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12 yachts capsize off Esperance coast during severe thunderstorm

The West Australian
Esperance coastline.
Camera IconEsperance coastline. Credit: Esperance VMR

There were frantic scenes off the Esperance coastline yesterday afternoon with emergency services scrambling to rescue the crews of 12 yachts that capsized during a severe thunderstorm.

WA Police said they received a call at 4pm from a member of the public telling them he had seen a boat capsize 50-100m from the coast at Esperance Bay.

Volunteers from the Department of Fire and Rescue and Service Marine Rescue Esperance attended with police.

St John Ambulance was also on standby.

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Police said as the response to the first yacht was unfolding, another 11 yachts capsized.

The boats were taking part in a race that involved 24 yachts and three support vessels.

10 yachts were towed to shore.

The remaining two were unable to be immediately recovered — one became stuck on a nearby fuel jetty, and the other drifted further away.

Police said despite challenging conditions pushing the other yachts out to sea, the remaining vessels were later able to make it safely back to shore.

No one was seriously injured.

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