Fishermen rescued in shark infested waters
Published: November 4, 2005
THE skipper of a Territory prawn trawler was rescued just moments before his boat sank in shark-infested waters.
Authorities received a distress call from the 20m Arafura Pearl about 4.30pm on Wednesday. They were told that four crew were abandoning the vessel 14 nautical miles off Cape Grey in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Customs despatched a rescue boat from Nhulunbuy and other fishing boats and a shipping barge that were in the area also provided assistance.
About 50 minutes after the distress call was made the crew of another prawn trawler, the Dolphin Pearl, intercepted the stricken crew who were already positioned in an emergency dinghy. But the skipper remained on the sinking boat until the arrival of rescuers and jumped to safety moments before his trawler sunk 32m to the bottom of the sea.
Nhulunbuy Police Senior Sergeant Tony Fuller said the shaken skipper and his crew, two men and a woman, were extremely thankful for everyone who answered their SOS.
“They were particularly thankful to the crews aboard the Dolphin Pearl, Perkins Shipping’s Calendan Bay and the Customs boat for their efforts,” he said.
“The crew noticed the boat was taking water rapidly and despite their best efforts there was nothing they could do to stop it from sinking.
“They were very fortunate as one of them woke up to check on something in the afternoon while the others were all sleeping and noticed the boat was taking water.
“They set off the distress signal and the boat sunk just moments before the skipper dived off.
“As well as thanking their rescuers they were very appreciative of the electronic safety devices that enabled them to pinpoint their exact location.
“The actions of the crews of all boats that responded is an indication of what lengths people will go to to help out others in need.”
The crew of the Dolphin Pearl re-supplied their trawler in Nhulunbuy yesterday before returning to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
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