Mandurah man Brett Barnes became the first person to ever sail a catamaran under the new Mandurah bridge when he steered his vessel through the waters beneath the structure earlier this year.
Wind conditions, tidal flow and enough of the old wooden bridge having been removed allowed Mr Barnes a safe sail underneath the structure with his 14-foot catamaran LOMA, which he used to navigate from the southern through to the northern Mandjar Bay side and out into the open ocean.
The previous bridge’s low height made the sail impossible, but under the new one Mr Barnes was able to make the trip with a few inches to spare thanks to a mast cut down to size.
The keen skipper made the journey with fellow boating enthusiasts, who he often sails around the Peel-Harvey Estuary with.
The group, which caters to sailors who don’t wish to join an official club, consists of 19 sail boats and leisurely cruises the Peel region’s waterways.
For more information on the group email brett@bkvisions.com.au
