A DILAPIDATED yacht in a Dawesville canal is a “disgrace”, according to residents.
Hank Rijnhart, who lives on the yacht, admits that he is “polluting their view” but said he had little choice because he had nowhere else to go.
Mr Rijnhart claims there are legal obligations to offer refuge for stricken vessels.
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READ NOW“Council is remiss; there are legal requirements,” he said.
Resident John Gellan said the yacht had caused angst for residents over the past 12 months. He said the vessel had caused damage to the pier, a timber fence and bollards.
Mr Rijnhart admitted to some damage but said bolts on the bollards had rusted.
He said the Water Police had forced him out of the canal and his yacht sunk in the Estuary during a storm.
“I’m a pensioner and I lost my TV, my microwave, my electronics and the wiring,” he said.
Mr Rijnhart returned with the yacht to the canal and said he had been treated like a pariah.
“They accuse me of using the canal for ablutions but I go to the surf life saving club or the marina,” he said.
“I have also been frustrated by vigilante action; I’ve had battery chargers stolen, three outboard motors stolen, water hoses cut and my ropes cut.”
Mr Rijnhart said he would like to make his yacht seaworthy and travel up north, but it took time and money.
He apologised to nearby residents but said he had struggled “like hell”.
The City of Mandurah is investigating.