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Old 05-10-2010, 01:45   #1
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'Kymika' Lost

Bill Hughes 71 years old from Mandura Western Australia was on his way home from a single handed 3 year circumnavigation when his yacht Kymika a 32 ft westail which he spent 10 years building went ashore on Ackers Reef in the Torres Strait.

Bill was rescued and the boat was reported as being refloated but has since gone missing anyone cruising up that way may like to keep an eye out.

Most of Bills possessions and memories are on board
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Old 05-10-2010, 02:13   #2
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For the record, Bill ran aground on about the 17th or 18th of August 2010. I am not sure when the boat was reported missing but it was before 1st September.

Given the very fast tides and the numerous reefs to say nothing of the constant trade winds > 20 kts in that area, I would say the boat has well and truly broken up however one always hope that it might be found afloat. It is still afloat, it will certainly be to the west (or NW) of the straits (IMO).

It is always sad to hear of boat and all possessions lost.
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Old 05-10-2010, 04:20   #3
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Truly unfortunate marc
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Old 06-10-2010, 12:42   #4
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Sad to hear about the loss.

Last year I came from Darwin to Cairns in May/June and can appreciate the location and conditions Bill went through.

I cannot remember where[without looking up the log, but I think it was north of Morris Is] The chart indicated an isolated danger mark and I plotted to sail between it and the reef extending south from an island.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/v...uencies109.jpg

However, there was no isolated danger mark and the reef marker was red over black! I was aiming to go east of the 'danger mark' until it became quite obvious [that it was the reef marker]. I was very tired, [which is the reason for my brief lack of clarity] and lucky that I went past this in daylight.

Glad to hear Bill is OK.
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Old 06-10-2010, 13:46   #5
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Kymika was not refloated. Bill was lifted of the boat and taken to Thursday, when he came back some day later, the boat was not there. It is possible she slipped off the reef and sank on the drop off. It is also possible she freed herself with the tide and was taken away, but since she was taking water it seems very likely she sank anyway.

Bill's voyage was quite unbelievable and he made it all the way round. What a pity he clipped the reef in his home waters. **** happens.

His adventure was a blunt answer to all those "can't, won't, too old, how much, looking for sponsors and which boat" questions and statements that sound like a silly excuse NOT to sail.

Too bad the boat is gone, she was a brave ship and Bill's home away from home.

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Old 06-10-2010, 14:13   #6
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Theres a nice article and a hint the boat may still be afloat - but that news may be fore barnies - and a couple photos

BBC News - Conwy sailor's round-the-world dream shattered by reef
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Old 06-10-2010, 14:48   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkJ View Post
Theres a nice article and a hint the boat may still be afloat - but that news may be fore barnies - and a couple photos

BBC News - Conwy sailor's round-the-world dream shattered by reef
Yep.

Illustrated with the picture we took when sailing off RSA.

The info in the article is not spot on. In fact Billy was not coasting - I assume he sailed out and took the main shipping channel.

But the info about Kymika spotted by the Coastguard after the accident could be true. I read elsewhere that she was taking water in result of the hit and grounding. It had to be quite some amount of water because Bill is not one of those who get scared of a couple of bucketfuls in the bilge. Hence my guess on her sinking.

THX, Mark,
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Old 20-10-2010, 02:35   #8
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kymika was refloated and anchored the next day when Bill returned she was missing
she was then spotted again by a trawler and said to be salvagable when the trawler returned to salvage she had disappeared again
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Old 20-10-2010, 10:36   #9
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Oh Westsails...minds of their own. She probably didn't trust Bill after those rocks
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