Abandoned Yacht Found.

[ozskipper]

Abandoned in 2012 the yacht drifted from close to Tonga across the Pacific to the Australian Coastline.

PolAir 3 discovers Abandoned Vessel 'WINDIGO' - YouTube

On Saturday 23 February 2013, Polair 3 were undertaking operations south of Coffs Harbour for flood relief, when they have come across an abandoned yacht located on Bongil Beach.

Polair 3 landed nearby and the crew were able to board the yacht, checking for signs of life or if any person may have been aboard.

The crew were able to establish that no person was onboard the yacht, and the investigation of how the vessel came to be on Bongil Beach swung into action.

The yacht, bearing the markings 'WINDIGO' was abandoned at sea in November 2012.

The two occupants of the vessel were rescued from the 'WINDIGO' after the vessel capsized in heavy seas. The rescue operation involved assets of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal New Zealand Navy and a French Naval vessel.

The Polair crew were astounded to learn that 'WINDIGO', after capsizing in heavy seas, was abandoned 435nm south-west of Tonga, and 738nm north of New Zealand. The vessel has been drifting since November 2012, and has eventually come to rest on Bongil Beach.

Det Supt Mark Noakes, Commander of Polair said, "Polair has been in contact with the owners of 'WINDIGO', and they are now making plans to travel from New Zealand to retrieve their yacht. The crew of Polair are happy to have played a part in the retrieval of 'WINDIGO', after her amazing journey across the Pacific Ocean

[Ram]

does not look like its worth traveling to pick it up !

[Moonpie]

Interesting. Would love to hear the rest of the story.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Moonpie

Interesting. Would love to hear the rest of the story.

here from november 2012

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...elp-93248.html

[zeehag]

wonder if they still want her back now they have seen her in pix.....

[DeepFrz]

One large petri dish...

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

One large petri dish...

...would make a great test case for a pressure-washer.

[David_Old_Jersey]

IIRC the owners were not insured - if that the case then I don't see her as being salvageable.......I wonder what the NZ authorities will want done with her? anything?

[Teknav]

Now, if the helm was made of wood and bronze/brass (like old ships used to have)...now you're talking about a very pricey helm...worth salvaging. At present, it could be sunk as an artificial reef. Mauritz

[hellosailor]

" checking for signs of life or if any person may have been aboard."
Without going below, or hailing, or looking for bodies forward below? I guess they figured it was an old wreck and not worth a real look. Surprising. Or ultracautious.

[Pete7]

I wondered about that too, however, later you see the wave surround the yacht which without a keel wouldn't take much to roll.

Pete

[bluetoff]

Just though I might add that they have arrived to see Windigo.

[Jimbo485]

Any more news about the final fate of Windigo?