April 23, 2011
England

Sailing holiday ruined after £300,000 catamaran is hit by wind farm guard boat

By Andrew Woodman www.thisiskent.co.uk 23 April 2011By Andrew Woodman www.thisiskent.co.uk 23 April 2011

Friends on a sailing holiday to Ramsgate had their weekend – and £300,000 boat – wrecked when they were accidently hit by a wind farm guard boat.

Claudio DeNobili, 47, and Sven Beier, 45, from Brussels had their plans sunk when a hole was torn in the starboard side of their catamaran The Odyssey.

The other boat belonged to contractors working for the London Array.

Sven said: “The boat was hit in the back on the starboard side. We had taken on water so we had to put weight to the front of the boat to lift the hole out of the water to stop it sinking.”

A spokesman for the London Array confirmed that at around 9pm on Sunday evening the SB Seaguard, a Safety Boat Services vessel contracted for guard duties at the wind farm, collided with the catamaran while in harbour.

The spokesman said: “No one was hurt in the incident, but the yacht sustained some damage. Safety Boat Services is carrying out a full investigation into the incident.”

Speaking on Monday Sven, an electrician, said: “We came for the weekend – we are supposed to be back by tonight.

“We will make it back in time but without the boat.”

It was the first trip to Ramsgate for Claudio and Seven but the pair are not bitter over their experience.

Sven said: “It is frustrating, and we now have to change our plans for the summer – but we will return to Ramsgate.

“Everyone really did their best to give support. If wasn’t for the help we got the boat would be at the bottom of the sea.

“The lifeboats and the harbour staff were very helpful and organised, there was no shouting or stress.”

The boat was eventually taken out of the harbour for repair, while Claudio and Sven caught a ferry home.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/23/sailing-holiday-ruined-after-300000-catamaran-is-hit-by-wind-farm-guard-boat/