Kaz II mystery facts for kids

The Kaz II was a 12-meter (about 39 feet) catamaran, which is a type of boat with two hulls. It was found floating by itself off the coast of Australia on April 18, 2007. What happened to the three people who were sailing the boat is still a big mystery. The strange way they disappeared has been compared to another famous mystery ship from the 1800s called the Mary Celeste.

The Mystery of the Ghost Yacht

The Kaz II was discovered drifting about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the northern coast of Australia. It was found by a rescue helicopter. The boat was in good condition, but there was no one on board. This made the discovery very puzzling.

What Happened to the Kaz II?

The boat had left Airlie Beach in Queensland, Australia, on April 15, 2007. Three friends were on board: Derek Batten, Peter Tunstead, and James Tunstead. They were planning a trip to Perth, on the other side of Australia. They were experienced sailors.

The Discovery

When the helicopter found the Kaz II on April 18, it looked like the crew had just left. The engine was running, and a laptop was open. Food was on the table, and clothes were drying on the line. There was no sign of a struggle or bad weather. This made the disappearance even more confusing.

What Investigators Found

When police boarded the boat, they found several strange things:

• The boat's anchor was still up.
• The life jackets were still on board.
• A small dinghy (a small boat) was still attached to the Kaz II.
• The boat's GPS and radio were working.
• There was no damage to the boat.
• A video camera was found with footage from the trip.

The last video recording showed the three men on board on April 15, the day they left. It showed them happy and enjoying their trip. The video did not show any signs of trouble.

Theories and Explanations

Many ideas have been suggested about what might have happened to the crew.

• Accidental Fall: One idea is that one of the men might have fallen overboard. The other two might have tried to rescue him and also fallen into the water. The ocean currents in that area can be very strong.
• Sudden Storm: Even though the boat looked fine, a sudden, powerful wave or squall (a sudden, violent gust of wind) could have knocked them off.
• Medical Emergency: It's possible one of the men had a medical problem, and the others tried to help, leading to them all ending up in the water.

However, none of these theories fully explain why the boat was left in such perfect condition with no distress signals sent.

Similar Mysteries: The Mary Celeste

The mystery of the Kaz II is often compared to the Mary Celeste. This was a sailing ship found abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. Like the Kaz II, the Mary Celeste was found in good condition, with its cargo untouched and no sign of a struggle. The crew of the Mary Celeste was also never found. Both cases remain unsolved, adding to the mystery of the sea.

The disappearance of the Kaz II crew remains one of Australia's most puzzling maritime mysteries.