A RACING yacht lost at sea near Newfoundland almost six months ago has washed around 3,000km away on a beach in west Kerry.
The Illumia 12 had been taking part in a transatlantic race when it was damaged on June 11 with the nine-metre vessel losing its keel and beginning to take on water.
The vessel's Italian skipper, Michele Zambelli, spent 12 hours waiting to be rescued and was eventually picked up by a Canadian coastguard helicopter 650km southeast of Newfoundland.
But months later, the vessel was spotted on Tuesday on a beach near An Clochán in west Kerry. The upturned hull was spotted by a surfer off Fermoyle beach.
Members of the Dingle coastguard helped to remove the vessel from the beach. The Valentia Coast Guard said that given the coordinates of the rescue, the racing yacht had drifted for at least 3,000km before being washed ashore.
Mr Zambelli said he was delighted the yacht had been recovered.
"I believe I may have been in collision with a whale," he told RTÉ.
"The boat was filling with water and I was very lonely.
"I am so, so happy to hear my boat is not lost.
"I miss her. I cannot believe it. I will be coming to Ireland to take my boat home with me."
