Swedish couple abandon yacht amid treacherous weather
May 20th, 2009
A couple from Sweden who were forced to abandon their yacht last week have been reunited with it. Having been hit by a force nine gale north east of Dunbar in Scotland, the couple had to abandon their 24-foot yacht.
Gary Fairbairn, a Dunbar Coxswain, said that conditions were "especially bad" last Friday.
"I worked on fishing trawlers for 15 years before I was Coxswain, but I've never seen anything like that."
Waves up to ten metres high were reported on the night that Jonas and Ingrid Akerblom abandoned their yacht.
Mr Akerblom, a musical instrument maker from Gothenburg, said: "It was very sad as it took us six years to build the boat and we did not know if we would see it again. The weather hit us without a great deal of warning."
The yacht was recovered by the Royal National Lifeboat's inshore rescue boat and the couple are currently deciding what to do next with the vessel.
"I would recommend Dream Marine to others. Everyone was easygoing and helpful. I didn’t mind who I talked to. It was all good. Shame having to come back to London afterwards.
Come on Chris… when’s the next one?"
Come on Chris… when’s the next one?"
