by Peter Carruthers
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THE shock loss of yachtsman taken by a saltwater croc of Hinchinbrook Island had the tight knit Cairns boating community raising a glass to a highly regarded Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron stalwart.
On Saturday the club's flagpole was set to half-mast and members gathered to share stories and pay respects to lost 69-year-old yachtie Andy Heard.
Squadron commodore John Stewart said boating community had been shaken by the horrific death of Mr Heard.
Members of the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron at Portsmith are mourning the loss of former club commodore and life member Andy Heard, who was suspected to be taken by a saltwater crocodile near Cardwell. Club members Trish Kay, Dale Williams, Jason Hedges, Dayna Russell, club commodore John Stewart, Andy Murray, Ebonee Read and Paul Roxson comfort each other in front of flags flying at half mast.