Misfortune continues for reality show as Cabin Fever II suffers gear box trouble and a contestant quits.
On Friday 13 June 2003 a tall ship on which the reality television programme ‘Cabin Fever’ was being made was shipwrecked near Tory Island off the Donegal coast.
But no one was hurt and it was on with the show.
Two weeks later Cabin Fever II, the replacement ship for the programme was launched in Sligo. Cabin Fever II was originally registered as the Johanna Lucretia.
The good fortune for the second launch was short lived. One of two new contestants Noel Hogan from County Clare drops out of the production due to chronic seasickness. Then Cabin Fever II, suffers gear box trouble and has to be towed into Killybegs Harbour in County Donegal.
Managing director of Coco Television Productions Stuart Switzer refuses to believe ‘Cabin Fever’ is jinxed. The future of the programme is not in any doubt.
It’s onwards and upwards.
The remaining contestants are sad they did not get much of a chance to get to know Noel Hogan. County Waterford contestant Elaine Power jokes,
They’re not making men like they used to.
It is hoped Cabin Fever II will have a new gear box fitted so that it can arrive in Galway six hours before the next live television broadcast of ‘Cabin Fever’ on 7 July 2003.
News report broadcast on 4 July 2003. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
