| Asolare Strikes Reef En Route to Cairns |
|
The two crew of World ARC yacht Asolare have been successfully
evacuated from the yacht, an Amel 54, after it struck a reef
approximately 200nm from Cairns Australia in the early hours of Sunday
3rd August. Both Skipper Peter Turner and crewman Tim Wood are safe and
well following their helicopter rescue and have now arrived in Cairns.
The
yacht in position 15 52S 149 10E had struck Moore Reef approximately 52
nautical miles North West of Willis Island in the Coral Sea, whilst en
route from Vanuatu to Australia. The Australian Rescue Co-ordination
Centre (RCC) was alerted by the New Zealand RCC which had picked up the
initial distress call. The Australian RCC then dispatched a fixed wing
aircraft |
 |
and a rescue helicopter to the scene. At 0830 Local time both
crew were winched aboard the helicopter, which after refuelling at
Willis Island Meteorological Station landed the crew at Cairns.
On arrival, Peter Turner was greeted by the local media and used the
opportunity to thank to all involved in the rescue: RCC New Zealand
listening on SSB 4Mhz who picked up the original Mayday call; RCC
Australia who co-ordinated the rescue; the crews of the SAR aircraft
and EMQ Rescue helicopter, which had to operate at the very limit of
its range; and the Merchant Vessel Vassos which stood by throughout.
Thanks also went to the weathermen of Willis Island Meteorological
Station, where the rescue helicopter stopped to refuel on the return
journey, here Peter and Tim were treated to a fine BBQ and offered
showers before completing their journey.
Speaking to the
waiting reporters in Cairns, Peter said “I don't feel bad, I just feel
very sad that I've lost a super yacht that was less than a year old."
Investigations
are now underway to determine whether the yacht, aground and lying on
her port side on the reef, can be salvaged.
|
|
|
 |
|
|