Drugs yacht arrives in Castletownbere

7th November 2008

The drugs yacht 'Dances with Waves', a 65' pilot house cutter, has arrived at the harbour in Castletownbere, Co Cork, escorted by the Irish Navy. Analysis is expected to begin on the huge haul of cocaine seized on the yacht which was detained on Wednesday night 320km off the southwest coast. It is expected to confirm the shipment as the biggest seizure in the history of the State - outstripping the 1.5 tonnes seized last year at Dunlough Bay in west Cork.

A yacht matching the description and with the same name as that arrested off Cork last night is currently offered for sale online . The MacGregor 65 is designed for worldwide cruising and chartering, and, according to the website, is the best selling large yacht in the history of sailing. It is one of the few production yachts eligible for the ABS +A1 rating and CG certification. The advert also claims it is also the fastest production sailing yacht, under sail or power.

Significantly, perhaps, the accommodation section of the brokerage advertisement refers to "custom, factory designed and fitted extra storage drawers and lockers, at the expense of a settee in aft cabin".

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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