Boating Warning: Cyclone swell creates dramatic jet ski rescue

With the Bureau of Meteorology and other weather, marine and rescue authorities issuing weather warnings about the strong swell battering the East Coast courtesy of Tropical Cyclone Gita, which is sitting well out to sea in the Pacific Ocean but moving towards mainland Australia, there were some expected dramatic rescues over the weekend.

The SE Queensland and Sunshine coasts were particularly hard hit by the cyclonic swell, with waves at the infamous Jumpinpin Bar topping 3.5 metres during a dramatic rescue operation by Volunteer Marine Rescue Jacobs Well on Sunday afternoon (February 18, 2017).

Volunteer Marine Rescue Jacobs Well received a call from one of two jet skiers who were both experiencing engine problems after getting entangled with rope between South and North Stradbroke Island at the Jumpinpin Bar.

With the tide running out and at its worst possible stage, it was inevitable that the 'riders' were going to have abandon their 'skis' and swim through the breaking waves of the notorious Jumpinpin Bar to reach shore.

Primary rescue vessel Jacobs Well 1 was dispatched and left the base only two minutes after the call was first received.

Rescue vessel Jacobs Well 2 was diverted after completing another overturned vessel (tinnie) at Cabbage Tree ramp and was sent to Swan Bay (inside The 'Pin) on standby.

Westpac Lifesaver helicopter 45 assisted offshore in the very heavy conditions. The shopper squad picked up the one of the two jet skiers from the waters offshore, who was transported to hospital to be checked over.

Once again, Volunteer Marine Rescue Jacobs well would like to thank co-operating agencies, Gold Coast Water Police, Westpac Lifesaver Helicopters teams, and other Queensland Government assets for their continued support in protecting, assisting and saving the greater community.

Meantime, BOM's warnings of dangerous conditions have been extended into this week with warnings for the entire coast for today Tuesday (February 20) that surf conditions may be more powerful than they appear and are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.

Seas of up to 3 metres plus swell of up to 3 metres will affect the entire coast both days. Swell is especially junky and the only direction it won't be coming from is the west. Thus, the best boating, sailing and fishing options along the Eastern Seaboard for the next few days are in the bays, harbours, estuaries and rivers.

Local Queensland Water Police recently issued some good boating advice about the extreme weather that can affect Moreton Bay as we published in this link.

Here's a really useful article we ran titled Boating Advice: Weather tips for safe boating and fishing, full of key links to help ensure a safe time afloat every time you cast the lines and head out.