In 1994 we bought the 106 ft Top Sail Schooner ‘La Violante’ in Fiji. After
a year of refurbishing, we started
Our charter business in the South Pacific. In 1997 we extended
the business to Sydney, Australia where we have been operating each year during
the Pacific cyclone season since.
As part of Sydney’s tall ship fleet we established a
successful day charter business for mainly corporate clients.
From May to October each year we run sail & dive charters
in the South Pacific. Our clientele was International, our wholesalers mainly
from the United States.
In November 2001, on the delivery trip from Vanuatu back to
Sydney, we run into devastating thunderstorm about 100 NM off the coast of NSW,
Australia. ‘La Violante’ was dismasted and severely damaged by cyclonic
force winds. Nobody was injured; ship and crew were rescued and made it safely
back to port.
In less than one hour we lost our beautiful ship and business.
Unfortunately the damage is beyond our means of repair.
Despite this terrible fate, we have to go on with our life and
want to go back to sea.
The above information posted at
http://www.globalcrewnetwork.com/home/
Fred Looijschelder Owner
Capt
