Sailing La Vagabonde’s trimaran was struck while Elayna Carausu, Riley Whitelum and their family were asleep, the couple reported in November 2024. They said no one was physically injured, but the boat suffered extensive damage and their voyage was interrupted. Carausu later described a fishing vessel hitting them head-on at about 2 a.m. in Japanese waters; the available reports do not establish an official cause or finding of responsibility.
What happened to La Vagabonde?
On November 5, 2024, Riley Whitelum published a statement saying the family’s boat had been struck while they were asleep. He reported that nobody was physically harmed, described the damage as extensive and said the sailing journey was interrupted indefinitely. Sailing La Vagabonde’s statement
In a November 22 report, PerthNow quoted Elayna Carausu describing the impact as a head-on strike by a fishing vessel at about 2 a.m.: “At 2am, as we were sleeping, a fishing vessel ran into us.. head-on,” she said. Carausu described a loud impact that sent glasses smashing and clothes flying out of cupboards. She said no one was injured. PerthNow’s November 22 report
Where was the boat, and who was at fault?
A December 10 account by Boating New Zealand said the trimaran was anchored in a marked area off a Japanese port. Carausu told the publication: “We were in a marked area for anchoring, but I think the fishermen just didn’t expect a boat to be there.” That is her explanation of what the fishermen may have expected, not an official finding about the collision.
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Whitelum’s initial statement referred to inaccurate reporting in Japan and legal complexities but did not spell out the disputed claims. The cited accounts do not establish an official determination of how the collision happened or who was responsible. Boating New Zealand’s December 10 report
What damage did the collision cause?
Whitelum’s November statement called the damage extensive. Boating New Zealand reported in December that planned repairs were expected to involve hauling the trimaran out of the water and replacing its forward beam. The publication said the insurer was covering damage and the boat builder was assisting; those were details in its December account, not a later confirmation of the repair’s final cost or completion.
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On December 27, Sailing La Vagabonde said the family was returning to Hiroshima to haul out La Vagabonde III and begin repairs. The December 27 update
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What safety changes did the couple discuss?
In the December report, Carausu and Whitelum were considering adding anchor, deck and stern lights, and using AIS more while weighing its power consumption. The report described ideas under consideration at that time; it does not establish that specific equipment was installed. Visibility lighting and AIS serve different purposes, and neither was shown to have prevented this collision.
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