The Loss of the Yacht Tamarind
by Daria Blackwell 21 Oct 2018 10:09 UTC
Mervyn Wheatley presenting a special OCC Award to the Master of the QM2, Captain Christopher Wells © Ocean Cruising Club
Competitors in the OSTAR-17 race, from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island, were hit by a 'once-in-a-lifetime' storm, which served up 60-knot winds and 15m seas.
At 0400 on 9 June, Mervyn Wheatley, the 73-year-old former Royal Marine, skipper of Formosa 42 TAMARIND, activated his EPIRB after a huge wave knocked her down, causing extensive damage.
The Queen Mary 2 was tasked with recovering Wheatley. TAMARIND was scuttled to prevent her becoming a hazard to navigation. Suffice it to say that the remainder of his journey was in comfort in luxurious surroundings with the most able of seamen who had coordinated his rescue.
The talk, at a joint meeting of the HSSC & RIN, will be at 2000, and (optional) dinner will be served in the bar from 1830. The venue is the Hornet Services Sailing Club on Haslar Road in Gosport (PO12 2AQ).
The talk is free; pay for dinner and drinks at the club bar. Arrival at 1815 for 2000. Guests are welcome, and bookings will close on 21st November.
Photo-ID is required for entry to the MOD site, and must match the booked names. The car park is opposite to the site entrance.
Please book via the RIN website events section: rin.org.uk/events
Click here for more information