Keel failure in Western Australia

A Bénéteau First 45 sank off Mandurah (Western Australia), and now following its recovery, images have been released to show the missing keel from the hull.

While participating in the Cape Naturalist Return Race at the end of March, the boat found the ocean floor at 14 metres down and 2.5 km off Mandurah. While the crew were rescued, it would take longer to recover the rest.

Without the keel but rig intact, the sailboat was very unstable but would be brought to the surface with airbags. Following a slow tow, both hull and keel are now out of the water for inspection and repair.