Helsal II yacht sinks near Grange jetty as rescue attempts underway to retrieve luxury vessel

A yacht owner might be facing an expensive bill after their luxury vessel got into trouble near a popular Adelaide beach.

An iconic yacht that competed Australia’s most famous water race has found trouble just metres away from a popular Adelaide beach.

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 metres from the Grange Jetty.

The skipper managed to make it safely to shore and did not suffer any injuries.

A Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) spokesman said they received notification around 7.45pm on Saturday of a sunken 70-foot yacht about a mile from the Grange shoreline.

“The vessel has been marked with a battery powered continuous flash white light and two anchors will be deployed to avoid further movement of the vessel,” he said.

Helsal II off the end of the Grange Jetty. Picture: Friends of Grange Beach and Tennyson

Helsal II off the end of the Grange Jetty. Picture: Friends of Grange Beach and Tennyson

Helsal II off the end of the Grange Jetty. Picture: Friends of Grange Beach and Tennyson

“The Department is working with the owner to plan the removal of the vessel.”

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.

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.

“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.”

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