Ivan's boat found off Waterford coast

IT was the phone call that Ivan Archer and his family had been hoping for ever since their boat, a blue Arvor 250 AS, called ‘Victura,’ mysteriously disappeared from Seven Heads Bay on Saturday, July 1st.

And that call came late last Wednesday night from Vincent Farr in Crosshaven Coastguard to tell them that their boat had been found adrift about 30 miles off Dunmore East in Co Waterford.

‘It was fantastic to hear that it had been found and it was a trawler called “Morning Lark” who had spotted it adrift and contacted the Coastguard, who in turn put the word out and the lads in Crosshaven were already aware that it was missing and I got the call then,’ Ivan told The Southern Star.

‘I’d say it travelled well over 100 miles and God knows where it would have ended up only for the crew of “Morning Lark” who towed into Dunmore East harbour.’

Ivan travelled down to Dunmore East last Friday to collect his pride and joy and he sailed it back to its home port at Seven Heads Bay.’

‘I think what was great too is that it wasn’t stolen and had just got loose. Also it wasn’t damaged and none of our precious valuables were missing,’ he added.

Ivan also wants to thank the hundreds of people who shared his initial post on Facebook which meant that people from all over Munster were on the lookout for his ‘pride and joy’.

‘I want to sincerely thank everyone that went above and beyond to help me bring “Victura” back home where she belongs and getting my post shared over 1,200 times by complete strangers was unbelievable and it’s that kindness by complete strangers that I will take away from this episode,’ added Ivan.

For now, Ivan and his family will look forward to more good times, sailing and fishing aboard the ‘Victura.’