Seven people rescued when boat ran aground
A 40 foot Flybridge cruiser with seven people on board, including three children, ran aground on a sandbar during the leisurely cruise on Brisbane Water Saturday, April 6.
The incident happened near the cardinal marker at Lions Park.
Marine Rescue Central Coast was called and sent a rescue crew of three aboard its rescue vessel CC21 that successfully towed the cruiser free of the sand bar.
The experienced skipper from Davistown was relieved his party was safe and no injuries were reported.
The recent heavy deluge across the Central Coast caused several boats to take on water.
A sailboat tethered at Koolewong Marina was no exception.
The owner from Wangi Wangi discovered the mishap on Sunday morning and called Marine Rescue to help pump the water from the vessel as the craft's bilge pumps weren't working.
CC21 brought an electric bilge pump and the operation was completed successfully.
Engine difficulties contributed to several minor incidents over the weekend.
An unlucky man with no means of communication on board was alone in his four-metre open runabout when it lost power and started drifting between Lobster Beach and Box Head.
The man tried to row his boat back to shore but was noticed by a friend on Ettalong Beach who, concerned the man was in danger, called Marine Rescue.
However, he managed to row back to shore just as CC21 arrived.
The man said that in future he will take his mobile phone with him whenever he takes out his tinny.
A four-metre tinny attached to a 50-foot Riviera sport yacht caused problems for the owners when the small boat's pull cord jammed.
Marine Rescue travelled from the Point Clare base to Iron Ladder, Broken Bay, to tow the craft to Blackwall boat ramp.
The boat season continues through the school holidays and the Anzac Day holiday weekend.
"Logging on is really important," said Unit Commander Ian Morrow.
"If you make sure you keep your app open, we can track where you are.
"So if you are running late or overdue, we can come and look for you," he said.
He also reminded boaters to assess conditions and prepare thoroughly before hitting the water.
SOURCE:
Social media, 8 Apr 2024
David Wicks, Marine Rescue Central Coast