Sailors Rescued from ‘Floating Skip’ for the Ninth Time

Feb 08 2016

Elderly American ‘Captain Calamity’ sailors are rescued from their ‘floating skip’ for the NINTH time – after failing to tie up their yacht

Two ‘Captain Calamities’ have vowed to continue their disaster-struck voyage despite needing help from emergency services nine times.

Bob Weise and Steve Shapiro, both 71, left Norway in July aboard their vessel Nora hoping to sail to North America.

But on Tuesday the two yachtsmen called rescue teams for the ninth time in seven months after failing to tie up their yacht correctly in Hayle, Cornwall, causing it to tip over and create a fire on board the cluttered vessel.

The pair, from North America, previously had to call on rescue teams in Norway, Denmark, Scotland and Ireland, and the cost of their capers is totting up too.

Now authorities fear the pair could endanger themselves and would be rescuers if they continue their odyssey and have advised them to stop.

But it appeared the pair were undaunted by the latest setback.

After the latest emergency which involved firefighters, coastguards and the ambulance service Mr Shapiro, a screenwriter and author originally from California, said: ‘We’re re-tying up in Hayle; some things have to be fixed, but the boat is fine.

‘There was a candle which burnt some clothes, otherwise there was no real damage. Soon as we get northerly winds we’ll go out.’

Hayle Harbourmaster Peter Haddock said he was concerned for the safety of Mr Shaprio and Mr Weise, an ex-US Army helicopter pilot from Idaho.

He said they hadn’t been on board at the time of the fire which had started when the yacht fell over when the tide went out.

Mr Haddock said: ‘The yacht was assisted into harbour on Monday evening and the owners were told how to tie up to the quayside.

‘They either didn’t understand or couldn’t do it properly because they didn’t comply and the yacht fell over when the tide went out. It’s thought that when the yacht fell over something caught alight on board.

‘The owners were not on board at the time. But the fire service and coastguards attended for three hours until they were satisfied the fire was out.

‘It’s hard to tell what condition the yacht is in now and whether it’s seaworthy. I believe the owners will be still sleeping on board.

‘But it will need to be properly assessed – especially the hull. I would be very concerned should the owners wish to proceed to sea without a thorough assessment

‘They’re both elderly gentlemen.The wisest thing would be to wait at least a few days. All I can do is offer advice to the owners.

‘But I fear should they go to sea and need assistance again it could be dangerous for all concerned including would be rescuers.’

An article on Sail World.com also pleaded for an intervention. It read: ‘Oh dear, now a ninth emergency, should they be stopped?

‘This would be funny if it was not so serious, two “sailors” though that might be the wrong term to use have once again struck trouble.

On January 26th a spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: ‘We can confirm that a yacht in Hayle Harbour caught fire and capsized earlier today.

‘St Ives and Portreath Coastguard Rescue Teams attended the scene alongside Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, South West Ambulance Service and Devon and Cornwall Police Service.

‘The fire is now out and both crew members are accounted for and safe.’

Last week the Nora was rescued by the St Ives Lifeboat after experiencing engine trouble making it the seventh time in six months the two elderly yachtsmen had been rescued.

The St Ives All Weather Lifeboat was tasked by Falmouth Coastguard and launched on Tuesday January 19 to the yacht which had no propulsion.

The Nora had the engine running but was getting no drive and was drifting 1.5 miles north off St Ives.

At the time a spokeswoman from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: ‘The UK Coastguard has responded on two occasions over the last three days to assist the crew of the NORA.

‘The crew were right to call us when they got into trouble – we respond to all calls from those in difficulty.

‘The crew and their vessel were brought to a place of safety near St Ives.

‘However, it is the responsibility of the crew to undertake the necessary repairs to safely prepare them for the next stage of their journey.

‘It’s not of role the UK Coastguard which is an emergency service, to arrange a vessel’s repairs or to move a vessel to a location that’s more convenient for the crew.

‘When crews goes to sea they need to take responsibility for the maintenance of their vessels and their own preparations to ensure their safety along route.’

Story and images courtesy of http://www.dailymail.co.uk