Quixotic said..Ramona said..
This was a tragic event for the Rescue Association. What I find strange is the lack of information about the 54-year-old yachtsman who lost his life and any details on his yacht. We don't know whether he was entering or leaving. The Australian media seems to have lost the ability to report anything that represents news! So far, all I have heard is that the yacht will be recovered.
I don't think the media are at fault, they can only report what is known. Apparently the yacht sank, so entirely likely, given no distress call from the sailor, the name of the yacht or any other identifying details wont yet be known. Reported that divers are going to go down, so more may be discovered by them. Also unknown, if he didn't log his intentions, is whether he was coming or going. It's possible family or friends may yet come forward with information about him and his boat, but again the media cannot report what is not yet known, and if they are not chasing up his family and/or friends to find out more, that's OK with me. No doubt more detail will come out in official investigations as they are done and in the coroner's report when that is done.
The knowledge I have from the local crew is the boat name was Orion and was a small, and looked to be live aboard, 20ft trailer sailer that I saw when we walk the dogs most morning tied to the pontoon behind the Calypso caravan park Yamba for many months. It did appear to be In a condition that wasn't seaworthy but I never had the chance to look inside. It appeared to be early 80s / late 70s and narrow with large Perspex windows each side of the cabin. Certainly not something I'd personally be crossing a bar in weather. He did well to get out from Yamba in the morning. I was surfing that day and was a good 6ft with exposed areas larger and the bar wasn't pretty.
No VMR was contacted prior to departure or voyage logged according to updates.
