Busy weekend for coastal patrol

The local volunteers on duty at the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol had a "demanding weekend" of rescues in and around the Peninsula on October 18 to 19, according to public relations officer Mr Ron Cole.

"The volunteers on duty at Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol had little time to enjoy the great weekend on the water," Mr Cole said.

"On the Saturday, around 4pm, Phil Swannel and his crew on Central Coast Lifeboat responded to a call for help from a 4m runabout at Kourung Gourong Point, Wagstaffe.

"The disabled vessel with four on board required a tow home to Kincumber Creek.

"The lifeboat was immediately required at Wagstaffe again at 5pm to assist a 5m runabout with seven people on board.

"Their boat had a mechanical failure and it was towed to Gosford boat ramp.

Mr Cole said the following day was just as demanding.

"Skipper Brian Warburton was duty coxswain on Sunday morning at 8.25am and responded to a call from a vessel with mechanical trouble off Iron Ladder Beach, around the corner from Lobster Beach," Mr Cole said.

"The vessel, with three people on board, was towed to the Blackwall Boat Ramp.

"Central Coast Lifeboat, with Anthony Porter in charge, was called out again at 3pm to assist three young women aground at Point Clare in a launch hired from Ettalong.

"They had run out of fuel."

Press release, 20 Oct 2008 Ron Cole, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol