Ghost yacht found floating at sea off NSW Coast
Semi-submerged yacht found on NSW South Coast sparks search for crewFears have been allayed after Marine Rescue NSW located a semi-submerged yacht on Friday morning (December 23, 2016) out at sea between Narooma and Bermagui on the NSW South Coast.
The volunteer search and rescue service began a search at 6:50am after an initial call to police from a member of the public.
From about 8:30am volunteers on the rescue vessel Bermagui 30 began finding debris in the water.
At 9:12am volunteers on a second rescue vessel Narooma 30 located the 24-foot yacht, with no mast or markings, drifting off Camel Rock.
The hull was upright though submerged. A diver was winched down by the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter to search for occupants. None was found.
Marine Rescue NSW Regional Operations Manager (Monaro) Glenn Sullivan commended the volunteers involved for responding quickly to an early morning call out.
"Our hard working volunteers, as tasked by Marine Area Command, carried out a fast and efficient search for the vessel," he said.
"They took part in a search and rescue exercise off Narooma only last month where they trained for this type of scenario."
There were no suspicious circumstances, missing yacht reports, distress calls or suchlike in the area. Authorities have since deemed it marine debris.
Whether it's the result of more eyes in the sky and on the water or increasing human impact, but there seems a lot more marine debris in the ocean these days.
Two race yachts sailing around the world in the Vendee were damaged from hitting UFOs at sea. All the more reason to maintain a proper watch at all times.
More news from Marine Rescue NSW at www.marinerescuensw.com.au.
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