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A Sandwich man is helping raise funds for an 82-year-old yachtsman who lost his home and his boat last month after a round-the-world voyage.
Nicholas Gray, of Strand Street, is helping raise awareness of a fundraising effort for Julian Mustoe, who lost his 25ft yacht Harrier of Down in October after it lost steering and later sank while sailing from the Shetland Islands to Norway.
This was the same boat in which Mr Mustoe took on a solo round-the-world trip and has lived on for the past 15 years.
Mr Gray said: “Now Harrier is lost, Julian has no home and has lost all his possessions.
“This is a terrible blow for a remarkable and courageous man.”
Mr Gray has let his friend and fellow crew member stay on his 42ft sailing boat Wendy Woo, moored in Ramsgate harbour, until he gets back on his feet and can buy another boat.
“I went to the ship’s bridge, from which I could see my lovely little boat struggling for her life. I felt as if I was watching an old friend drown." - Mr Mustoe
So far £9,950 has been raised out of a £25,000 target.
A couple of days after he set off sailing on Tuesday, October 6, Mr Mustoe’s boat lost steering control and the rudder could not be used. After a narrow miss with an oil rig, Harrier was taken in tow by the Norwegian coastguard but then sank in 300 metres of water.
Mr Mustoe said: “When I awoke I was told that Harrier was sinking. She had been taking on water and was now towing astern in a half-submerged condition.
“I went to the ship’s bridge, from which I could see my lovely little boat struggling for her life. I felt as if I was watching an old friend drown.
“Whatever the cause, she was gone, and with her most of my possessions and much of my small amount of money sank to the bottom of the North Sea. Without Harrier, I was homeless, nearly destitute and a shipwrecked sailor.
“The following day I flew to London and cast myself into the arms of generous friends. Life will not be the same again, but just what the future holds for me I do not know.”
The book about his round-the-world journey, The Voyage Of The Harrier, has received critical acclaim and is available to buy on Amazon.
A Just Giving page was set up by Mr Mustoe’s friends to help fund the cost of a new boat.
