UPDATE
THE yachtsman has been named as Richard Spraggs.
Original Report
PHUKET: A New Zealand yachtsman died when a sudden storm lashed Phuket early today.
The man, aged 59, fell into the sea at Chalong Pier on Phuket's east coast, hit his head and probably drowned.
He had been visiting Phuket for six years and travelled the world.
At 3am, the man went to pick up a female friend at Chalong Pier, leaving his catamaran. The pair returned to the boat.
About 6am, the storm drove a larger vessel into his catamaran. In trying to push the other boat away, the New Zealander slipped and fell into the water, hitting his head on the way down.
People on other vessels moored nearby tried to rescue him, to no avail. His body is at vachira Phuket Hospital.
RIP Sailor...
If we had a true Marina in chalong Bay as all sailors or professional boat tour companies wish to have to, we would not have to worry about storms, sea-burglars and would not have permently crew aboard to safeguard our vessels.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on January 25, 2013 10:52