Flinders Islet Race - Rescue authorities go to yacht in distress

7:29 PM Fri 7 Oct 2011 GMT

'David Pescud&rsquo;s TP52 Wot Eva - Flinders Islet Race 2011' Andrea Francolini &copy

Flinders Islet Race - At 0350 hours this morning, a Mayday call was sent from David Pescud's yacht Wot Eva which was competing in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's (CYCA) 92 nautical-mile Flinders Islet Race that started off Point Piper on Sydney Harbour last evening at 1900 hours.

The Mayday call was heard by Marine Rescue at Port Jackson and Port Kembla. Port Jackson informed David Kellett, the CYCA's Race Committee Chairman, while Port Kembla informed the NSW Water Police.

A crew member of Wot Eva, a Nelson/MarekTP52 design, reported the yacht had hit Bellambi Reef, off Bellambi on the NSW South Coast, north of Wollongong. The yacht was sailing close to the coast at the time in light winds and light rain.

The NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command, immediately put a helicopter on standby and then mobilised it.

After receiving advice from Wot Eva that the crew was checking for possible damage, but that the yacht was not taking any water on board, and that all aboard were well, Sgt Paul Farquharson from the Marine Area Command advised the CYCA's Sailing Manager, Justine Kirkjian that he was sending a boat from Port Kembla to tow the yacht back to Port Kembla.

Four other yachts competing in the race were also standing by the yacht. They were Brindabella, Pretty Fly III, Balance and Ragamuffin.

Coincidentally, the incident occurred just two days prior to the two year anniversary of the tragic deaths of Andrew Short and Sally Gordon in the Flinders Islet Race.

Further news will be issued as it comes to hand.

CYCA website

by Di Pearson

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Flinders Islet Race - Rescue authorities go to yacht in distress

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