On Monday 7th October there was a call for assistance by a 44 foot catamaran weighing about 13 ton with 4 people on board. Middle Harbour 30 was dispatched however, Port Jackson 30 was only 5 minutes away and arrived on the scene first. The PJ30 had just attached a tow line to the stricken vessel which had lost propulsion and in the strong winds it was dragging its anchor and drifting toward the rocks as MH30 arrived. The skipper of PJ30 asked that MH30 stand by in case required whilst they towed the vessel into deeper water, as they were approaching deeper water the PJ30’s tow line snapped. The winds were about 25Kts and were blowing the stricken vessel once again toward the shore line. PJ30 did a quick fix and again attached a tow line and pulled the vessel to safer waters. It was at this point the skipper on PJ30 made the decision and asked that MH30 take over the task as he had serious doubt that the existing tow rope was able to support
this larger vessel in a tow which would take an additional 1.5 hours to get the vessel to its mooring. Middle harbour 30 crew were aware of the situation through constant communication between the two MR vessels. MH30 had everything at the ready in anticipation and with in a minute had takes the stricken vessel into tow, then safely transported the vessel and its relieved passengers to its mooring in Drumoyne. This was a good result for the owner of the distressed vessel and its passengers and it demonstrated the professionalism, co-operation and support between the two Marine Rescue units supporting the boating community in Sydney Harbour and its surrounds.
Story and Photo by
David Crofts: MH30
