| Wreckage washes up from Flinders Islet |
| By Peter Andrews |
21:00 AEDT, Sunday 11 October 2009. |
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Like most involved
in the world of sailing in Australia, I was still pretty much numb
with shock on Sunday afternoon, from the tragic event that happened
quite near to where I live, early Saturday morning. Feeling a bit
jaded after preparing for another working week, a short drive down
to the beach to recharge was clearly in order as the effect of
stepping bare feet onto sea soaked sand really has an amazing effect.
So with local knowledge of living in the northern Illawarra beach-side
suburbs for most of my life; and a couple of seasons back in the 80’s
sailing around the Five Islands with the Wollongong Yacht Club fleet, it
should have come as no surprise that any large chunks of floating debris
originating from "Toothbrush" Island during southeasterly conditions,
would wash up on our local beaches. And with only a couple of steps made
in the sand, there it was. "Yes, that is definitely carbon fibre," was
the first thought that came to mind. |
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Carbon fibre from Shockwave 5, washed
up at Towradgi Point, NSW Australia. In 1881, the ship
Queen of Nations ran aground at this location and the
timbers remain buried in the sand close by.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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| Initially I had reservations
about taking these photos, wondering if people would really want
to see them. Speaking to a colleague within the media, we concluded
that there would be some interest. And even if there was none,
there was still some significant historical factors playing out
here that will quickly disappear and should be captured. So back
to the car to grab the camera with a bit more grunt than that
built into the phone, and back to the beach to capture these images;
just in time before the sun faded behind the Illawarra Escarpment. |
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Carbon fibre from Shockwave 5, washed
up on Corrimal Beach, NSW Australia with Towradgi Point
in the background. Flinders Island is seen on the horizon,
just behind the person in the background standing to
the left.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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| Despite the collective
sadness and grief from the loss of two wonderful people; two who
had touched the lives of many in the sailing and boating community
both here and overseas, there is an positive aspect to the floating
debris washing up within a relatively confined section of coastline
beaches'. As some of the pictures
reveal, all the material was easily collected and stockpiled for
quick removal, with no real burden to the local community. |
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Carbon fibre and other remains from
Shockwave 5, stacked by local Surf Lifesavers for collection
after washing up on Corrimal Beach, NSW Australia.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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As a member of
this particular local community, my experience is that most here
just take it in their stride and give no thought into whatever
physical action they take in keeping their beaches clean. The
following evening when I dropped by after work, all the debris
was gone and any important or identifiable personal items were
passed onto the Police. The local coastal and nearby sensitive
marine environment had sustained little if any damage, and had
recovered.
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What remains of Shockwave 5, stacked
by local Surf Lifesavers for collection after washing
up on Corrimal Beach, NSW Australia.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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Carbon fibre and other remains from
Shockwave 5, stacked by local Surf Lifesavers for collection
after washing up on Corrimal Beach, NSW Australia.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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Andrew and Sally
had really touched the hearts of many, both directly and as in
my case, indirectly, as a result my involvement various aspects
of boating and sailing. As with the many wonderful memories they
leave with us in this world, I'm sure they have also left us
with many positive legacies as well. Just like my local community
picking up the pieces of Shockwave 5 and moving on to maintain
harmony with their environment, the sailing community will endure
and maintain the many great aspects of sailing, from the skiffs
and dinghies found inshore, to offshore and ocean yacht racing. |
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Carbon fibre and other remains from
Shockwave 5, stacked by local Surf Lifesavers for collection
after washing up on Corrimal Beach, NSW Australia.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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Carbon fibre from Shockwave 5, washed
up on Corrimal Beach, NSW Australia with Towradgi Point
in the background.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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A lid of a spares container from Shockwave
5, washed up at Towradgi Point, NSW Australia, not far
from where the ship Queen of Nations ran aground in 1881.
Photo © Peter Andrews.
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| Outimage © 2009 |
