On April 28, 2025, Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Whitsunday was called into action to assist a broken-down vessel just north of Hayman Island. A quiet afternoon of rest before scheduled meetings was suddenly interrupted by the activation. Ray, the 24/7 emergency phone holder, tasked the crew with the rescue operation, which turned out to be five nautical miles north of the shipping channel.
As Ray gathered a crew, the team made their way to Coral Sea Marina.
Upon arrival, the crew quickly assembled and were underway by 15:15. With the tide at an unusually low 0.2m, manoeuvring was challenging, but the crew made swift work of it. The wind was easterly at 11 knots, the skies clear, and few vessels were in sight. Once clear of the markers, they were traveling at 24 knots, heading north toward the stranded vessel, guided by the provided latitude and longitude.
By 16:45, the vessel was securely in tow. Although seas were a little lumpy, the crew adjusted their speed to ensure a steady and safe journey. As they headed toward Coral Sea Marina, the crew was treated to a stunning sunset, marking a peaceful end to the towing operation. Once near the marina, the assisted vessel was rafted alongside VMR1, and by 18:20, the vessel was safely delivered to the public jetty.
After refueling, the crew returned to their berth at N1 to complete paperwork, wash down, and debrief. By 19:00, everything was complete, and the operation was wrapped up smoothly.
The rescue highlighted the skill, coordination, and safety awareness of the volunteer crew. A big thank you goes to Geoff, Dick, Mahesha, Rodney, and Paul for their professionalism and dedication in making the operation look effortless.
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