'Ghost Yacht' Found Off Australian Coast

In very eerie news today a yacht has been found drifting of the coast of North Queensland, Australia.

Like something straight out of a mystery novel, the yacht was found without any crew on board. However, the yacht's engine was running, the table was set for a meal, even some food was out on the table. There were computers running including a laptop in use on the table. The yachts sails were fully up, yet strangely one sail was ripped severely.

It is thought that the three-person crew were sailing the yacht to Townsville. The yacht had left a place south of Townsville called Airlie Beach on Sunday.

The first alarms bells came on Wednesday when a helicopter saw the 40-foot catamaran. However it took until today for emergency workers to reach the boat and confirm that the crew were not on aboard.

Emergency workers are extremely confused by this mysterious empty yacht. Speaking for the Queensland Emergency Management office, Jon Hall said, "The engine was running, the computers were running, there was a laptop set up on the table which was running, the radio was working...and there was food and utensils set on the table ready to eat." "It was a bit strange." The only damage to the yacht was a ripped sail and no life jackets had been moved from their places on the boat. However the yachts life rafts were not found on board.

After boarding the 'ghost yacht' emergency workers found the yacht's GPS device. They are hoping this will help track the yachts path and uncover the truth behind this mystery. Jon Hall said the GPS device "will now enable us to track backwards where this yacht has actually been in the last few days, and we're hoping that can pinpoint the search area for the missing crew."

A full-scale search and rescue mission has now been launched in an attempt to find the missing crew. It is reported that twelve aircraft are combing the area including planes and helicopters. There are also a number of boats out in search of the crewmembers.

According to local police there were three men on board the yacht. There were aged, 69,63 and 56.

The yacht is called the 'Kaz II' but it is now being dubbed the 'Ghost Yacht.'

The 'Ghost Yacht' is currently being taken back to shore where investigators will search for clues. Police are speculating about they mystery, thinking that the crew could have fallen off the boat as early as Sunday after running into unexpected trouble. Roy Wall from the Queensland police said, "It seems to be a tragic event really, we are extremely concerned for the safety of the men on board and as time passes, out hopes unfortunately diminish. I don't want to lose hope but we just don't know what's happened." "The vessel didn't capsize and everything seems in order, it's still a mystery."

Sources
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=28&ContentID=26601
http://theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21589801-601,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6574547.stm