A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage spent almost seven hours on the water yesterday during a marathon mission to assist two stranded boaters on Boolambayte Lake.
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage Unit Commander David Aselford said radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Stephens took the initial call for assistance.
“Marine Rescue Port Stephens was contacted by the crew on board the disabled vessel at 12.15pm yesterday (Monday 5 May) after their six- to seven-metre half-cabin suffered mechanical failure, leaving them stranded near Violet Hill campground.
“Because of the location of the stricken vessel, volunteers from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage were tasked on board rescue vessel Lemon Tree 30.
“We pride ourselves on rapid deployment at Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage and aim to be on the water within 14 minutes – which we were,” Unit Commander Aselford said.
The volunteer crew on board LT 30 reached the disabled vessel at 3.15pm, following a challenging trip up the Myall River.
“It is a very tricky waterway – long, winding, narrow and very shallow in parts – with our crew restricted to just five knots,” Unit Commander Aselford said.
“The two people on board the disabled vessel were relieved when the rescue vessel arrived. A towline was secured and the boaters and their vessel were towed to Mungo Brush Boat Ramp on the eastern side of Bombah Broadwater.
“The boaters were safely returned to shore at 4.30pm before our crew began the slow trip home to Lemon Tree Passage, arriving back at base at 7.10pm following approximately a 110 km round trip.
“Volunteers at Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage train for missions like this and regularly practise on the Myall River because the environment on that waterway is very different to open waters,” he said.
Unit Commander Aselford said the rescued boaters indicated they would make a donation to the unit who provided the assistance for free.
“Our crew used $700 worth of fuel during the mission, so their donation will be greatly appreciated.
“While Marine Rescue NSW receives valuable funding from the NSW Government, units also rely on the generous support of communities, partners and grant programmes to keep our volunteers rescue-ready.
“This May, we’re asking people to answer the call and support Marine Rescue NSW in our mission of saving lives on the water.
‘MAYDAY’ is a call for help — we need people to answer our call. Every dollar donated helps our volunteers save lives on the water.
“Our goal of $45,000 represents $1 for every boater Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state have saved in the last five years. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated,” said Unit Commander Aselford.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
