He wasn't clipped on. Another sailor washed overboard drowns
by Des Ryan on 18 Mar 2013
Tragically at anchor - sailor washed overboard had not been clipped on SW
He just wasn't clipped on. It happened in Australia, but it could have been anywhere. The two sailors, sailing from Adelaide to Melbourne, were more than half way through their journey.
They called in at the coastal town of Port Campbell on the south coast of Australia, docking for only a short time to refuel before continuing on their journey. The weather was nothing out of the ordinary and nothing suggested the tragedy that was only moments away.
But holiday-makers eating by the shore at the 'Great Ocean Road' tourist resort watched as the yacht, which had left only minutes earlier, was towed back to shore as the sun set over the water.
One of the sailors was missing, washed overboard by a freak wave as they left the port. His friend said he had managed to throw him a line, but the sailor drifted in and out of consciousness and slipped away.
Surf lifesavers were called to assist, and just after 6.20pm they found the unconscious 50-year-old face down in the ocean.
Paramedics spent a long time trying to revive him on the dock as night approached.
Water Police have investigated mishap and have prepared a report for the coroner. A police spokesman confirmed that the man was 'overcome by a wave' as the vessel left the bay.
He just wasn't clipped on.
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