LIFE RAFTS WASHED OVERBOARD.

by Ian Grant on 29 Dec 2000 Brisbane skipper John McIntosh lost any chance of gaining a major handicap place in the Telstra Sydney Hobart race late this afternoon.

McIntosh reported by radio that his life rafts were washed off the deck of Boomaroo shortly after passing Flinders Island of the north-east tip of Tasmania at 1900 hours

The loss of the life rafts automatically disqualified the 29 year old yacht which held sixth place overall in the race for the major IMS class trophy.

Skipper McIntosh and his Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron crew were sailing under reefed sails when the heavy seas generated from the gale strength winds washed the rafts off the deck.

Boomaroo a small S&S 10.3 m sloop at the time was poised to improve on her best Sydney-Hobart result in a race which has tested the heavy wind sailing skills of the fleet.

Unfortunately that chance was lost when the storm lashing fixing the rafts to the cockpit as required by the findings handed down from the coroners report let go.

Last night Boomaroo was heading to the Tamar River to seek shelter.