A SALVAGE mission to save a yacht grounded on rocks at Lake Gillear has become unsafe and was called off for at least a week.
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Maritime Safety Victoria attempted to salvage the vessel on Wednesday and Thursday, but authorities then aborted the mission due to "high risk sea conditions".
A MSV spokesperson said severe weather forecast for the next week meant the operation had ceased and authorities would determine whether they can safely resume the attempt on Thursday next week.
Access to the site of the wreck is currently prohibited and sea exclusion zones extend for 500 metres around the vessel.
Senior Maritime Safety Officer Greg Darby said previously that the salvage mission would involve "a lot of work".
"If she is salvaged she will be towed out to deep water," Mr Darby said.
Mr Darby said the track would probably remain closed until the yacht was removed.
He said it had been established there was not much fuel or oil on board the yacht, which was a good sign.
Lyndon Joiner, owner of the yacht, said he had exhausted all options to salvage his pride and joy but he couldn't afford to rescue it.
"I had to abandon it," he said.
A track near the yacht remains closed due to safety concerns for members of the public keen to get a look at a washed up yacht.
Parks Victoria area chief ranger Andrew McKinnon told The Standard the yacht recently washed onto rocks in the Bay of Islands Coastal Park.
"The cliffs above and around the yacht are unstable, so for public safety we've closed a nearby track to ensure nobody approaches the clifftops for a closer look."
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The yacht disappeared out the back of the Warrnambool breakwater at 7.50pm on Monday, March 25.
Owner Lyndon Joiner has spent 7000 hours working to restore the vessel, which he planned to make a charter boat.
He has vowed to try and salvage the yacht, but two attempts have so far been unsuccessful.
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