Statement from Lincoln Week Regatta Chairman, Steve Kemp

The Eyre Peninsula coastline © Down Under Sail

The event and race management teams for the Lincoln Week Regatta, which is being run concurrently with the Australian Yachting Championship, have met today following a racing incident that occurred on the first day of the event.

Unfortunately, a sailor competing in the regatta passed away from the incident.

In the incident, the sailor was injured and fell from the yacht into the water, triggering a rapid response from the crew and race management to recover the sailor as quickly as possible.

The sailor was attended to by crew from the yacht, who entered the water to support the sailor. A may-day radio call from the yacht was received by race management and a nearby sailing club powerboat, manned by trained volunteers, was despatched to recover the sailors in the water and provide immediate first aid and support. Triple Zero was also called.

Once aboard the rescue craft, CPR was performed by the crew member who was with the person in the water, while the rescue craft travelled back to the marina.

A defibrillator was also used while traveling back to the marina. An SA Ambulance Service vehicle arrived at the marina as the rescue craft brought the sailor to the nearest pontoon.

The SA Ambulance officers then took responsibility of the incident from that point forward.

The Port Lincoln Yacht Club is deeply saddened by this news and is offering every possible support to our sailors, the crew of the yacht involved, our competitors, our volunteers and our staff.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the sailor at this difficult time.

No further comment will be made by the Port Lincoln Yacht Club at this time, out of respect for the family.