Rescue on the High Seas

St Helens Marine Rescue to the Rescue after dark Thursday January 30th. Rodney, JD and Ken launched RV Georges Bay at Burns Bay on their way to an emergency at The Gardens in the Bay of Fires. A yacht had lost its mast and had rigging tangled around the prop. At 2125 hours they passed Elephant Rock in 2 – 3 metre seas powered by 30 knot SE winds.
At 2200 hours they rendezvoused with the yacht 2 nautical miles north of The Gardens and 1 nautical mile out to sea after requesting those on board to anchor in 40 metre water and set off a flare.
The occupants on the yacht abandoned ship via a rubber dinghy where the crew of RV Georges Bay took them on board. Both crew members were cold & wet. Once on board they were stowed in the forward cabin wrapped in woollen blankets.
At 2310 hours RV Georges Bay returned to Burns Bay where TasPol took the yacht crew to warm and secure accommodation in St Helens.
The crew of RV Georges Bay eventually signed off at 0100 hours and retired home for a well earned rest.