Activation 02/12/2022: Tow to Port of Airlie
Having completed a big day on the water on Thursday, I was looking forward to a restful Friday, NAH not happening! A short call from Bill, our 24/7 emergency phone holder put a sudden end to my musing; a 31’ Black Watch was at anchor adjacent to the leads for Port of Airlie, no noise from the engine and required a tow into the marina.
My crew, Shane and Donna, quickly readied Whale Song VMR2 for action. Once on our way the wind heralded a warning, we were in for a challenging tow! A freshening east southeasterly was wanting to blow us onto the mainland.
First things first, locate the vessel; keeping watch for unhappy looking mariners, or in this case, one’s with determined waving of arms. We quickly married up, securing our starboard lines to the port side of the vessel, that was the easy part! Next came the raising of the anchor, no way! The anchor was snagged, a quick search for a knife ended quickly, no knife to be found on either vessel, the best we could do was a pair of side cutters. I gave the assisted skipper the latitude and longitude of his abandoned anchor and chain so he could return and dive to retrieve said equipment.
As we proceeded into the leads I was informed that the berth was a Portside mooring, as luck would have it, we were married to the wrong side for easy mooring, my mistake! The wind insisted on blowing us towards each and any potential obstacle; I had Shane perched on the bow of the towed vessel, he was to be my eyes (my own seeing eye human), thankfully he was an excellent guide, Donna was relaying his directions to me at the helm. The wind was relentless, on the positive side, turning to starboard was remarkably easy! Manoeuvring inside the marina was easier. The towed vessel was well forward on our starboard side, making for good manoeuvring at low speed and for close quarter work.
A grateful member finished the paperwork under Donna’s watchful eye, completed, we returned to Coral Sea Marina.
Many thanks to my crew, they did an excellent job.
Senior crew: Shane N and Crew: Donna D
Skipper: Paul M
Activation 04/12/2022: Assist 25 foot sailing vessel at Double Bay.
Lucky I was not far from home on a Sunday morning walk when Diane called from the radio room, advising that a person had relayed a message. A friend of his was broken down in Double bay and required assistance, I asked Diane to obtain more information.
Diane rang later and informed me that the vessel was a 25 foot sailing vessel and was on anchor near the hut on the western side of Double Bay East. She was unable to get another skipper, so I told her to organise a crew and I would meet them at Coral Sea Marina VMR1. At 0850 we departed with Mike D on helm, James R coaching and me observing, the trip to Double Bay was okay, but we knew that it would be a different story towing a vessel back into 20 knots of wind.
As we entered Double Bay we could not see a vessel near the hut but could see a vessel with a shredded head sail on the other side of the bay. So we ventured over to find our target, then rafted up to complete the paperwork, hooked up the tow line and started our 6 knot tow back to a mooring near the little jetty at Mandalay.
On the way to Mandalay Dick noticed that the tender had come loose from the towed vessel, so we had to turn around to rescue the tender. After putting the vessel on his mooring we returned to CSM to fuel up, wash down and secure VMR1.
Thanks my Crew: James R , Mike D and Dick F.
Skipper: Ray L
Activation 7/12/2022: Tow a boat from the shipping lane SE of Bowen – welcome to new Skipper Shane
My first activation as skipper was to be a gentle affair with an excellent crew that made me ‘look good’.
I had just finished my morning coffee when the ‘bat phone’ went off. Bill asked if I would do a longish tow, from 20nm east of Hayman Island.
It being ‘mill pond’ conditions and no whales, what could go wrong? Yes, I’m fine with it.
While my expert crew of Michel, Barry and Nick were prepping Coral Sea Marina VMR1, we heard VTS on the radio telling our target that VMR1 would be there soon with spare fuel. We need to correct that quickly – VMR is not allowed to carry fuel out to vessels due to insurance restrictions.
Then off we set into a brilliant blue, dreamy morning. Better check the co-ords of the target. After a bit of interrogation they needed to be re-entered in our chart plotter. Quite a move north into the shipping lane SE of Bowen. After a little mistaken identity, (the bulk ore carrier did not need a tow), we found target a couple of miles away from the co-ords.
As my expert crew arranged the tow and got the paper work done, I called VTS to let them know we were setting up a tow in the shipping lane and would be out of there asap.
After an ideally uneventful 15 knot trip home Coral Sea Marina welcomed us. Our target detached and used his electric fishing motor to move himself onto the public pontoon. We refuelled and were done and dusted by 1230.
