On Friday Evening last week, VMR 448 Mackay received a call from a solo yachtie at Curlew Island, 50 miles Southeast of Mackay, who was having engine issues and due to wind direction unable to sail from his anchorage.
VMR’s Peter T (Skipper), Craig, Ian B, and Lachlan left Mackay in Mastermyne Rescue 5 at 12pm for the 2.5hr trip to assist.
The vessel owner, a VMR member, was an experienced mariner and the vessel was quickly put under tow, but with an average speed of only 6 knots.
Water was noticed coming into the towed vessel, and Craig volunteered to go aboard to help locate the issue.
Using a few bolts to fill holes, the water egress was stopped, as well as the engine issue which had caused the boat to fail.
With the approaching storms, the owner decided to continue the tow to safety rather than risk the waters himself.
With only an hour of tow remaining, both Hay Point and Mackay Harbour lost power and all shore-lights went dark, and the crew's night vision was obscured by the frequent lightning.
Although heavy rain, winds and lighting continued, the power came back to the Mackay Harbour just as the team entered the swing basin.
With the engine now running, the towed yacht was untied, and Craig and the owner motored into the Mackay Marina and berthed safely.
The VMR crew had Mastermyne Rescue 5 re-fuelled and tied up by 11pm, with everyone safe, and thanked the vessel owner for being prepared and staying calm during the entire activation.
The stormy conditions on Friday evening put one vessel in trouble
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