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Stuck! The struggle to get REYKJA back into the water
August 29, 2025 · 12 min · 30K views · Tasmania
What this video covers
The steel-hulled sailboat REYKJA sustained significant structural damage after grounding in Pilots Bay, Tasmania, during a 35-knot storm.0:06 The vessel suffered a bent skeg, a jammed rudder, and hull breaches, requiring a 30-mile tow to Launceston for repairs.0:51 A professional metalworking firm performed extensive welding to replace the rudder shaft housing and repair the hull, while the owner managed insurance claims through Panthenius.1:10 Because the diesel tank sits within the keel, workers had to ventilate the tank to mitigate explosion risks during welding.4:00 Following four months of repairs, the owner replaced the anti-fouling and commissioned a new storm jib.8:53 Upon relaunching at Seaport Marina, the vessel experienced initial clutch engagement issues before successfully maneuvering under its own power.9:58 Due to the extended repair timeline, the owner postponed a planned return to Europe to avoid the Indian Ocean cyclone season, opting to remain in the Southern Hemisphere for an additional year.11:17
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