Qld: Community helps backpackers after yacht rescue

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2008
Qld: Community helps backpackers after yacht rescue

By Jessica Marszalek

BRISBANE, Feb 14 AAP - Backpackers plucked from a yacht which ran aground on the north
Queensland coast have been offered free food, accommodation and trips after accusing the
yacht operator of abandoning them.

Thirty-two frightened tourists and five crew from the yacht Romance were rescued by
helicopter after the vessel ran aground on rocks on Hook Island in the Whitsundays early
Tuesday morning.

Most were forced to leave their property on board the boat which had offered three-day
sailing and diving trips, meaning many now had no money, credit cards, phones or passports
and had lost cameras and clothes.

The backpackers later accused the charter yacht operator of abandoning them.

A spokesman for operator Discount Travel today declined to comment.

Backpacker Tim Jones, 25, from Britain, said the passengers were very grateful for
the help that had been offered, from free and discount accommodation to free meals, toiletries,
clothes and transport, after the nightmare experience.

"We were smacking the rocks, we didn't know if there was help coming, we didn't know
if the mayday calls had been received," Mr Jones said.

"It was hell really ... there was no-one on that boat who wasn't terrified and I think
it's hitting everyone now how lucky we are."

A police spokeswoman said officers today boarded the yacht in treacherous conditions
to recover what belongings they could, but some had been swept into the sea.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Peter O'Reilly said the community would continue to look after
the backpackers, while the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association, of which the
Romance is not a member, had offered them free sailing trips on their boats.

"The community is dismayed that these visitors have had to endure such an awful experience
that unfortunately didn't finish the moment they were rescued," Mr O'Reilly said.

"International backpackers are the vibrant heart of Airlie (Beach) and we'd like to
see this group receive the care and attention we'd want for our own children in similar
circumstances."

Queensland Transport's marine safety department is currently investigating the incident.

AAP jmm/ht/bwl

KEYWORD: YACHT NIGHTLEAD

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