Sailor Seth van Mechelen was relieved to be safe and sound in Gisborne after his ocean ordeal. Repairs continue on his yacht and he is looking at heading south next week.Picture by Liam Clayton
The young Auckland yachtsman towed into Eastland Port on Monday after a “terrifying” ocean experience during last weekend’s storm hopes to be able to leave Gisborne next week.
Seth van Mechelen, 21, battled five-metre swells and 50-to-60-kilometre-an-hour winds when his boat Luna ran into the southerly storm that lashed the
East Coast last weekend.
Luna was eventually towed into Gisborne port by the Lion Foundation Coastguard and the yacht remains tied up in the inner harbour as repairs continue.
“Sam’s Upholstery Services are working on the repairs to my sail, and I’ve got diesel mechanics coming down on Monday to make some repairs to the Luna’s engine,” Seth said.
He has been back up in Auckland working for the Ports of Auckland this week “to pay the bills” and expects to return to Gisborne tomorrow.
