Garrett’s Adventurevideo
Running my Sailboat VERY aground
May 30, 2026 · 31 min · 126K views · Camden Haven
Sailboat aground and listing, inflatable raft alongside in choppy water
What this video covers
A 40-foot Hans Christian sailboat ran aground on a sandbank while entering the mooring field at Port Macquarie, Australia.9:08 The grounding occurred during an incoming tide when the operator, distracted by a nearby public dock and dolphins, misread satellite-based charts and steered into shallow water.9:07 After failing to motor off, the crew requested assistance from Marine Rescue to heel the vessel over, but the organization declined to intervene.11:17 The crew eventually freed the boat by attaching a spinnaker halyard to a line anchored 400 to 500 feet away, using a dinghy to tension the line, and winching the mast to reduce the vessel's draft.22:28 The boat sustained no damage during the incident.23:22 The operator notes that relying on satellite charts instead of nautical charts led to the error and advises against trusting outside assistance during such events.10:27 The vessel continued its transit north toward the Gold Coast, navigating bar crossings at Foster Bay and Yamba while managing a non-functional autopilot.4:18
Boats in this video
More from Garrett’s Adventure
From Garrett’s Adventure — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.