Coastal Patrol helps four boats

The Central Coast Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol assisted four vessels in and around the Peninsula during the weekend of August 1 to 3.

The coastal patrol's Point Clare radio base was contacted on late Friday by the skipper of a five-and-a-half metre centre-console runabout anchored near the Rip Bridge.

"The vessel's gearbox had failed. There were five people and a dog on board," according to public relations officer Mr Ron Cole.

"They asked for help to get back to the ramp at Blackwall.

"Brian Warburton and Patrick Kearney responded to the call on Brisbane Water Lifeboat and soon had boat and crew safely to the destination."

The Point Clare base received another request on Sunday afternoon, August 3, to assist another six metre runabout that had broken down at Coaster's Retreat in Pittwater.

"Coastal Patrol Broken Bay collected the vessel that had two adults and a child onboard," Mr Cole said.

"Broken Bay's lifeboat towed the boat to Little Box Head where it was passed over to Brisbane Water Lifeboat skippered by Alan Howes.

"The stricken vessel was then towed to the ramp at Koolewong.

"The owner's bad luck continued as he found that he had left his car head-lights on and now had a car with a flat battery as well as a boat with a problem.

"He used the boat battery to start the car to get home."

Mr Cole said the crew on Central Coast Lifeboat were later called to assist two trawlers near Pretty Beach.

"Not long after the strong westerly hit during Sunday afternoon, the crew on Central Coast Lifeboat, who were training with the boats fire-fighting gear on the Broadwater, were tasked by the base to assist two trawlers with three men on board," Mr Cole said.

"Both vessels had broken free of their mooring in the strong winds and were in danger of being stranded on the foreshore.

"The trawlers were rafted together and only one had an operational motor.

"The lifeboat, skippered by Ron Cole, towed both vessels into the channel and they were then able to proceed to a safe berth in Booker Bay under their own power."

Press release, 11 Aug 2008 Ron Cole, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol