Robertson II
The Robertson II, a 130 foot wood sailboat was hard aground Minx Reef on the Navy Channel side of Winter Cove at Irish Bay near Saturna Island on July 1, Canada Day.
I don't know the details, but it was a very sad sight to witness.
The Coast Guard Hovercraft was leaving as we neared.
At 1700 hours when we were leaving Winter Cove after attending the Saturna Island Lamb Barbecue, there was a thin oil slick, probably diesel, covering the bay. The Coast Guard was standing by near the Robertson II to keep boaters at a safe distance. 
Here you can see the decks awash on the rising tide. 
As an added piece of information (from my limited knowledge!), the Canadian Coast Guard is not responsible for salvaging the ship. They attend an accident like this to render assistance, save lives and to be sure all aboard are taken to safety, then will stand by to secure a situation like this, but they are NOT responsible for removal of the ship from the reef, repairs or towing. Once they have done all possible to assist the crew they will stand down and the owners and/or insurance companies then take over.
PPP
10 comments:
How did that happen?
For more, go to:
http://www.bosunsmate.org/news/?action=detail&id=253
What a picture...it was all over the Victoria paper but this is an incredible angle. Very sad sight to see for such a beautiful boat. We're all hopeful that they can save her.
Talk soon...Gaie
Hope that our Coast Guard does MORE than simply stand by and watch for pollution from a few gallons of diesel. Its time to break out some equipment and actually do something quick before this Canadian Heritage vessel is lost forever!
Sad to see. I hope they save the boat.
I was in Winter Cove when the Robertson II went aground and I wonder were it was going to go as the cove was packed and I really don;t think it would have fit, there was hardly room for a 50ft boat not a 130ft boat and in the dark???
Aparently she ran aground at 2am. The tide was very high that night, but that reef is no match for any boat. The coast guard did have some spill buoys around the ship to contain the spill, but they can only do so much. By Sunday Evening, when the tide arose again all that was out of the water was the masts and about 3 feet of the back end.
Who was in command,He must have been drunk or stoned.A very good example of bad Seamanship. What a waste of a great ship. To bad they will sell a ship like that to any fool with some money.
Is the boat still there? Can anyone confirm? I was there last weekend and it is truly a sight from the 18th Century!
The history of these great sailing vessels are well documented in the heritage of Nova Scotia. Robbie II was built with Canadian blood and sweat and we all need to put our money, and hopes into helping Drew Clarke and his attempt to recover her, restore her and have her taken home. His dream of taking her through the Northern Passage to claim our territory shows the Canadian Spirit. No guns, no war, just Spirit, Honour and Canadian Pride. Step up Sailors, Boaters, lovers of the seas, all true Canadians and give a dime to this man with heart and soul big as our nation. Drew Clarke can be reached at 1 250 537 9799, or just send him some money. 529 Mount Belcher
Saltspring Island
B.C. Canada
V8K 2J3
This is not a hoax, nor a scam. He is just a Guy from Saltspring Island BC with a heart of gold and thinly lined pockets.
Help his dream. Help the Robbie II
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