A SAILOR'S lifelong dream has been washed away in a matter of hours – and with it a piece of Penzance's heritage.

Claude Van-martyn, the owner of PZ.211 which sank in Guernsey last week, had planned to sail around Europe for a year.

It was something he had always wanted to do and he had been fixing up the 107-year-old vessel, called Pet, ahead of setting off on his dream trip at the end of August.

A gale last Thursday caused the boat to drift from its moorings and within hours it had sunk. The boat was not insured.

Loss

"I had money, passports, and possessions on there and now I have lost everything," said Mr Van-martyn. "It's all gone now. To me it's a huge loss and I don't know where to go from here."

He said he was unable to secure fully comprehensive cover because insurance companies were wary of giving cover to a classic yacht of that age.

Pet was built in 1903 for Richard Thomas as a pilchard driver. Following his death the boat was bought and fished out of Mevagissey, changing her registration to FY 129.

In 1917 she received her first engine and continued commercial fishing until 1961.

Mr Van-martyn paid £36,000 for the boat three years ago and had spent £4,000 on improvements.

The boat's previous owner had spent eight years working on it.

"I have spent three years working on this boat leading up to this point, but now that is all down the drain.

"I have no more money," said Mr Van-martyn.

"I was planning a year's voyage and was hoping to leave very soon."

He said he had tried to get to the boat on three previous days that week to sail it and moor it elsewhere but the sea had been too rough.

The yacht is believed to have broken free of its anchor and then crashed into the wall at Havelet, Guernsey. All metal, plastic and fluid was removed to ensure there is no risk to the environment.

Immediately following the incident he hoped to find someone who would be interested in restoring the boat.

But those dreams have ended and Mr Van-martyn is resigned to losing the vessel.