Berrimilla and Wedgetail strike trouble

by Rob Kothe on 8 Jan 2007 Only a few weeks after the famous Koomooloo sank in the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart, two other Hobart entrants are in trouble. Alex Whitworth’s 1977 built Brolga 33, Berrimilla, issued a MAYDAY south of Eden around 3.50am this morning. The vessel had rolled in heavy seas 57 miles south east of Eden and was dismasted. Eden Water Police went to her aid.

Around 10pm last night on Wedgetail, the two crewmen on Bill Wild’s Welbourne 42, contacted St Helen’s Coastguard seeking assistance.

Neil Smail, AUSAR spokeman advises Berrimilla set off her 406 beacon around 3.50am.

The Falcon, the Eden based Water Police vessel, was dispatched to provide assistance. A search aircraft was sent out from Melbourne early this morning to check on the yacht's safety. Around 8:30am they reached the yacht and will be taking her in tow. Four crew all OK.

Wedgetail at 10pm last night, made radio calls for assistance, when 35 miles east of St. Helens, on the Tasmanian east coast. Sea Guardian, the St Helens Coastal Patrol vessel left port at 4am with four Coastail Patrol crew and a Police officer on board.

At 10am local time, she was still 14 miles from Wedgetail.

Wedgetail had lost her rudder and is still drifting north, in five knot seas, pushed by 30 knot southerly. Sea Guardian will take her in tow and return to St. Helens tonight.

It was a wild night in Bass Strait with winds in the 50-80 knot range.

More soon.