Thanks to my very professional crew.
Crew: Michel A, Barry L and Nick B.
Skipper: Shane N
Activation 7/12/2022: Crew member broken down south of Black Island.
I had just sat down at Shibby’s Fish + Chips when the 24 /7 emergency phone rang advising me that a crew member had broken down south of Black Island. I informed Bill that I had just placed an order and to organise a crew and I would be down later. Bill said that he would try another skipper, but rang back 10 minutes later to inform me that I was going. As my meal had arrived by then I scoffed it down and headed for the marina.
We departed in Coral Sea Marina VMR1 at 1920 with Brie, who is doing her Coxswain’s course on the helm and James coaching her with me observing. A quick run out to our target where we hooked up and towed them back to CSM in pleasant sea conditions. After dropping the vessel off at the boat ramp with Phil on board to complete the paperwork, we went to refuel. With Phil back on board we returned to our berth to wash down and secure VMR1 and were finished at 2150.
Thanks to my Crew: James R, Brie S and Phil H.
Skipper: Ray L
Medivac Daydream 11/12/22: Medivac from Daydream Island for infant with health problem.
Phone holder Bill woke me around 2330, the rostered skipper was unwell, could I do a medivac from Daydream? Can do, and I was soon on my way in to prepare for a midnight departure. The other Bill and Phil had already started the preparation, and we were soon joined by Brie. Phil went up to meet the paramedics and help them with their gear, and by the time they stepped on board we were good to go. With trainee skipper Brie on the helm, Coral Sea Marina VMR1 was under way at 0005 onto a pretty flat sea and 10-15 knots of easterly, and with a good moon to help with visibility.
By 0040 we were tied up at Daydream, and the paramedics went to assess the wee patient. By 0115 they were back on board with our patient and parents, and Brie took us back to the marina, tying up at 0145. With the passengers safely disembarked, we refuelled, moved back to our own berth to clean and secure VMR1 and complete the paperwork, and were on our way home again at 0215.
Thanks crew, medivacs for young children always gets your attention, and rightly so.
Crew: Bill H, Phil H, Brie S
Skipper: Mal Priday
Activation 14/12/2022: Medivac to Hamilton Island
My slumber was shattered at midnight by the insistence of my emergency phone tone. I had just driven back from Cairns and was now off with QAS to pick up a patient from Hamilton Is. My crew, Michel and Phil, were as professional as ever as we chopped along in front of a brisk northerly.
On arrival we found our usual birth occupied, not permitted to use the fuel pontoon, we were asked to dock on F arm. Problem, it is fully occupied too. So lets improvise- yes there is a spot on the other side, so after a little detour we were along side and loading our passengers for a bumpy ride home.
Back at Coral Sea Marina there were no large vessels on L arm, so without their wind break a bit of a blow off from the northerly. This is when an excellent crew pays off!
Our patient was stretchered away and we were refuelled and cleaned up by 0340.
Thanks to my magnifico Crew: Michel A and Phil H.
Skipper: Shane N
Activation 14/12/2022: Transfer 5 persons from a vessel aground in Butterfly Bay, and assist vessel off reef.
Phone holder Bill was up early, I received a call at 0540 with a request from the Water Police to pick up 5 persons from a charter vessel aground in Butterfly Bay, at the northern end of Hook Island. Bill put the crew together while I made my way in to meet up with James, Dick and Ross. We also had a skipper on board from the charter company to hopefully get the boat free and take it back to the mainland. Coral Sea Marina VMR1 was under way at 0620 with James on the helm, and we pulled up alongside another charter boat where the passengers had moved to. The company skipper went across to assess the boat, and tried unsuccessfully to take the anchor out to windward, but the tender was a bit underpowered for that task.
We deployed our tender (with a lot more power) to assist, with James helming, but it soon became apparent that the kedging was not the way to go. James and the rental skipper had a good look around the grounded vessel, and we decided to get James to take across our tow line and bridle and we would attempt to ease the boat off using VMR1. By this time the tide had turned, so it was the way to go. Then it was a case of positioning VMR1 clear of the bommies but still in a position to move the grounded vessel in the right direction, and with James radioing the best direction, VMR1 started to get the boat moving at very low speed. James nudged it a couple of time to help it clear a couple of bommies, and VMR1 took it out easily at idle – 1000 hp was not needed or called for. We managed to get it safely into deeper water and on the same mooring that it had come off earlier, at 0900. The rental skipper then checked all systems, no water ingress, no pollution.
