Busy day for Sea Rescue in Carnarvon
Got a call from one of our base stations at 0730 this morning that a shark cat had tipped over half way to Koks island, got under way and passed a pro boat belonging to the cat's owners mate. We were about 1/2 a mile from them when they picked up a message from another boat outside the gap that another cat had been snottered by a wave as they went through.
Seeing as the upturned cats crew were in safe hands and extra help was only 20 minutes away we changed course to the SW and sped off towards the gap 12 nm away. With the swell running between 4-5 metres and a run out tide the waves were standing up and breaking all the way across when big sets came through. A quick sprint through and we were along side the 22 ft cat that looked like someone had slaughtered a cow in the cockpit, there was that much blood. The other boat that had rendered assistance asked if we needed any more help and after having a word with the two injured chaps we said for them to head off fishing and thanks for their help.
After getting both blokes on the rescue boat and attaching the tow rope reasonably short we headed back to the gap and hoped for a quiet spell for us to get through. All was going great guns and we were about 80 metres from the middle rock when the second wave back started breaking all the way across. Marvellous how quickly your plans change from 15 knts with a boat in tow to 25 knots and around the other side of the rock than planned.'Wasn't too worried about the boat in tow as long as we were safe thats all that mattered.
A groan from the passengers seat had us slowing right down to soften the ride for our injured passengers. For the run across the bay at 10-12 knots with a 1-1.5 metre sea and 15-20 knot southerly. With two ambulances waiting for us at the ramp one of the blokes said it was the longest two hours of his life and no wonder, after being xrayed he was found to have 6 broken ribs and a fractured sternum and his mate received 10 stitches in a cut to his head and some more in one of his heels.
Caught up with the skipper of the pro boat and they had to drop the tow because some of the survivors were becoming distressed and run them in. They anchored the upturned cat and marked its position, giving us the coordinates to send out warnings to shipping. Just before we put the boat back in its pen we spoke to another boat who had just come through that way and he said that they hadn't seen it so its probably sunk and gone for good.
Glad to get home, its been a long stressful day.
Wahoo
Posts: 243
Date Joined: 11/06/07
From someone that's been in strife in Carnarvon waters
before. Thanks carnarvonite and the rest of the sea rescue group.
Fishin for a feed and fun.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18232
Date Joined: 11/03/08
not a nice day by the
not a nice day by the sounds. not good to lose a boat but the important thing is the people are safe , bit banged up but safe. a boat can be replaced, a life cant.
well done yet again to those that brave the conditions to save others.
personally.i feel those conditions should never be fished and you gotta be mad to do so in a pleasure boat. i know pro.s go out but their boats are a bit bigger and they have to to earn a crust.no fish is worth risking your life over, weather it be l/based or out on the water
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
carnarvonite
Posts: 8699
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Inside
The first cat that we went out for is owned by a local who used to be a pro boat skipper and was half way across towards Koks island and on the inside of the bay, my guess is that something has damaged one pontoon causing it to flip because the conditions weren't too bad.
The other one was straight out bad luck, they'd sat and watched sets come through, counted wave patterns, done all the right things and then get one big wave out of the blue that busts them up. Luckily for them there wasn't another big set for the next twenty minutes allowing the tide to carry them out and away from the danger zone.
Both outboards lost their covers and no doubt are full of water as they were running when swamped, one seat was ripped off its base and the other had the top ripped off. Seems as the boat went through the top of the wave and free fell straight down on to its stern luckily coming to rest right way up and not going over backwards.
Muppet
Posts: 408
Date Joined: 23/11/09
good job
everyone alive and well. Boats dont matter. Thats all that counts.
good job on a busy day.
cheers
.
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Well done
I can never understand why people go out when it's like that just spoke to crayfishing mate at Jurien and he said same big swell and north tide but am sure people still go out I am a member of sea rescue at Jurien if all boaties joined the funds would go a lot further
big john
Posts: 8775
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Fark
Lucky boys. Good job Carnarvonite.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
out wide
Posts: 1535
Date Joined: 30/12/08
Well done John
You and the boys up there do a fantastic job.
nev
Posts: 193
Date Joined: 04/02/09
Thought it was a big day
up there for you John! Rang Miss Pheonix there this morning , heard you were out wide, gee lucky people for both Parties out there
snappermiles
Posts: 2102
Date Joined: 05/11/10
great work canarvonite
but why the hell would you go out there in 5 metre swells?? its just looking for problems
ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!
smiley
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 23/11/10
You would go snapper
I heard you were the only one going out last year at the macky islands when all the big boats stayed back due to dangerous conditions
snappermiles
Posts: 2102
Date Joined: 05/11/10
ah that was just a little wind chop
7 foot seas and calming off certainly wasnt dangerous!
ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
well done guys
the amature fishing people owe all of you a big thank you
Perry Home
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 07/10/10
Great Work Carnarvonite
What a fantastic effort - sounds like conditions were off tap! You guys are worth your weight in gold when in comes to saving lives
" Both outboards lost their covers and no doubt are full of water as they were running when swamped, one seat was ripped off its base and the other had the top ripped off. Seems as the boat went through the top of the wave and free fell straight down on to its stern luckily coming to rest right way up and not going over backwards."
