Volunteers from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay units have joined NSW Police Marine
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UPDATE: 3.00PM
Despite the best efforts of all concerned, the disabled yacht that was being towed to shore after being
located by rescuers this morning south-east of Jervis Bay, has sunk.
The yacht’s skipper was taken on board the NSW Police Marine Area Command vessel that had been
standing by.
Before leaving his yacht, the man let loose the line that was being used to tow his yacht and it was
reeled in by the tow vessel Marine Rescue vessel Jervis Bay 40.
The man is being taken to Jervis Bay.
Marine Rescue Regional Controller Brice Mitchell said, “The yachtsman is very fortunate that he
escaped with his life. An incident like this clearly demonstrates how quickly problems at sea can
quickly escalate into life-threatening emergencies.”
“With the holiday season already under way, Marine Rescue NSW urges all boaters to Log On and
Log Off with their local Marine Rescue Radio base and to always wear a lifejacket when on board.”
UPDATE: 2.20PM
The lone yachtsman whose vessel struck trouble off the Illawarra Coast This morning was successfully located by NSW Police Marine Area Command and volunteers from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay units.
The disabled yacht was taken in tow by Marine Rescue vessel Jervis Bay 40, but the trouble is not yet over for the yacht’s skipper.
The yacht is taking on water as the slow tow to safety at Huskisson continues.
With the tow still around five nautical miles offshore at 1:45pm, the Police Marine Area Command vessel is standing by the yacht ready to take off the skipper and Jervis Bay 40 is ready to release the tow line if the yacht is in danger of sinking.
BREAKING NEWS:
Area Command searching for a yacht in trouble off the South Coast.
The skipper and sole occupant of the yacht, believed to be a 13m (43ft) vessel, first called Marine
Rescue Shoalhaven on Monday night to report the loss of his tender on a voyage north to Broken
Bay. At the time he advised that no assistance was required.
Tuesday morning the skipper made another call by mobile phone to advise a worsening situation with a
broken mast, loss of engine, no electrics or radio and uncertainty about his position. In last night’s call
he reported that he was off Currarong, immediately north of Jervis Bay.
Searchers have now obtained position co-ordinates and are making for that location.
Bruce Mitchell, Marine Rescue NSW Regional Controller Illawarra, said there was a strong wind
warning for Illawarra waters yesterday but that had been cancelled.
"The forecast for today promised north to north easterly winds up to 25 knots, seas of 1.5 to 2m on a north easterly swell of around a metre so while conditions are better than yesterday, they’re more than challenging for anyone without power or sail. There’s also the chance of a thunderstorm during the morning and afternoon," he said.
Three vessels are currently involved in the search.