Mutiny yacht found afloat
The yacht abandoned two months ago after the crew “mutinied” against the skipper has been spotted floating about 370km off the New Zealand coast.
Owner/skipper Bill Heritage was forced to abandon the yacht off the north coast of NZ in April when his three inexperienced crewmen ignored his orders and set off a rescue beacon.
Mr Heritage told insuranceNEWS.com.au the yacht was spotted last week by an NZ air force aircraft. “She is upright with her mast intact and still riding high in the water,” he said. “It proves the boat was in no danger when they set off the beacon.
“I expect it is too far away for the insurance company to be tempted to try a recovery operation.”
Mr Heritage intends to eventually use his insurance payout to replace the yacht, but told a TV interviewer: “I’ll choose my crew more carefully next time.”
Owner/skipper Bill Heritage was forced to abandon the yacht off the north coast of NZ in April when his three inexperienced crewmen ignored his orders and set off a rescue beacon.
Mr Heritage told insuranceNEWS.com.au the yacht was spotted last week by an NZ air force aircraft. “She is upright with her mast intact and still riding high in the water,” he said. “It proves the boat was in no danger when they set off the beacon.
“I expect it is too far away for the insurance company to be tempted to try a recovery operation.”
Mr Heritage intends to eventually use his insurance payout to replace the yacht, but told a TV interviewer: “I’ll choose my crew more carefully next time.”