The 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 54th annual running of the "blue water classic" Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It was hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia based in Sydney, New South Wales.
On the second day of the race (27 December) severe weather conditions struck the fleet off the south-eastern Australian coast.
Ray Stone was on shift that day as a helicopter rescue pilot for Canberra's South Care Base, little did he know he was about to be called on to enter the gates of hell.
An unusually strong low pressure depression developed which resulted in unseasonal mid-summer snow across parts of south-east Australia. The weather system built into an exceptionally strong storm with winds in excess of 65 knots (+32.8 m/s, +118 km/h, +73 mph, Force 12) and gusts to 80 knots.
The "Southcare" helicopter was a Bell 412 and Ray was very experienced in this type of aircraft but what about his crew?
Had any of them ever faced a rescue like this?
The rising storm caused the sinking of five boats, seven were abandoned and 55 other sailors had to be rescued from their yachts by ships and helicopters. Overall, the rescue efforts involved 35 military and civilian aircraft and 27 Royal Australian Navy vessels.
It was the most disastrous in the race's history, with the loss of six lives and five yachts. 55 sailors were rescued in the largest peacetime search and rescue effort ever seen in Australia.
A lot is expected of our search and rescue pilots and crew and yet little regard is given to the fact that they even exit, until they are needed.
Ray's podcast is a nail biting recount of a day to remember!
