LOCALS watched in amazement last week as Port Macquarie Marine Rescue crews abandoned a training session to rescue a 50-foot cruiser that had lost power as it crossed the bar into the Hastings River.
Engine failure and a strong run-out tide created a precarious situation that saw the skipper of the cruiser drop anchor to avoid drifting into Town Beach or onto the rocks.
Port Macquarie Marine Rescue responded immediately.
“We had visual of a large cruiser immediately off Town Beach on the bar directly in front of the SARCC (Search and Rescue Coordination Centre) – our radio base at Town Beach”, radio operator Noel Woodward told News Of The Area.
“We were about to contact it as the vessel was being tossed about in fairly heavy seas, seemingly out of control. “However, the skipper phoned us advising of engine failure, no power and the radio not working and [that] he was the only person on board.”
What unfolded next was like something out of a movie.
Rescue vessels the Port Macquarie 21 (a 6.9m Naiad with four crew) and Port Macquarie 30 (an 11.9m Steber with five crew) were involved in training at the time.
They responded immediately and found that because the boat was without power, it could not raise its anchor.
Port Macquarie 21 had to return to the boatshed and retrieve bolt cutters to cut the vessel free.
“Having severed the anchor, a tow line was then attached,” Noel said.
The distressed vessel being so large, and in unsafe waters, meant it was towed some distance out to enable it to be turned and brought back in.
“But… the tow line disconnected.”
Port Macquarie 21 skipper Rob Britten climbed aboard the disabled vessel to assess its systems, assist with the tow, and attempt to restart equipment.
“We decided that the risk of towing the vessel over the bar would possibly result in damage to one or both vessels and pose significant risk to the crew and skipper of the distressed vessel (DV),” he said.
“We had two choices; to wait several hours for the tide to turn or attempt to get the DV operational.”
On inspection of the engine room, Rob discovered that the port engine had failed, with a large amount of oil surrounding it.
The starboard engine, however, was still operational.
He also discovered, after starting the starboard engine, that there was very limited steering.
Rob managed to get one engine running, which helped ease the load on the tow line, though steering remained inoperable.
Both Port Macquarie vessels reassessed their options and decided to cross the bar with Rob on the DV and the skipper of rescue vessel Port Macquarie 30, Robert Breskal, operating in tandem.
Going through the tow line connection and tow commencement again, Robert took the lead with Rob aboard the DV using as much steering as the vessel could muster.
Navigating through the bar required the coordinated efforts of both skippers and crew.
The boat’s return to the marina then went smoothly with Rob staying aboard to assist with power and system management.
Port Macquarie’s Caroline Hong had just finished her gym workout and was taking a stroll in the sunshine, when she witnessed the awe-inspiring event.
“Around 11am, I noticed a distressed yacht being tossed about in the rough seas right before my eyes,” she told News Of The Area.
“There was a lone man standing at the bow.
“The waves were towering, and from a distance, it looked as though the ocean might swallow the vessel whole.
“It was the only boat in sight at the time.
“The teams worked skillfully in the turbulent water, seemingly trying to release the yacht from its anchor.
“After a tense period, I saw the yacht being towed slowly toward calmer water”.
Watching on from the shore, Caroline found herself incredibly grateful for the volunteers in our community who step up so bravely in times of crisis.
“It was an extraordinary display of courage, teamwork, and expert seamanship, also an unforgettable rescue unfolding right before my eyes in the midst of powerful, unforgiving waves.”
For Port Macquarie Marine Rescue, these kinds of outcomes are only possible due to training, coordination, and community support.
That support comes from campaigns like this month’s Mayday Appeal.
Every year, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers bring more than 10,000 people safely back to their loved ones.
As of Anzac Day this year, the Port Macquarie unit had completed 55 search and rescue missions, a 10 percent increase on this time last year.
Across the nine units within the broader Mid North Coast region, there were 235 missions that safely returned 527 people to shore.
The funds raised from the Mayday appeal will ensure that Marine Rescue Port Macquarie remains rescue-ready.
All donations can be made at donate.mrnsw.com.au.
By Rikki WALLER
