Abandoned Sailboat Washes Ashore In U.S.

A sailboat that was abandoned off Bermuda during a storm last May has been found washed up on a beach at Norton Point in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

The boat’s long journey began when owner Bill Heldenbrand set off alone from Green Cove Springs, Florida with the intention of sailing his vessel, dubbed The Running Free, to Bermuda, before ultimately crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Unfortunately, only seven days into his trip, Heldenbrand encountered high winds and dangerous sea swells, forcing him to abandon ship when a passing oil tanker offered him safety.

Photo by Mark Lovewell, courtesy of The Vineyard Gazette:

54 days later, with the boat’s whereabouts unknown during that time, the 36.5 foot sailboat finally washed ashore at Norton Point beach last Friday, presenting the opportunity for salvage.

After being notified via Facebook by locals who spotted the boat and looked up its owner, Heldenbrand immediately paid a visit to Norton Point in order to inspect The Running Free, only to find that personal items and on-board equipment had been stolen at some point during its journey, presumably after it had been beached.

This has prompted police to issue a statement offering amnesty to anyone who may have taken items from the vessel for 24 hours; after that period, the looting of the sailboat will be considered larceny and will be prosecuted if the perpetrators are located.

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