‘Mystery yacht’ washes up on remote Australia beach. But what happened to the crew?

A ghost ship washed up on a remote beach in southern Australia — with no crew, no known owner and no identifiable markings, police say.

It has been dubbed “the mystery yacht” by media outlets in Australia, which note the empty “vessel’s radio was switched on and a dinghy was attached.”

Victoria police say the yacht was found around 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, “on the beach between Tamboon Inlet and Point Hicks.” A photo shows the vessel was on its side and still intact.

Investigators are presently calling it “abandoned,” because no one has been reported missing at sea.

Witnesses have told police the yacht was seen with at least one man aboard farther east in the Mallacoota area “a couple of days before,” the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.

“The yacht is described as a white over black hulled ... approximately 30 ft in length with no hull identification numbers,” police said in a news release.

Investigators have released photos of an unidentified male who “may be able to assist them with their inquiries.” The photos do not include clear shots of his face but do show him walking with a backpack.

The discovery has ignited a social debate over what kind of intrigue might have compelled the crew to vanish — if they’re still alive.

“I love a mystery,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“International drug trade perhaps,” another said.

The area between Point Hicks and Tamboon Inlet is part of Croajingolong National Park, a wilderness area that “follows the remote coast of far-east Victoria.” It includes ancient forests and giant sand dunes, according to the park’s website.

This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 4:15 PM with the headline "‘Mystery yacht’ washes up on remote Australia beach. But what happened to the crew?."