As cyclones are a current topic of discussion, we thought it might be useful to share a few notes about our experiences with them. When a cyclone system approaches our waters, the Harbour Master may close the ports to navigation. This means that vessels at sea within the affected area must seek shelter, and no new vessels should enter the waters. This is not the time to launch your tinnie for a family fishing trip.
Last year, with the approach of a cyclone, we were surprised to be activated by Queensland Police Service (QPS) and given an exemption to leave port in order to rescue a family stranded in their broken-down speedboat. Fortunately, the family was only a mile offshore, which meant it wasn’t as rough as it could have been further out. Still, the wind was ferocious.
The mother and children were crying, and the father was beginning to panic. It was far too rough to raft up to the boat, so we had to use a heaving line to get the tow line over to them. As the line was tossed, a gust of wind caught it and propelled it over the top of the boat. This actually worked in our favour, giving the father time to grab the line and attach the tow rope.
He requested to be taken to his mooring near the Sailing Club, from where he planned to use his tender to bring his family ashore. However, just as we were about to head to the mooring, his tender broke free. With the wind howling, an empty tender blew quickly across the water.
So, what to do? Having dealt with situations like this before, we circled back, passing the tender, turned around, and waited for it to blow back alongside us. Ray, was able to reach out with our long boat hook and snag the tender. He was nearly pulled overboard, but quick-thinking crew members grabbed him by the pants and pulled him back to safety. We secured the tender alongside and proceeded to the nearest mooring. Fortunately, with all the yachts having sought shelter, we had plenty of options for a safe mooring.
We were all relieved to head back to the safety of our berth at Coral Sea Marina.
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Contributed with thanks by Shane Newell, VMRW President.
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