In the early hours of Tuesday morning Tasmania Police were advised that a 21 foot yacht had run aground on the southern side of Badger Island in the Furneaux Group.  

The skipper of the yacht (a 78 year old male) had advised Tamar Sea Rescue via VHF radio that he had run aground and required assistance.  Tasmania Police vessel Protector 111 was launched from Lady Barron and arrived on the scene to find the vessel partially submerged with no sign of the skipper.  A search of the area was initiated at first light by PV Protector 111 assisted by the Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter.

A command team has been established to coordinate the search in conjunction with Australian Search and Rescue.

The yachtsman is believed to be from Queensland and in the process of an Australian circumnavigation.