By
Michael Brooke
Volume 48, No. 5, April 6, 2006
A
SIKORSKY S-76 helicopter from RAAF Base Pearce battled rough weather
conditions to winch an unconscious yachtsman from rough seas but
the rescue effort ended in tragedy.
The unidentified sailor was plucked from heavy seas and despite
efforts by rescuers to revive him, was pronounced dead on arrival
at Albany Hospital.
The drama occurred on March 24 about 40 nautical miles south-west
of Albany.
The Sikorsky helicopter, operated by CHC Australia, was just minutes
away from the 11-metre yacht ‘Wind Rider’ when the unidentified
sailor tumbled into huge waves without a life jacket on.
The man was unconscious by the time rescuers arrived and later
pronounced dead at the hospital in Albany.
The search began about 8am after AusSAR detected an emergency
beacon and sent a bulk carrier, search aircraft and the rescue
helicopter to investigate.
The unidentified man had issued a mayday call saying he had a
broken mast.
CHC Australia, which operate some 37 helicopters and employs a
workforce of about 240, including former ADF pilots, maintains
a search and rescue service for the Air Force.
