Yacht lost, but sailor almost loses life trying to save dog

by The Northern Star/Sail-World Cruising on 7 Dec 2010 A solo sailor whose yacht washed onto rocks at Evans Head in northern New South Wales this week almost lost his life while trying to save his dog. William Sims of Tweed Heads was injured after he lost wind during an attempted entry through the Heads while his yacht's motor was inoperable.

Observers told local newspaper http://www.northernstar.com.au/!The_Northern_Star that the yacht was pushed sideways by a couple of large waves and smashed onto rocks on the southern breakwall.

Mr Sims had been sailing from Iluka to Ballina in his 7.6 metre yacht when the fuel pump on his engine broke down and he sought shelter in Shark Bay

Tony McNally, Commander of Evans Head Marine Rescue, told The Northern Star that the sailor declined offers to be towed into the river and sailed in himself.

'The conditions were all right for it – the tide was coming in and there was a 13-knot nor-easterly wind,' Mr McNally said.

'But he came to grief about 50 metres before the sandbar when the wind dropped away and two good waves came over him,' he said.

He had managed to swim back to the boat in a effort to rescue his dog, a black poodle which was tied up to the vessel, but was thrown against the rocks by waves.

'He is lucky to be alive,' Mr McNally said.

'We thought he’d be squashed between the rocks and the boat.'

Mr Sims was helped by local good samaritans and taken to the Lismore Base Hospital with severe lacerations and hypothermia. He was unable to save the dog.