Rescue off Little Box Head

The Central Coast Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol assisted a stricken aluminium vessel at Little Box Head sand bar on August 17.

According to public relations officer Mr Ron Cole, "the surf was up" at the sand bar at Little Box Head, with "confused heavy seas, waves on the running at three to four metres, and occasional breaking wave on the bar".

Mr Cole said the Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol was "lucky" to be near the distressed boat, after patrol crews performed a number of training exercises in the area.

"Just after 2pm, the training officers of the Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol had both the Division's lifeboats at the bar, one for the safety of the patrol crews being trained and the other in use training crews in the techniques of safely crossing the bar in bad conditions," Mr Cole said.

"Ken Sharp, senior coxswain and trainer was in control of the exercise and the safety lifeboat.

"He noticed a 3.95 metre aluminium boat entering the bar behind the second lifeboat and crew being trained.

"Ken radioed the lifeboat crew to alert them of the vessel that was behind them on the bar.

"As the crew turned to watch, the tinny's engine stopped and one of those on board frantically tried to restart its engine, and the others began to row.

Mr Cole said the distressed vessel was headed for "certain disaster" in the rough conditions, had the coastal patrol not been there to assist them.

"The crew on the lifeboat on the bar immediately made an emergency turn (good seamanship in the conditions) and sped to the tinny," Mr Cole said.

"They learned that the fuel line on the boat had broken and those on board were literally rowing for safety.

"The three men were surfers who had come from Pittwater to enjoy the big surf on the Box Head Bar.

"They gratefully accepted assistance and the lifeboat quickly took them in tow and to safety just off Lobster Beach.

"After a discussion, they asked that they be taken to Ettalong ramp where a car could come from the northern beaches to collect them, their boat and surf boards.

"In the conditions prevailing, these men were very lucky that the patrol vessels were training at the time they attempted to cross the bar with their broken down boat, as disaster could have overtaken them at any moment," said Mr Cole.

Press release, 17 Aug 2008 Ron Cole, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol