Loss of rescue team-towed boat inquiry inconclusive Sinking mystery remains
AN investigation into how a six-metre boat sank off the coast of North Queensland while being towed by a marine rescue organisation has been declared inconclusive.
A father, his six-year-old son and his brother-in-law were pulled from the water by Volunteer Marine Rescue Burdekin crew after their boat sunk a short time after the tow began on May 24.
The call for help came about midday after the captain of the stricken vessel texted his wife.
Only an hour into the voyage to retrieve the distressed vessel, east of Cape Bowling Green, VMR Burdekin’s Delta One vessel suffered catastrophic engine failure in one of its outboard motors.
The crew continued under the power of the on remaining outboard and met with the distressed vessel about 5pm.
The two men and the boy on the vessel were treated for hypothermia by paramedics later that evening.
A Maritime Safety Queensland investigation examining how the fibreglass boat sank under tow has now concluded.
Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell said the vessel was unable to be recovered.
“As the vessel sank in deep water and could not be recovered, the cause of the sinking remains inconclusive,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The vessel’s master has been reminded of the general safety obligation to properly maintain their vessel and operate safely.”
VMR Burdekin president David Papale said it was important skippers who found themselves in distress knew how to operate a marine radio and provided detailed information about any incident to marine rescuers as soon as possible.
The conclusion of the investigation comes as marine rescue organisations gear up for a busy summer season as more head to the water.
VMR Queensland vice president Vince Papale said the shift to “fishing for your family” during COVID-19 restrictions saw an escalation of activity and activations on the state’s water.
“We saw and heard from vessels we knew were there but had not heard from for 20 or 30 years. They had just been sitting in somebody’s shed,” he said.