RABY Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue have warned boat owners moored in Moreton Bay to check their mooring lines for strength and use two anchors rather than one in strong winds.
The advice has come after three Raby Bay VMR crew personnel were deployed last Thursday to rescue an owner-occupied yacht which was beached overnight near Raby Bay’s Masthead Drive.
Raby Bay VMR spokesman Carsten Thomsen said strong northerly winds, which measured about 52km/h at 4.30pm on Wednesday, August 16, had caused the 22-tonne sailing vessel to drift to shore.
Strong winds and rough conditions meant the yacht’s rescue was delayed until the next morning for safety reasons.
Mr Thomsen said the mishap created a spectacle for nearby park users.
“Clearly, the public took great interest in the new feature on the beach, for the duration of its stay there,” he said. “(However) it is not uncommon for vessels to be blown onto the Raby Bay beach during strong northerlies.”
He said an excavator was used to dig sand away from the boat’s keel on Thursday after an early morning attempt to refloat it failed due to a small tide.
“A first attempt to recover the boat was made at the first high tide at 4.30am, but there was insufficient water to float it out with the first high tide being only 1.7-meters,” he said.
A second successful attempt made during a 2.1-metre tide about 6pm.
“Once the tow rope from the rescue vessel had been secured to the beached vessel, the rescue operation took about three to four minutes until the boat was afloat again,” Mr Thomsen said.
“The owner was very thankful for the support from VMR and, naturally, to be afloat again.”
“...Vessels which are secured to permanent moorings there are normally fine during windy conditions, except for very high winds.
“Vessels like the 22 ton sailing yacht ... can be more exposed.”
Mr Thomsen said all boat owners should check mooring lines for strength and wear, ensure appropriate knots were used and that cleats, staghorns and other fittings were in good condition.
“When high winds are expected it is also advisable to seek more sheltered anchorage and also consider deploying two rather than one anchor,” he said.
He said the base’s RBIII rescue vessel, which is a 10.5-metre Cougarcat Catamaran with twin 300 HP outboards, was used for the rescue.
Raby Bay VMR is at 17 William Street, Cleveland. Visit their Facebook page here.
