newy.com.au – Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers rescued two anglers whose disabled boat was about 30 metres from a rocky outcrop off Moon Island after its anchor rope snapped in choppy conditions.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Joel Pemberton said the anglers called for assistance on Saturday afternoon, 24 October, after their 5.1 metre runabout suffered battery failure.
The boat was anchored off the island while the pair tried to restart it. Rescue vessel Lake Macquarie 31 was sent to help, but the anchor rope broke while the crew was on its way, forcing the anglers to paddle away from rocks.
Inspector Pemberton said the runabout was in danger of being blown onto the outcrop, known as a bommie, and the skipper reported that the pair were beginning to tire. The rescue crew reached them when their boat was about 30 metres from the hazard.
“Our crew secured the disabled vessel and checked on the welfare of the two people on board before safely returning them and their boat to Pelican boat ramp,” he said.
Inspector Pemberton credited the vessel crew and volunteer radio operators at the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Search and Rescue Coordination Centre for their coordinated response.
