Mystery hole in sunken yacht

The 12-metre wooden motor cruiser was lifted out of the water by crane yesterday and sent for forensic analysis by police.

The Idler sunk at about 10.30am off Bluefish Point and was later towed to Little Manly Beach. The skipper is believed to be a Hobart civil engineer, John Miedecke, 64.

Media reports yesterday had suggested that the boat may have collided with a whale.

Two whales had been observed swimming nearby shortly before the boat began to sink. Calls to Mr Miedecke yesterday afternoon were unanswered. Witnesses said he appeared shocked when salvagers told him about the "neatly cut" square hole, about 25 centimetres by 30 centimetres, on the port side of the vessel.

Inspector Jim Johnson from Marine Area Command told media the owner did not know what he had struck. "He just heard a bang and went downstairs and saw water funnelling in and decided to abandon ship," Inspector Johnson said. Boat historian Mori Flapan said the Idler had been built in Launceston, Tasmania in 1918 and had last been sighted in Snails Bay, near Balmain, in 2009. "He's obviously put a lot of work in restoring it. It's a shame to see it like this," Mr Flapan said.

Curious locals arrived at the scene yesterday, pointing to the boat that had been "hit by a whale".