Southern Peninsula
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Editor: Keith Platt 5979 8564 or 0439 394 707 Journalist: Mike Hast 5979 8564 Photographer: Yanni 0419 592 594 Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic Design: Stephanie Loverso, Tonianne Delaney Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: David Harrison, Barry Irving, Cliff Ellen, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Gary Turner. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 E-mail: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2014 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2014
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Give your septic the flush!
NEWS DESK
Fishermen rescued as wave tips boat By Chris Brennan TWO fishermen were taken to hospital, one in a critical condition, after a large wave capsized their boat off Point Nepean on Saturday. A 25-year-old Rowville man found floating face-down in the water was rescued by a passing commercial fishing boat operator about 9.30am. He was taken to Queenscliff where water police officers administered first aid before he was flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital. The boat’s owner, a 36-year-old Mornington man, was found washed up near Cheviot Beach by a police helicopter about 9.40am. He was winched aboard and flown to Rosebud Hospital for treatment of cuts and bruises. The incident follows three sea rescues involving the police air wing and water police already this month. Two Mornington Peninsula fishermen were rescued by police helicopter after their boat capsized about four kilometres off the coast of Tootgarook last week. A 34-year-old man of Rosebud and a 22-year-old of Rye were winched to safety after being spotted by Victoria Police air wing about two nautical miles (3.7 kilometres) north of the Tootgarook boat ramp at 1pm on Tuesday 4 February. Victoria Police rescue coordination centre launched an air and sea search
about 12.50pm after receiving reports of two people in the water. Police said the men’s boat had overturned after taking on water during a fishing trip. They were spotted within 10 minutes of the search starting, and winched to safety aboard the police helicopter. Neither sustained any injuries. Water Police Sergeant Andrew Lilly said the incident served another timely reminder of the inherent dangers of boating and was the third such rescue within 24 hours. “In this case, the two fishermen were wearing lifejackets and stayed with their overturned boat, which probably saved their lives,” he said. “It was another lucky outcome from a potentially life-threatening situation. “We cannot stress the importance of water safety enough – please always ensure you have the necessary safety equipment on board and check the weather conditions before heading out on the water.” The previous day, three yachtsmen attempting to sail from Melbourne to Tasmania were rescued 53 nautical miles off Wilsons Promontory after their 11-metre, twin-masted yacht was overwhelmed in turbulent seas. The sailors, including one man aged in his 70s, were located by an Ambulance Victoria helicopter after setting off the yacht’s distress beacon. They were rescued by a passing cargo ship at 9.45pm on Monday 3 February.
Earlier that day, a man and his threelegged dog were rescued after they became stranded in their 3.6-metre fibreglass vessel in Port Phillip near Point Cook. The Victoria Police Rescue Coordination Centre launched an air and sea search about 5pm on Monday after reports the man, 43, had not returned to shore. They were located near Point Cook about 6.20pm by the Victoria Police helicopter and rescued by a Water Police vessel a short time later. Police said the Portarlington man had not been wearing a lifejacket. Water Police Leading Senior Constable Mark Hurwood said the man and his dog were lucky to have survived their ordeal and issued a reminder to all boat users to ensure they wear an approved lifejacket. “We were concerned because of the weather conditions out on the bay this afternoon. The outcome of this rescue could have been very different,” he said. “Victoria Police urges all boat users to always wear an approved lifejacket. This is required by law for vessels 4.8 metres and under, when people are alone or at night. “We also want people to check the weather before they go out, let someone know before they go and where they are going, and make sure they always stay with their boat or craft.”
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Southern Peninsula News 11 February 2014