Vicalen Jet Boat
Quick Facts
Vessel Type: Prototype jet-powered boat
Built: Early 1970s by Vicalen Jets (Mordialloc, Victoria)
Sank: November 7, 1972 (Melbourne Cup Day)
Location: Off Brighton Boat Ramp, Port Phillip Bay
Cause of Sinking: Engine fire during a prototype test drive
The Story of the Vicalen Jet Boat
Vicalen Jets were pioneers and leaders in Australian jet-powered boats from the 1970s through to the 1990s. Based locally at 11-13 Kareela St in Mordialloc, Victoria, the company provided a serious, homegrown alternative to the much larger international manufacturers of the era.
The Melbourne Cup Day Fire On Melbourne Cup Day—Tuesday, November 7, 1972—the owner of Vicalen Jets took to the water to test drive a boat fitted with a brand-new prototype Vicalen propulsion system.
During the test run off the Brighton Boat Ramp, disaster struck. The experimental engine suddenly caught fire. The blaze quickly consumed the small vessel, burning it right down to the waterline before it finally sank beneath the waters of Port Phillip Bay.
The Search Project
Because the vessel was small and constructed of materials that can easily break apart or be buried by shifting sands, locating the exact remains of the Vicalen Jet Boat has proven to be a unique challenge.
Initial on-water searches by the Southern Ocean Exploration (SOE) team, based on historical information provided by the original owner's son, were unfortunately unsuccessful. However, the hunt is not over. Based on further investigations and updated data, the SOE team is currently adjusting the search grid further offshore from the existing boat ramp in hopes of finally pinpointing the remains of this unique piece of Victorian maritime engineering.