Berrimilla - the RORC Seamanship Trophy winner - has rolled in heavy seas 57 miles south of Eden NSW 8/1/06

According to a news story on sailworld.com Alex Whitworth and Peter Crozier’s 1977 built Brolga 33, Berrimilla – the RORC Seamanship Trophy winner – has rolled in heavy seas 57 miles south of Eden NSW.

Apparently the yacht, which competed in the recent Sydney Hobart race, sent out a Mayday at 0350 on Sunday morning having rolled and dismasted. Fortunately all four crew are all ok and, with the assistance of Eden-located Water Police vessel – the Falcon, the yacht was towed to safety at first light.

The wild night in Bass Strait with winds in the 50-80 knot range led to further problems with two crewmen on a second Sydney Hobart entrant – Wedgetail – calling for assistance at 2200 on Saturday night. This boat – a Welbourne 42 – had lost her rudder and was drifting north in a 30 knot southerly.