Youth Stole Yacht To Sail To Canada

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31967, 19 April 1969, Page 14

Youth Stole Yacht To Sail To Canada

Zealand Pres* Association)

GISBORNE, April 18.

An 18-year-old Canadian's three weeks at sea in a stolen 24ft yacht, without compass and with little food, in an endeavour to sail to Canada, was related in the Gisborne Magistrate's Court today when the youth appeared on two charges in connection with the episode.

There is a key role for the New Zealand Gov. ernment in helping fishing industry development, he says, and both political parties have frequently expressed their desire to fulfill that role.

The youth. Larry Gerald Boudreau, an unemployed vim steward, of no fixed 1 abode, pleaded guilty to the theft of the yacht Kismett 11, and to unlawfully taking a dinghy valued at $59. both offences being committed at, Waitangi on March 28. 'This taking of yachts seems to be becoming a nat-l ional pastime,” said Mr W. M. Willis, S.M. He convicted: Boudreau on both counts, and 1 remanded him, in custody. ■ for sentence on April 22. | How Boudreau had sailed the Kismett north for 10 days, losing sight of land, was related to the court by Sergeant J. A. Franklin. The vessel had no compass and very little food aboard. Strong southerly winds dammaged the sails, the police

summary said. “Boudreau turned about and beat south until he sighted land on April 16. By this time he bad almost no food left, and had given up hope of making a landfall,” Sergrant Franklin said.

"He sailed into Waihau Bay (south of Cape Runaway), where he beached and abandoned the yacht.” Boudreau was located there by the police, and admitted taking the yacht with the intention of sailing It to Canada. Damage to it had not been assessed. Boudreau had arrived in New Zealand from Australia in October last, said Sergeant Franklin. About March 23, he hitch-hiked from Whangarei to Waitangi, arriving almost destitute. He had slept on the beach for four nights,’ as he was unable to find work or pay for accommodation.

On March 27, Boudreau had decided to steal one of the yachts in the harbour to sail home to Canada. He swam to the Kismet II and found it to his liking.