Regulator 26 thought lost at sea celebrates its 10th anniversary
A Regulator 26 centre console survived more than three years at sea after a rogue wave capsized it in 2008Next week marks the 10th anniversary of a remarkable story of a Regulator 26 centre console that spent more than three-and-a-half years lost at sea – but didn’t sink.
The story starts in August 2008 after a rogue wave tossed two fishing mates out of the boat, named the Queen Bee, off the coast of Nantucket on the northeast US coast.
While the boaters avoided near tragedy by swimming to shore, the boat was lost.
Or so everyone thought. More than three years later, in early 2012, the Spanish Coast Guard found the mostly intact Queen Bee washed up on a beach almost 5000km away on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean from where it was believed to have been lost.
“The 26-foot sportfisher was discovered with its two engines intact and its hull still seaworthy — with a first-aid kit, radio, nautical maps, fire extinguishers and other key components in place,” Regulator said in a post commemorating the anniversary.
“With the exception of rust, mussel attachment, and a slightly bruised T-top frame, the boat emerged with little more than a few broken latches.”
US-based boatbuilder Regulator recovered the boat and later that year reunited it with the anglers, Scott Douglas and Rich St Pierre, more than four years after they were separated from it.
Similar story
The story is similar to the fate of a Bar Crusher lost at sea off Maroubra that was found washed up on a beach in New Zealand almost two years later.
The Bar Crusher’s 2000-kilometre journey ended with the boat being recovered, mostly intact, and with its 150hp engine still turning.
Only the windscreen, rocket launcher and seats were missing. The boat even still contained most of its owner’s fishing gear.
The Bar Crusher was traced back to its owner via a stubby holder bearing the name of the Sydney-based fishing club to which he belonged.
Regulator boats are sold in Australia via Perth- and Sydney-based One Brokerage.
Related content:
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
