Tinny Rescured from the Shallows

VMR team helping stranded tinny near Gloucester Island. Photo sourced: Marine Rescue Whitsundays  

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A routine afternoon quickly turned into a rescue mission for the Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Whitsunday crew, who travelled to Gloucester Island to assist two people stranded aboard a broken-down tinny in shallow waters.  

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With Bowen’s rescue crew already responding to another task, the call was redirected to the VMR Whitsundays team, whose crew of skipper Bill, senior crew Mike, communications officer Ray and crew member Mark departed from Coral Sea Marina shortly before 3 pm.  

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After navigating Gloucester Passage on a falling tide, the crew arrived to find the disabled vessel exactly where expected but faced the reality that it was sitting in just one metre of water, too shallow for their rescue vessel to safely approach.

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Fortunately, another fishing boat nearby stepped in to tow the stranded tinny into deeper water, allowing the Marine Rescue crew to safely transfer the two occupants aboard and begin the return journey.

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The vessel then headed for Dingo Beach boat ramp, where the team used their tender to guide the disabled vessel through the shallow approach as low tide set in.

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With the tinny safely ashore, the crew returned to Coral Sea Marina, wrapping up another volunteer mission that highlighted the teamwork, skill and dedication of those who answer the call when someone who needs help on the water.

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