Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba towing disabled fishing vessel to safety

by Ken McManus on 23 Oct 2014 This afternoon Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba was sent to the aid of a commercial fishing boat from Wooli with a disabled engine adrift 15 nautical miles east of Sandon River, south of Yamba.

Rescue vessel Iluka Yamba 30 located the fishing boat at 5:30pm approximately 24m south east of Yamba. It had drifted 3 nm from its original position and is now under tow to Yamba.

Maine Rescue NSW Regional Controller Northern Rivers, Stephen Reading, said 'There are two people on board the disabled vessel and both are ok.'

'The current weather and sea conditions are poor with winds from the northeast blowing at up 20 knots and the tow to safety is expected to take around four hours.'

'Although the disabled boat is from Wooli, it is being taken to Yamba which is a safer option in current conditions and tide at the Wooli bar.'

A strong wind warning is forecast for tomorrow on local coastal Marine Rescue NSW