Charter boat aids rescue thanks to flares
20/01/2021
A charter boat spotted a catamaran in trouble off Kangaroo Island, Australia, after seeing flares and came to the rescue.
The 7.5-metre aluminium fishing boat started taking on water one day early in January and sank off the north coast.
The owners and five teenagers on board pulled up anchor and headed back to the coast, but the motor and electrical system failed, reports TheIslanderOnline.
In less than a minute the vessel flipped and became partially submerged. The owner activated an EPIRB and used his waterproof mobile phone to call a friend, who raised the alarm.
An Emu Bay Fishing Charters boat was in the area. It pinpointed the catamaran thanks to flares set off by the owner.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority was about to send a helicopter to search, but it was not needed.
Jamieson Marine and a 22-metre private vessel in the vicinity towed the disabled catamaran to Emu Bay. It was then recovered.
The owner thanked the rescuers and promised to carry an easily accessible waterproof “ditch bag” containing life jackets and other emergency gear.
