reef grounding
p. 74 · Read in the full issue
Apollo lost in reef grounding
The Australian champion international racing yacht Apollo was lost off the Queensland coast last month after striking a reef at
night.
Apollo, a 17-metre sloop, was leading the field in the Sydney- Gladstone race and was making about 12 knots under spinnaker when she struck the reef off Lady Elliott Island near Bun
daberg.
The crew, including millionaire owner Jack Rooklyn, got ashore without injury but an inspection at first light showed Apollo heeled over, smashed along the hull and beyond sal vage.
Rooklyn said the financial loss of the yacht was overshadowed by the sentimental loss suffered by him, his family and the crew.
Some of the crew members, in danger of their lives after the grounding, had to be ‘physically removed’ because they wanted to stay with the yacht, he said.
Rooklyn bought Apollo in 1970 from the Australian yachtsman Alan Bond, and four years ago spent SAIOO 000 on a refit.
Apollo gained line honours in the Sydney-Hobart race in 1978-79 and in the Sydney-Brisbane races of 1973 and 1977.