Yacht Lost But Crew Safe In Rescue Bid

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 22

Yacht Lost But Crew Safe In Rescue Bid

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, . April 16. The owner-skipper of a 30ft Wellington yacht, Mr G. Devitt, told today how he and three crew members nearly lost their lives when going to the assistance of passengers from the Wahine last Wednesday.

Mr Devitt’s yacht the Tahi Miranda, one of the most beautifully prepared in Wellington, sank in heavy seas in Wellington Harbour. Mr Devitt had sold his house to buy the yacht and was preparing the craft for a world cruise. Mr Devitt said today that when he heard over the radio that the Wahine had begun to list and people were jumping into the sea, he decided to put to sea. He was accompanied by Messrs J. Lysaght, N. Cass and T. Colgan. Mr Devitt said the yacht had turned to help survivors struggling in the water south of the Wahine when a big sea swept over the yacht from the stern. “We took some water aboard and turned south again

while we pumped out,” he said. FREAK WAVE “We were just clear of water and still heading south when a freak wave came over the bows. “It towered away up over the mast It seemed like 40ft above us. We started to rise on it then it broke.” Mr Devitt said when the tons of water from the breaking sea crashed down on the yacht she turned over twice. When she came up, the mast was smashed off, two stanchions gone and the yacht was well filled with water. Mr Devitt said he did not see Mr Colgan again after the capsize till they reached land. All had their life jackets tom off when the yacht went over.

Mr Lysaght got the only spare life jacket, Mr Cass a fender and Mr Devitt a lifebuoy. Mr Devitt said that after two more waves swept across the yacht, the yacht sank. ALL INJURED All were washed ashore at different points and all had their clothes tom off in the sea. In the landing, Mr Devitt suffered cracked ribs, a twisted neck and a gash in the back of his head. Mr Cass suffered bad cuts in the legs, Mr Lysaght suffered a broken shoulder and bad cuts, and Mr Colgan suffered from exposure.

All were admitted to the Tutt Hospital, but have since been discharged.