
On 22nd February Middle Harbour 30 assisted a sailing vessel arriving from New Zealand that had suffered an engine failure and would be unable to safely make it to a berth.
The 46-foot 20 ton, vessel had departed from Nelson, New Zealand and was destined for Coffs Harbour as part of a shakedown cruise prior to a longer voyage. Due to adverse weather in Northern NSW and Queensland the skipper decided to make for Sydney. During the passage the vessel had experienced the engine failure.
On Saturday Marine Rescue Sydney received notice of a sailing vessel arriving from a foreign port that had experienced engine failure and thus would be unable to safely make it to a berth. Marine Rescue Sydney tasked Middle Harbour 30 to make contact with the yacht on Sunday morning and tow the vessel to a safe anchorage where Australian Customs officials could complete the official entry requirements for the passengers.
On Sunday morning the crew of Middle Harbour MH30 under the command of Ben Crowther made contact with the visiting yacht and confirmed its position off Long Reef making way at 5 knots. As the visitors’ plans changed mid-voyage, they did not yet have a berth confirmed in Sydney. Marine Rescue Middle Harbour organised a berth for them at the Sydney Cruising Yacht Club and liaised with Australian Customs to meet them at CYC.
MH30 met the visiting yacht about 2NM off North Head. With only a single pass of the vessel the crew of MH30 was able to pass the tow line in very sloppy seas and take the yacht under tow.
Even with the sailing vessel being 8 feet longer and more than double the displacement of MH30, MH30 was able to navigate the tight access to the berth at the CYC and safely dock the vessel where Australian Customs officials were waiting to complete the passengers entry requirements.





