Catamaran aground at Sunshine Coast’s Mooloolaba Spit amid swell
A catamaran with four people on board has run aground on the Sunshine Coast in big swell and lifesavers warn people flouting the rules are putting lives at risk. SEE THE PHOTOS, VIDEO
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A catamaran has run aground at Mooloolaba in a weekend of big swell at Sunshine Coast beaches.
The Mooloolaba Coastguard is reporting a 14m catamaran, the Papillon des mers or Butterfly of the Sea, was broadsided at the entrance to the Mooloolaba Spit.
The boat was hit by waves about 10pm on Sunday, February 12, and driven towards the beach with initial reports indicating both of the catamaran engines stopped at the same time.
The skipper managed to get the anchor out and then the anchor gave way and broke from the vessel.
It is understood the skipper then decided to beach the vessel and ran it aground about 300m from the western spit wall.
Initial reports indicate four people were on board and no injuries were reported to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
An online boat sale website described the catamaran as professionally built in 2012 by Ateliers Marine in Canada.
Big swell was experienced at Sunshine Coast beaches at the weekend.
There were plenty out over the weekend to watch the big waves and boaties navigating heading out to sea. (VIDEO ABOVE)
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Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Livio Regano said the waves were generated by ex-tropical cyclone Gabrielle, which had turned into a low pressure system that was “hurtling” towards New Zealand.
He said today Sunshine Coast residents could expect a south-easterly swell up to 2.5m and tomorrow would be similar conditions.
The forecaster said similar swell was also generated last night.
“Generally we’re seeing waves solidly around a two to three-metre mark,” Bureau senior meteorologist Harry Clark said.
“The highest wave is to be around five, six metres so far at the offshore buoys, so the surf is likely to remain hazardous until at least early next week, so roughly Tuesday at this point.”
The Bureau said surf and swell conditions were expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming in these areas.
Sunshine Coast Surf Lifesaving services co-ordinator Shane Urban said some Sunshine Coast and Noosa beaches were “very busy” while others were closed at the weekend.
He said there were reports of swimmers choosing to swim “out very deep” at Coolum Beach.
“We hope that everyone would stay in close to the shoreline to lead by example,” he said.
“Even those strong swimmers, even if they believe they are strong enough in the conditions we encourage them to stay close to shore so others don’t follow them out.”
In response to reports of swimmers flouting the guidance at Mooloolaba, he said that anyone entering the water when a beach was closed was putting multiple lives at risk including their own.
“We want all our lifesavers and lifeguards to go home safe and sound after their shifts, and you are putting our people at risk by not following their directions,” Mr Urban said.
He said lifeguards would continue to monitor conditions this week and close beaches as necessary.
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