Just after 5pm, as the unit was closing for the night and the executive committee of the unit were holding their monthly meeting, a five metre trailer sailer with two crew from the Blue Mountains hit the reef at the entrance to Currambene Creek, in full view of the MRJB duty officer Graham Robbins and a number of holidaymakers walking around Voyager Park.

As events unfolded, a small crowd gathered to watch as the floundering yacht eventually lost its mast.  

The duty watch briefed the Unit Commander, Kevin Hill, and rapidly actioned the crew of Colin Woods, Marine Rescue Jervis Bay’s larger rescue vessel (JB40), to assist the boat in distress.

Within 30 minutes JB40 was launched from HMAS Creswell and was being positioned in the shallow water to get a tow line onboard.  

JB40 skipper Greg Atkinson did a fantastic job in windy conditions and with an ebbing tide to get the bow within range to pass a line, while keeping the stern in deeper, rock-free water.  

Once the line was attached, he reversed away while the MRJB crew transferred the line to the stern of JB40.  

As the line took the strain, the skipper of the stricken vessel retrieved his anchor and was safely towed away from danger to the visitor’s mooring at Shark Net beach.

The crews performed a textbook vessel assist in demanding conditions.

Unit commander Kevin Hill commended all of the volunteers involved.  

“All water users are encouraged to log-in with their nearest Marine Rescue NSW unit when on the water and to drop into the unit if unfamiliar with the area to get their bearings,” he said.

More information is available at Marine Rescue Jervis Bay website http://marinerescuejervisbay.org.au or on their Facebook page.