Two marine rescues near Lion Island

Marine Rescue Central Coast conducted two rescues off Lion Island on October 31.

A yacht and a runabout were rescued in quick succession late on the Thursday afternoon.

At around 3:30pm, a 26ft trailer sailer called for assistance after losing steering and power in Broken Bay.

The conditions were choppy with a stiff north-easterly blowing the yacht close to the rocks at Lion Island.

Their small auxiliary motor could do little in the conditions, but they were able to hoist a jury rig while waiting for rescue crew to arrive.

The rescue service boat Central Coast 21, skippered by Mr Mark Sheehan and crewed by Mr Alan Harvey, raced to the scene taking the vessel in tow for the long haul back to Lions Park.

Just after rounding the western side of the island another call came in from a runabout which was on the northern side, having also lost power and drifting dangerously towards the rocks.

Watch officer Mr Duncan Coles contacted Marine Rescue Terry Hills and Broken Bay Water Police to see if any other vessels were in the area.

With no quick solution available, it was decided that Central Coast 21 would take the first vessel to anchor in the safety of Iron Ladder and then return to assist the runabout.

As Central Coast 21 raced back to the runabout, the vessel was able to flag down a passing boat which took it in tow.

Central Coast 21 shadowed the tow in the choppy conditions before returning to the yacht and continuing with its tow to Lions Park.

SOURCE:

Media release, 3 Nov 2019

Mitch Giles, Central Coast Marine Rescue