Trimaran Towed To Island Bay

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30469, 17 June 1964, Page 18

Trimaran Towed To Island Bay

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 16. A 35ft trimaran was towed nine miles by a fishing launch through choppy Cook Strait tonight to the safety of Island Bay.

The trimaran. Highland was sailing from'Blenheim to Wellington when she ran into difficulties about four miles off Island Bay. “The jib blew out, we lost our dinghy for the second time, and we couldn’t get the main up,” said the skipperowner, Mr J. Bennie. There was no petrol for the craft’s little outboard motor and she began being carried out to sea.

“We decided it was time to ask for help before we got into more trouble,” said Mr Bennie.

An Island Bay fishing launch, Ika, went to the rescue. “By the time we reached the yacht she was about nine miles off the coast," said Mr L. Dellabarca, one of the ilro’c rrpw “She had her sea arichor out but was being carried out to sea all the time.” Built by Messrs J. and D. Bennie, of Blenheim, the trimaran is to take them and two friends, Messrs G. Copp and B. Bayne, to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. This trip was the boat’s first big test run. The men, except Mr D. Bennie, but with Mr W. Bennie along for the passage, left Port Underwood about 111 a.m. and made good time

till they were off Cape Terewhiti. “We then struck a big sea and lost our dinghy.” said Mr W. Bennie. "We had to turn and pick it up. “We’ll be going home in three or four days," said Mr J. Bennie.