Mayday in Royal Melbourne Yacht Race

Sailors taking part in a Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron race off St Kilda found themselves in the water when their yacht sank on Sunday morning.

St Kilda’s rescue vessel CG2 was tasked to the Mayday at approximately 11.30am on Sunday 4th May. The incident occurred about ¾ of a mile off the St Kilda breakwater.

The skipper aboard CG2 Maurice Dobia said, ”As the sunken yacht is a hazard to other boat users a buoy has been placed on the mast.“

It is also understood a light will be put on the mast to warn boaters at night until the yacht is salvaged.

It has been a busy weekend for Coast Guard Melbourne radio operators who have assisted 7 vessels as of 2.30pm Sunday. Water users are encouraged to use the SafeTrx mobile phone App which helps take the search out of search and rescue. Coast Guard SafeTrx is a Smartphone App for both Android & Apple devices that allows you to have your journey recorded and monitored by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard 24 hours per day, every day of the year. ” said Jason Power, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Spokesperson.