The Satanita’s crew, considering they were in no danger, did not want to worry the Endeavour. On Tuesday, light winds were experienced and the 15

horse power auxiliary motor was used. As the yacht carried only 10 gallons of diesel fuel, enough for about 20 hours’ running, the Endeavour was notified that the Satanita might not be able to reach the coast.

A rendezvous was arranged for fuel to be taken on board from the Endeavour, but somehow the craft missed each other. The Satanita continued towards the coast under jury rig helped by the engine. Unfortunately, the radio telephone then failed, and the Satanita could not communicate with the Endeavour. The order at 4 p.m. was Fidelis the leader, with the Aoronui and Taonui,’ both of which did not report during the afternoon, second and third.