Skippers urged to log all offshore trips

11:35 AM Tue 13 Jan 2009 GMT

NSW Maritime is urging skippers heading offshore to log their trip before setting out following a dramatic rescue yesterday.

This follows the rescue of three people after their 7.5 metre runabout sank off Merimbula.

NSW Maritime General Manager Recreational Boating Brett Moore said skippers travelling away from sheltered waters should ensure they contact their local coastal radio base - advising the trip plan and estimated time of return - before setting out.

'A radio check also should be carried out,' Mr Moore said.

A runabout with three men on board was found shortly before dark in a search and rescue operation involving aircraft and vessels.

The men had contacted the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol advising they were taking on water but heading back to Merimbula, and then did not return and could not be contacted.

NSW Water Police recovered the men who did the right thing put on their lifejackets and stayed with their upturned craft aiding rescue efforts.

'These three men were lucky,' Mr Moore said.

'But this incident highlights the importance of letting people know where you are going, and checking your radio communication equipment is working properly.

'Wearing your lifejacket in declining weather conditions saves lives' Mr Moore said.

www.waterways.nsw.gov.au

by NSW Maritime

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing #Boating

Sailing

Reefing: Read the Signs, Act Early

Sailing

Read the Wind: Judge Its Force Without a Gauge

Sailing

Reefing Early: Shorten Sail Before It's Too Late

Sailing

The Beaufort Scale: How We Learned to Rank Wind

Sailing

QLD Coast in Winter: Dry Season Tactics

Sailing

Overnight at Anchor: Setting Up Right

Nearby
North Head, NSW	9 kn SSE
Little Bay, NSW	9 kn S
Cronulla, NSW	10 kn S
Windiest in Australia
Maatsuyker Island, TAS	41 kn NW	10°
Most Windless in Australia
Fawkner Beacon, VIC	Calm
Hottest in Australia
Jabiru Airport, NT	5 kn E	36°
Coldest in Australia
Mount Read, TAS	11 kn SW	3°
Wettest in Australia
Mount Magnet Airport, WA	12.0 mm

Skippers urged to log all offshore trips

VHF Radio on the Water: Channels and Calls

Heave-To: Sailing's Emergency Pause Button

Reefing Early: Shorten Sail Before You Must

Live Weather

Nearby

Windiest in Australia

Most Windless in Australia

Hottest in Australia

Coldest in Australia

Wettest in Australia

Sailing Articles

Buy & Sell

JP Australia Wide Body Pro Edition

2026 Tribal Rapid Speed Board

2025 Kt Surfing Nomad

2026 Duotone Sky Style Sls

2023 Infinity New Deal

2024 Severne Moto 7.2

2024 Ozone Vortex

Weather

Activities

About

Other

Support