Windseeker HKG 1198 lost on Duck Rocks
by Guy Nowell 10 Nov 2020 11:06 UTC
08 November 2020
Returning to Port Shelter from Causeway Bay on Sunday night after the Around the Island Race, Windseeker HKG1198 foundered on Duck Rocks (Pak Pai) 22°18.47N 114° 18.58E.
Duck Rocks are familiar to many of us who sail regularly in Port Shelter – WSW of Table Island and north of Green Egg Island. Pak Pai is listed in ‘Cruising Hong Kong’ under the list of Roger’s Rocks: "To the west south west of Table Island, they are always above water, but unlit and hard to spot at night. If unsure then it is safer to pass to the north of Table Island.”
It’s a piece of geography: Duck Rocks are almost on the line into Port Shelter if you have come from Hong Kong and are intending to leave Shelter Island to starboard. With a swell running from the south and east, just a couple of degrees to port is going to be too much. Pak Pai is unmarked and unlit.
The Government Flying Service received an emergency call from the Fire Services Dept at 19.50h. Bridget Chan, owner of Windseeker, said that there was a big sea running. “After we hit the rock, the boat was bouncing up and down, and it felt very dangerous, so everyone got off the boat onto the rock.” An SAR helicopter subsequently evacuated 12 crew off Duck Rocks. As of this afternoon, there is no visible sign of Windseeker.
[Ed. I have had a close call there myself, in the dark, and I am not the only one. On this occasion, we can all be thankful that there were no fatalities on account of the excellence of the GFS - thank you, gentlemen.]