MYSTERY AT MEMORY ROCK

Earlier this year while staying at Boat Harbour, we heard a disturbing story.  Several boats crossing over to the Bahamas via the “Memory Rock” passage, had reported passing a small sailboat anchored on the Banks just off the route.  This in itself is not unusual--boaters often do this sort of thing--take a short break for a well-deserved nap after making the crossing.  But this particular anchored vessel had been reported by cruisers as being seen in the same location over the course of several WEEKS!  Something was definitely not right. And eventually some cruisers decided to investigate.

Upon approaching the little boat there was no sign of either her captain or a dinghy.  Only a little dog--emaciated, thirsty and VERY happy to see someone coming to her rescue, was on board.  But the captain of the boat was no where to be found.  The dog was taken away and cared for by some cruisers and a search was initiated.  It was learned that the boat was owned by a retired Canadian from one of the Maritime provinces who sailed alone with his dog.  His family reported that he had been in ill health with heart problems when he set off for the Bahamas earlier this year.  Several scenarios have been suggested.  Perhaps  he had gone for a swim, and was swept away.  He could’ve suffered a heart attack on board and fallen over into the water.  But in both of these situations, why was his dinghy gone?  Was it stolen from his boat later? Was he killed trying to prevent it’s theft?  Or did he go off in his dinghy and for some reason was unable to return?  To this day, his disappearance remains a mystery.  Perhaps only the dog knows for sure--and he’s not talking!