Jon Sanders homecoming celebration in Fremantle

Sea Rescue aids in transfer of crew and media to and from Peri Banou II as Jon sails to the Royal Perth Yacht Club pontoons © Port Officer David Hayes

Jon Sanders was welcomed back into the port of Fremantle on Sunday, in a lively 18kt sea breeze, by a large flotilla of boats all eager to give him a warm and memorable homecoming after completing his historic 10th solo circumnavigation into Carnarvon, WA a few weeks ago. As he passed the South Mole light to enter the harbour cheers and a cacophony of horns erupted spontaneously.

Once in the harbour Sea Rescue helped transfer the press and news cameras onboard to capture the moment, including several friends and crew to help lower and raise the mast under the bridges before motoring up the Swan River to his yachting home at Royal Perth Yacht Club.

At the club he was given a rousing reception and greeted at the arrival pontoon by Flag Officers and Committee Members. He then ran the gauntlet of members eager to congratulate him before he was officially welcomed by Commodore Mark Hansen.

An amusing conclusion was Jon presenting back to the club the battered remains of his RPYC club burgee that had flown for the complete voyage of over 29,000nm.

OCC members should feel proud of the fact that Jon also flew his OCC burgee just below his home club burgee for the whole voyage but he did admit to me that the one seen on his arrival was not the original one we had hurriedly sent up to Carnarvon before he departed, after he had mislaid his own burgee before leaving Perth. Unfortunately that one had to be replaced somewhere in the Caribbean.

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This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club