Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Stephens responded to a late-night call for assistance after a 12–15 metre yacht lost steerage between Seal Rocks and Broughton Island while transiting from Lord Howe Island on Sunday (7 December).
Radio Operators at Marine Rescue Sydney took the initial call from the skipper of the disabled vessel before transferring communications to volunteers at Marine Rescue Port Stephens.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Jane Shirriff said Marine Rescue Port Stephens was tasked to assist, with a crew deployed on board Port Stephens 31 just after 11:15pm.
“Unfortunately, the skipper of the yacht suffered an eye injury while attempting to fix the issue, increasing the urgency of the response.
“PS 31 reached the disabled vessel, which was seven nautical miles (13km) north of Broughton Island and six nautical miles (11km) offshore.
“They checked the welfare of the crew on board the yacht before securing a tow line and heading for Port Stephens.
“It was quite uncomfortable offshore, with 15–20 knot south-easterly winds and a 1.5–2 metre swell.
“It was tough going on the way back, with our crew experiencing choppy conditions, but they persevered and guided the disabled yacht safely into d’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay at 6:20am this morning (Monday, 8 December).
“This mission involved three Marine Rescue NSW units. Sydney managed the initial communications, a crew from Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry was on standby to assist if required, and the Radio Operators and crew at Port Stephens did a wonderful job in extremely fatiguing conditions,” Inspector Shirriff said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
