Bonbonon is one of the principal hurricane holes in the Philippines. It is located at the tip of Negros Island, in the Visayan Group.

Published 10 years ago, updated 6 years ago

On the evening of Tuesday 29 July 2014, a yacht coming from Puerto Princesa to Bonbonon hit the reef near the entrance to Bonbonon and was completely destroyed.

The SV Oboat, owned and skippered by a Swiss national residing in China with four people on board, including two children, arrived in heavy weather after dark close to the entrance to the safe natural harbour which lies at the tip of Negros island in the Visayan group.

The yacht had experienced engine trouble and had a ripped mainsail after being plagued by intense squalls while crossing the Sulu Sea. While trying to sail into the narrow entrance between the reef and shore, huge waves swept the yacht onto the rocks close to the Kookoos Nest resort.

Cruisers from inside the anchorage tried to assist to no avail, one losing his dinghy and outboard motor and several being wounded when their dinghy overturned.

All onboard the yacht managed to escape onto the cliffs and are unhurt, but the yacht was completely

destroyed during the night as another squall with 40-50 knots of wind swept over the area.

There are around 35 yachts here, some of which have been here years. It has been a long time since a yacht has been lost here. Most people use a track on openCPN or Maxsea to get into the harbour, which probably helps. The weather has been particularly bad this season so far though.

Lesley Nachum

Oren Mosenzon

S/V Chasamba