Media Release

Search Underway for Missing Yachtsman

An air and sea search is underway for a Melbourne yachtsman missing off the north-east coast of Tasmania.

His 10 metre yacht, the Piet Hein, was found late yesterday drifting about 22nm (40kms) north-east of Bridport and about 5nm (9kms) offshore , by a passing ferry, the Southern Condor 2 who reported to Tasmania Police.

The yacht sailed from Melbourne last Thursday afternoon (6/3) bound for Hobart making regular sked calls until 5pm Monday night. The yacht was due to berth in Maria Island on the central east coast last night.

Tasmanian police, who were coordinating the search with a vessel and three aircraft from late yesterday, handed coordination to Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) at 12.30 pm today.

An extensive air and sea search, using six fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters from Tasmania and Victoria will continue from Bridport into Bass Strait , south of Flinders Island and around the north-east coast to Cape Naturaliste.

Police are continuing with a land search of nearby Waterhouse Island and from the village of Tomahawk Bay to the east , near where the yacht was first sighted.

It is understood the yacht was equipped with a VHF radio, satellite phone, distress beacon, safety equipment and an inflatable dinghy with outboard motor.

Further Information:

David Gray AMSA-PR 0418 487794

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