A fisherman who found himself stuck in Bass Strait after losing his boat’s propeller on rocks has successfully rescued after making a non-urgent call for help.
The boatie made a “PAN PAN” call on VHF channel 16 on Friday night, which was heard by Marine Rescue Ulverstone volunteers who “were quick to jump in and head out as fast as they could”.
In a post online, the rescue group said “despite the rough conditions” and fading light, everyone managed to return to shore safely – except for the broken propeller.
The fisherman had struck the propeller on rocks in a hazardous area, damaging it and rendering the boat without thrust, which could have left him stranded overnight.
Marine Rescue Ulverstone thanked Surf Life Saving Tasmania for “keeping an eye” on them during the rescue operation.
