Environmental concerns for Yeppoon beaches after yacht partially sinks at Lammermoor

A Gold Coast millionaire linked to a yacht which partially sank off the coast of Yeppoon has spoken out about the incident. Here’s what is happening with the vessel.

Gold Coast millionaire Jamie McIntyre has spoken out over a luxury yacht linked to him that remains partially sunk off a Capricorn Coast beach.

The million-dollar yacht, which Mr McIntyre said was previously owned by him, first ran into trouble on Wednesday afternoon after its anchor lost hold near Rosslyn Bay Marina during rough conditions.

The Coast Guard towed the vessel out to deeper water last week before it began taking on water late Wednesday night.

During Thursday the boat attracted a crowd as it began to slowly sink.

MSQ have been working with the owner of the boat, police and Livingstone Shire Council to have the debris collected. Photos: Malcolm Wells

Ever since, the yacht has been left where it is, with debris washing ashore.

According to the Yeppoon Coast Guard the vessel was evicted from Rosslyn Bay harbour as it was unregistered.

The boat had spent some days at Great Keppel Island before calling into the harbour to refuel before the operators left it anchored off Statute Bay where it was exposed to the rough conditions.

The Coast Guard said the caretaker on the boat also appeared to be unfamiliar with the operation of the vessel.

After the first rescue, the vessel listed to port and was down by the bows due to a water leak.

The Coast Guard said the caretaker attempted to leave the boat by using the inflatable tender but it was smashed under the stern due to wave action.

A spokesman for the Yeppoon Coast Guard said because there were no lives in danger, the vessel was the responsibility of the owner and responsibility of the Coast Guard had ended.

The vessel, an Azimut Yacht, was previously owned by controversial property spruiker Mr McIntyre.

Mr McIntyre told this publication the vessel had been sold to a syndicate of owners and had been previously an overseas registered vessel.

He said the vessel had been out of water for almost a year while it was undergoing work required to complete its commercial survey to have be sold by the syndicate and be listed for sale.

Mr McIntyre said he had been negotiating to buy the vessel back but the sale had not gone through and the commercial survey for the vessel was expected to be complete next month.

He said he was assisting the overseas syndicate owners to have the boat salvaged and the full extent of damage assessed.

He went on to say the boat had “virtually no fuel onboard, and thus not a significant environment threat” and environmental requirements from maritime requests had been complied with where possible”.

Mr McIntyre said the main concern of the overseas owners was to have the vessel removed from the beach as soon as possible and to ensure no crew were at risk during bad weather.

It is not the first time one of Mr McIntyre’s yachts has been at the centre of controversy.

In August 2020, his company GC Princess Boatshare Pty Ltd was fined $20,000 for hiring out a 27m, four-bedroom yacht Livin II on the Gold Coast Broadwater without a certificate of operation or certificate of survey as required under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012.

The now-sunken yacht on the Capricorn Coast was available for rent through online platform Air BnB from $9,356.15 a week for one person, and up to $13,399.68 for 12 guests, but the listing has since disappeared from the platform.

President of Capricorn Coast Landcare Group Malcolm Wells said the debris washing ashore was an “environmental nightmare” and was concerned it could be swallowed by local marine life.

The yacht has attracted quite the crowd of onlookers since it washed up on the beach. Photos: Malcolm Wells

“The pile of rubbish that’s already washed ashore is a bit of an environmental nightmare,” he said.

“There’s lots of plastic, foam and rubber that could be swallowed by our marine life...we’re a bit worried about leaks of fuel but that doesn’t seem to be happening at the moment.”

Mr Wells said so far lots of people had been helping out with the clean-up as the debris washed ashore.

“Lots of locals have gathered to help out and the coffee van at Lioness Park is offering free coffee to those who come back with a bucket of rubbish,” he said.

“But there is bigger stuff floating that could damage other boats.

“We’ve spent a lot of time cleaning up the creek systems and islands...when something like this happens it adds a load to what we’ve already got.”

An aerial image of the sunken yacht off the Capricorn Coast.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said the saga had ‘gone on long enough’.

“I understand that the owner of the boat has been issued a direction to remove any pollutants aboard the vessel. Police and MSQ are investigating,” she said.

“It’s disgraceful that locals have had to remove debris from our beaches as a result. Fuel is clearly leaking from the boat which is causing environmental harm to our beaches.

“The owner needs to remove the vessel ASAP, and if they’re not planning to, MSQ should and send the bill to the owner, with interest.

“I have spoken to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads about this issue and stressed the need for the boat and its contaminants to be removed as quickly as possible.”

A coffee van near Lammermoor Beach was giving out free coffees to people helping to pick up debris that had washed up on the beach. Photos: Malcolm Wells

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said MSQ was aware of the vessel and was working with the owner’s representative, police and Livingstone Shire Council to collect debris.

“Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is aware of the vessel off Statue Bay, which dragged anchor on May 11 before grounding,” he said.

“A direction has been issued to the owner to secure or remove any pollutants aboard the vessel.

“Salvaging the vessel remains the owner’s responsibility.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey told this publication Maritime Safety Queensland advised him the “boat is not leaking any fuel and the hull remains in tact”.

Mr Bailey said the conditions were making the vessel’s removal “challenging”.

“I understand the concerns of locals, but Maritime Safety Queensland has advised me the boat is not leaking any fuel and the hull remains intact,” he said.

“The tides and conditions in the area are making its removal from the shore challenging, but the owners are working with experienced salvage crews to organise its removal.

“The tides also mean we can’t get a boom in place but that will be done as soon as it is safe to do so, and the Queensland Police Service is protecting the site in the interim.”

On Tuesday the State Government marked a milestone with the 1000th vessel removed from Queensland waterways under the War on Wrecks program.

“The War on Wrecks program ensures that abandoned vessels do not become a blight on Queensland’s pristine coastlines and waterways, with $20 million in funding ensuring we get the job done safely,” Mr Bailey said.

“Since July 2018, we’ve removed a total of 999 abandoned watercraft from our beautiful Queensland waterways, and today (Tuesday) we’ll reach our 1,000th vessel.”