Rescued in gale force winds
Marine Rescue Central Coast undertook a number of rescues in the Peninsula area on Thursday, September 26.
Volunteers at the Marine Rescue Base at Point Clare received a phone call at around 12pm from a lone yachtsman on his 7.5m yacht with a problem.
He had attempted to return to his mooring at Koolewong under outboard power, but the gale force westerly wind that registered 37 knots and incoming tidal force had overpowered his vessel.
His yacht was pinned to one of the supports of the St Huberts Island Bridge.
Rescue vessel, Central Coast 20, with crew of Ted Leeson, Ken Sharp and Ian Radford was tasked to assist.
The yacht was rafted up to the rescue vessel and peeled off the bridge.
It was then towed to Koolewong and with some difficulty placed safely on its mooring.
The rescue crew were then directed to the eastern end of Woy Woy Channel to assist a 4.5m tinny with engine failure.
The tinny and the two men on board were towed to the ramp at Lions Park.
Other incidents on Brisbane Water at the same time included a canoe at Koolewong that was unable to paddle back to the shore against the strong wind.
A member of the public in a runabout assisted and towed the canoe back to shore.
Media release, 26 Sep 2013
Ron Cole, Marine Rescue Central Coast