Yacht wrecked crossing El Salvador bar

A round the world cruiser has lost his yacht, and all his possessions, after he was wrecked while attempting to cross the Bahia del Sol sand bar in El Salvador. His boat was then stripped by thieves while grounded.

Bahia del Sol, or Estero Jaltepeque, is a famous stopover for cruisers exploring the Central American country. Entrance into the harbour requires a local pilot and an often tense surf in through breaking swell.

British sailor Mark Thurlow was attempting the crossing on his Moody 49 Rum Truffle on 7 March, accompanied by a local pilot in a panga, in moderate conditions. A report from rally organisers states that the yacht was directed to follow the pilot boat over the bar, but was unexpectedly picked up by two consecutive waves, causing it to surf and drift off course. Following the second wave, Rum Truffle went hard aground in shallow waters, and despite efforts to free the yacht, it remained grounded and began taking on water. While attempts were made to tow the yacht off, Rum Truffle capsized, revealing that the keel had been lost.

The owner was successfully rescued but before he could return to his yacht, the wreckage was then stripped bare by local thieves.

The Annual Salvador Rally Facebook page reports that more than 1,400 bar crossings have been made since 2010, and that serious incidents are rare. However, following the loss of Rum Truffle moves are being made to improve safety, with plans to install a depth finder on the pilot boat (they currently have none), and key safety gear such as a towing bridle and boarding ladder for recovering people from the water. The Panama Posse rally organisation has changed its advice to avoid Bahia del Sol and advise cruisers not to attempt to enter the estuary.