Steel ketch broke mooring

The Marine Rescue Central Coast's primary rescue vessel, the Central Coast 20, had its first outing on Thursday, March 8, since being fitted with a new $50,000 diesel engine some months ago.

Marine Rescue Central Coast volunteers were directed by Water Police to assist a 14.5 metre steel ketch which had broken free from its mooring and run aground on the north-eastern side of Half Tide Rocks unmanned.

The Central Coast 20 was despatched into ordinary conditions with a strong run-out tide, choppy seas, rain, and a fresh nor-westerly wind blowing at about 15 knots.

The rescue crew attached a towline to the stern of the yacht, and once it was freed and in navigable water, crew member Mr Roger Palmer boarded the ketch to transfer the towline to the bow.

The vessel was towed to Ettalong and placed on the police 24-hour emergency mooring to await the attention of its owner.

Media Release, 8 Mar 2012 Ron Cole, Marine Rescue Central Coast