Launched	2003
Owner	John Faris Clarke
Purchased	May 2014
Contact
Configuration	Mark 2 cruising model – Mk 2 keel, skeg rudder, single spreader rig foam sandwich construction
Colour	Yellow hull, blue boot stripe
Berthed	Two Rocks Marina
Sail Number
Australian Registration
State Registration
Call Sign
Builder	Swarbrick & Swarbrick Yachts, under license to Cottesloe Yachts
Hull Number	121
Fit Out	Initially custom adapted for disabled sailing, later refitted by John Faris Clarke for able bodied blue water sailing
Previous Owners	Jamie Dunross (from new until 2014)
Previous Names	Spirit of Rockingham (launched as)

The Yacht’s Story

Spirit of Rockingham was built in 2003 specifically designed and fitted out for disabled sailing by Jamie, who is a C5 quadriplegic. The basic structure was standard S&S 34, but the interior was been adapted to allow Jamie to move around and a large fibreglass dodger was added for protection as Jamie is unable to regulate his body temperature as effectively as an able bodied person. Jamie has always had the dream of sailing solo long distances and the yacht was also fitted and equipped with this in mind. Construction took some time as Jamie had to raise a lot of the sponsorship and funding along the way. Eventually she was launched, and Jamie sailed her ever increasing distances, breaking quadriplegic sailing records along the way. Ultimately he sailed solo around Australia, one of the most remarkable sailing achievements ever completed.

About the Owners

The original owner Jamie became a C5 quadriplegic in a gold pouring accident at Meekatharra in 1988. His story of recovery from near suicidal depression to the peak of his sport, a gold medal at the 2000 Paralympic Games, is an impressive one that offers genuine inspiration. For more details on Jamie please click on the website link below.

The yacht was sold in 2014 to John Faris Clarke, who refitted her for further blue water sailing, this time of the able bodied sort.