On the 4th of January the Whitsunday’s Volunteer Marine Rescue was tasked to respond to an EPIRB activation out near Round Head. Communication attempts were not possible as the vessel had no radio or mobile and the responders headed out for the rescue fearing the worst.
Around 9:30pm the team of VMR1 headed out to the coordinates that placed the distressed boat close to the shore. Its location was exposed to the 17 knot easterlies and some pushy waves, so the crew wondered if it was just going to be the beacon that they would find. With the lack of communication their main concerns where the condition of the boat and the health of its occupants, so VMR1 brought QAS paramedics with them just in case.
When they rounded Round Head, they breathed relief at the sight of the navigation lights bobbing up and down, horizontally placed and swinging side to side. This indicated the boat was above water and floating, not listing as they feared. Surmising the vessel was anchored and likely fine, the VMR1 crew sent out their tender to check if the people were ok too.
As the water was not deep enough for the larger VMR1, crewmates M and Rodney were dispatched in the tender boat to bring back anyone who may need treatment. The waters were too rough for the QAS to go themselves safely but fortunately there was only one on board.
The man was fine, just new to his position as a boat owner and captain. He had not prepared for his evening of fishing and had no working radio or navigation gear on the boat, or a mobile phone on his person. The EPIRB was triggered when he tried to call for help as his boat was pushed onto the rocks and washed over by the rough waves. The man was able to get his motor up and running and ultimately helped himself off the rocks to safer waters. He told the VMR1 crew that he was fine now and would motor back to his home port in the morning.
Once an EPIRB is set off, it must be located and switched off, having a radio or mobile phone will let rescue services like the VMR Whitsundays find you faster and provide you with better help if they know the situation for the rescue or if it’s a false alarm. So, advice to all water-goers: make sure you have some form of communication with you when you head out to sea, otherwise don’t go. Good work team of the VMR1- Rodney, M, Donna and skipper Shane!
Photo Sourced: VMR Whitsunday Facebook
VMR1 responding to the EPIRB distress call.
Skipper Shane navigating to the distress coordinates.
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