Tropical Cyclone ‘Oma’
VMR vessels in the Seaway
during TC Oma
The mid to latter part of February saw Tropical Cyclone ‘ Oma ‘
visit the Qld coastline. Starting out in the Coral Sea, then menacing
New Caledonia and Vanuatu, this cyclone slowly made its way south
west, creating massive seas, and generating high winds along the
southern Qld coast, down into northern New South Wales.
VMR Southport were kept relatively busy during this period,
generally assisting the Gold Coast Water Police with drifting vessels
that couldn’t sufficiently hold anchor in the 35 knot plus winds.
It was also unfortunate that some vessels were totally
unprepared, with inappropriate anchoring equipment, and no
possibility of being able to re-locate in the event of the bad weather.
VMR Southport were also involved in the rescue and retrieval
of 6 people who were aboard an outrigger canoe that capsized in
the rough seas north east of the Seaway. This was a very difficult
4
Volunteer Marine Rescue SOUTHPORT
task given the conditions at the time, and whilst the passengers were
safely rescued, the outrigger canoe was lost, washing up on South
Stradbroke Island days later.
At the height of the cyclonic conditions, waves in excess of 10
metres were recorded at the Gold Coast Seaway, and a wind gust of
89km was recorded.
The Qld Police Service, as a preventative measure, also closed
the road to the Gold Coast Seaway on several days, in order to keep
the general public from accessing the rock walls and endangering
themselves from the wild waves and gusting winds.
Over the period of Cyclone ‘ Oma ‘, VMR Southport undertook
12 activations related to the wild weather. Most were to secure
drifting vessels from creating navigation hazards.