Helsal II yacht finally retrieved a week after sinking at Grange Jetty

It took a week of attempts but former Sydney to Hobart yacht Helsal II has finally been retrieved after sinking at Grange Jetty.

A week after sinking off Grange jetty, former Sydney to Hobart racer Helsal II has finally been recovered. Picture: 7NEWS

Six days after it capsized and sank during a test run near Grange Jetty, former Sydney to Hobart yacht Helsal II was finally recovered on Friday.

After several unsuccessful attempts to right the vessel during the week, specialist retrieval teams used a combination of floats, airbags and pumps to bring the 70ft yacht to the surface.

Almost a week after sinking off Grange jetty, former Sydney to Hobart racer Helsal II has finally been recovered. Picture: 7NEWS

Six days after sinking off Grange jetty, former Sydney to Hobart racer Helsal II has finally been recovered. Picture: 7NEWS

It was then planned to tow the Helsal II to the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron at Outer Harbor for a full damage assessment. However, the yacht was believed to still be making its way there on Saturday afternoon.

Helsal II was abandoned by its skipper after taking on water and becoming stuck on a sandbank during a test run for its recommissioning on the evening of July 15.

It had previously completed the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on several occasions in the 1990s and 2000s.

Retrieval crews assisted by two divers worked for several hours on Friday to take advantage of the high tide. By late afternoon the Helsal II was able to be towed to deeper water, with plans to take it on to Outer Harbor.