Rough night on the water

By Samantha Elley

It was a busy night for members of Marine Rescue last week when two vessels got into trouble on Tuesday night.

The first was at 6pm when volunteer radio operators at Ballina received a mayday call for a 41 foot yacht that had run aground at Flat Rock near Skennars Head.

“Brunswick Heads Marine Rescue were tasked but they were then stood down as the two people aboard were assisted off,” said a spokesperson for Marine Rescue.

The skipper sustained minor injuries in the form of scratches and the passenger’s head had slammed into the bulkhead when the vessel ran aground.

A commercial operator will need to be engaged to salvage the vessel.

At Brunswick Heads, volunteers from Marine Rescue Brunswick battled darkness and deteriorating conditions overnight to save three men stranded on Cocked Hat Rock, part of the Three Sisters south of Byron Bay.

Volunteer radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Macquarie received multiple calls just before 9pm.

Marine Rescue Brunswick was requested to assist by the NSW Police Marine Area Command.

Marine Rescue Brunswick Unit Commander and rescue vessel skipper Glen Parker said his crew used thermal imaging technology and floodlights to locate the three men on Cocked Hat Rock.

“We communicated with them through the hailer. They were relieved to see us but clearly distressed,” he said.

“The men told us they had paddled out to the rock, but their kayak had been swept away by the swell, leaving them stranded.

“Our crew threw a lifeline to the rock and, one by one, the three men made their way through the water from the rock to the rescue vessel.

“Once onboard, their condition was assessed and space blankets were provided. They were extremely cold but in good spirits and grateful for the assistance.”

Deteriorating sea conditions slowed the journey back to Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour, with Brunswick 30 arriving shortly after 4am, where NSW Ambulance paramedics were waiting to assess and treat the men.