Call to fit marine radios
The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is encouraging boat owners to ensure their vessels are fitted with a marine radio following an incident near Patonga on February 11.
The Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol received a phone call seeking help from a 5.5 metre vessel that was disabled in waters off Patonga.
Publicity officer Mr Ron Cole said the caller had received a phone call from the skipper of the disabled vessel who had phoned home for help.
"The duty operator was given a mobile phone number to enable direct contact with the boat's
Skipper," Mr Cole said.
"It was determined that the outboard motor had lost its propeller and the boat was drifting. "The seas were quite sloppy in the 20-knot southerly wind.
"The skipper was advised to lay an anchor and keep a lookout for Central Coast Lifeboat that would immediately be sent to assist.
"When the lifeboat skippered by Peter Ashworth arrived, the three men on board expressed relief.
"They had no marine radio fitted in their vessel and mobile phone reception was intermittent in the area.
"At their request, they were towed to safety at Dark Corner at Patonga.
"The Coastal Patrol strongly recommends that all vessels be fitted with a marine radio to enable contact with a marine radio base or other nearby vessels in an emergency.
"A mobile phone should be considered only as a back-up system, particularly if you have not recorded the phone number of the emergency service required."
Press release, 12 Feb 2009
Ron Cole, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol