Marine Rescue unit has busy Australia Day weekend
A 6.3m Bar Crusher, estimated to cost $150,000, nearly became the latest Brisbane Water shipwreck, when it ran out of fuel off Box Head on the Australia Day weekend.
Marine Rescue Central Coast responded on Friday afternoon to a Mayday call which came from the skipper of the vessel with four people on board.
He advised the craft was being drawn to the rocks east of Box Head.
Conditions on Brisbane Water were 20 - 25 knots north-westerly winds and half metre seas.
Marine Rescue's rescue craft Central Coast 21 was dispatched from the Point Clare base, reaching the distressed vessel within 25 minutes.
When the crew arrived, the wind had shifted to a south-westerly blowing around 20-25 knots, tide was ebb and the seas were two to three metres on the bar and 1.5 to two metres in Broken Bay.
The vessel in danger was located about 300m east of Box Head and a line was attached before being towed to the leeward side of Lion Island, then waiting for about 10 minutes to hand over the tow to another boat from the Hawkesbury Unit.
It took the vessel south of Brooklyn, back to the Parsley Bay ramp which is located southwest of Flat Rock Point.
Marine Rescue Central Coast returned to the Point Clare base at about 5pm.
An unusual rescue came in the form from a canoe with father and two daughters aboard, set to enjoy the sights of Waterfall Bay.
Unfortunately, the wind picked up, preventing paddle power from adequately pushing the trio of adventurers to return to Woy Woy Bay.
Marine Rescue Central Coast's rescue jetskis CC10 and CC11 were dispatched to the site and towed the adventurous trio to safety.
A small yacht ran aground on the western side of St Huberts Island, which was also freed with the help of the jetskis.
The skipper got his crew to make up a bridle that could be attached to the two rear winches of the yacht and then attached to the towline to pull the yacht out backwards.
Marine Rescue Central Coast is currently looking for new volunteers and will be holding an information evening on Thursday, February 8, with a second session set for Saturday, February 10.
For more information, contact the Point Clare base on 4337 9600 or read the MRCC Facebook page.
SOURCE:
Media release, 28 Jan 2024
David Wicks, Marine Rescue Central Coast