That boat wasn't just a trusted traveling companion with which he'd traversed half the globe: it was his home. His and his family's, including his animals. And in just three hours, they lost everything: seawater entered the hull, and the currents dragged the vessel to shore, destroying memories, certainties, and happy moments.
Behind that hull at the mercy of the waves lies the story of Matias, 44, of Argentine origins, who has been traveling the world aboard his boat for years . He has had an extraordinary life, spent adventuring along the planet's most beautiful coastlines. Then, upon arriving in Sardinia, he was captivated by the island's beauty: there, the idea of staying, dropping anchor and writing a new chapter in his life was born.
The wreck was found on the morning of March 6th on the shoreline of Poetto , in Cagliari. The vessel , approximately twelve meters long and flying the Polish flag, ran aground in the sand and remained there, waiting to be moved. Or perhaps, judging by the situation, for a miracle. The damage is extensive, and the money to repair the floating home is no less, so much so that – says Matias – " maybe it's better to buy another . But that was our whole world." And giving it up isn't easy . The Argentinean speaks with a voice trembling with emotion. The images of the water entering the hull, filmed from afar with a video camera and observed live, still flash through his mind, his soul torn by anxiety and fear . "We were on land that night , we knew it wasn't possible to stay on board in bad weather," he says.
But it all began a few days earlier, when a dinghy speeding near their vessel struck the bow, creating a gaping hole about a meter long, "then it ran away." Matias had made a temporary repair, waiting for insurance to cover a complete and professional repair. But during those days of waiting, the sea became increasingly rough. During the night of March 5th, waves managed to enter the gap, weighing down the bow. The worsening weather then did the rest: the ropes snapped and the boat drifted, filling with water and sand. Yet, perhaps not all is lost.
Friends and acquaintances know this well and are currently trying to lend a concrete hand to the little family by launching a fundraiser on the Gofundme site “Let's give Mattias a Boat-Home Again” . The life of the Argentine, now Sardinian by adoption, is divided between the sea and dry land. The heart of a captain beats in his chest, but like every sailor, he also knows when it's time to keep his feet on the ground. And it's precisely there that he has formed unbreakable bonds with the local nautical community , who have welcomed him like a brother . “Matias and his family have to return home,” they all say in unison. And to do so, several obstacles must be overcome. The first is getting the boat off the beach : “ And that really requires a lot of money, but everything can be done, as required by law,” reassures the 44-year-old. Except that, while waiting for insurance, “incalculable” sums are needed to repair the damage, so much so that “maybe it will be better to buy a new one”.
But finding solutions to big problems often takes time. "We're safe and well, that's what matters. We're 'viajeros'. But now it's as if we're displaced , and we don't know when we'll be able to return home ." "Now I'm speaking calmly, but I don't know how long I'll be able to hold back the tears," the captain admits. "But I know everything will be fine: we're surrounded by wonderful people, and I'm sure that, with everyone's help, we'll soon return home ."