QLD: Yacht search cancelled too early, families claim

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2008
QLD: Yacht search cancelled too early, families claim

By Evan Schwarten

TOWNSVILLE, Qld, Aug 4 AAP - Relatives of three men who disappeared from a yacht off
the coast of north Queensland have told an inquest they believe authorities called off
the search too early.

Derek "Des" Batten, 56, Peter Tunstead, 69, and Jim Tunstead, 63, were embarking on
a journey from Airlie Beach to their home in Perth when they disappeared from their yacht,
Kaz II, in April last year off the coast of Townsville.

A massive search operation involving up to 10 aircraft was launched but was called
off within 10 days on the advice of a "survival" expert who told authorities the men could
not have survived that long in open water.

However, Jim Tunstead's daughter Keryn Mackenzie-Grae today told the inquest into the
men's disappearance she believed authorities should have persisted with the search.

"I felt they stopped too soon," she said.

The trio's family launched their own search soon after the cancellation but were also
unsuccessful.

Queensland state coroner Michael Barnes is conducting a week-long inquest into the
disappearance in Townsville.

A large contingent of relatives have travelled from Western Australia for the hearing.

The inquest heard Mr Batten had purchased the vessel with his wife Jenny in 2006 and
he had enlisted his neighbour Peter Tunstead and his brother Jim to sail it back to Perth.

They began planning the trip about 10 weeks in advance and underwent training in the
lead-up to the voyage.

Des Batten had more than 25 years experience with boats and had volunteered with Fremantle
Sea Rescue for a year and a half and was well-versed in safety procedures.

He had also promised his neighbour's wife, Frances, he would not take any risks and
the trio did not plan to sail at night for most of the voyage, which was expected to take
up to eight weeks.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Julie Wilson told the court it might not be possible
to determine the men's fate.

"It may be that exactly what happened to these men will remain unknown," she said.

The inquest continues.

AAP ews/pjo/jm/cdh

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