After recovering our tender we were under way back to the marina at 0910 with 4 of the 5 passengers, the father stayed on with the rental skipper to get the boat back to the mainland, with engine and steering both tested okay. We had our passengers back at Coral Sea at 1015, then refuelled and moved back to our own berth for shutdown, clean and paperwork, all finished by 1055.
Great job by James in difficult circumstances with the tender, and well done also to Ross and Dick, a good team effort all round.
Crew: James R, Ross V and Dick F.
Skipper: Mal P.
Editor’s Note: We were pleased to receive a lovely Thank You note from the rescued family, some food snacks to replenish our stocks and also some photos of the rescue that the family had taken.
Activation 15/12/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
It was a dark and stormy night….. no, not a horror story, sorry. Having just retired to bed after a long day of driving to Townsville and back, I had just fallen asleep when SURPRISE, the emergency tone sounded on my phone. Ray, our 24/7 phone holder told me of a Medivac from Hamilton Island. Dressing by the furious flashes of lightening fissuring the night sky, stumbling a little as sleep was not yet done with me. Eventually judging myself awake and aware a drive to the marina. Upon arrival at Coral Sea marina, I found Ray busy getting Coral Sea VMR1 ready for departure. Our paramedic was soon with us and the, cast off the lines, off we go.
Finding ourselves in a very dark night, moon in its last quarter, lightening flashing around us, thunder crashing, this could be fun! As we cleared the leads of the marina we were greeted by a gentle swell, wind driven, and a falling tide. Coral Sea Marina VMR1 knifed through the swells, as we transited at a comfortable 23 knots; between the mainland and Pioneer Rocks, directly through Unsafe Passage and then to Hamilton Island marina fuel dock. Donna was keeping a close eye on the radar, warning me of anchored vessels in and around the moorings.
Arriving an hour later at Hamilton Island marina, our patient and carer were delivered to our awaiting paramedic, a brief conference ensued, good byes said and off we went. The return journey was uneventful and very pleasant. We delivered our passengers to the dock, moved to the fuel dock.
With paperwork completed, all screens brightened, equipment shut down and vessel secured, we said good night. A very good activation, no fuss or bother, Ray did a great job, as did Donna. My thanks to both for your efforts.
Crew: Ray L, Donna D.
Skipper: Paul M.
Activation (1) 16/12/2022: Assist a 4.8m vessel broken down near Grimstone Point, 2 pob.
Ray called me from the base (he was about to run a first aid course) just before 0900, a 4.8 m tinny had requested assistance after breaking down near Grimstone Point. This was a perfect activation for Whale Song VMR2, and he organised a crew for me while I made my way in to the boat. Michel had already begun the prestarts, and James, who was on his way to VMR1 to stow the towing bridle which had been hosed down after use, saw us getting ready and helped us launch just before 0930. It was a lovely morning, a light E/SE wind on a slight sea, and it was an easy cruise at 24 knots to find our target at anchor, a little way past Grimstone.
He said he was a member, and we were able to confirm that. We were also able to confirm that he had just joined! As there is a 24 hour period before any memberships are active, unfortunately this would not count as a his free tow. With all paperwork done, we got them on the plane quite easily and headed back at 20 knots, depositing them at the Whisper Bay boat ramp just before 1030 before heading back into the marina to refuel, clean and secure Whale Song, and complete the paperwork, all done just after 11.
Thanks Michel, a nice easy one and a nice day for it.
Crew: Michel A
Skipper: Mal P
Activation (2) 16/12/2022: Middle of the night medivac to Hamilton Island for a sick child.
At 2300 it was Bill calling. Our 24/7 phone holders are incredibly committed to their essential role. “Sorry mate to have to send you out in the rain and wind on a night like this, but a sick child needs evacuation from Hamo.”
An extremely competent crew, James and Donna turned up shortly. Then our super Ambo, who must have a direct line to “the big guy”, because the rain immediately stopped and the wind dropped.
We had a pleasant trip over, only having to avoid a trawler working the passage. Quickly we had our passengers on board and with James at the helm, we had a very pleasant ride home with the wind. Stars and moon guiding us, with a little help from our chart plotter, radar, FLIR, sonar and beacons, we had refuelled and packed up by 0245.
Thanks to Donna on Coms and very competent helming home by James.
