Reports are coming in of an 18m charter yacht “Romance” which has run aground during atrocious weather conditions in the Whitsunday Islands.
The vessel is believed to have smashed into rocks off Hook Island. 37 passengers and 5 crew are onboard for a 2 day cruise due to return to Airlie Beach today. Police have been unable to get a rescue boat to the scene due to the rough conditions. Two rescue helicopters are heading out this morning to airlift the passengers and crew to safety.
The area has been subject to gale force winds and rough seas overnight as a monsoonal trough moves south through the area. Weather conditions are expected to ease during the day.
Update:
It seems it was a dramatic time in the Whitsundays overnight with many boats breaking free of their mooring. One family with four young children had to be rescued from their boat just metres from the rockwall in Airlie Beach by the Police.
The charter yacht “Romance” was moored on the Northwest side of Hook Island and presumably broke free of her mooring ending up on the rocky shore some time around 3.30 am. Having experienced more excitement than they bargained for all the passengers and crew were airlifted to safety by the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopters with no serious injuries sustained.
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