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NEWS
Catamaran sails into island
Dangerous conditions forecast, three crew rescued, but only eight lives remain for their cat towed to safetyJust before 1300 hours on Sunday, August 11, Marine Rescue Port Kembla and Port Kembla Water Police responded to a Mayday emergency call from a yacht that had struck nearby Bass Island.?
On arrival three people were found safe and still on board the yacht.?
After examination of the vessel it was determined that it could be pulled free safely.?
A line from Marine Rescue vessel Port Kembla 30 was attached to the yacht and it was carefully pulled off the rocks, then towed to safety in Wollongong Harbour.?
Marine Rescue Illawarra Regional Controller, Bruce Mitchell, said: “The Mayday was received by our radio base at Hill 60. Port Kembla 30 was in Port Kembla Harbour and responded within minutes of the call being received.”?
“Four volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Kembla were on board our vessel including skipper Bruce Williamson and Unit Commander Peter Purnell.”?
Marine Rescue NSW urges boaters to always wear lifejackets and Log On with your local Marine Rescue NSW radio base. Bass Island isn't far from Flinders Islet where boating and sailing identities Andrew Short and Sally Gordon perished in a night yacht race in 2009. Stronger winds and currents than surrounding areas are peculiar to the area.
Meantime, Roads and Maritime Services has issued an alert after a Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warning about dangerous surf conditions forecast to affect the southern NSW coast from this afternoon (August 11) and extend north to Seal Rocks tomorrow (August 12).
The BoM forecast is for dangerous conditions stemming from a moderate but high energy south/south westerly swell which is expected to affect mainly southerly facing beaches and exposed headlands.
Skippers and owners of small craft should be on high alert and check the conditions before considering crossing a coastal bar or heading offshore.
Rock fishers should also check weather forecasts before heading out to decide whether it is safe to fish near dangerous surf.
Strong winds can also cause dangerous conditions for vessels on moorings which have been poorly maintained.
Every skipper is responsible for the safety of their vessel and all on board. Roads and Maritime advises skippers to:
• Check the official weather forecast before and during boating
• Ensure the boat and its equipment is suitable for the conditions
• Log on/off with a Marine Rescue NSW marine radio base for every trip offshore
• Wear a lifejacket.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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