Heli-rescue for hapless yachties aground in Sydney Harbour
by BW Media roundup on 22 May 2009
Yacht aground in Sydney Harbour, as taken by Nine MSN News SW
It was a surprise awakening for two hapless yachties who found themselves aground on the rocks near Manly in Sydney Harbour at 6.00am yesterday(Thursday).
Not knowing where they were, and not having a GPS on board, the two men continually dialled the triple zero emergency number.
The rescue was delayed firstly because the men didn't know where they were, (no cross streets) and when finally located at Grotto Point, rescue boats couldn't get close enough for safety reasons to perform the rescue of the two men.
Rescue authorities then called the police rescue helicopter, which arrived and the operatives were finally able to winch the men from the stranded yacht.
Inspector Donna Bruce has urged all boaties to always keep track of their location.
'Skippers are reminded they should keep note of their location at all times to ensure early rescue in the case of such events,' Insp Bruce said in statement.
At time of writing the yacht remains stranded on the rocks at Grotto Point.
Letter from reader
Sender: Michael Kalajzich
>
> Message: Another example of 'no common sense'. Just idiots!
> If these people were in fact yachties why did they not use their radio(VHF) to call Coast Guard or Coastal Patrol.
> How could they be on a yacht in the type of weather Sydney was experiencing without checking where they were?
> There fools only endanger those who have to rescue them.
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