Abandoned Durban yacht to be auctioned in bid to recover costs

Debt stands at R240 000... every attempt has been made to trace owner

DURBAN: A yacht, abandoned six years ago at the yacht basin in Durban harbour after its owner mysteriously disappeared, is to be sold at public auction to recover some of the R240 000 owed in mooring fees.

Durban Marina general manager Malcolm Manion brought an application in the Durban High Court securing an order authorising the sale of the yacht “Kaira”, claiming owner Ian Ross had not been seen since 2009.

“We have received information to the effect that he was being sought by Interpol. But we have been unable to substantiate the rumour,” he said in an affidavit, which came before Judge Fikile Mokgohloa.

The yacht is an incomplete monohull steel sloop and is likely to be sold for scrap because of its condition.

Manion said in 2009 the yacht was moored at Wilson’s Wharf but, due to dredging, it and others were relocated to the marina for a short time.

All eventually returned except for “Kaira”.

“We requested

Ross

to complete the necessary documentation for hiring charges and mooring fees, but he refused to do so. He did on occasion pay some hiring charges, but fell into arrears and then simply disappeared,” he said.

Summons was issued in 2011 and the yacht was “arrested”. As of November last year, the debt stood at almost R240 000.

Manion said every attempt had been made to trace Ross.

“We asked all his friends and fellow sailors. We put up notices at the entrance of the mooring, we have tried his cell number and his e-mail address. He has not been in contact at all.

“The only inference which can be drawn is that the yacht has been abandoned.

“In the circumstances, we have no choice but to sell it at public auction to recover what is owed. If matters are left, the expenses will mount and the yacht will deteriorate until her value is reduced to nothing.”

The yacht had already submerged several times. Manion said should she sink, she would pose a threat to other vessels and pollute the marine environment.

It was also doubtful that the vessel was insured.

He said the present value was estimated to be around R75 000.

According to a valuation report, rain had caused the yacht’s water line to submerge to below an opening on the side of the hull, causing sea water to flood in.

“(This) caused considerable damage to the engine. The interior was never completed and it is in an utter mess. The vessel only has limited open market value… a vast amount of work and a large sum of money would need to be spent repairing it and fitting it out,” the report said.

The auction will take place at 1pm on November 5 at the marina.