Crowdy Harrington Marine Rescue (MR) base received a request for assistance from a stricken 6.9 metre half cabin Camcraft with two persons on board on Sunday, October 6.

The Camcraft had lost all power to all systems, so was unable to radio for help. Lucky for them they had their mobile phones with them and were able to call the base directly.

MR radio operators sprang into action to arrange for a watch officer and boat crew to assist in the recovery.

Rescue vessel CB30 was dispatched from Crowdy Harbour at 12.20pm with three crew on board. Skipper Kevin Nichols navigated the rough conditions with assistance from his able crewman, Kevin Bailey and Peter Ward.

Strong wind gusts of up to 25 knots and a sea swell of up to three metres made for a very difficult rescue.

The Camcraft had drifted nine nautical miles from its original GPS coordinates by the time CB30 located them. Due to the hazardous conditions CB30 maintained a speed of 5-6 knots whilst towing the stricken vessel back to Crowdy Harbour.

CB30 travelled approximately 42 nautical miles - consumed just under 200 litres of fuel and the crew were on the water from 12.20pm until 5.30pm.

The skipper of the rescued Camcraft returned to Crowdy Harrington MR base the next day with a donation to express his thanks for the base's assistance.

Crowdy Harrington MR's team of radio operators and boat crew accomplished the rescue in difficult conditions, volunteers saving lives on the water.

The base's second rescue for the previous month was a Waverider buoy that had broken away from its mooring.

A Waverider buoy measures and reports deepwater wave data e.g. wave height, sea temperature, wave direction and wave periods. To provide deepwater wave data, the buoys are typically moored in water depths between 70 and 100 metres, between six and 12 kilometres from the shoreline.

CB30 was dispatched with four crew onboard and travelled about 12 nautical miles in total to return the Waverider to Crowdy Harbour.

The Waverider has now been re-moored into position.

The Marine Rescue thanked stallholders and visitors who attended its markets on October 7. All funds raised from these markets will go towards the running costs of both of the rescue vessels and base.

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Many thanks to Harrigan's Irish Pub, Harrington Bowling Club your continued support!

Marine Rescue Crowdy Harrington, 02 6556 1564