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[ 11-18 April 2025 ]
FREE COMMUNITY PAPER Kiama LGA and beyond
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THE BUGLE WEEKLY DIGITAL EDITION
Rockpool yacht drama captivates Kiama
Debbie’s vision
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Flag debate
p3 Lynne Strong The drama surrounding a 15 metre-yacht which ran aground outside Kiama Harbour near the ocean rockpool captivated Kiama this week. On Monday night, the owner had moored the boat near the harbour and went ashore in his dinghy but the vessel broke free overnight. The police have confirmed they have spoken to the skipper and the matter is being managed by Maritime NSW. Attempts to
free the boat from the rocks on Friday morning were unsuccessful and officials are waiting for favourable tide conditions to remove it from its location just to the north of the rockpool The boat was spotted on the rocks in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with Kiama Council amenity cleaners alerted by a local swimmer around 4am. “We all raced down there,” one local said. “We ran to the edge of the rock, yelling out to make sure there was no one on board. We couldn’t see anyone, so we called police and Maritime NSW.” A Kiama local who lives above the harbour, had noticed the yacht moored in the harbour the previous evening. “I looked down just after 5.30 and saw it on its side,
half-submerged with water on board,” she said. “I zoomed in on my camera and couldn’t see anyone. I contacted emergency services straight away.” Local child Darcy O’Brien, before heading off to school, captured remarkable photos of the yacht’s position as waves broke around it.His images, shared with The Bugle, show rigging tangled and the bow fully breached by the swell. “I thought maybe a shark was involved,” our intrepid scout reporter said. As responders arrived, a search effort expanded. A dinghy was found tied up at a nearby wharf and intrigue grew. A diver entered the water, banging on the hull to listen for any response. None came. Thankfully the owner was located on
Tuesday afternoon.A Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter had conducted an aerial sweep from Kiama Surf Beach to Barrack Point.Police. Investigations are continuing into the incident. The yacht is registered to a Tasmanian address and had recently been in Jervis Bay. Pollution booms were deployed around the vessel to contain potential diesel leakage. A salvage team from Avcon Water Safety remained on site for the next four days. Maritime authorities are empowered to recover costs from boat owners, who are responsible for securing their vessles and any damage caused, including environmental harm. Kiama locals have watched the unfolding drama with dozens gathering at the site each day.
Housing stalemate
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