Wide Bay Bar claims another yacht

by Sail-World on 14 Apr 2009 Wide Bay Bar - that entrance to the Great Sandy Strait behind Fraser Island that has rightly earned the respect of the most experienced of sailors - has claimed another yacht.

The Lilly Ann with two persons on board came to a terrifying end yesterday when they slammed onto a sandbank at Wide Bay Bar because they positioned themselves wrongly for entry through the bar. (See info on new waypoints below)

Tin Can Bay Coast Guard Commander Barry Ault said the yacht has requested an escort through the bar, to which the Coast Guard acceded, and sent the Cooloola Rescue boat to escort them, having given them the correct way point.

'However, they were nowhere near where we expected to find them, being too far west in the directions of Fisherman's Gutter. The conditions were horrendous at the time, and unfortunately the Lilly Ann hit bottom, and began to take on water.'

The rescue vessel then began the difficult job of towing them back to safety to behind Double Island Point.

'Coast Guard Coxswain John McFarlane did an excellent job,' said Commander Ault. 'The conditions were deplorable, with 5-6 metre seas, pouring rain and nil visibility.

The holed vessel was taking water too fast for the crew to control, and the couple had to be rescued before the vessel sank in 30 metres of water. Even saving the lives of the sailors in the end proved a challenge in the difficult conditions.

'It was tragic,' commented Commander Ault, 'They lost their boat, which was their only home, and all their possessions.

'We had them checked by ambulance officers, as they had been knocked about in the boat, gave them a hot shower, a meal and somewhere to stay for the night.'

The couple had purchased Lilly Ann, a 39ft ferro-cement yacht, only months before, and were on their way to the Whitsundays for an 'adventure in paradise'.

'All sailors should be aware that the waypoints for Wide Bay Bar have been changed,' added Commander Ault. 'Sailors who are unsure of the currency of their waypoint information should call us by radio before approaching.

'If they use the old waypoints they could be in a very dangerous situation in shallow water. This applies particularly to yachts with their deep keels more than power boats.'

Tin Can Bay Coast Guard:
1800 - 0600hrs Stand by on 27 MHz and VHF Ch 16

Base Numbers
Phone: (07) 5486 4290
Fax: (07) 5486 4568

Call Sign
VMR 417

Frequencies monitored
27.88 and 90 MHz
VHF 16, 80 and 82
VHF 67 during ops hours
MF/HF 2182, 2524
UHF 4