Thats a serious effort to trash the boat.They were definitely lucky/ unlucky but check out what was posted in the West today - science based study on Rogue waves. Link below
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13345555/lego-proves-rogue-wave-theory/
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18232
Date Joined: 11/03/08
just remind me never go go
just remind me never go go out to sea in a lego boat.
does make sence in a way
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
CAPTAIN BERNIE
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 09/01/08
well done to the boys at
well done to the boys at carnarvon sea search and rescue, and the holidays havent started yet, the coral bay rescue group has had one tow in already this week
deepwater
Posts: 1921
Date Joined: 09/05/07
good work there dad ,now
good work there dad ,now alought more people under stand how important the sea rescue is and the work you do ever day ,love you dad
jeff
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15662
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Onya
Good onya John, hope you had a well deserved beer at the end of the day for all your tiring efforts.
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dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Great work mate - good on you
Great work mate - good on you guys for getting out there and putting in your time
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
great work guys,the sea is
great work guys,
the sea is always a perilist place to play.
Well done to all the rescue crews.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Good work, was that you on
Good work, was that you on ABC radio today??
carnarvonite
Posts: 8699
Date Joined: 24/07/07
ABC
Yep, not a great lover of being interviewed, bit out of my comfort zone but think it went ok.
Late news---The first cat to go over was being towed in and they snapped all the ropes trying to drag it against the tide, anchored it and set a flashing light on the marker buoy and left it to return at 0330 this morning, all gone, she's sunk and the tide has moved it well away from the area as soundings produce nothing. It was about 1 1/2 -2 nm north west of the jetty in 10 metres of water. With the forecast not looking too good for the next few days I don't like the chances of finding it.
The skipper was very lucky to get out as it went over because he got trapped inside the bimmy clears and was nearly out of breath when he surfaced.
One of the chaps from the gap incident is still in hospital and expected to fly home tomorrow if things improve. Another chap from in their group has gone south with the cat owner to assist in the drive back to the wheatbelt town so hope their trip is a safer one than the fishing trip.
harro
Posts: 1959
Date Joined: 07/02/08
well done john and sea rescue
very heavy conditions john, exxy was hard work today also, big swells, and wind,
stay safe everyone,
:::: Bass Hunter ::::
carnarvonite
Posts: 8699
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Phone call
Got a phone call while on radio duty this morning from one of the chaps we rescued. He's just beginning to see out of his closed up eye from all the swelling on his head and he reckons that he's black, blue and yellow from all the bruises coming out.
His offsider is being released from hospital today for the drive back south with his missus who drove up to keep him company while he was in.
Yesterday [Sat] was another busy day for us with a 35 foot cat yacht bogged on a sandbar at the entrance to the Fascine and a night to -in of a 25 foot boat that ran out of fuel after being syphoned the night before without the owners knowledge, buggers--over 300 litres gone.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18232
Date Joined: 11/03/08
at least there was no
at least there was no casualties other than the second boat owners wallet being drained of funds after the tank being drained of gas.
only going to get busies for you guys with the terrorists heading your way for the next few months
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
carnarvonite
Posts: 8699
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Anzac day
The seagulls [retirees] usually arrive after Anzac day but don't give us too much trouble as most stay in close because of only having dinghys. Carnarfin comp also is usually quiet because they get set up for the whole weeks fishing and make sure everything is spot on.
The main ones are visitors who stop over for a couple of days and have no idea what conditions are like here compared to down south and Exmouth. The short sharp chop inside the bay can be very scarey and shake you teeth loose if you don't know how to handle it.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18232
Date Joined: 11/03/08
lets just hope all is good
lets just hope all is good up your way.
i know what you mean about the bay. boneshattering . also bits of boats loosen up a bit.
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Wheatbelt Catch 22
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 08/04/12
Big Thanks
Would Like to send a HUGE thank you to all those concerned with my rescue on 4-4-12 from the passage between the islands.
The Professionalism Skill and Courtesy shown by the skipper and crew was Fantastic.
My mate got home today. It will be awhile before his bones mend but is happy to be home after a long uncomfortable drive.
I hope more people join Sea Rescue it is a great services.
Don't think i'll attempt that gap again, i'll just put more fuel in at the end of the day!!!!
Cheers
carnarvonite
Posts: 8699
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Thanks
Thanks for your kind comments.
Bet your mate John? knows every little bump in the road all the way back to Cunderdin and every wave between the Gap and Carnarvon.Good to hear he is home safe and well not so sound for a while. How is you head and all the swelling coming on?
The Gap can be safe if there is bugger all swell and an ingoing tide any other time and it can and will be dangerous to anyone who isn't familiar with it.
Wheatbelt Catch 22
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 08/04/12
Thanks
Yeah the head is coming along ok still a bit of swelling in my eyes.
Go and see Doc tommorrow Re; stitches I think they may stay in a bit longer.
I think we caught the Gap at about high tide which i thought would have been good with deeper water in it. Apparently not I guess with the current running.
All the best hope your not too busy!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8699
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Serious
Nothing too serious to keep us busy, a yacht running aground at the Fascine entrance [1st of many] and a 25 footer running out of fuel half way back from Koks, both on Saturday.
Welcome aboard, good to see you have signed up to the site, plenty of info if you need it and a lot of people who go out of their way to help others in many different ways.