Coastal patrol helps 10 people

The Central Coast Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol assisted 10 people in and around the Peninsula during the weekend of December 6 and 7.

According to public relations officer Mr Ron Cole, rescues were made near Woy Woy Bay, Ettalong and Box Head.

"The first call came around 8am on Saturday from a ski boat in Waterfall Bay, off Woy

Woy Bay," Mr Cole said.

"Phil Page, Gordon Kerr and Peter Ashworth aboard Brisbane Water Lifeboat found five people sitting on the beach with a five metre ski boat with a flat battery.

"The Patrol crew were able to jump-start the boat and then monitored their progress to ensure all was well.

"At 11.25pm on Saturday night, just when most of us were tucked up in bed, Newcastle

Police Radio Room contacted the Point Clare Base requesting a lifeboat be sent out to Ettalong to assist a family from Auburn in a five metre runabout.

"Their vessel had a mechanical failure and there was concern for safety as a storm front was imminent.

"Ian Brown and Norm Smith immediately set-out in Brisbane Water Lifeboat.

Mr Cole said the vessel and family of three were located and towed to safety at Blackwall ramp.

"On Sunday morning, a call was received from a 7.3 metre cabin launch located just off Box Head," Mr Cole said.

"It was unable to proceed due to a mechanical failure.

"The duty crew of Ken Sharp, Peter Alderton and Kevin Sullivan in Brisbane Water Lifeboat found the disabled vessel with two people onboard.

"It was towed back to its berth at St Hubert's Island."

Press release, 7 Dec 2008 Ron Cole, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol