PHUKET

New Zealand yachtsman dies in tragic accident

The Nation

PHUKET: -- A New Zealander died on Friday after falling from his yacht and hitting his head on the vessel in Phuket's Tha Chalong district.

An examination of the body of Srichard Erngst Spraggs, 59 revealed injuries to the head but no traces of assault.

According to the initial police investigation, the victim, who owned LaZin Gara yacht, was a regular visitor to Tha Chalong Port and had been coming to the island for about six years.

The victim and a girlfriend were resting when a nearby vessel was caught up in a strong current and smacked into his yacht. He reportedly tried to push the vessel away but fell into the water.

Police said his head apparently hit the edge of the yacht.

People who saw the incident jumped into the water and retrieved him from the sea. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.

-- The Nation 2013-01-25

That is very sad. Many years ago I lived on my Yacht (fancy name - really just a sail boat) for 10 years and I well know the challenges of that life style. I personally had many scary times. May he rest in yacht heaven ... RIP

Yes a very tragic accident. Have my doubts about the strong current theory though...

Yachties the world over are generally very good people, easy going and intelligent. Sad to lose one in an accident but he probably would have hailed this as a way to go and probably laughed at the accident. Having built yachts I can assure anyone they are a great bunch of people to be around, always willing to lend a hand, great ideas, and worldly. Such a tragedy, so celebrate his life and don't mourn his death.

Just wonder if the other vessel that had broken loose and hit the deceased boat was on one of the new moorings that have attracted a lot of criticism over the last few weeks.

Hmmm I was going to have a quiet night in tonight.

But after reading this story I am again reminded just how precious every moment of ones life is.

Now...where is my clean shirt...

New Zealand expat sailor drowns in Phuket boating mishap

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Popular Phuket sailor Richard Spraggs, from New Zealand, drowned in an early morning boating accident today.

Mr Spraggs, 59, was re-anchoring his boat La Zingara at about 5am after an overnight storm had pushed another boat too close to his, Capt Chianchai Duangsuwan of the Chalong Police reported.

Mr Spraggs was trying to push the boats apart when he fell overboard. He struck his head on the other boat and fell into the water, the Phuket Gazette was told.

“A friend from New Zealand who was on board raised the alarm, shouting to get the attention of other yachties on liveaboards at the Chalong anchorage, on the north side of Chalong Pier,” one local yachtie told the Gazette.

“They started a search, and found his body about 30 minutes later. They attempted to resuscitate him and took him to Chalong Pier, where an ambulance was waiting, but he was pronounced dead [at the scene],” he said.

Mr Spraggs was well known among sailors at the Phuket Cruising Yacht Club.

“He was a nice, happy fellow,” one PCYC regular told the Gazette. “He was a happy soul – happy to be retired, happy to live in Phuket. He got along with everybody.”

Mr Spragg’s family and the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok have been notified of the incident.

Mr Spraggs is survived by his partner Shirley, daughter Stevie and his aging father.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...shap-20052.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-01-26

I wonder if the "girlfriend" reported in the first article is the same lady as "his partner Shirely" referred to in the second article?

RIP-same thing happened to a friend of mine in California. Granted it wasn't a yacht, but he fell over bounced his head against the boat, by the time his friends even realized he was missing he had drown.

Sad indeed, condolences to friends and family. GOM

I wonder if the "girlfriend" reported in the first article is the same lady as "his partner Shirely" referred to in the second article?

And I wonder, why on earth you or anyone else would care about that.

Flame removed. Lets keep this thread civil and not have it degenerate into personal attacks.

Have some respect.

I wonder if the "girlfriend" reported in the first article is the same lady as "his partner Shirely" referred to in the second article?

No---not the same. Number one is a girlfriend,number two is his partner--------- only going by the report