December 2017

Crew could see a boat near the northern part of North Molle Island but as we headed in that direction the boat sped away! 🙂 Phoned the member in trouble and discovered that the boat we were looking for had drifted down to Daydream Island…where we located it.

We rafted up, completed the paperwork and towed the 4.5 metre boat back to Port of Airlie boat ramp then returned to our berth, washed our vessel and by 7:30am everyone was heading home for a well deserved big breakfast. 🙂

Crew: Tom Manning, Rod Wilson
Skipper Ray Lewis

We had an uneventful trip across the passage and down to Tongue Bay, and watched a beautiful moon rising as we passed Hook Observatory.

After arriving at 8.50pm, paramedics transferred across for the evaluation and had the patient and her husband ready to travel by 9.15pm. As they had been aboard a charter yacht, there was a slight delay as the husband gave anchoring instructions to the Skipper who, with his wife, was left with all the kids. Lucky chaps.

The trip home was easy although the bit through Hook Passage was a little bumpy because of the flooding tide. Once through the neck though the water was like a mirror. It would have been a wonderful shot with the Moonlight and a decent camera.

10.40pm saw us at the fuel dock where we unloaded our passengers and we were on our way home by 11.10pm. Thanks to the Gods and a great crew for a perfect night.

Crew: Michel del Aguila, Richard Atkinson
Skipper Geoff Smith

As we knew our target would be drifting, we started looking for him between Pioneer and Hannah points. With our experience of the area we assumed that tide and wind would have taken him north…and this proved 100% correct as we found him quickly and pulled alongside about 12.45pm. There was some paperwork to do but then we set out for Abell Point at a very comfortable 15 knots using less than 90 litres per hour. We took them alongside outside the marina and deposited them at the boat ramp about 1:30pm before returning to our own berth, logging off with Fin and then cleaning and securing VMR1.

All in all a pretty routine activation, and thanks to Lance and Ronnie for a job well done.

Crew: Ronnie Roberts, Lance Robbins
Skipper: Mal Priday

So….all systems go! I met Geoff and Michel at Abell Point Marina VMR1, and we proceeded to Nara Inlet scanning the sea for a dark blue sailing vessel with its main sail up…which was the information we were given. As we passed Hannah Point on North Molle I received a radio call from the vessel which was straight off our port bow….and which turned out to be the vessel were looking for, but was white with a blue stripe and off North Molle Island. So important to get accurate information…..

We were unable to find our bridle so we jury-rigged one up and got under way with the vessel towing nicely at 8 knots. The owner said it was the “fastest his vessel had ever gorn!” Half way to Pioneer Rocks we struck a little problem….the vessel’s anchor had chafed through one side of our make-shift bridle and it had snapped. No drama though as by this stage we had located the correct bridle so we hooked it up and got under way again, asking the vessel’s Skipper to tie up the anchor to stop possible chafing.

We experienced a bit of a roll off the leads at Abell Point Marina which made it tricky to put along side, but all went well and we got the vessel back in her berth with the help of Abell Point Marina staff.

Thanks very much to the crew….and Merry Christmas to all 😊

Crew: Geoff Smith, Michel del Aguila
Skipper: Paul Coggan

We thought we might still have time for a beer and some Chrissy dessert….but it wasn’t to be. Whilst re-fuelling we heard VTS talking to a sailing vessel which had gone aground on the eastern Gloucester Passage reef with 2 on board. Apparently the yacht was slowly listing and those on board were worried they would sink at the bottom of the tide. We didn’t want to leave then get called back out after opening a beer so decided to hang around for a little while. VTS were talking to Mackay Water Police who agreed we should attend but did not “activate us”. As it was a little vague we contacted Bill who is one of our Search & Rescue experts….he also thought we should go.

Meanwhile, VTS were still talking to the stranded vessel who reported they had holed and were taking water but the electric bilge pump was coping. Bill was talking to Mackay WP, VTS and our 24hr phone holder who were all trying to clarify the “activation”. At this point, we left Abell Point Marina again at 7.20pm, heading for Hydaway Bay as the tide was still dropping therefore making time very much of the essence if we were going to be able to do anything when we got there.

Just north of Grimston we spoke to the Water Police again who informed us the vessel hadn’t been holed and was wedged in nicely and standing up OK. The owner was going to stay on board and get off at the next high tide. That meant we could go home. Whoopee!! Christmas cake and beer….here we come!! Got back at 8:15pm.

Thanks to the great crew who, with patience and tolerance, spent their Christmas helping others.

Crew: Michel del Aguila and Trevor James
Skipper: Geoff Smith

We dropped the vessel off at Port of Airlie and returned to Abell Point Marina, refuelled, washed down and were finished at 5:20pm, an uncomplicated 3 hour activation. ☺

Crew: Stu Applegate, Lance Robbins, Ricardo Pritchard
Skipper: Ray Lewis

It was one of Airlie’s perfect days with a calm, flat sea so we cruised at 2600 rpm and 21 knots, locating the vessel with no problems. We rafted up to them and completed the paperwork while towing out into deeper water then commenced the tow back to Abell Point Marina. The vessel was placed at the Marina boat ramp, and then all there was left to do was refuel, berth and wash down…all completed by 1:00pm.  Thanks to the crew for a competent job.

Crew: Roger Wodson, Stu Applegate, Steve Norton
Skipper: Ray Lewis

CLICK HERE FOR JANUARY 2018 ACTIVATIONS
GO BACK TO NEWSLETTER