PHUKET: Frigging in the rigging appeared to be the salvation of the beached yacht Ichi Ban this afternoon as about 40 Navy personnel combined with tourists in a race against time to pull the Phuket vessel free.
Two hours of swinging from ropes attacked to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta star achieved freedom after a storm planted the yacht's keel in the sand and set the Ichi Ban standing upright.
The bawdy sailors' song appeared to be an inspiration as the ratings, along with Marine Police, tourists and the staff of the Kata beach rescue centre, managed to dislodge the yacht before the tide retreated too far.
A crowd was attracted to the Phuket beach to watch proceedings, and among the onlookers was Vice Admiral Thavatorn Thinsuwan,Commander of Royal Thai Navy 3, which has bases on Phuket and in Phang Nga.
Staff at the Kata rescue centre were the first to notice Ichi Ban and a couple of catamarans were adrift in a sudden storm that struck Phuket last night. They were trying to contact the yacht's owner from 2am.
Ichi Ban was one of about a dozen vessels that were beached by a similar storm at the conclusion of last year's Phuket King's Cup Regatta.
Phuket Race Director Simon James told Phuketwan in October that he did not expect a repetition of last year's dramatic Phuket beaching during this year's racing.
Mr James, who worked non-stop for about 72 hours after last year's drama, said more yachts were likely to have a crew member sleeping on board this year, the 25th anniversary event.
Problems arose last year and again last night because the beach chop extends further out than skippers anticipate, leading to advice this year that while anchoring close to shore seems logical for safety, it can prove risky in a sudden Phuket storm.
As for Ichi Ban, her on again off again relationship with Kata beach will become part of the legend of the region's most highly-regarded regatta.
But no more frigging, please.
Tomorrow's regatta registration will be followed by a day of briefings - with weather and anchorage suggestions likely to be made. Racing begins on December 5, HM The King's 84th birthday.
A walking street fair with concerts, food and souvenirs will be held nightly on Kata's beach road from December 3-December 5.
Two hours of swinging from ropes attacked to the Phuket King's Cup Regatta star achieved freedom after a storm planted the yacht's keel in the sand and set the Ichi Ban standing upright.
The bawdy sailors' song appeared to be an inspiration as the ratings, along with Marine Police, tourists and the staff of the Kata beach rescue centre, managed to dislodge the yacht before the tide retreated too far.
A crowd was attracted to the Phuket beach to watch proceedings, and among the onlookers was Vice Admiral Thavatorn Thinsuwan,Commander of Royal Thai Navy 3, which has bases on Phuket and in Phang Nga.
Staff at the Kata rescue centre were the first to notice Ichi Ban and a couple of catamarans were adrift in a sudden storm that struck Phuket last night. They were trying to contact the yacht's owner from 2am.
Ichi Ban was one of about a dozen vessels that were beached by a similar storm at the conclusion of last year's Phuket King's Cup Regatta.
Phuket Race Director Simon James told Phuketwan in October that he did not expect a repetition of last year's dramatic Phuket beaching during this year's racing.
Mr James, who worked non-stop for about 72 hours after last year's drama, said more yachts were likely to have a crew member sleeping on board this year, the 25th anniversary event.
Problems arose last year and again last night because the beach chop extends further out than skippers anticipate, leading to advice this year that while anchoring close to shore seems logical for safety, it can prove risky in a sudden Phuket storm.
As for Ichi Ban, her on again off again relationship with Kata beach will become part of the legend of the region's most highly-regarded regatta.
But no more frigging, please.
Tomorrow's regatta registration will be followed by a day of briefings - with weather and anchorage suggestions likely to be made. Racing begins on December 5, HM The King's 84th birthday.
A walking street fair with concerts, food and souvenirs will be held nightly on Kata's beach road from December 3-December 5.
