Sequel
The previous pages were put on-line this morning (September 23, 2004), with no link from the home page, specifically so that people who had in some way contributed to this story could view it. Nevertheless, it was picked up by others and the result is that we can now add this sequel.
Telegraph report revised
The report entitled “£30m yacht hits rocks on the Riviera”, which was filed by Colin Randall and Henry Samuel, in Paris, on September 17, for the European version of the Telegraph, has been changed with respect to Joe Vittoria junior’s words. Click HERE to view the revised version.
Storm anchor in use
BYM has learned that the anchor in use when the yacht dragged was the storm anchor, not the standard anchor. This is, in fact, clear in the photographs of Mirabella on the rocks, since the lower anchor is in use and that is the larger one.
Mirabella’s project manager talks to BYM
Paul Johnson, Mirabella V’s project manager has, today, told BYM that the yacht had been anchored relatively close to the rocks because the position was very much more sheltered, but that when the wind came round they should perhaps have moved. Asked why they had not moved to Villefranche when easterlies were forecast, he said that the skipper’s report says that was what they were about to do when the incident took place, but they had left it too late.
Paul also confirmed that the damage to the keel’s hydraulics were caused by the grounding. He went on to say that nothing could be done on the day of the incident as the keel had been loosened from its clamps and was moving both fore and aft and side to side, so it was considered too dangerous for a man to put his hand in to the area. Once the keel had dropped into a hole, further investigation was possible. The main ram, which some had suspected might have bent, proved to be in perfect condition and, with the aid of an independant power pack and a gantry, constructed of mild steel and RSJs, the keel was brought up.
“The boat performed brilliantly.” Paul told BYM, adding that they could have been in serious trouble if it had not been so well engineered. He said that he could not speak too highly of Vosper Thorneycroft and those who had supplied components, pointing out that, although the keel box was damaged, there wasn’t a single crack in the keel itself. He also said that the decision to have risk analyses carried out, throughout the whole build, had been proved to be a very good one.
Speaking of other damage, Paul said that one rudder would need repair, but the decision to provide sacrificial areas on the rudders had proved absolutely right, since there was no damage to the stock of the affected rudder and the bearings were intact.
Paul confirmed that Mirabella V was now waiting to enter drydock at La Ciotat and, because her drydocking could in no way be viewed as “an emergency” she would have to wait her turn and was unlikely to enter the dock for 10 days. He added that La Ciotat had been her intended port of call, since she was scheduled for warranty work (mainly what he described as “tidying up”) plus some improvements.
Asked what improvements were planned he said that the main halyard constant reel gate system had been very well engineered by Harken, but - with the benefit of hindsight from experienced gained - it was felt it could be improved upon and that the reef eyes were going to be changed.
Other improvements concerned passenger comfort and pleasure. Some guests had found the entertainment system, which is operated from a Palm-like mini-computer, was over complicated, so a simpler, less integrated, system was planned. On the wish list is a shower near the gym, so that passengers dont have to go back to their cabins to cool off.
Paul said that he expected repairs to take, at least, 6 weeks, making it doubtful whether Mirabella would be able to get to the Carribean in time for the Antigua Yacht Show.
Isle of Man report
Dick Welsh, principal marine surveyor for the Isle of Man, arrived in the South of France last Monday to begin an investigation that will involve talking to all connected with the yacht and is expected to last for about six weeks.
Marian Martin
Since the foregoing was written, Joe Vittoria Junior has posted on the BYM Forum and has asked that a link be provided to his thread. Click HERE to read Joe Vittoria’s BYM Forum posts.