On October 7, 1983, the front page publication of The Fiji Times had an article titled “Crippled yacht safe again”.
The article discussed how a father and son, while on board the Black Magic, sailed back into Lautoka after drifting in north-western Fiji for more than seven days.
The Fiji Times quoted: “The owner Mr Dick Butler, 51, and his 20-year-old-son, Peter, were exhausted but otherwise well.”
It was revealed that the yacht had sent a distress signal, which initiated an air and sea search mounted by the Civil Aviation Authority’s Nadi Rescue Coordination and the Marine Department.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion spotted the yacht off the Yasawas about 300 miles south-west of Nadi on Wednesday. The Government tug was then sent to conduct a rescue mission.
“The tug took it under the tow on Wednesday afternoon and brought it back to Lautoka, but the yacht, using its fuel reserves, motored under its own power into the harbour after being escorted to the outer reef off Lautoka.
” While speaking to The Fiji Times after arriving in Lautoka, Mr Butler said they left Port Vila on Monday “10 days ago.”
The duo had apparently sailed within 80 miles of Fiji on a Friday, which was when they ran out of fuel. Various sectors of their equipment had malfunctioned and on Saturday they were hit by strong winds until the main sail had broken.
After contacting the Suva radio in the afternoon, they maintained contact even while there was poor reception.
This was also Mr Butler’s first journey on seas and he was sick throughout.
The father-son duo survived on dry food and about 20 gallons of water, which had to be rationed.
