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The East Kimberley Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue Group managed a difficult rescue on Saturday. A new boating enthusiast, in his brand-new boat and on his first trip out hit a rock and damaged his prop. He couldn't get the motor to start again and thinking the Cambridge Gulf was too deep to drop an anchor, he drifted in rough conditions. |
A 20-knot northeasterly took him into a strong swell, making it hard for the rescue boat to get him under tow. Back at Wyndham, only two sections of the pontoon were still floating on a very low tide, with waves breaking over them. Despite the conditions the boat and owner were safely returned to dry ground. |
It was a baptism by fire for the group's latest recruit Matt Farmer, who happened to call in just as the rescue team was preparing to mount the rescue. Former Kununurra resident Matt is now the manager of the Wyndham Business Enterprise Centre and lives only 200 metres from the boat ramp. |