Crew: James R and Donna D
Skipper: Shane N
Activation (1) 17/12/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
It was 12:40 when Bernd one of our dedicated Radio officers called with an emergency Medivac from Hamilton island. I (Ken) was picked up by Chauffeur James and his daughter Katherine who was one of my crew for today. We headed to Coral Sea Marina VMR1 where the crew were busy with the startup procedures.
13:15 We departed Coral Sea Marina with two paramedics onboard. With Donna on the helm we headed out across Pioneer Bay. We had not gone far when the rain poured down. Blowing straight into our faces. Paul quickly brought up the rain Jackets, while I struggled with the front curtain. Donna was having to rely on the Radar as we could not see anything out the front screen.
We thought this was going to be such a nice voyage. We were getting battered by the wind and rain continuously. Donna battled on heading for Unsafe Passage. We had Radar targets on our port side and also ahead of us. As we neared Unsafe Passage the rain eased. I am sure I heard Donna give a very big sigh of relief. Visibility at last.
The sea conditions were rough with many pot holes along the way. 14:20 we were docking at Hamilton island. The Paramedics rushed off to their patient. As it turned out the Paramedics were having difficulty stabilising the patient. They decided to call the Helicopter for a very fast trip the hospital.
16:30 With my crew well rested. They had enjoyed a coffee and biscuits from our onboard supplies. We headed for Coral Sea marina with the two paramedics onboard.
Katherine was on the helm for the return journey. With the wind behind us this was a sleigh ride surfing down the waves. 17:25 we docked at CSM and the paramedics departed. VMR1 then headed to the fuel dock to refuel.
Thank you to everyone onboard. These were trying conditions. Your service and dedication is appreciated.
Senior Crew: Paul M, Comms: Donna D, Deck Crew: Katherine R and Phill H
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 17/12/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island
21:20 I (Ken) was watching a movie when my emergency phone was ringing.
It was Bill, one of our 24 hour emergency phone holders. “We have a medivac from Hamilton Island”. “Okay, Bill gather a crew, I am on my way”.
As I arrived at the marina I saw Phil, we headed down to Coral sea Marina VMR1 and Bill was already on the job. The paramedic arrived shortly after, so we were ready to depart.
21:45 we were on our way into what we thought would be a rough passage. As it turned out the sea was very reasonable, considering that the wind was blowing at 25 knots. The rain stayed away for the entire trip. Not like our earlier medivac.
23:05 we were docked at Hamilton Island. The patient a young girl and her carer were soon onboard. 23:15 With Bill on the helm for the return trip we headed for Coral Sea Marina.
Surfing along, with some stars above, it was a very pleasant return trip. 00:05 we docked, the paramedic and company departed for the ambulance. VMR1 moved to the fuel dock to refuel. 00:10 We were back in our berth and ready for home.
Thank you to my crew, just like clockwork.
Crew: Senior Crew: Bill H, Comms Crew: Phil H
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 18/12/2022: Medivac to Hamilton Island
Wonderful! A daylight medivac to Hamilton Island. Winds gusting over 30 knots and squalls along the way- not so wonderful!
Along the way we stayed in the lee of islands to shelter and kept our speed down. Even with the waves on starboard bow it was impossible to make it a smooth trip. Variable wind gusts inside Hamilton Island Marina added to the excitement of an unfamiliar birth, but with accurate and timely rope work from Nick and Dick we were efficiently made fast.
As another squall approached we were quick to load our passengers and depart. Travelling home with the wind greatly improved our ride. With James on the helm we made excellent time.
Back in Coral Sea Marina the gusts were still pushing us around a bit, but James’ helming was more than equal to the task.
Thanks to our two paramedics, who took the gusty conditions in their stride.
Of course our crew, James, Nick and Dick were calm and workman like!
Crew: James R, Nick B and Dick F
Skipper: Shane N
Activation 20/12/2022: Medivac to Hayman
The emergency phone rang just as I was about to drill another hole for the gate lock. No worries I’ll be there in 15 mins. Coral Sea Marina VMR1 had not been out since our activation on Sunday.
Quick work by our larger than usual crew and a prompt arrival by our paramedic had us on our way to Hayman Is by 1700.
Calm seas in close to Airlie soon gave way to ‘white horses’ and rolling swell coming on the starboard side. Then it became clear our arrival at Hayman would likely coincide with a nasty squall. Slow down and let it blow through ahead of us might work. Sort of worked.
