Rescue efforts in rough waters save lives
Two men have been rescued from their sinking boat by a quick-thinking sergeant from Bundaberg last night.
At around 7:30pm, police from Bundaberg Patrol Group were alerted to a boat crash at Elliott River.
Both men were in a 28-foot Hartley design plywood vessel heading to Yeppoon from Burrum Heads.
The rough conditions led to the vessel becoming aground on rocks at the Elliott river entrance at Dr Mays Island and was taking water.
At around 8:10pm it appeared the vessel had a crack in the hull and approximately one foot of water was inside, with the water level rising.
At 9pm water was approximately three foot deep in hull.
At 10:20pm the flooding tide was 2.86 metres high.
These treacherous conditions restricted Volunteer Marine Rescue from attending and the State Emergency Service flood boat from Elliott Heads was put to use.
Police were able to travel with the SES crew to the scene, however due to the rough sea conditions, the SES boat was unable to be placed near the stranded vessel.
As a result the SES vessel propeller was severely damaged by rocks and was swamped by waves.
Determined to fulfil his duty to protect and help those in need of assistance, Detective Sergeant Andrew Self bravely swam out approximately 50 metres from the SES boat to the stranded vessel and rescued both males.
The 72-year-old man was extremely frail, without any strength or use of his legs and was able to be placed safely on the SES boat, with the 29-year-old able to climb in.
Queensland Ambulance Service were in attendance at Riverview boat ramp to treat both males for minor injuries, shock and hypothermia.
A number of organisations involved in this marine incident included:
- Queensland Police Service
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
- Maritime Safety Queensland
- Rescue Coordination Centre Canberra
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (State Emergency Service)
- Volunteer Marine Rescue
Central Region Assistant Commissioner Alistair Dawson expressed his appreciation to all members, both police and volunteers who took part in this rescue.
“Rescues can be complicated on a good day and I would like to applaud and acknowledge the tenacity, bravery and courage in undertaking this particular rescue and for the saving of life,” Assistant Commissioner Dawson said.
Audio from today’s media conference with Senior Sergeant Glenn Cameron, the Acting Officer in Charge of Bundaberg Police can be downloaded here: https://d2haxmvzil2swt.cloudfront.net/uploads/2017/09/11/133321_MarineIncident.mp3
Note: The age of the older gentleman rescued is 72 not 79 as mentioned in the media conference.
Source: Brisbane Crime Alert
