Solo Sailor Missing in Bass Strait

[Kd9truck]

Originally Posted by Bundyon

Old Stan is a friend, I am hoping he is found alive but one has to realise that wil be highly unlikely. His wife had died in his arms, her last words to him were; " Go & buy that boat that you have always wanted"!
"Munyana" is a 57' steel Ketch, beautifully fitted out with the best of everything, it was fitted with high solid safety rails, a strong, mechanically sound 220h.p. M.A.N. etc. Stan had solo sailed her from Cairns, tracking the East Coast. Not sure where he actually tracked South East from the mainland to head for Tassie, he was talking about making a straight through run from Newcastle.
"It's okay sailor, we'll take the watch from here"
The last couple of months here in Australia and particularly on the East Coast we have had several tragedies and near tragedies involving boaties, most of them have been experienced sailors?! In November, a good mate on his trawler, tied up two boats from me, stepped onboard late at night and slipped, falling in to the water. I found his body washed up in front of my boat early the next morning. Pete was an extremely experienced skipper. Please be careful out there guys, accidents happen, regardless of experience!

Sorry for your loss’es friend.

[proudsailor]

Profoundly sad. But may my last day on earth be one where I am living my dream, and hoping that was the case with Stan. My condolences to all who knew him.....

[icemate]

It's always a sad day when a brother of the sea is no longer with us. Better to die doing what you love than wasting away in some nursing home not knowing where you are.

[davil]

[QUOTE=Bundyon; His wife had died in his arms, her last words to him were; " Go & buy that boat that you have always wanted"!
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On same situation share the same thoughts as I sail with her memories and company now.
My thoughts to his family and friends.
He did not give up and we all share that spirit,lets celebrate their commitment and love for each other.
Family and friends will grieve the loss.
That is the burden of those left behind however lets have a toast to their lives and a guiding light for all of us.

[Sylph VI]

Agree with above sentiments. I have sailed that area single-handed many times.
I also thought that 57 feet is a lot of boat for one person to manage. One has to compensate size with more complexity and therefore there are more things to go wrong. I wonder whether the coroner will be able to piece together what happened or whether it will be a 'Mary Celeste' type story. My concern with these incidents is that the authorities tend to introduce more rules and restrictions that make it harder for us to do what we love.

[Mr B]

When they have a Cyclone up north, Qld,
We just have strong winds down here in the south, Tasmania,

[icemate]

Originally Posted by Mr B

When they have a Cyclone up north, Qld,
We just have strong winds down here in the south, Tasmania,

Here in Buffalo, NY we have snow storms while down South in Florida they have hurricanes.
Sailed to Australia single handed but when I went to Tasmania I flew. Met nicest people in both places. Would be nice if missing sailor was picked up by another and is somewhere recovering.

[JamesPNW]

Rest In Peace.

[Apollo19.5]

I lost a mate from the boat behind us bringing the yacht back from Hobart. Was 11m seas and a bit washy in the straits at the time. Many years ago and still miss Wally.


RIP fellow mariner

[icemate]

On my voyage to New Zealand from Tonga in 2000,four yachts were lost and 2 fellow sailors died in horrendous storm. May all those lost at sea, RIP.

[Jamesiv1]

To the wind that blows,
To the boat that goes,
And to the lass that loved a sailor.

[category4jay]

RIP Capitan

[gazcubby]

Hey mate.

I was on Flinders Island recently and we heard from locals about Munyana and how she ended up being moored at Lady Barron. Both self furling jibs are shredded up, a little damage from the rescue boat I assume on the starboard side. Otherwise, it presents so well despite its tragic history.

What an incredible boat to set off on for such sail.

RIP

[Wotname]

Welcome aboard CF, gazcubby, great first post and thanks for the picture.

[Mr B]

It can happen so quick,

Left lakes Entrance two weeks ago, a sudden Gale came up, It was following, so not a problem,
4 to 5 metre waves, Very high wind,
A huge wave came over the Transom and over the Bimini, It filled the cockpit with water and almost washed me over the side,
The cockpit covers took the brunt off it, But it did slam me against the cockpit seat and I badly injured my spine,

Talking with Averil after it, If that ever happens again and I do go over, Just hit the Epirb and wait for the cavalry to find you, Ten minutes teaching her to operate the EPIRB,,
In those conditions, I will be dead in Minutes, You will never find me out here,

We have had five Gales in a month in Bass Strait since leaving Yaringa in Westernport Bay,