Notable
Jobs
by Glenn Norris
A
man contacted VMR recently requesting a tow of his
disabled sailing vessel from east of Burleigh Heads to
Southport. A crew were dispatched and located the drifting vessel,
taking it in tow. On arrival at Southport the vessel was anchored in
the Marine Stadium where the Skipper proceeded to tell the VMR
crew how unlucky he had been on his journey. He had left the
Tweed River earlier in the morning, where his engine had broken
down just short of the Tweed Bar. He managed to quickly hoist
his sails to get him through the Bar, then as he was just north of
Currumbin his rigging failed, ripping his sail and leaving him in
further distress and needing to call for assistance. Given that the
seas were quite lumpy and the wind was blowing 15 - 20 knots
on the day from the north, the crew were left wondering why the
Skipper left the Tweed knowing he had a problem with his vessel,
given the conditions were not ideal. A simple tow back to a safe
haven in the Tweed River, where the engine problem could have
been looked at, could have eliminated a lot of risk to both the
Skipper, his vessel, his crew members and that of the VMR crew
who assisted.
A
n extremely distressed man recently called VMR stating
his female friend had gone missing from their Cruiser
anchored in the Labrador channel. The tender to the Cruiser had
become untied and floated away, resulting in the lady attempting
to retrieve it. She had jumped into a second vessel attached to
the Cruiser, an inflatable boat, which ‘wasn’t‘ inflated, and hence
ended up in the water, drifting away with the tide and not being
seen or heard from in 30 minutes. Given this happened in the
night hours, the Gold Coast Water Police were contacted and a
search was initiated. Soon after the man contacted VMR again to
say the lady had been picked up by another vessel and was safe.
A good result given the circumstances.
A
jetski rider and his passenger had an extremely lucky
escape recently when their craft collided with an anchored
vessel near the Seaway. VMR were notified of the incident and
attended. Whilst the anchored vessel was seriously damaged,
and nobody was injured, the jetski rider had a rare luck story
to tell. Given the speed of the jetski at the time of the collision,
and the riders attempt to turn away from the vessel, the vessels
anchor rope made contact with the jetski riders chin. ‘Someone
from above‘ must have intervened as the rope could have caused
a very nasty injury, but fortunately didn’t.
A
jetski owner requested VMR assistance after his craft had
a mechanical failure recently. When asked if the ski was
fitted with a ‘tow tap‘ enabling it to be towed at speed the man
indicated he had no idea of what a ‘tow tap‘ was but if VMR towed
the jetski only in a ‘forward motion and not backwards‘ he would
be happy. The VMR Skipper did as requested, and explained
to the man that no vessel is towed in any direction other than
forward.
6
Volunteer Marine Rescue SOUTHPORT
A
VMR Radio Operator received a phone call from a very
distressed man while recently on shift. The man’s wife was
having a serious medical episode onboard their vessel, and he
requested urgent medical assistance. The Radio Operator, who
has medical qualifications, was able to assist in helping the man
to stay calm, whilst making his wife comfortable, and as they were
close to the mainland, he was able to be directed to Paradise
Point. The Radio Operator had also contacted the Ambulance
Service so Paramedics could be dispatched to treat the patient.
The lady was taken to hospital, and reportedly recovered well
from the incident. A really great effort.
A
phone call was received at VMR Southport recently from
a man who was requesting transport to a vessel that
was anchored at Wavebreak Island. All on board the vessel
had had way too much fun on the day, as well as way too many
liquids, and there was no possible way for the vessel to be safely
navigated back to its mooring at Southport. The man was a
replacement Skipper. VMR were happy to oblige and transport
the man if it meant everyone getting back safely. A substantial
donation was made in appreciation of VMR assistance.