Sailing Vessel Sinks off Qld coast-Six Rescued

by AAP/Police Report on 21 Apr 2008 Six people were rescued when their yacht sank off the north Queensland coast.

The group were aboard the Sydney registered, 24m sailing vessel Challenger Outward Bound when it began taking on water about 2.15am (AEST) on Monday, a spokesman for the Burdekin Volunteer Marine Rescue Service said.

The boat was about 40 nautical miles off Cape Bowling Green, south-east of Townsville.

The group radioed for help before climbing into a life boat.

Burdekin Volunteer Marine Rescue officers attended the coordinates and located the passengers in a life raft and a dory. They were transported to Townsville by Townsville Water Police, and have arrived in Townsville safely.

There were no reports of injuries. A large log has been blamed for the sinking of the vessel. They were on their way to Sydney when their yacht hit the log and sank. The boats skipper was interviewed by water police.

The vessel Challenger Outward Bound is not owned by the Australian organisation of that name, though it once was.
'We did once own the ship and sold it over 10 years ago,' said Ben Callaghan, National Partnerships Manager, Outward Bound Australia