The sun had just dropped below the horizon and we were anchored in two fathoms of water over a sandy bottom. The plan was to go ashore in the dingy and have dinner at the Peace & Plenty Club, a small hotel overlooking the beach.

The crew were relaxing in the cockpit, having an aperitif prior to heading ashore for dinner. I was sitting facing aft (rear of the vessel) when I spotted what appeared to be a satellite in orbit with the sun reflecting brilliantly off the object which was on a western trajectory. I said aloud ‘look, here comes a satellite. However, Tom, my stepfather, a civil engineer, replied saying “it is not a satellite as it is going in the wrong direction”. Tom went on to explain that satellites launched from Earth were launched to the East to take advantage of the planet’s rotational speed.

Within seconds of spotting the craft overhead it (the craft) came to a complete halt and split into two pieces. The newly detached piece, with instantaneous acceleration sped away to the south disappearing instantly. The original piece of the craft, again with instantaneous acceleration sped away to the west.

The Dutch Treat was a 45 foot (LOA) steel hulled yacht built in the Netherlands. She was Captained by Robert Fletcher, whose French wife Monique ensured that our cuisine was up to par. Dr. Herewood Taylor MD, ensured that we stayed healthy, and my stepfather Thomas Robson held the rank of Bosun. I needless to say filled the role of yachtsman-in-training.

Unfortunately no one had a camera to hand so no photographs were captured. I needless to say did not even own a camera until 1969.