Bugger

[grant 40]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65917342/man-drowns-at-wellington-regatta 

[erice 732]

grief in auckland too

 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65925106/man-struck-by-yacht-in-hauraki-gulf

 

The Auckland Coastguard said the man was pulled from the water unconscious but breathing having jumped from his vessel to avoid a collision.

It is believed that once in the water he was struck by the oncoming vessel, a 15m yacht.

[erice 732]

"Before we knew it he was within 20m of us and our captain, my brother, called for us all to abandon ship. As he jumped, the yacht swerved at the last minute and as my brother came up out of the water, the yacht hit him," he said.

"We later discovered that he had left his yacht on autopilot while he was seeing to something below deck. Who would leave their boat on autopilot in a harbour packed with boats fishing?" Nik Mimilo said.

 

Last night, James Mimilo said his father was in a stable condition in Auckland Hospital. He had lacerations on one leg, but no broken bones.

The accident occurred near Crusoe Rock, a popular fishing spot in Sergeant Channel, midway between Motuihe and Waiheke Islands. Conditions were clear and winds of 10 to 15 knots.

The Coastguard was alerted at 2.40pm by a member of the public and sent a rescue vessel to collect Mr Mimilo

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11398643

[Deep Purple 512]

Okay who was it? The thought of anyone navigating on autohelm anywhere near a channel or within harbour limits on Sunday is criminal in itself. I have never seen so many boats out fishing. Charges should be a formality.

[Clipper 343]

It was incredibly busy out there.  

 

Mid arvo the breeze picked up enough to sail, but we weren't comfortable tacking up the harbour with so many boats zooming around (due to reduced visibility under sails etc).