“You can choose between a strong blow off in birth 5, or an equally strong blow on in birth 4- good luck”, came the news from our comms. But 5 was already taken by another vessel, so 4 it would have to be. Push in firmly, out from the pontoon and control the blow on, keeping VMR1 parallel to the pontoon. Well the theory was sound, but a gust helped us arrive a little early. No harm done and our crew quickly had us made fast for the casualties to board.
Now to get away while being pushed hard up against the pontoon. Rotate the stern out to 20 degrees and back out promptly. Worked well, but now we are in the basin with gusts scudding across the water, so lets get clear and out of the channel with positive helm control!
On our way home it was still a bit sloppy and the blow offs in Coral Sea Marina were a bit ‘interesting’. Excellent handling of the mooring lines by our crew mitigated any potential difficulties and we were packed away by 1930.
Thanks to our very professional crew. Also our very experienced paramedic.
Crew: Michel A (senior), Debbie S, Phil H and Nick B.
Skipper: Shane N.
Activation 21/12/2022: Medivac to Palm Bay
Wow, a call out at 0630, that’s unusual and my first ever look at Palm Bay. No worries skipper Ray will come along as senior crew to fill in any details.
Passage was a bit rough, but at least no squalls. We took the scenic route to avoid the worst of it. As we arrived our Comms, Barry, tried to make contact with the resort- no luck so we decided to pick up a mooring and dispatch our tender to investigate. The casualties were found waiting on the beach and quickly transferred back to Coral Sea Marina VMR1.
With our tender secured, we dropped the mooring and had a surprisingly comfortable trip home.
Our crew handled the blow offs in Coral Sea Marina expertly and we were done and dusted by 0930.
Well done Ray, Barry and Phil. Thanks to our ever helpful paramedic.
Crew: Ray L, Barry L, Phil H
Skipper: Shane N
Activation 21/12/2022: Medivac to Hayman Island
Our second medivac to Hayman in 24hrs was another rough affair, but thankfully this time without the nasty squalls.
Sorting out some quirks with the autohelm on the way, we arrived at the Hayman Marina with a 20+ knot south easterly behind us. With a last minute change to our birth allocation we were able to enter the same one as yesterday afternoon minus the squalls. Today with a consistent blow on the arrival was precise and gentle. Our senior crew, James organised an effective and timely tie up and our casualty was immediately ready to board.
Our departure went equally smoothly and with James on the helm, we took the scenic route home, out passed Black Is to get a better angle on the swell. Still there were some large ‘rollers’ coming out of Whitsunday Passage, which required us to slow down to 15knots for a while.
On arrival back in Coral Sea Marina we disembarked our passengers and were quickly refuelled and packed away by 1930.
Thanks to our crew, James, Debbie and Dick, great work as usual. Also our QAS paramedic, who was out with us twice on this lumpy Wednesday.
Crew: James R, Debbie S, Dick F
Skipper: Shane N
Activation 24/12/2022: Medivac from Providence
13:15 I (Ken) received a call from Bruce at our radio room. There was an emergency medivac, a passenger was having an epileptic fit and required immediate assistance.
Bruce organised a crew while Debbie and I headed to Coral Sea Marina VMR1. Bill and Phil had the pre-starts nearly completed when we arrived. James and 2 Paramedics were next to arrive.
13:40 we set off to locate SV Providence who was steaming through Hook Passage. Conditions were good with a 15 knot easterly. After passing North Molle we could see Providence’s white bow-wave dead ahead. My crew set about the fenders, bow and stern lines, as we drew along side 14:10. Providence was blowing away from VMR1 as we came along side.
Once secured, a Paramedic boarded to assess the patient. The patient was transferred to VMR1 and then stabilized, before we could head for home. It seemed like an eternity before I was given the okay to proceed at full speed to Coral Sea Marina.
14:49 we were berthed and the Paramedics, patient and partner departed for the waiting ambulance. 15:00 over to the fuel dock to refuel. James then took the helm and headed to our berth.
Thank you to all the crew. Everyone went about their duties as required in changing conditions.
Senior crew: Bill H, James R
Comms Crew: Debbie S
Crew: Phill H
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 25/12/2022: Christmas Day volunteers to the rescue.
My wife and I didn’t have many presents to open so we were all finished when my phone shouted out the emergency ring tone. VMR was needed on Christmas morning and Ray in the radio room was contacting crew.
