A sailing yacht anchored off the Purple Turtle Beach at Prince Rupert’s Bay burst its mooring in the early hours of Thursday morning and has run aground on the northern end of the beach.
The yacht, Utopia, had two crew members aboard when high seas, caused by the passing of Tropical Storm Isaac, ripped the vessel from its moorings.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the two were asleep at the time and when they awoke the yacht was drifting and they were not able to rectify the situation in time.
The vessel ran aground against a bank of rock armor in the area known as Pont Glou-Glou at the end of Purple Turtle Beach. The port side of the hull has been seriously damaged by being beaten against the rocks.
The obviously distraught sailors said they were aware of the pending storm and had anchored out at sea but a strong currents dragged the boat towards land.
Since early Thursday morning the sea swells have been high, coming into the bay from the south west.
A crowd of residents from Lagon and Portsmouth gathered along the shore viewing the waves smashing against the hull of the yacht.
Officials of the Dominica Airport and Sea Port Authority (DASPA) were on the scene this morning to assess the damage and make contingency plans.
Photos below by Chad Ambo
They were wind surfing in the hurricane woye!
Anybody know if this John & Cynthia Tilden’s boat?
hopefully it was insured
Well its ironic that this incident happenned closed to the proposed sight for the so called “marina” we`ve been hearing about for donkey years now. Dominica is the only island in the western hemisphere without a “yachting marina”…what u saying `bout int`l airport? garcon leave me alone!!!!!!
Well Anguilla must be in the eastern hemisphere because that island has neither marina nor international airport although their economy is dependent on tourism.
Technically if the rope had not burst the ship would still be safe and sound, so it was merely a matter of cheap rope. These yaughts see worst waters out in the mid oceans. That is why the men were sleeping it through.
Slasher, them man should have just pulled up under the zaman tree and hold down some banane payzay and fish
Amazing and lifelike pics, da just beautiful,…
GOOD JOB BOYS
I cant understand this couple, did’nt they have any form of communication system on their boat, in this upcoming events what amount of sleep one needed? All the other boats in the area headed south to weather the storm, yet these peopls decided to weather the storm in Dominica. That was just crazy. I strongly believe that these people was under some influence
All the same I’m sorry for their loses, its a hard way to learn
Great Pics. They tell a thousand words. Sorry about the loss.
Were they under a rock!!!!! Did they not hear a storm was in the area??
Didn’t you read the article? You suffering from memory loss or what!!
one thing we in possie have our fault but when comes to hospitable we ready wa you say?
your so right about that .but i think its all of us dominicans thank God for that one love to all dominicans
alas
Big up to Jeff, Bounty and Blacksam for the helping hands nooooo nooooo noooo is them self tht tie the boat where it was an they know that wasn’t a stronge line so they had to help so doe give them no prace
cool guyz keep up the good work. Possie fellas always willing to help make their contribution.
Let it be known, for clarification purposes that DASPA and CUSTOMS & EXCISE are very different entities who work hand-in-hand. Customs has law-given authority on sea and in dealing with any sea vessel firstly, before the police or anyone else. Which is why they accompany the police(cast guard) on raids..etc.. which happen on the sea.
Customs officicals were on the scene early in the morning, not DASPA personnel.
they came in much later in the day.
Thus the need for a secure marina.
well well well, we have too Learn to be Sober and vigilant!be on our Guard.
I will start by sayin this is a very sad news…but I cannot believe a boat rockin so hard and they wasnt feelin it….hmmm…they had to be under the influence of somethin….they alone that no what I would be talkin about…sad news…
Careless and carefree. A storm is approaching, as much as sleep may be neccessary, its up to the both of you to ensure that periodically you wake up to check on your vessel.
Possie boat boys to the rescuew… keep up the good work Portsmouth Association for Yacht Security (PAYS. You see them fellas, it’s not steal they stealing, is help they helping. The yachtiing business is their livelihood, theie main source of income. They have to protect their livelihood and the yachting sector. They must be recognized for their important role in the tourism industry, and in particular, the yachting sector…
Sorry that this yacht suffered some damage but hope the occupants are ok
Big up to Jeff, Bounty and Blacksam for the helping hands.
i see that same thing happen in the bvi people take warning wen there is a storm don’t take no chances with mother nature she has no face and style