Marine Rescue saves sinking trawler

Following last night’s (Monday March 16) Marine Rescue Jervis Bay emergency pump-out of a 17.5m fishing trawler taking water off Jervis Bay, MRNSW Illawarra Regional Controller Bruce Mitchel reports that the emergency repairs to the damaged hull have held.

The skipper of the 17.5m trawler radioed Marine Rescue Shoalhaven with an urgent call for help at 6.33pm. The trawler, with two crew aboard, was on its way to Ulladulla to go up on the slips for repairs to its hull, which had recently been taking on water.

The skipper reported that the leak had suddenly increased and the vessel’s pumps were unable to cope with the rate at which the water was entering. He was gravely concerned that his vessel was in danger of losing the battle.

Marine Rescue Shoalhaven immediately contacted Marine Rescue Jervis Bay, which was closer to the vessel’s position.

The duty crew of Skipper Peter Kielar and crew members Graham Robins, Ross Harlen and Russell Pauley, raced to Jervis Bay 40 (pictured), which is moored at HMAS Creswell.

JB 40 reached the stricken vessel at 7.25pm, with the MRNSW crew activating its emergency pump and beginning the fight to bring down the water level inside the trawler.

The pump-out was successful and the trawler stayed overnight in the shelter of Jervis Bay and earlier this morning the skipper continued the interrupted voyage to Ulladulla where repairs works are scheduled.

The trawler skipper advised Marine Rescue Jervis Bay that no further assistance was required and thanked the volunteers for their timely response to the trawler’s call for help. The trawler was back on the way to Ulladulla and Marine Rescue Ulladulla stood by in case further help was needed.

Marine Rescue Jervis Bay skipper Peter Kielar said: "When we reached the trawler last night the skipper told us they estimated they had less than half an hour left before the incoming water would cause the vessel to sink."

"We started our emergency pump immediately. It has a 100mm (4 inch) hose and it pumped a steady, fast stream of water out of the trawler for around 90 minutes before the skipper could see where the damage was letting in the sea," he said.

Regional Controller, Bruce Mitchell said: "Emergency, high volume pumps are standard equipment on Marine Rescue vessels and an incident like this shows how important this equipment can be.”

"Our volunteers from Jervis Bay are to be congratulated on their fast, efficient response to this call for help. This incident is also an important reminder to all skippers about the value of marine radios and knowledge of where the nearest Marine Rescue bases are located in case of emergencies," he said.