Recovery efforts for Helsal II underway with divers brought in for complex exercise

A retrieval team has worked tirelessly all day to try and remove a sunken yacht near the Grange Jetty – even calling in help from interstate divers.

Tireless efforts to retrieve a yacht stranded just metres from the Grange Jetty have continued into the evening as tides rise across the South Australian coast.

Helsal II – which completed the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on several occasions in the 90s and noughties – began taking on water at about 6.30pm on Saturday night before it sunk on the sandbar just off the Grange shoreline.

Recovery efforts started on Tuesday with buoyancy devices used to try and make the vessel easier to move.

A team from East West Dive and Salvage – a Victorian based underwater service provider – were also brought in to assist in the complex retrieval exercise.

The Department of Transport and Infrastructure are co-ordinating the operation.

Friends of Grange Beach and Tennyson Facebook page posted pictures of the vessel as the sun was setting on Tuesday, praising the efforts of the retrieval team.

“Spare a thought for the retrieval team who have been out in the water most of the day and who are still out there working,” the post read.

“Best of luck to them!”

Helsal II yacht sinks near Grange jetty as rescue attempts underway to retrieve luxury vessel Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

A section of the Grange Jetty has been cordoned off for safety reasons.

“City of Charles Sturt has partially closed the jetty and all swimmers, boaties and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area,” the DIT spokesman said.

No oil or diesel pollution is present but will continue to be monitored.

All debris has been recovered.

On Sunday, The Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron posted to Facebook to confirm that the vessel was Helsal II.

“The Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron is aware of the yacht Helsal 2 having taken on water while on recommissioning voyage yesterday,” it read.

“Until the cause of the incident is examined we cannot make comment.

“However, we are every pleased to inform all that the skipper, who was on his own is fine.”

West Woodville Ward Councillor Kelly Thomas urged residents to abide by the restrictions in place.

Divers brought in to help retrieve Helsal II yacht near Grange Jetty. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“I have just received a message from the council staff that they have cordoned off the Grange Jetty due to the sunken yacht as there is a high potential for injury and damage to the jetty if the swell picks up,” she said.

“The local seal has also taken an interest in the yacht too, so they are kindly asking people not to swim out to it and to abide by the regulation 30m exclusion zone.”

The skipper of the yacht managed to make it safely to shore on Saturday night and did not suffer any injuries.

It is understood the yacht was purchased by an Adelaide resident and redeveloped before hitting the water again in recent years.