A small runabout was heading home on a rainy morning when their steering failed. They were in Bauer Bay and would be motoring slowly towards Pioneer Point. Could we go out to meet them and tow them home to Coral Sea Marina.
Off comes the Santa hat, on goes the VMR uniform and out the door I go.
With my crew of James, Laura and Dick we soon had Coral Sea Marina VMR1 checked over and headed out to a mobile rendezvous.
Flat water and misty rain was no problem as we spotted our target vessel slowly crossing Molle Channel and pulled up beside them for the paperwork and to connect our tow-line. The VMR member and his partner on board were both very happy to see us and it wasn’t long before we were up on the plane and headed for the boat ramp at Coral Sea Marina. James handled the maneuvers with precision and skill with Laura taking close instruction.
A textbook placement at the ramp was followed by a refuel and back to our berth for the paperwork and debrief.
Thank you to the team for your volunteered time and expertise today, on the water and in the radio room. Between us we have given a boating couple a gift they didn’t expect, but that they greatly appreciated.
Stay safe on the water and Seasons Greetings.
Crew: James R., Laura O. and Dick F.
Skipper: Ron R.
Activation 29/12/2022: Jumpstart jetski.
I was in the middle of some house maintenance when I received a call from Michael on the 24/7 phone. A member had a flat battery at the Causeway on South Molle Island and required our assistance, so I told him to organise a crew while I packed up. On arriving at Coral sea Marina VMR1 I found Michel, Mike and Phil just about finished with the prestart checks, so I assigned Mike to the helm and Phil for the return trip.
It was a perfect day for a boat ride. We departed Coral Sea Marina at 1545 and were on the scene in half an hour. Mike held VMR1 in a holding position while Michel and Phil prepared the tender for launch. With a portable radio and a jump start kit they motored in to the stricken vessel where they filled in the paperwork and lucky enough jumpstarted the Jetski. After retrieving our tender we returned to CSM secure and wash down VMR1 and were finished at 1730.
Thanks to Crew: Michel A, Mike D and Phil H.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 30/12/22: 5m tinny with engine problems in the vicinity of Mackerel Bay, requiring a tow.
The fog of deep sleep refused to clear the sound of my phone ringing, it’s dark, I cannot find my phone on the bedside table, yes, here it is! Our new 24/7 Emergency phone holder Michael provided a very brief synopsis of the situation; a 5m tinny having engine problems in the vicinity of Mackerel Bay. My ears are yet to respond to sound, “Where?”, the response left me even more confused, “Cook Island”, OK, this is not computing, of course, Hook Island, Mackerel Bay. My partner appeared fully dressed ready to go, having made a thermos of coffee and grabbing a handful of biscuits. I, for one was still struggling to find my pants and shirt, obviously I still needed more sleep. I chose to humour her when she regaled me with her longing to see the sunrise.
Shortly we arrived at Coral Sea marina, fortunately both Bill and Mike were busy preparing Coral Sea VMR1 for departure, the first streaks of light were presenting in the morning sky. In no time we were underway. Heading north on a flat sea at a respectable 25 knots, the sun peeked above the spine of Whitsunday Island as we passed Hannah Point en route to South Channel, Pinnacle Point and Mackerel Bay.
Upon arrival at Mackerel Bay I was somewhat dismayed, nothing to be seen but the golden, fiery orb of the sun. Note to self, keep the sun at your back when searching for a vessel without a precise location. We continued our search further south, checking coastline and bays, fortunately Mike was trying to contact the stricken vessel by phone with limited success; within minutes the target vessel responded and we were able to close on their position in short order.
Three rather relieved gentlemen were very pleased to make our acquaintance, we quickly completed the paperwork and commenced the tow. We continued our southerly course through Hook Passage then headed for Port of Airlie. The tow was uneventful, seas relatively calm, wind from the south east at 5 to 10 knots. Approaching the Leeds of Port of Airlie we secured the vessel on our port side and proceeded to the public jetty. We said our farewells as the towed vessel was secured.
The skipper of the disabled vessel was a member of VMR and enjoyed his free tow; it pays to belong, he saved approximately $1,150.00 in callout fees, being a member entitles you to one free tow of up to 4 hours per annum.
My thanks to the crew, all of whom did an outstanding job:
Crew: Bill H (Senior crew), Donna D (Communications) and Mike D (Trainee).
Skipper: Paul M.