Rescued Off Islay

[Aja]

10.35....

Just heard on regional news that a 30' yacht caught fire and burned to the waterline before sinking. Person on board managed to get off into their rubber dinghy and was later rescued by another yacht.

Donald

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[Gordonmc]

I too picked up the tail end of the BBC bulletin and spend an hour or so looking for more details on teletext as I have a friend singlehanding in the same area. Couldn't find a thing until this morning.
Apparently he was filling a generator and spilled petrol found its way below decks and into the galley.
The boat was called Spark, a 30 foot woody. The man, from Oban is, thankfully, OK and was allowed to catch the ferry after hospital checks on Islay.

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[jhr]

I hope this isn't the guy who has been posting on here as Spark. He's spent several years building an absolutely beautiful traditional wooden sailing boat with stunning levels of craftsmanship - a real labour of love.

She has an electric motor, hence loads of batteries to be charged, hence a lot of generation needed................

I hope it's not him. /forums/images/icons/frown.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[boatless]

I have a horrible feeling that it is.

Spark is (was) 30ft. This is his description.

"Spark is fitted with a prototype electric auxiliary drive system which we are currently testing on a voyage around the coasts of UK/Ireland. She only has a 4-stroke suitcase genny as a back-up to overnight shore power charging, wind genny, and regen when sailing"

Hope Malcolm is OK and has the will to rebuild if it is him. She was beautiful.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Aja]

Saw the same report in The Herald this morning.

Seems he is ok. Didn't like the description last night that it burnt to the waterline before sinking. I at first thought it was a GRP boat - but a wooden one doing this is incredible

Donald

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[jleaworthy]

Malcolm last posted (on Reader to Reader) from Strangford Lough two weeks ago. It would seem that he had given up his plans for Cross Haven in Cork Harbour and was returning to Skye when the incident occurred. It's an absolute tragedy but all his freinds will be relieved to know he's OK. I had the joy of helping him rig and launch Spark just two months ago. As others have said she was beautifully built over two years, fitted with the very best gear and designed, built and sailed by a most able yet modest man.

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[charles_reed]

Why nm

nm

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[Aja]

Re: Why nm

I would imagine - though no expert - that grp would be more combustible than wood.

Donald

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[graham]

Re: Commiserations

Looked at web pictures of Spark. What a beautiful piece of craftmanship.Such a shame she is gone but good to hear the owner is ok.

The name turned out to be a bit of an omen...

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[shamrock]

Re: Commiserations

I would like to add my comiserations and best wishes to Spark's owner. His website, the beautiful boat and the innovative ideas that it embodied, have been an inspiration since I first visited the site over 18 months ago.

I have been following the progress and launch of Spark via my humble computer screen, and it was with a heavy heart that I heard of the loss of a boat and feared that it must be this beautiful work of art.

Obviously, I am glad to hear that her creator is OK and I hope that we will see and hear more ideas and renewed energy from QEI in the future. My ability to offer support is limited by distance and resources, but not by willing, so whatever is next, and whatever is needed, let the world know via the website and I'm sure many of us will be there at least in spirit.

Nick

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