‘Sukanuk’ came gently alongside at Catamaran Marina, Falmouth Harbour at 7.30pm on New Year’s Day amidst a tumultuous welcome from the participants of the Blue Water Rally. Towed gallantly by Peter and Tania Hopkinson’s yacht ‘Tigre’ for over 350 miles ‘Sukanuk’ dropped her tow when just inside the harbour to be then ushered into her berth by a busy group of dinghies.

The arrival was emotional and very special. About one hundred cheering Blue Water Ralliers welcomed Derek and Anthea with banners, fog horns, flowing champagne and hearty good wishes. After their first tentative steps ashore, a slap-up meal and a good night’s sleep in the Catamaran Marina Hotel, Derek and Anthea are starting the process of rebuilding ‘Sukanuk’. Their enthusiasm remains undaunted and they can’t wait to get their beloved ‘Sukanuk’ back to pristine condition and resume their sailing adventures. Thanks go to everyone that made the rescue possible especially ‘Discovery II’, the Australian yacht which first went to their rescue and also to Hugh Bailey and Helen at the Catamaran Marina who were so generous and thoughtful in extending true Antiguan hospitality.

The Rescue of the Yacht ‘Sukanuk’. Original report posted 30th December 1999

Derek and Anthea Bunting’s 33 foot Tradewind yacht, ‘Sukanuk’, departed Tenerife for her trans-Atlantic crossing some three weeks after the departure of the rest of the Blue Water Rally 99 fleet. This was due to some last minute maintenance problems and the onset of a period of poor weather in the Canaries. Approximately one week out from the Canaries Sukanuk’s starter motor failed and since then she has been unable to motor. This in itself presented no emergency although generation of electrical power onboard was a problem.

The Rally organisation maintained communications throughout the period via Satcom-C with the assistance of two other Rally yachts, ‘Sara Jane’ and ‘Sassie’. On Christmas Day ‘Sukanuk’ sent a Satcom message to Rally Control informing them that they had been dismasted 600 miles East of Antigua in a heavy squall. For some time ‘Sukanuk’ lay drifting without sail or engine and then received tows from two nearby yachts.

The first was from a single-hander in a 29 foot yacht whose tow-line unfortunately broke and then managed to get firmly ensnared in the rudder making steering impossible. After a long, frustrating period trying to free the rope it was eventually freed and an Australian 40 foot yacht, ‘Discovery II’, continued the tow.

Meanwhile a rescue mission was mounted by the Rally from Antigua. The response from the fleet to provide over 50 jerrycans of fuel to be carried by the rescue yacht ‘Tigre’ was overwhelming. Similarly, generous hampers were made up containing champagne, Boddingtons draught (Derek’s favourite) and other Christmas fayre all donated by rally participants in English Harbour, Antigua.

‘Tigre’ departed on Boxing Day at 1430 hrs (local) and made a rendezvous, approximately 350 miles from Antigua, at midday 29^th December after making over 6 knots against 25 knot Easterly winds. Progress since then has been slow with two broken tows and with well over 250 miles still to go ‘Tigre’ and ‘Sukanuk’s’ arrival is not expected in Antigua until Sunday 2^nd January or even Monday 3^rd January.

A warm ‘Welcome’ is being planned at Falmouth Harbour where it is expected ‘Sukanuk’ will be towed. Work is already underway to refit and get ‘Sukanuk’ back to sea in order to continue her circumnavigation of the world.

Tony Diment Director,Blue Water Rally, Antigua.