It was on the 8th November 2006 that Ross Hobson’s leading position in his class during the Route du Rhum yacht race came to a wet and dangerous end. Mollymawk (renamed Ideal Stelrad for the race after the major sponsor) capsized in horrendous weather, 2000 miles from land in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Ross endured eight hours alone in the darkness in the upturned hull, unaware of the major search and rescue events taking place to save him. At 2am on 9th November 2006 the freighter Carmen homed in on Mollymawk’s EPIRB and after a skilful demonstration of ship handling took Ross onboard and delivered him safely back home.

The saddest part of the recovery was the fact that Ross had to leave behind his beloved boat and give her up to the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean.

Now Mollymawk has been found! This week she was discovered nestling on Eleuthera Island beach in the Bahamas; 250 miles east of Miami, Florida and 2000 miles west of her near tragic capsize.

Molly’s hull was discovered by Margit Stingl, a lady living and building a home on the island of Eleuthera. From a distance Ms Stingl at first thought the wreckage was that of an aircraft but Mollymawk’s true identity has now been established and the island police have been informed.

Ross Hobson is delighted that his indestructible boat has reappeared. "The hull, although superficially in good condition, is unfortunately irreparable", said Ross. "I have asked for a few things to be removed from her before she is broken up and buried and the shifting sands of the Bahamas are likely to claim her very soon."

Over the years Mollymawk has had a great track record and in happier times Ross Hobson and Mollymawk have won international acclaim in yacht races around the UK and North Atlantic, climaxing in their trans-Atlantic World Record crossing from Bermuda to Plymouth in September 2005.