It was a lucky day (pardon the pun) for Tipperary native Emer Stafford, who now lives in Killybegs, Co Donegal, who got the deal of a lifetime on Tuesday last when she purchased, at auction, the catamaran “Lucky Day.” Bidding for the catamaran, which was sold with a VAT certificate, began at just €20,000, finally ending with Emer’s offer of €58,000.
The auction handled by Dominic Daly and which was held at the Courtstown Industrial Estate in Little Island, Co Cork, on behalf of the Criminal Assets Bureau ” (CAB), made a total of €100,000 for the Irish Exchequer and attracted a large crowd of bidders.
The Lucky Day
The “Lucky Day” was previously used in the transport and importation of €263 million worth of cocaine, one of the world’s biggest cocaine shipments.
The vessel, in flawless condition and perfectly maintained, has been berthed under armed guard in the northern Spanish port of La Coruna since a drugs seizure off the West Cork coast of Ireland at Dunlough Bay in July 2007.
The fiberglass catamaran (Model Tobago 35) was originally bought for $132,000 (€98,828.43) over the internet by the individuals involved in this 1.5 tonnes cocaine haul. It was built in 1997 by Fountaine Pajot and sailed between Grenada and Martinique (Caribbean). The catamaran is fitted with two Volvo Penta MD 2020 engines and is fueled by 31 gallon diesel tanks. It has eight bert’s including two state rooms and has a 55 gallon fresh water carrying capacity.
Emer a keen sailor intends to use the catamaran, which she will rename ‘Imeera’, (Egyptian for princess), for ocean cruising and already owns a Galway Hooker. She now plans to sail the catamaran back to Killybegs from Spain.
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