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A yachtsman tries to save his vessel in vain at Phuket's Kata beach

Stranded Phuket Fleet Faces More Pounding

Saturday, December 11, 2010
WINNERS one day, weepers the next. Several yachts that won their classes during Phuket's King's Cup Regatta were among the unlucky dozen swept onto Kata beach by a severe storm.

Tonight as the final Phuket regatta award ceremony and party began, expensive yachts were being pounded as high tide reached up the Phuket beach.

At least one owner of a broken vessel was too distraught to talk as he literally picked up the pieces of his beautiful, expensive yacht. Others were more fortunate.

While the single hull yachts suffered badly, the catamarans and trimarans could be dragged higher up the beach, free of the battering waves that beset the final day of the celebrated annual Phuket event.

It was a bizarre scene, with holidaymakers kicking a football or relaxing on beach loungers among the hulks of vessels that only yesterday had been sailing majestically in the wind and the water.

King's Cup series winners Miss Saigon, Ichi Ban and Team Sea Bees, were storm-tossed, with Team Sea Bees faring worst.

Other boats beached or left to wallow included Thai Navy 1, Thor, Walwala, Pagatoon, Rapscallion, Zhic, Sudsakorn Too and Silk Purse.

A plan to deploy a Thai Marine Police vessel was abandoned because the waves were too rough for the ship to get close to shore. A crane is expected to be used in the morning to attempt to lift several hulls out of the water.

This year's Phuket King's Cup Regatta was also marred by the death of a crewman, Canadian Joseph Patrick, 42, on board a yacht mid-week.
Fleet Beached on Phuket: Regatta Photo Special
Photo Special Crews struggled in roaring surf to try to right valuable yachts that had been beached as a wild Phuket storm struck the King's Cup Regatta fleet of more than 100 at anchor off Kata.
Fleet Beached on Phuket: Regatta Photo Special

Phuket Storm Rips Regatta Fleet: Yachts Beached, Sail Past, Racing Cancelled
Breaking News A savage storm rips the Phuket King's Cup Regatta fleet, sweeping many boats onto Kata beach and forcing cancellation of the sail past and today's innovative racing.
Phuket Storm Rips Regatta Fleet: Yachts Beached, Sail Past, Racing Cancelled

Phuket Marine Police to Tow Yachts Free
Photo Album Marine Police were attempting to tow stranded yachts free after a wild westerly routed the Phuket King's Cup Regatta fleet off Kata beach, pushing 10 vessels ashore.
Phuket Marine Police to Tow Yachts Free

Phuket Regatta Death: Man Was 'Smiling Expat'
Latest Police have yet to reveal the cause of death of a well known expat who was found dead on board a Phuket King's Cup Regatta racing yacht.
Phuket Regatta Death: Man Was 'Smiling Expat'

Phuket Postcard: Life and Death on Kata Beach
Photo Album Phuket enjoyed perfect weather for holidaymakers off west coast beaches today. But at Kata, where hundreds frolicked, there was tragedy as well.
Phuket Postcard: Life and Death on Kata Beach

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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A real shame. The final party is always a great time, but tonight hearts will be out for the owners who are still struggling to get their beautiful boats to safety. Here's hoping that the news will be better tomorrow.

Posted by Treelover on December 11, 2010 19:41

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Is that the new reef attraction for Patong beach? It looks like the newly created marine habitat was welcomed and occupied immediately by the creatures of the beach.

Posted by Lena on December 11, 2010 20:32

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Wow, just went down there and it looks like a scrapyard.
I hope insurance covers those involved.

Posted by Glenn on December 11, 2010 22:24

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probably no sympathy from the Thais for the "rich" boat owners

Posted by Mikey on December 11, 2010 23:00

Editor Comment:

Mikey, people who think they know what's going on in the minds of others usually get it wrong. People who think they know what's going on in the minds of entire nations always do.

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I apologise for my comment, I have no excuse for making it.

Posted by Mikey on December 13, 2010 01:30

Editor Comment:

Big, big call, Mikey. Thank you.


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