Why was the yacht even there? Police hunt for answers after bar tragedy
Tributes for ‘hero’ rescuers as divers prepare to examine sunken vessel
Police are preparing to dive on a sunken yacht off Ballina later this week as they try to answer key questions — why was it there, why was no call for help made, and why was the sailor not wearing a life jacket when he was found?
Three people died in Monday night’s bar crossing tragedy, including two Marine Rescue Ballina volunteers and the yacht’s skipper.
Ballina locals William “Bill” Ewen, 74, and Frank Petsch, 62, have been named as the volunteers who lost their lives.
The sailor has been identified as 54-year-old Matthew Clayton.
No distress call
NSW Police Marine Area Command Superintendent Joe McNulty said there had been no distress call, EPIRB activation or flares from the yacht.
Instead, the alarm was raised by a member of the public who spotted the vessel in trouble near the South Ballina break wall about 6.15pm on May 4.
Six volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW launched in response.
Superintendent McNulty described conditions at the bar as “extremely treacherous” at the time, with the swell up to five metres.
Search for clues
Rescue turns to tragedy
Main Image: Bill Ewen and Frank Petch. Above: SES crew arrive on the beach and begin the hunt for evidence (Photos: NBN News)
The Marine Rescue vessel capsized while attempting to assist the yacht.
Some crew members were thrown into the water, while others became trapped inside the hull.
Four volunteers survived and were taken to hospital with injuries.
Among them was Ballina’s Citizen of the Year, Captain Geoff Hutchinson, who suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and a fractured leg and is expected to remain in hospital for several days.
The surviving crew members were aged between 55 and 75, with only one escaping uninjured.
One of the few positives to emerge is confirmation the vessel was insured.
The $1.4 million rescue boat was less than a year old and largely funded by the community.
That means local fundraising being coordinated by Cherry Street Sports club may be able to focus on supporting affected families and restoring services, rather than replacing the boat entirely.
Tributes grow
Tributes have continued to grow at the Marine Rescue Ballina tower and along the South Ballina break wall.
NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the actions of the volunteers, describing them as courageous and public-minded.
“Six volunteers boarded a boat in an attempt to save the lives of the people on that yacht,” he said.
Floral tributes and notes have been left at the rescue tower and along the nearby breakwall.
“I want to recognise their heroism, their courage and their service to this state.”
The Ballina Marine Rescue base remains closed, with neighbouring units stepping in to maintain coverage.
