31 August 2007 - 11:00 AM
Location : West Region
Media Release : Cliff Rescue
SES Volunteers rescue boat crew
State Emergency Service Volunteers from Port Lincoln responded to an
emergency distress call from a 50ft shark boat with two crew off
Moonlight Bay on Whalers' Way near Port Lincoln. 4-5 metre seas and
winds of 25 knots and gusting made conditions for rescue dangerous.
The boat had sheltered from the gale force winds near Cape Carnot.
The boat ended up on rocks just a few metres from the base of a 12
metre cliff. The men were stranded on the rocks for about 4 hours but
police were able to locate them through the distress signal and rescue
Volunteers were called about 12.30.
The SES crew responded with abseiling equipment when it was clear that
they could not use boats in the rough sea. They abseiled to the rocks
below, then used a ladder to reach the men who were clinging to rocks.
A "flying fox" was used to get harnesses to the men and Port Lincoln
Unit member Colin Coates coaxed the men along the ladder and then
assisted them to the top of the cliff. The rescue helicopter provided
light from above for the rescue.
West Region SES Commander Robert Charlton said." The conditions were
appalling, it was dark and the rocks were sharp but our Volunteers are
trained for this type of work in the worst conditions. The Port
Lincoln Unit recently completed SES Vertical Rescue training and this
incident let them apply the techniques in difficult conditions. Colin
is a specialist in Vertical Rescue."
Tumby Bay SES, Police and the SA Ambulance Service also assisted at
the scene.
For media information call Judith Bleechmore on <<mobile ph#>>, or phone
Robert Charlton on <<mobile ph#>>
Click on the URL below to go to the full text of the message
http://www.ses.sa.gov.au/newmedia/articleDetail.asp?pArticleID=36
