High winds had torn down the mast and the hull was breaking up as it was buffeted by waves and a force five westerly wind.The light was failing when rescue services reached the 18-foot Dart catamaran about half a mile east of the Demi des Pas lighthouse just after 8 pm.The Fire Service inshore launch was the first to reach the vessel after the two men on board used a hand-held VHF radio to report their situation and position.
The craft was quickly followed by the St Helier Lifeboat.’The port hull had snapped in half and the mast was down.
The boat was a complete write off,’ said mechanic on the St Helier Lifeboat Jonathan Cornick.
‘The two middle-aged men aboard were very calm and didn’t seem to be worried about what was happening.
They had buoyancy aids and a hand-held radio; they were very well equipped for two people on a small sailing boat.’Mr Cornick explained that they tried at first to tow the catamaran back to the Harbour, but the wreckage was not strong enough and it looked as though it would break up even more.Finally, both crews worked together to pull the wreckage of the catamaran on board the lifeboat, which returned to the Harbour by 9.30 pm.Neither of the catamaran sailors was injured during the ordeal.
