The man who died when his sailing boat capsized in hazardous waters off Kurnell on Monday morning was heading home to Queensland after purchasing the vessel on the South Coast.
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Terry Annesley, 72, had collected the boat from Greenwell Point early on Sunday morning with his 24-year-old female companion and “was heading straight home” to Bundaberg, he told retired fisherman Graham Bates, who runs the Greenwell Point Yachts Facebook page.
When the 8.7-metre yacht capsized at Boat Harbour, police said Annesley's female companion swam to shore at about 5am and raised the alarm with emergency services.
The NSW Ambulance helicopter and NSW Water Police began searching the area, but it was too late.
Marine Rescue NSW was also called to assist, but the boat crew from Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking was stood down shortly after. They were no longer required.
At 5.48am, Mr Annesley's body was found near Wanda Beach, about four kilometres from where the woman swam to shore.
The rescue helicopter winched the man to shore, but he could not be revived.
“He was a healthy, wiry little bloke,” Mr Bates told Fairfax Media. "As far as I could tell from what he was telling me he was an experienced sailor.
“It certainly wasn’t his first boat.”
The woman was treated at the scene by paramedics and was taken to Sutherland Hospital where she remains under observation.
Officers from the Sutherland Police Area Command and the Marine Area Command have launched an inquiry.
Police on Monday were working to secure the yacht which was washed up on the beach, and a crime scene was established.
A rope wrapped around the propeller may be a clue to why a sailing boat capsized off Kurnell, leading to the death of a man.
The fouled propeller became apparent when the stricken vessel was fully exposed on the beach at low tide.
“There is a line wrapped around its propeller, possibly the anchor line as it runs up to the bow,” said an observer who sent a photo to Fairfax Media.
“A fouled propeller may have disabled the vessel’s engine.”
Police did not reject the suggestion.
“Specialised marine investigators from the Marine Area Command are making extensive inquiries in relation to the cause of the incident and will prepare a brief of evidence for the Coroner,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.
It is not known whether the woman or Mr Annesley had been wearing lifejackets. The nature of their relationship, and their abilities as sailors, are also unknown.
Mr Bates said he was stunned to learn the fate of Terry and his boat.
“I was surprised. Disappointed. I was surprised he left with the forecast like it was,” he said.
Weather conditions on the water off Sydney’s coast were rough on Monday morning, which made the rescue effort tough, Acting Inspector Mel Thompson said.
“The vessel is still onshore and will be recovered in time,” she said.
“Inquiries will continue in relation to what has actually occurred; however the seas were quite hazardous as you can see from the footage, which obviously made it difficult for rescuers.”
