YACHT CAPSIZES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23013, 16 October 1936, Page 6

YACHT CAPSIZES

MISHAP IN HARBOUR LAUNCH EFFECTS RESCUE To be left clinging to the keel of an upturned yacht in the cold water of Otago Harbour for about 20 minutes was the experience yesterday afternoon of two young men—Flightlieutenant Simpson and Flight-lieu-tenant Boyd, both of Palmerston North. The men, who were sailing the 12ft 6in yacht Puketi, were approximately a quarter of a mile out from the boat harbour of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club, and in the vicinity of Castle beacon, when a sudden southerly squall caused the little craft to capsize, leaving the occupants clinging to the upturned keel. There was a fairly heavy sea running at the time and the sudden gust of wind gave the men no warning of what was likely to happen. Some workers in the vicinity of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club's room were the first to observe the predicament of the yachtsmen and they immediately got into communication with Mr C. J. Nelson, the caretaker of the club. Mr Nelson quickly set out in a dinghy to lend assistance, but in the meantime Captain Mac Lean, who was a little distance ahead in an Otago Harbour Board launch, had also noticed the mishap and he lost no time in taking the men on board and towing the yacht to the boat harbour.

Though the airmen were little the worse for their immersion, and at no time were in any great danger, they were decidedly fortunate that assistance was rendered so promptly.