Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie have assisted a solo sailor to safety after his vessel lost power while approaching the Hastings River Bar today.
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie Watch Officer Richard Raab received a call just after 12 p.m. from the skipper of a 10-metre yacht requesting assistance following engine failure.
“He came too close to Town Beach and the Bar and phoned in saying he had lost power. We asked him to keep sailing further out, which he was able to do,” Mr Raab said.
A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie was quickly assembled and deployed on board rescue vessel Port Macquarie 21.
“It was not a hazardous situation, but it involved quite a bit of work,” he said.
Mr Raab said a towline was secured to the yacht, which was then guided safely across the bar into the Hastings River.
“The yacht is now safely moored at the public mooring and our crew has returned to base.”
The skipper of the disabled yacht was Logged On with Marine Rescue NSW at the time of the incident.
Marine Rescue NSW encourages all boaters to Log On either via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16. Logging On ensures Marine Rescue NSW volunteers keep watch for a boater’s safe return.
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