Tributes

This page was updated on: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Venturers Seamanship

Last Saturday afternoon (June 19th 2000) during the "Round the island Race", a large trimaran collided with a small yacht and one of the floats of the trimaran was driven straight through the coachroof of the yacht. The vessels could not be separated while they were at sea as there was a strong wind and fairly rough sea at the time.

The two vessels were taken in tow by a rescue launch and towed up the Lymington River to the safety of the Yacht Haven. The operation took well over two hours and I happened to be on the Yacht Haven when the vessels were brought in.

I was very impressed with the way this extraordinarily difficult tow was carried out under the prevailing conditions.

When the boats came alongside I was astonished to see that the rescue craft was one of the Venturers' boats and that the tow had been effected by two boys, and I hope they will not feel insulted if I so term them, aged about 16 and 17.

They displayed the highest standards of seamanship, made light of the rescue they had undertaken and promptly refueled their boat ready to return to the Solent for further rescue work if needed.

I do not think any praise is too high for this organisation and I trust that due notice will have been taken of this very courageous act.

I know their organisation is often hard pressed for money, is it too much to hope that they may be able to collect salvage in this case?