Swift Action Averts Yacht Disaster off Cairns
Swift action by Cairns Water Police and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard narrowly averted a potential yachting disaster on Saturday afternoon. 
'Towing of the yacht ’Lu Ann’ after a Mayday call to say that she was sinking off Cape Grafton - Photo by Marc Mccormack'
.
The drama unfolded after the skipper of the Roberts-designed 18m steel ketch Lu Ann sent out a call for help when the vessel began taking on water at an alarming rate.
The yacht had been making its way north past Cape Grafton heading for the Blue Water Marina at Trinity Park.
Cairns Water Police officer-in-charge Sgt Andrew Ibell said by the time the skipper had realised there was a problem, water had already covered the engine.
'He could not start the motor or electric bilge pumps,' he said.
'So he started to manually bail water.'
Sgt Ibell said the skipper, who had only one crew member to help out, continued to sail towards Cairns as the coast guard raced out to help the stricken vessel into port.
'Water police then took the vessel in tow when it got closer to Cairns,' he said.
'That allowed the coast guard to get a pump on board.
While those on board the Lu Ann were managing to keep the vessel afloat, Sgt Ibell said it was imperative the pump was delivered.
'That allowed the owner to find where water was entering the vessel and to stop the flow,' he said.
'It was discovered water had been entering through the propeller shaft seal.'
by Roger Dickson, Cairns.com.au 
Port Macquarie, NSW
