East Indies sailor: The "Götheborg" rescues sailing yacht in the English Channel
Tobias Frauen
· 05.05.2023
"It was a very strange moment and we wondered if we were dreaming. Where were we?" - this is how David Moeneclaey describes his thoughts when he saw the huge three-master with blue and yellow decor. The skipper of the sailing yacht "Corto" had lost his rudder in the English Channel on 25 April and was drifting off the French coast, unable to manoeuvre. The ship closest to the scene of the accident was the "Götheborg", a 47 metre long replica of an 18th century East Indies sailing ship. The damaged yacht was taken in tow until the French coastguard took over the following morning.
A few days later, rescuers and rescued people met again and shared their experiences. "We kept emphasising that we were on board a small 8-metre sailing boat, but the answer was the same every time: 'We are a 50-metre three-masted sailing boat and are offering our help to tow you to Paimpol'," says skipper David Moeneclaey, describing the contact with the "Götheborg". He was irritated by the difference in size and feared that his yacht could be damaged if the boat was too big and fast when being towed.
A merchant ship of the East India Company as a sea rescuer
"The 'Göteborg' then quickly appeared on the scene and we were surprised, as we hadn't expected to see a merchant ship from the East India Company from the 18th century!" the skipper continued. His fears turned out to be unfounded, as the Swedish ship adapted its speed to the yacht and the weather conditions. "We felt we were accompanied by very professional sailors. The officer on duty on the 'Götheborg' called us every hour to make sure everything was going well." The next day too, the three-master waited alongside the "Corto" until the French coastguard arrived on site.
Skipper David Moeneclaey thanked the rescuers: "Dear commander and crew of the 'Götheborg', your kindness and generosity have shown that your ship is much more than just a boat. It embodies the noblest values of the sea, and we are honoured to have had the chance to cross your path and benefit from your help!"
The towing action in the video
The "Götheborg" is a replica of a sunken merchant ship
The "Götheborg" is a 1:1 replica of an East India sailing ship from the 18th century. It was modelled on the wreck of a ship that sank off Gothenburg in 1745 and was discovered in 1984. It was completed in 2005, is 47 metres long, 11 metres wide and has a tonnage of 788 tonnes. Only contemporary methods, tools and materials were used during construction, while the ship also fulfils modern safety requirements. According to Svenska Ostindiska Companiet, which owns the ship, it is the largest seaworthy wooden ship in the world.
The "Götheborg" is currently on a long voyage in European waters. From 19 to 23 May, she will be moored in Hamburg before making her way back to her home port of Gothenburg. Her first major voyage took her around the world in 2005.
- Further information at gotheborg.se
