Wrong turn?

Monday 22 July 2019

Islanders were this weekend confused and amused to spot a yacht that had seemingly taken a wrong turn into the Havre des Pas Lido.

The vessel was spotted in the popular St. Helier swimming spot early on Sunday morning, instantly raising questions in islanders’ minds as to how it got there.

Images of the unusual sight quickly spread on social media, with many asking the same thing as Gillian Clarke: “Amazes me how it’s there… Did it come over the wall on the high tide?! Or launched from the beach?!”

“If the tides are neap, he could be stuck there for days!!” Simon Jelley added.

Many were less concerned, however, seeing the misstep – or missail – as an opportunity for some humour. 

Islander Nick Channing captured the scene on his drone camera, posting the result on Facebook with the caption: “Margaret, I can’t believe how empty this harbour is for summer!” 

Others quipped about the difficulty of finding a parking space in Jersey, while the Jersey Action Group issued a satirical report on the incident: “A new Marina has opened at Havre des Pas but so far it has not proven to be very popular. 

“Ports of Jersey were not available to comment as they have found a hole in the Victorian bathing pool at West Park and are busy looking into it.”

For Andy Talbot, the scene inspired nostalgia: “Learnt to swim in there, sailing my toy yacht when I was 6. There used to be a wooden bridge, and I fell in trying to reach the toy yacht out!” 

Pictured top: The yacht caught on camera by Nick Channing.