Busy Easter weekend for Marine Rescue
Marine Rescue Central Coast has reported that the Easter long weekend was a busy time for the service.
"Our crews and radio operators were incredibly busy over the three days, receiving multiple calls for assistance from people having issues such as engine failure and running out of petrol," said volunteer Ms Megan Loaney.
"The amount of debris in our waterways at the moment has been phenomenal," she said.
"Our crews have been picking up large loads of wood, palettes, large tree limbs and even a section of plastic slide from a playground.
On Easter Saturday morning, a rescue vessel was tasked to assist an 11-metre ketch that was having engine difficulties.
The vessel was located just near Anderson's Boat Hire at Ettalong, and it was pictured being towed to Killcare Marina.
On the following Friday, April 9, the service had a call from a boat where the skipper was having issues with the engine on his boat.
A rescue crew was called to assist the boater who was drifting, just off Box Head.
"One of our radio operators put a navigational warning out over the radio to ask nearby boaters for assistance, while our crew made their way there.'
The call was heeded and another boat took the distressed vessel under tow, until Marine Rescue arrived.
The following evening, three people on board a small yacht were reported to have grounded between Pearl Beach and Patonga, having activated their EPIRB.
Marine Rescue Hawkesbury as well as water police and a rescue helicopter responded.
The police and helicopter ambulance departed when the occupants were found on land at Pearl Beach.
The crew from Marine Rescue Hawkesbury was stood down because it is too risky to attempt to recover the yacht.
SOURCE:
Media release, 15 Apr 2021
Megan Loaney, Marine Rescue Central Coast