Trawler Tragedy

At 1:20am on 22nd May, Brunswick Rescue’s Boat Captain, Rob Goodacre was asleep when Sydney Water Police called requesting Brunswick Rescue to assist a 47foot Ketch which was in difficulties approx 10 nautical miles east of Hastings Point. Rob advised the Water Police that he would have to assess the condition of the Brunswick Bar to ascertain if it was safe to cross in the dark and see if he could raise a crew to man Sea Rescue One.

Having done the assessment and finding that the moon was almost full giving excellent visibility, Rob advised the Water Police that crew member, young Josh Brent and himself would put to sea in approx 15 minutes.

Travelling to the last known position Sea Rescue One had difficulty locating the vessel, Pacific Pearl as it had no power for lights, however with the assistance of the Coast Guard from Kingscliff it was eventually found.

The conditions at the time were 20 knot winds from the south with a 2.5 to 3 metre sea running making it difficult to hook up for a tow to safety. Eventually a tow line was attached and Sea Rescue One slowly made their way back to Brunswick being escorted by Kingscliff Coast Guard, which was very reassuring in case anything should go wrong.

Josh became very sea sick after the hook up and had a very hard time for the next 3 hours, but being the keen young crew member that he is, he soldiered on and eventually all three vessels arrived at the Brunswick Bar around 0530.

Assessing the bar conditions once again it was decided it was too dangerous and shallow to bring Ocean Pearl into the river so she was anchored up to await the flood tide when an attempt would be made to tow her into the river. Kingscliff Coast Guard was then relieved of its escort duties and returned to their base.

Rob & Josh returned to the boat shed, cradled the vessel and went home for hot showers so they could return at 0900 at which time it was decided that a bar crossing was still far too dangerous and the stricken vessel should be towed to safe anchorage at Byron Bay. This was finally achieved, although the tow rope broke on the way.

The whole operation was completed about 1230 with no further damage to the Ocean Pearl or Sea Rescue One.

In other news Brunswick Rescue will be participating in the Old & Gold Festival in Brunswick Heads on Saturday 7th June. There will be a sausage sizzle & garage sale at their head quarters located at the western end of Mullumbimbi Street, the road crew will be demonstrating the “jaws of life” and other equipment at 10am & 11:30am. So come along, meet your local rescue squad members, have something to eat and a cuppa and see this amazing equipment in action.

If you have anything you’d like to donate to the Rescue Squad garage sale just give Penny Fuller a call on 66 851 667, every little bit assists with the never ending task of raising funds to keep this wonderful voluntary organisation operating in Byron Shire.