Outimage Publications - Fourteen crew successfully rescued from stricken yacht

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Fourteen crew successfully rescued from stricken yacht

Rolex Sydney Hobart - News Update
00:15 AEDT December 27, 2008

Article By the Rolex Sydney Hobart Media Team

December 27, 2008.

At approximately 21:20 hrs and 32 miles south east of Point Perpendicular, a mayday call was issued from the Farr 53 yacht Georgia.

Owned by Graeme Ainley and John Williams from the Sandringham Yacht Club in Victoria, Georgia is taking on water as a result of losing her rudder.

Graeme Ainley and John Williams' Farr 53 Georgia, outside Sydney Heads just after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Graeme Ainley and John Williams' Farr 53 Georgia, outside Sydney Heads just after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

Tim Cox, Race Committee Chairman liaised with the relevant authorities including AMSA, NSW Water Police and the CYCA Emergency Management Team to effect a rescue. Radio Relay Vessel JBW assisted with the rescue by communicating instructions from the Race Committee to nearby vessels.

Graeme Ainley and John Williams' Farr 53 Georgia, outside Sydney Heads just after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Telcoinabox Merit, being closest to the stricken yacht effected a rendezvous and stood by for further instructions.

Graeme Ainley and John Williams' Farr 53 Georgia, outside Sydney Heads just after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

At approximated 23:00 AEDT, all 14 crew members from Georgia were transferred to Telcoinabox Merit without incident via a liferaft. Telcoinabox Merit then set course for Batemans Bay, where the crew will be transferred to the Police launch Nemisis in daylight.

Graeme Ainley and John Williams' Farr 53 Georgia, outside Sydney Heads just after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

At the time of the crew transfer, the yacht was on verge of sinking and is likely to be lost at sea.

Official race website: www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

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